Low Build Electric Luffing Crane for Unmanned Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric cranes are not suitable for unmanned wellhead platforms due to their high height, which conflicts with cantilevered drilling rigs, and they are not fully electric, missing out on energy efficiency and maintenance benefits.
Innovation Solution
A low-building, fully electric crane with a vertical main mast and a cantilevered swiveling crane boom, featuring a strut with a fixed length and electrical driving device to impose force along the crane boom, utilizing a sliding mechanism and tackle system for efficient lifting operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a traditional electric crane with extended tower is used, then lifting capacity is improved, but height increases and conflicts with cantilevered drilling rigs
Solution Approach 1:
The crane boom is made dynamically adjustable in angle through the luffing mechanism, allowing it to change its configuration based on operational needs. The electrical drive system enables dynamic control of the boom angle, allowing the crane to operate effectively at lower heights while maintaining lifting capacity through angular adjustment rather than vertical extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the crane by replacing the fixed vertical extension approach with a variable boom angle approach. The electrical drive system enables precise control of the boom angle parameter, allowing the crane to achieve the required lifting capacity by adjusting the angle rather than increasing height, thus resolving the contradiction between lifting capacity and height.
2Device complexity
If hydraulic lifting mechanism is used in low building crane, then structure simplicity is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the hydraulic mechanical system with an electrical drive system. The electrical motor-driven winch mechanism substitutes for hydraulic cylinders and fluid power systems, eliminating the need for hydraulic oil, pumps, and associated components. This substitution maintains the low-building structural simplicity while dramatically improving energy efficiency and reducing maintenance requirements, as electrical systems have fewer moving parts and no hydraulic fluid to manage.
3Ease of manufacture
If hydraulic lifting mechanism is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical drive system replaces complex hydraulic mechanisms, reducing the number of components that require manufacturing and assembly. The electrical motor, winch, and control system are more standardized and modular than custom hydraulic systems, simplifying both initial manufacture and ongoing maintenance. Electrical components are generally more reliable and easier to repair or replace than hydraulic systems, which require specialized knowledge and handling of hydraulic fluids.
4Use of energy by moving object
If fully electric crane system is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical drive system, while technologically advanced, actually reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the hydraulic power pack, fluid reservoirs, hoses, valves, and filters required by hydraulic systems. The electrical motor and winch mechanism represent a more integrated and compact solution, reducing the number of separate subsystems and interconnections, thereby lowering overall system complexity despite the sophistication of electrical controls.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a crane (1) for an unmanned platform (100) comprising a vertical main mast (2) for connection with the platform (100) and a cantilevered swiveling crane boom (3) configured to perform lifting operations. The crane (1) further comprises a strut (4) having a fixed length, said strut (4) having a first end (4a) pivotable connected to said main mast (2) and a second end (4b) slidingly connected to the crane boom (3), said crane (1) further comprises a lifting arrangement (20) and an electrically driven device (12, 53, 72) adapted to impose a force on the second end of the strut (4b) to move the second end (4b) back and forth along the longitudinal direction of the crane boom (3) between defined end positions (13a, 13b) arranged on the crane boom, the crane (1) further comprising a sliding mechanism (5) having a glide path (13, 51, 71) formed along the longitudinal axis of the crane boom (3) and a yoke (7, 52, 72) pivotable connected to the second end of the strut (4b), said yoke (7, 52, 72) is adapted to move along the glide path (13, 51, 71).