Crane Base Suspension System for Counterweight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crane operations face inflexibility and increased structural weight due to the need for substantial counterweights to prevent tipping and overload, which limits operational flexibility and increases the crane's overall mass.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a suspension device with guiding and displacement components to reduce the required counterweight by suspending the crane at its base, allowing for motion and reducing the need for counterweight, with suspension elements arranged triangularly to minimize friction and enable slewing and lateral movement, potentially eliminating the need for counterweights altogether.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If substantial counterweights are used to prevent tipping and overload, then crane stability is improved, but the overall structural weight increases and operational flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the counterweight function from the crane structure itself by introducing an external suspension system. The counterweight effect is achieved through cables anchored to the seabed or vessel, allowing the crane to operate without carrying substantial counterweights on its structure, thereby reducing overall structural weight while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the counterweight principle externally rather than internally. Instead of placing counterweights on the crane structure, the system uses tensioned cables anchored to a fixed base (seabed or vessel) to create a counterbalancing effect, allowing the crane to remain stable without adding structural weight.
2Stability of the object's composition
If substantial counterweights are used to prevent tipping and overload, then crane stability is improved, but operational flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the counterweight function from the crane structure and implementing it externally through a suspension system, the crane gains operational flexibility. The crane can be configured for different operations without being constrained by fixed counterweight arrangements, allowing easier adaptation to various lifting scenarios and positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system introduces dynamic adjustability to the crane configuration. Cables can be tensioned and adjusted during operation, allowing the crane to adapt its stability characteristics based on operational needs rather than being fixed by permanent counterweight installations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional counterweights are used, then crane stability is maintained, but the amount of counterweight required is substantial
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses external anchoring to provide counterbalancing force without requiring substantial counterweight material on the crane. The tensioned cables anchored to the seabed or vessel structure provide the necessary counterweight effect through external support rather than internal mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension cables act as intermediaries between the crane structure and the fixed base (seabed or vessel). These cables transmit and distribute the stabilizing forces, allowing the crane to achieve stability with minimal counterweight material by leveraging the external anchoring system.
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 system achieves a reduction of up to 90% in the necessary counterweight, enhancing operational flexibility while maintaining stability and preventing overload, allowing for flexible crane operation without the need for traditional counterweights.
Implementation Method 1
at least one suspension element (29) connected with a first end to the crane (2) and being connected with a second end to the displacement device (24)
Implementation Method 2
guiding structure (22) defining a guiding direction (23), said guiding structure being attached to the base (20)
Implementation Method 3
suspension elements arranged triangularly to minimize friction and enable slewing and lateral movement
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A system (19; 19, 35) for reducing an amount of a counterweight for a crane comprises a crane (2) having a founding structure (3) being disposed on a base (20), a coupling unit (4), and a superstructure (5) being coupled to the founding structure (3) via the coupling unit (4). The system (19; 19, 35) further comprises a suspension device (21; 21, 36) for suspending the crane (2) at the base (20), said suspension device (21; 21, 36) having a guiding structure (22; 22, 37) defining a guiding direction (23; 23, 38), said guiding structure (22; 22, 37) being attached to the base (20), a displacement device (24) being displaceably attached to the guiding structure (22; 22, 37) along the guiding direction (23; 23, 38), and at least one suspension element (29) being connected with a first end to the crane (2) and being connected with a second end to the displacement device (24). Whereby two suspension elements (29) are provided at one suspension device (21; 21, 36), said two suspension elements (29) are arranged triangularly within a vertical plane.