Key information

Title
A crane for a ship
Application number
20210761
Case type
National
Status
02.12.2024 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
11.06.2021
Effective date
11.06.2021
Publicly available
12.12.2022
Next annual fee due
30.06.2027
Applicant
SEAONICS AS (NO)
Owner
SEAONICS AS (NO)
Inventor
Jarle Sigurd Ødegård (NO)
Agent
ZACCO NORWAY AS (NO)
Granted
02.12.2024
Patent number
348348
Expiry date
11.06.2041

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
An all-electric crane, with no use of hydraulic actuators, comprising a main boom (6) having a first end (6a) and a second end (6b), and a secondary boom (7) which is slidably connected to the main boom and arranged for translatory motion with respect to the main boom. One or more power-and-transmission units (11) are connected to the main boom, wherein a powerand-transmission unit comprises a drive unit (11’) operatively connected to a first gear (16). At least a portion of the secondary boom comprises a second gear (17), and the first and second gears are dimensioned and configured for gripping engagement, whereby operation of the drive unit (11’) causes the secondary boom to move with respect to the main boom.

Publications

B1A1
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Documents

 Expand Download files (35)
Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 06.12.2024 16-01 Saksbehandling 20210761(348348) UT PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20210761)
27.09.2024 15-01 Saksbehandling 20210761 UT PT Meddelelse om patent ZACCO NORWAY AS
 26.09.2024 14-04 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Svar på uttalelse ZACCO NORWAY AS
 26.09.2024 14-03 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Specification and claims - marked ZACCO NORWAY AS
 26.09.2024 14-02 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Specification and claims - clean ZACCO NORWAY AS
 26.09.2024 14-01 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 26.06.2024 13-01 Saksbehandling 20210761 UT Realitet patent ZACCO NORWAY AS
 22.05.2024 12-04 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Response to 2nd OA ZACCO NORWAY AS
 22.05.2024 12-03 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Amended claims after 2nd OA - clean ZACCO NORWAY AS
 22.05.2024 12-02 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Amended claims after 2nd OA - annotated.pdf ZACCO NORWAY AS
 22.05.2024 12-01 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 26.01.2024 11-02 Saksbehandling 20210761 UT PT report 01:31:59
26.01.2024 11-01 Saksbehandling 20210761 UT Realitet patent ZACCO NORWAY AS
 04.05.2023 10-01 Saksbehandling 20210761 UT PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20210761) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 03.06.2022 09-05 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Letter ZACCO NORWAY AS
 03.06.2022 09-04 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Figures - corrected figs 2 and 4 ZACCO NORWAY AS
 03.06.2022 09-03 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Amended claims - M-U ZACCO NORWAY AS
 03.06.2022 09-02 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Amended claims - CLEAN ZACCO NORWAY AS
 03.06.2022 09-01 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 10.01.2022 08-01 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 06.01.2022 07-02 Saksbehandling 20210761 UT PT report 09:48:06
06.01.2022 07-01 Saksbehandling 20210761 UT Realitet patent ZACCO NORWAY AS
 23.11.2021 06-02 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN P343745NO00 Request AKS ZACCO NORWAY AS
 23.11.2021 06-01 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 09.09.2021 04-01 Saksbehandling 20210761 UT Infobrev til oppfinner ZACCO NORWAY AS
 07.09.2021 05-03 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN P343745NO00 Response Letter to NIPO ZACCO NORWAY AS
 07.09.2021 05-02 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN P343745NO00 erklaering_rett_oppfinnelsenb ZACCO NORWAY AS
 07.09.2021 05-01 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 25.08.2021 03-02 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN P343745NO00 Be om forsert behandling ZACCO NORWAY AS
 25.08.2021 03-01 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 14.06.2021 02-01 Saksbehandling 20210761 UT Formalia 1 ZACCO NORWAY AS
 11.06.2021 01-04 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN P343745NO00 Signed POA ZACCO NORWAY AS
 11.06.2021 01-03 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN P343745NO00 Figures ZACCO NORWAY AS
 11.06.2021 01-02 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN P343745NO00 Description Claims and Abstract ZACCO NORWAY AS
 11.06.2021 01-01 Saksbehandling 20210761 INN Søknadsskjema Patent ZACCO NORWAY AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
A crane for a shipTechnical field of the inventionThe invention concerns a crane of the type defined in the preamble of claim 1. The invented crane is particularly useful on a ship or other vessel.Background of the inventionThe prior art includes CN 109185409 A, which describes a gear and rack mechanism of a telescopic boom. Each gear is connected with a rack in manner of meshing; and one end of one of the racks and one end of the other rack are fixedly connected with a primary extension boom.The prior art also includes US 3913756 A, which describes a skimming mechanism used in steel mills for removing slag from the surface of the molten metal in a ladle, the mechanism comprising an extensible boom assembly pivotally mounted on a turntable and power means arranged for rotating the turntable and for pivotally moving the boom assembly in a vertical plane relative to the turntable.The prior art also includes EP 0949184 A2, which describes a telescopic jib arm supported on the ground by at least one support on which it can tilt. A holder unit travels along the jib arm which has a first telescopic pipe containing a drive mechanism for at least one second telescopic pipe. A third telescopic pipe is controlled by the drive mechanism which has a motor.The prior art also includes US 4596336 A, which describes a mobile crane having an extendible and retractable luffing jib hingedly supported by a main boom which can be positioned in a horizontal position.Design of ship’s deck cranes is often a compromise between crane load capacity, size, and deck footprint. Space is often limited on a ship’s deck. A deck crane typically comprises a superstructure connected to a pedestal via a slewing gear. The superstructure comprises one or more crane