Deepwater Hoisting Crane Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hoisting cranes have a limited range of loads that can be hoisted at a desired hoisting rate due to the constraints of the winch and hoisting cable, requiring a compromise in cable, winch, and crane capacity, which restricts the ability to lift heavier loads at the same rate.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a deep water winch positioned below the rotatable winch support and an associated deep water cable that extends through the center of the rotatable winch support, allowing for the hoisting of larger loads over longer distances with a reasonable hoisting rate, using a high-capacity winch and cable with a large diameter, such as up to 109 mm and 4000 meters in length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional hoisting system with standard winch and cable is used, then the crane structure remains compact and manageable, but the range of loads that can be hoisted at a desired hoisting rate is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The deep water cable is routed through the hollow vertical column of the crane, nesting the cable path within the existing structural space. This allows the deepwater lowering system to be integrated without requiring additional external structural elements, thereby increasing load capacity while maintaining a compact crane structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to the cable routing by extending the deep water cable from below the rotatable winch support, through the hollow column, to the top cable guide. This three-dimensional cable path allows independent operation of the deepwater system alongside the conventional hoisting system, expanding the adaptable load range without increasing horizontal structural complexity.
2Force
If reeved hoisting cables are used to hoist heavier loads, then heavier loads can be hoisted, but the hoisting rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hoisting function is segmented into two independent systems: a conventional hoisting system for lighter loads with higher rates, and a deepwater lowering system with high-capacity winch and large-diameter cable for heavier loads. Each system operates independently with its own winch and cable, allowing optimization of hoisting rate for each load category without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The crane structure serves multiple functions by accommodating both conventional hoisting operations and deepwater lowering operations through the same vertical column and cable guides. The top cable guide and rotatable winch support handle both systems, enabling the crane to universally handle various load types and weights without requiring separate dedicated structures.
3Ease of operation
If the deep water winch is made movable to improve positioning flexibility, then positioning flexibility increases, but the large mass of the deep water winch limits its movability considerably
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the heavy deep water winch movable to achieve positioning flexibility, the invention inverts the approach by making the winch fixed and allowing the cable to move freely through the hollow column. The cable's flexibility compensates for the winch's fixed position, providing operational flexibility without requiring movement of the massive winch assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A hoisting crane comprising a substantially hollow vertical column, a jib, a jib winch and a jib hoisting cable is provided. The crane further a hoisting winch and an associated hoisting cable, the hoisting winch being disposed in the column, so that the hoisting cable extends from the winch through the column. The jib winch and the hoisting winch are arranged on a rotatable winch support, such that the winch support is mounted movable with respect to the vertical column. The hoisting crane further comprises a deep water winch positioned below the rotatable winch support and an associated deep water cable for raising and lowering a load extending through the rotation axis of the rotatable winch support, so that the deep water cable extends from the deep water winch through the hollow vertical column. The present invention further relates to a vessel provided with such a crane.