One-Sided Mast Climbing Lifting Arrangement for Guyed Masts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for assembling, dismantling, and servicing high masts with guys are inefficient and costly, requiring helicopters and lengthy lifting ropes, which are cumbersome and weather-dependent, and pose risks to service staff due to the need for climbing and the weight of equipment.
Innovation Solution
A lifting arrangement that extends from one side of the mast, using mast elements as both support and carrier, allowing the lifting device to travel along the mast without interference from guys, and includes a platform for personnel and a transfer device for horizontal placement of new elements, reducing the need for separate carrying devices and lengthy ropes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a helicopter is used to lift mast elements, then the mast can be erected at great heights, but the operation becomes weather-dependent, costly, and requires multiple lifts due to the heavy weight of individual elements
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device serves itself by climbing the already erected portion of the mast to reach higher positions. The device uses the mast structure itself as the climbing path, eliminating the need for external helicopters to repeatedly lift elements. This self-service mechanism enables continuous operation independent of weather conditions and significantly reduces operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The mast is divided into multiple elements that can be assembled sequentially. The lifting device is also segmented into manageable components that can be transported and assembled in stages. This segmentation allows the system to build height incrementally, with each segment supporting the next, thereby achieving great heights without requiring single-lift capabilities.
2Length of moving object
If steel ropes are used to lift mast elements to great heights, then elements can be elevated, but the ropes become bulky, heavy, and constitute considerable surface area exposed to wind
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the steel rope from the system entirely. Instead of using ropes to lift elements, the lifting device climbs directly on the mast structure itself. This removal of the rope eliminates the problems of rope weight, bulk, and wind exposure while maintaining the capability to elevate elements to great heights.
Solution Approach 2:
The mast structure itself serves as the intermediary between the lifting device and the elements to be elevated. Rather than using ropes as intermediaries, the device engages directly with the mast, using its own climbing mechanism to ascend and descend, thereby eliminating the need for separate lifting media.
3Ease of operation
If a platform climbs a rail resting on the ground, then the platform can transport loads up the mast, but the device becomes relatively heavy and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device transitions from a static rail-based system to a dynamic climbing mechanism. Instead of moving along a fixed ground-based rail, the device actively climbs the mast structure using powered engagement with the mast elements. This dynamic approach allows the device to support its own weight and the load weight, eliminating the need for heavy ground-based rail infrastructure.
4Ease of repair
If service staff climb the mast on a ladder, then servicing can be performed, but it is time-consuming and energy-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device provides self-service capability for servicing operations. Service staff ride in the basket of the lifting device, which transports them to the required height on the mast. This eliminates the need for manual climbing, significantly reducing the time and energy required for servicing while improving safety and accessibility.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A lifting arrangement for the assembling, dismantling or servicing of a mast (2) divided into elements (1). The lifting arrangement comprises: - an engagement member (5) in parts arranged to be fixed to the mast elements in their longitudinal direction, and with the parts aligned with each other, - a lifting device (6) with a platform (7) for the transport of objects along the mast, - wherein the lifting device (6) further comprises a driving mechanism (9) which can lift the lifting device (6) while engaging the engagement member (5) whereby the lifting device (6), in an assembled state, without interruption can travel along the mast (2) while the mast elements (1) are acting as a support as well as a carrier of the engagement member (5) and the lifting device (6) travelling thereupon, - wherein the lifting device (6) is arranged to, in an assembled state, extend from one side of the mast (2) only and leave the remaining sides of the mast (6) free. The invention also concerns a mast (2) divided into elements (1) and methods for assembling, dismantling and servicing of a mast.