Crane Boom and Counterweight Positioning for Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cranes used for lifting components to wind turbines face challenges in balancing loads of varying weights and sizes due to complex and expensive designs, which lead to strain on the mast and increased wear on the drive mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A crane design featuring a mast with an elongated boom and a movable counterweight that can be positioned independently on both sides of the mast, utilizing separate transmission systems for the boom and counterweight to adjust their lengths and positions, allowing for improved balancing and reduced need for boom movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the crane uses a fixed boom length design, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the adaptability to lift components of different sizes and distances is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The boom is divided into a front portion and a rear portion that can move relative to each other, allowing independent adjustment of the front portion's length. This segmentation enables the crane to adapt to different lifting distances and component sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The boom's front portion is made dynamically adjustable relative to the rear portion through a transmission system. This dynamic configuration allows the crane to change its effective boom length based on the specific lifting task, improving versatility without requiring complete redesign for each application.
2Device complexity
If the counterweight is fixed in position, then the structure is simpler, but the ability to balance loads of varying weights is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight is made movable along the rear portion of the boom through a transmission system, allowing its position to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the crane to balance different load weights by repositioning the counterweight, providing adaptability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a movable counterweight system that can be positioned at different locations along the boom to counterbalance varying loads. By adjusting the counterweight's position, the crane achieves equilibrium for different lifting scenarios, from light to heavy components.
3Device complexity
If the boom and counterweight are coupled in movement, then the transmission system is simpler, but the operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system is segmented into two independent systems: one for moving the boom's front portion and another for moving the counterweight. This segmentation allows each system to operate independently, providing operational flexibility while keeping each individual transmission subsystem relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The independent transmission systems enable the boom and counterweight to perform multiple functions: they can move simultaneously, independently, or in coordinated fashion depending on the operational requirements. This multi-functionality enhances ease of operation without requiring an overly complex integrated system.
4Force
If the crane design is optimized for heavy loads, then the lifting capacity is improved, but the usability for light components and maintenance operations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable boom length and movable counterweight create a dynamically configurable crane system that can be optimized for different load weights. For heavy loads, the boom can be extended and counterweight positioned accordingly; for light components, the boom length and counterweight position are adjusted to provide precise control and reduced strain.
Solution Approach 2:
The crane's operational parameters (boom length, counterweight position) can be changed to match the specific load requirements. This parameter adjustment capability allows the same crane to efficiently handle both heavy components during installation and light components during maintenance, maximizing versatility across different operational phases.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a crane (1) comprising a mast (2), an elongated boom (3) connected to the mast having a front portion (6) extending on one side of the mast and a rear portion (8) extending on the opposite side of the mast, and the boom (3) is linearly movable relative to the mast such that the length of the front portion and the length of the rear portion is adjustable by moving the boom relative to mast, and a counterweight (12) movably connected to the boom (3). The boom (3) and the counterweight (12) are arranged so that they can be moved independent of each other, and the counterweight and the boom are arranged so that the counterweight can pass the mast and be moved between the front portion (6) and the rear portion (8) independent of the position of the boom (3) with respect to the mast (2).