Articulated Offshore Crane Cradle for Reduced Deck Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore cranes with articulated booms face challenges due to bulky and heavy boom supports that consume valuable deck space and require additional structural reinforcement, limiting operational efficiency and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A cradle system is integrated into the bridge to support the terminal boom in a resting position, eliminating the need for a traditional boom rest, reducing deck space consumption and structural load, and minimizing the requirement for additional reinforcements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional boom rest is used to support the articulated boom in resting position, then the boom stability is improved, but the deck space consumption increases and the structural weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the boom support function from the traditional long boom rest structure and relocates it to a compact cradle positioned at the terminal boom's resting location. This extraction eliminates the need for extensive deck space while maintaining the essential support function, directly resolving the contradiction between stability and space consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a horizontal boom rest configuration to a vertical cradle configuration positioned at the terminal boom's resting point. This dimensional change from horizontal to vertical positioning reduces the footprint on the deck while providing equivalent support, addressing the space-stability contradiction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional boom rest is used to support the articulated boom in resting position, then the boom stability is improved, but the structural weight and reinforcement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the support function from the heavy traditional boom rest and consolidates it into a lighter cradle structure positioned at the terminal boom's resting location. This extraction reduces the overall structural weight while maintaining stability, as the support is applied more efficiently at the critical terminal point rather than along the entire boom length.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies support locally at the terminal boom's resting position rather than providing distributed support along the entire boom. This localized support approach reduces the total structural weight and reinforcement requirements while maintaining adequate stability, as the critical support function is concentrated where it is most effective.
3Ease of operation
If a traditional boom rest is used, then the boom support function is provided, but the operational flexibility and efficiency are reduced due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the boom support function from the space-consuming traditional boom rest and relocates it to a compact cradle. This extraction frees up valuable deck space for other operational equipment and activities, thereby enhancing operational flexibility and efficiency without compromising boom support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention repositions the support structure from a horizontal configuration to a vertical configuration at the terminal boom's resting point. This dimensional change minimizes the horizontal footprint on the deck, allowing for greater operational flexibility and reduced interference with other shipboard operations.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (1) for offshore application, comprising a deck (2) equipped with a crane (3) with an articulated boom (4). This crane (3) comprises: - a support structure (5), fixed to said deck (2), and - an articulated boom (4), supported by said support structure (5). The articulated boom (4) comprises a main boom (41) and an end boom (42), in series, which end boom (42) has a head (422) opposite said support structure (5). This deck (2) is equipped with a cradle (10), located at a distance from the support structure (5), which has a receiving portion (101) on which a head (422) of said end boom (42) is intended to rest in said resting position.