Floating Platform Lifting Device with Displaceable Gripping Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for placing large elongate objects, such as monopiles for wind turbines, are hindered by the difficulty of maintaining control in rough sea conditions, leading to inefficiencies and increased time requirements due to the energy from currents, waves, and wind.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a floating platform with A-frame-shaped booms and a displaceable gripping construction that can engage objects beyond the platform's edge, allowing for safe placement and anchoring of elongate objects in heavier swell conditions, utilizing A-frame-shaped booms and a gripping construction with movement-damping means to stabilize the object during lifting and placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed gripping construction is used on a floating platform, then the structure is simple and stable, but the ability to operate in rough sea conditions deteriorates due to inability to adapt to wave movements
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping construction is made displaceable along the platform edge rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to maintain optimal engagement with the elongate object during wave-induced platform movements. This dynamic positioning capability enables operation in rougher sea conditions while managing the added complexity through guided linear motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting device is segmented into distinct functional modules: the displaceable gripping construction separated from the main platform structure, and the A-frame booms as independent lifting elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates the displacement mechanism without requiring complete redesign of the entire system.
2Ease of operation
If the gripping construction is positioned at the platform edge to engage objects, then the placement capability is improved, but the control stability worsens due to wave-induced movements affecting the gripping members
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping construction's displaceability along the platform edge allows it to dynamically track and maintain proper engagement with the elongate object as waves cause platform motion. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains placement capability while compensating for stability-affected conditions through continuous positional adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The displaceable gripping construction acts as an intermediary between the floating platform and the elongate object, absorbing and accommodating the relative movements caused by waves. This intermediary mechanism protects the control system from direct exposure to wave-induced instabilities while maintaining effective engagement.
3Strength
If A-frame-shaped booms are used for lifting, then the lifting capacity and stability are improved, but the device complexity increases due to the dual boom configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The A-frame booms combine multiple structural and functional elements into a single integrated configuration. Each A-frame boom integrates the lifting beam, support structure, and engagement points into one unified component, achieving high lifting capacity while reducing the number of separate parts compared to traditional multi-component crane structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The A-frame configuration uses asymmetric triangular geometry to optimize structural efficiency. The angled legs of the A-frame provide inherent lateral stability and distribute loads more effectively than vertical columns, achieving enhanced strength and stability while using fewer materials and simpler bracing compared to symmetric rectangular structures.
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
Enables the safe and efficient placement of heavy elongate objects on a ground surface, including underwater bottoms, in conditions with heavier swells than previous methods, by stabilizing the object through the use of A-frame booms and a displaceable gripping construction with movement-damping mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The gripping construction is provided with movement-damping means for damping movements of the gripping members relative to the work deck under the influence of waves
Implementation Method 2
two A-frame-shaped booms which are disposed at a mutual distance in an athwartship direction of the platform and which are connected to the work deck for pivoting around an athwartship axis of the platform
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
Described is a device for lifting and placing on a ground surface of an elongate object of at least 200 tons. The device comprises a floating platform with a work deck on which a lifting device for lifting the object is arranged. The lifting device has two A-frame-shaped booms which are disposed at a mutual distance in an athwartship direction of the platform and which are connected to the work deck for pivoting around an athwartship axis of the platform. The lifting device further comprises a gripping construction which is connected to the work deck and has gripping members which can engage a peripheral part of the object and which extend beyond an athwartship edge of the platform. The gripping construction is displaceable over the work deck in the athwartship direction. Also described is a method which makes use of the device.