Tower Crane V-Shaped Guying for Lateral Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tower cranes with long booms are susceptible to lateral twisting and buckling under transverse loads, such as strong crosswinds, leading to reduced stability and efficiency, despite conventional bracing methods that either increase weight or reduce lifting capacity.
Innovation Solution
A bracing system comprising spatially splayed struts and guy wires hinged between the tower and boom, allowing for adjustable angles and lengths to stabilize against both lateral and longitudinal forces, enhancing structural integrity without increasing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional bracing methods are used to prevent lateral twisting, then stability is improved, but weight increases or lifting capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar bracing (in the crane's longitudinal center plane) to spatial bracing by splaying guy wire supports laterally. The guy wires are routed through V-shaped supports that extend transversely, creating a three-dimensional bracing configuration. This spatial arrangement provides lateral stability without requiring additional weight, as the transverse components utilize the existing structural geometry to resist twisting forces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the tower cross-section or wall thickness is increased to prevent buckling, then stability is improved, but efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the tower's cross-sectional dimensions or wall thickness, the patent introduces spatial bracing elements that extend laterally from the tower. The splayed guy wire supports create transverse bracing planes that prevent buckling under compressive loads. This approach maintains the original tower dimensions while achieving enhanced stability through three-dimensional load distribution, thereby preserving lifting efficiency.
3Force
If guy wires are routed in the longitudinal center plane, then vertical loads are countered, but transverse stability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two bracing functions into a single integrated system. The guy wires continue to provide vertical load resistance in the longitudinal center plane while simultaneously, through their routing through laterally splayed V-shaped supports, providing transverse stability. This merging of functions allows the same bracing system to address both vertical and lateral stability requirements without requiring separate independent systems.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a tower crane having a tower which carries a jib, from which a hoisting cable runs off, wherein a guying system is provided and runs, at least in part, along the tower and is spread out, by means of guy supports, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal centre plane of the crane, this plane running through the tower and the jib, wherein at least one pair of guy supports which are spread out in a V-shaped manner are articulated on the tower, between the lower end of the latter and the jib.