Tower Crane Self-Ballasting and Modular Climbing System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current tower cranes face limitations in achieving higher lifting heights and larger load capacities, particularly in wind turbine installations, due to constraints in available lifting equipment, and require easier and quicker assembly and transport solutions.
Innovation Solution
A tower crane design featuring a crane tower composed of several pieces with a main boom and counter-jib, where the main hoist rope lifts loads and the counter-jib hoist rope adjusts a balancing weight, allowing for lower center of gravity and flexible ballasting, along with a climbing piece for adjustable height and luffing booms for variable lifting heights and distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional counterballast elements are installed on the counterjib, then the crane can achieve proper ballasting, but the installation becomes laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The counterballast elements are designed to be self-installable using the crane's own hoisting mechanism. The counterjib hoist rope and hook system allows ballast elements to be easily attached and positioned without external equipment or complex installation procedures, enabling the crane to ballast itself efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The counterjib hoist rope acts as an intermediary mechanism between the ballast elements and the crane structure. This intermediary system simplifies the connection process, allowing ballast elements to be easily suspended and positioned at the required locations on the counterjib
2Length of moving object
If the center of gravity of the counterballast is positioned higher, then the ballasting is achieved, but the crane dimensioning becomes less optimal and limits lifting height
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the vertical dimension along the counterjib structure to position ballast elements. By suspending ballast elements from the counterjib hoist rope, the system creates optimal center of gravity positioning in the vertical dimension, allowing the center of gravity to be positioned significantly lower while maintaining proper ballasting moments
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the counterballast center of gravity from a higher position (conventional) to a lower position (innovative). This parameter change optimizes the crane's stability characteristics and allows for greater lifting heights without compromising ballasting effectiveness
3Length of moving object
If the crane tower is extended to achieve higher lifting heights, then the lifting capability increases, but the assembly and transport complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crane tower is divided into multiple modular tower sections that can be assembled in sequence. The climbing section enables incremental extension by allowing additional lattice sections to be attached to the tower top during operation, transforming a complex single-piece assembly into a manageable modular construction process
Solution Approach 2:
The climbing section provides dynamic extension capability, allowing the crane tower to grow with construction progress. The system transitions from a static fixed-height structure to a dynamically extendable structure, enabling the crane to adapt its lifting height to the evolving construction requirements
4Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid counter-jib is used for ballasting, then the ballasting function is provided, but the adaptability to different load configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The counterjib is transformed from a rigid fixed-configuration structure to a dynamic adjustable system. The luffing mechanism allows the counterjib to change its angle and position, while the hoist rope system enables dynamic positioning of ballast elements, providing adaptability to different load configurations and moment requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The counterjib system gains multi-functionality by combining the structural support function with adjustable ballasting capability. The same counterjib structure serves both as a mechanical support element and as a flexible ballasting platform, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a tower crane, in particular a rotary tower crane, comprising a crane tower, which is constructed from a plurality of tower pieces, a main jib, which is arranged at the tower tip, and a counter-jib, wherein at least one main lifting cable is guided over the main jib in order to hold a load and at least one counter-jib lifting cable is guided over the counter-jib in order to hold a balancing weight.