Offshore Crane Tip-Over Prevention via Angled Frame Chords
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boom stoppers for offshore cranes are inadequate in preventing tip-over and structural damage, as they may not effectively limit or prevent the boom from tipping over, especially under adverse conditions.
Innovation Solution
A tip-over prevention system comprising a boom mounted part with a frame and a support mounted part, where the frame has longitudinally extending chords angled between 1 to 30 degrees, and a biasing element biased towards an extended position, engaging to absorb energy and redirect forces along the boom's longitudinal axis, preventing tipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional boom stopper is used to limit boom position, then the boom position can be controlled, but the boom can still tip over and cause structural damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by positioning the biasing element to engage with the frame before the boom can tip over. The biasing element is pre-configured to counteract adverse forces that could cause the boom to tip past the vertical position, thereby preventing tip-over before it occurs rather than merely stopping the boom at a predetermined position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful swinging motion of the boom into beneficial longitudinal loading of the boom structure. By angle the frame chords at 1-30 degrees relative to the boom axis, the system transforms transverse tip-over forces into longitudinal compressive forces that strengthen the boom rather than causing damage.
2Speed
If a boom stopper engages the boom transversely to prevent tipping, then immediate countering of adverse motion is achieved, but the boom may still suffer structural damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful transverse forces generated during rapid boom motion into beneficial longitudinal loading. The angled frame chords (1-30 degrees) transform the transverse component of the biasing element's force into longitudinal compression along the boom axis, which strengthens the boom structure rather than causing damage.
3Reliability
If the frame chords are angled at a large angle to the boom axis, then transverse tip-over prevention is improved, but longitudinal strength contribution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the frame chord angle parameter within the range of 1-30 degrees relative to the boom axis. This parameter optimization achieves a favorable balance where sufficient transverse component exists to prevent tip-over while maintaining adequate longitudinal component to load the boom along its axis. The specific angular range represents an optimized compromise between these two competing requirements.
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
The system effectively prevents boom tip-over and structural damage by absorbing energy and redirecting forces, using a lightweight structure that guides loads to the boom's chords, thereby limiting or preventing failure.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element that is biased towards an extended position... configured to engage with the frame... to absorb energy and redirect forces along the longitudinal axis of the boom
Data Source
AI summary
Tip-over prevention system (8) for an offshore crane, comprising a boom mounted part (9) that is arranged to be mounted to a boom (3) of the offshore crane (1); a support mounted part (10) to be mounted to a support structure (2) for the offshore crane; wherein the boom mounted part comprises a frame with at least one longitudinally extending chord (16); wherein the support mounted part comprises a biasing element (14) that is biased towards an extended position, wherein the boom mounted part and the support mounted part are configured to engage with each other when a boom angle (a) of the boom exceeds a predefined threshold.