Crane Boom Rail Heating Wire Layout for Snow and Ice Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for removing snow and ice from cranes, particularly tower cranes, are inefficient, pose safety risks, and result in significant downtime due to their impracticality and inability to reach all areas of the crane, including the boom, leading to interference with operations and potential damage to equipment.
Innovation Solution
A heat application apparatus and method for tower crane boom rails using a heating wire mounted in a way that does not obstruct the movement of trolley wheels, applying heat uniformly to melt snow and ice while adhering to the unique structural constraints of tower cranes, ensuring safe and effective ice removal without compromising the integrity of the crane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional snow and ice removal methods (spray chemicals, manual scraping, waiting for natural melting) are used, then the crane operations can be maintained, but significant downtime is incurred and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating wire is installed on the boom rail in advance before snow and ice accumulation occurs. When snow or ice begins to form, the heating element is activated to prevent significant accumulation, allowing the crane to continue operating without downtime. This preliminary action eliminates the need for shutdowns to remove snow and ice.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical snow and ice removal methods (manual scraping, trolley breaking) with a thermal system using heating wires. This substitution allows continuous operation without mechanical intervention, eliminating downtime associated with manual removal methods.
2Ease of operation
If manual scraping methods are used by crane operators, then snow and ice can be removed from the boom, but safety risks significantly increase due to working at height in bad weather
Solution Approach 1:
The heating wire system is self-operating and requires no manual intervention. The system automatically heats the boom rail to prevent snow and ice accumulation, eliminating the need for operators to perform dangerous manual scraping work at height in adverse weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces dangerous manual mechanical scraping with an automated thermal system. The heating wire eliminates the need for operators to physically access the boom in bad weather, thereby protecting operator safety while maintaining snow and ice removal capability.
3Ease of operation
If the trolley is used to break up snow and ice, then removal can be achieved, but damage to trolley wheels and crane components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical breakdown methods using the trolley with a thermal system. The heating wire melts snow and ice preventively, eliminating the need for mechanical breaking that would damage trolley wheels and crane components, thereby maintaining component integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system acts preliminarily to prevent snow and ice from hardening into chunks that would require forceful mechanical breaking. By maintaining the boom rail temperature above freezing, snow and ice remain easily removable or prevent accumulation entirely, avoiding damage to crane components.
4Ease of operation
If spray chemical methods are used, then snow and ice can be removed, but the chemicals pose health and environmental hazards requiring special handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical spray methods with a thermal system using heating wires. This substitution eliminates the need for deicing chemicals entirely, removing all associated health and environmental hazards while maintaining effective snow and ice removal capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for safe and efficient removal of snow and ice from tower crane booms, minimizing downtime and ensuring smooth operation by maintaining the structural integrity and safety of the crane, while allowing trolley movement without obstruction.
Implementation Method 1
a heat source (13) configured to apply heat to the unobstructed movement element travel space (10) of the surface (9) of the tower crane boom rail (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Removal of snow and ice from crane booms (3) is disclosed. A heat source (13) may apply heat to an unobstructed movement element travel space (10) of a crane boom (3). A space available mount (12) of the heat source (13) may occupy an available remainder space (11) of a crane boom (3). A space available mount (12) may be a wire assembly (18) having a heating wire (19) disposed within a channel (20). Heat applied from a heat source (13) may melt snow or ice in an unobstructed movement element travel space (10) of a crane boom (3).