Jack-Up Platform Crane Envelope Determination via Leg Load Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing preloading methods for jack-up platform units rely heavily on human judgment, leading to unpredictable and unstable foundation conditions, which can result in safety risks and inefficient crane operations.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to determine the actual crane or cantilever operations envelope by monitoring leg load characteristics during preloading, ensuring stability and accuracy through objective measurement and algorithmic processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If active or passive preloading procedures are used with human judgment, then the preloading process can be completed, but the determination of preload value is unpredictable and unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of preload determinationVSAvoidprecision of preload value

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual, experience-based preloading determination method with an automated measurement system using load cells and computer processing. Load cells provide precise, objective measurements of leg loads during preloading operations, eliminating the unpredictability and subjectivity of human judgment while achieving reliable and precise preload value determination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where load cell measurements are continuously monitored and processed by a computer to determine when stable preload values have been achieved. The system provides real-time feedback on load stability, allowing operators to adjust preloading procedures based on actual measured data rather than relying solely on expert judgment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If expert knowledge and human judgment are relied upon for preloading, then the process can be performed, but there is no reproducible determination of preload value

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of preloading operationVSAvoidreproducibility of preload value

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective expert judgment with objective automated measurement systems. Load cells provide consistent, repeatable measurements that can be reproduced across different operators and conditions, eliminating the lack of reproducibility associated with human-based determination methods while maintaining operational ease through automated data collection and processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If theoretical crane operations envelope is used without actual pre-load data, then crane operations can be planned, but safety risks arise due to unstable foundation conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of crane operations planningVSAvoidsafety of crane operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback loop where actual leg load measurements from load cells are used to update and refine the crane operations envelope. This ensures that crane operation plans are based on real, actual foundation conditions rather than theoretical values, thereby improving both the safety and efficiency of crane operations by eliminating uncertainties related to unstable foundations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary measurement of leg loads during the preloading phase before crane operations begin. By obtaining actual pre-load data in advance, the system can accurately determine the true crane operations envelope before any lifting operations start, preventing safety risks that would arise from operating with unstable or unknown foundation conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12270169B2Method for determining a crane or cantilever operations envelope on a jack-up platform unit, jack-up platform unit

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 GUSTOMSC BV

AI summary

A method is provided for determining an actual achieved pre-load value by monitoring a leg load characteristic during pre-loading. The method further comprises determining an actual crane or cantilever operations envelope taking into account the actual achieved preload instead. The method further comprises taking into account other data such as environmental loads or crane or cantilever movement.