Remote Heave Compensator for Crane Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heave compensation systems for cranes on floating vessels are bulky, affect vessel stability, require extensive hydraulic equipment, and lead to line wear issues, often with parts inaccessible for inspection, and reduce crane capacity.
Innovation Solution
A remote heave compensation system where the heave compensator is located below the deck, with a heave line extending to an equalizer on the crane boom, isolating lifting lines from heave compensation lines, allowing for reduced line wear monitoring and easier replacement, and freeing up space for larger loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heave compensation equipment is mounted on the crane boom, then heave compensation function is achieved, but vessel stability deteriorates due to large mass located high on the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The heave compensator is relocated from the vertical dimension (mounted on the crane boom) to the horizontal dimension (mounted on the vessel deck away from the crane boom). This spatial relocation maintains the heave compensation function while improving vessel stability by positioning heavy equipment lower and away from the crane's center of gravity.
2Device complexity
If heave compensation system is integrated into the multiline system, then line handling is simplified, but line wear issues worsen requiring full line replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The line system is segmented into two separate systems: a multiline system for lifting operations and a heave compensation line system for motion compensation. This segmentation allows the heave compensation line to be independently replaced when worn, without requiring replacement of the entire multiline system, thereby extending overall system service life and reducing costs.
3Reliability
If heave compensation equipment is mounted on the crane boom, then heave compensation is achieved, but crane capacity deteriorates due to reduced overall capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The heave compensator is relocated from the crane boom to the vessel deck, removing its weight from the crane's load capacity calculations. This spatial relocation preserves the heave compensation function while restoring full crane lifting capacity, as the compensator equipment is now supported independently by the vessel structure.
4Ease of operation
If hydraulic equipment is mounted near the base of the crane, then crane control is improved, but vessel stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic equipment is extracted from the crane base location and relocated to a separate mounting position on the vessel deck. This separation maintains crane control functionality while improving vessel stability by positioning heavy hydraulic equipment away from the crane's center of gravity and lower on the vessel structure.
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
This configuration stabilizes suspended objects, reduces vessel instability, allows for easier maintenance, and increases crane capacity by relocating heavy hydraulic systems and minimizing line length, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heave compensator configured to translate in association with and to compensate for heaving motion of a vessel
Implementation Method 2
Compensating motion of the heave compensator may be transferred to the equalizer by the heave line to compensate for heaving motion of the vessel and stabilize objects suspended from the multiline system
Data Source
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AI summary
A remote heave compensation system associated with a crane on a vessel may include a heave compensator arranged remotely from the crane and configured to translate in association with and to compensate for heaving motion of the vessel, an equalizer arranged on the crane and coupled to an end of a multiline system of the crane, a heave line secured to the equalizer at a first end and secured to the heave compensator at a second end, wherein compensating motion of the heave compensator is transferred to the equalizer by the heave line to compensate for heaving motion of the vessel and stabilize objects suspended from the multiline system of the crane.