arms that are movable via hydraulic cylinders. A tower normally extends above the crane arms, for movably supporting the crane arms via hydraulic cylinders and/or wire ropes. The crane arms may be telescopically connected or hingedly connected (“knuckle boom crane”). An object of the invention is to present a crane which is lighter, more compact, and has improved operational characteristics, over the prior art cranes.Summary of the inventionThe invention is set forth and characterized in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention.It is thus provided a crane for a ship, comprising- a superstructure comprising a support structure which supports a main boom having a first end and a second end, via a hinged connection which is arranged closer to the second end than to the first end, whereby the main boom is pivotable in a vertical plane; characterized by:- a superstructure rotatably arranged on a pedestal, and the superstructure is rotatably connected to the pedestal via a slewing mechanism whereby the superstructure is rotatable around a pedestal vertical axis;- a drive arrangement arranged below the main boom, wherein the drive arrangement comprises a pivot winch having an electric motor, a rotary attachment device, and one or more drive wires extending between winch and the rotary attachment device; and - wherein the pedestal comprises a boom rest for supporting a portion of the main boom when the crane is not in use.In one embodiment, the electric motor-and-winch assembly is arranged on the first end portion of the main boom, and the rotary attachment device is arranged on the support structure.In one embodiment, the crane further comprises a secondary boom which is slidably connected to the main boom and arranged for translatory motion with respect to the main boom, wherein- one or more power-and-transmission units is connected to the main boom, wherein a power-and-transmission unit comprises a drive unit operatively connected to a first gear;- at least a portion of the secondary boom comprising a second gear; and- the first and second gears are dimensioned and configured for gripping engagement, whereby operation of the drive unit causes the secondary boom to move with respect to the main boom. In one embodiment, the drive unit is an electric motor. In one embodiment, the first gear is a circular gear and the second gear is a linear gear. The secondary boom may be slidably arranged inside at least a portion of the main boom. In one embodiment, the crane comprises a main winch arranged on the secondary boom, said main winch configured and dimensioned for hoisting and lowering a payload via a lifting wire. The crane is an all-electric crane, with no use of hydraulic actuators.Brief description of the drawingsThese and other characteristics of the invention will become clear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, given as a non-restrictive example, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, wherein:Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the crane according to the invention, where the main boom is drawn partly transparent in order to illustrate a secondary boom inside the main boom;Figure 2 is an enlarged drawing of the area “A” in figure 1;Figure 3 is a sketch illustrating the principle of how the secondary boom may be moved with respect to the main boom; andFigure 4 is a side view of the crane illustrated in figure 1, in three different positions: fully raised and secondary boom retracted, intermediate and secondary boom extended, and fully lowered and secondary boom retracted.Detailed description of embodiments of the inventionThe following description may use terms such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, “lateral”, “back and forth”, “up and down”, ”upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “forward”, “rear”, etc. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the drawings and that are associated with a normal use of the invention. The terms are used for the reader’s convenience only and shall not be limiting.Referring initially to figure 1 and figure 2, the crane 1 according to the invention comprises a superstructure 3 rotatably arranged on a pedestal 2. Rotating the superstructure around the pedestal vertical axis y is accomplished by the slewing mechanism 4, which is well known in the art. This slewing motion S is indicated by a left-hand arrow in figure 1, but it should be understood that the superstructure may be rotated also in the opposite direction. The pedestal comprises a boom rest 5 which is used for supporting a portion of the boom when the crane is not in operation. The pedestal is firmly connected to the deck (not shown) of a ship or other vessel, or to any other suitable foundation. Although the invented crane is particularly useful on a ship, it is equally applicable for use on a fixed foundation, onshore or at sea.The superstructure 3 comprises a support structure 18, for example a column, to which the slewing mechanism is connected. In the upper end of the support structure, a hinged connection 8 is arranged, connecting the erect support structure to a main crane boom 6 – for example by means of a bolt or pin, or any other device which is known in the art. A service platform 15 is arranged on the support column 18.The main boom 6 comprises a first (forward) end 6a and a second (rear) end 6b. The hinged connection 8 is arranged closer to the second end than to the first end. A drive arrangement comprising a pivot winch 12 arranged on the support structure 18, a rotary attachment device (for example a sheave) 14 arranged at or near the main beam second end 6b), and one or more drive wires 13 extending between the pivot winch 12 and the rotary attachment device 14 enables pivoting motion P about the hinged connection 8. The drive wires 13 may be single or multi fall, depending on the application and operational requirements. The pivot winch 12 may be powered by an electric motor. A secondary boom 7 is slidably connected to the main boom 6 and arranged for translatory motion T with respect to the main boom, along a main beam longitudinal axis x. In the illustrated embodiment, the main boom 6 is a box boom and the secondary boom 7 is slidably arranged inside at least a portion of the main boom 6. The secondary boom 7 is thus a telescopic boom, that may be retracted into and extended out from the main boom first end 6a. The main boom 6 may comprise one or more support structures 10 for the secondary boom, alternatively comprising friction-mitigating pads 10’.Arranged at the free end of the secondary boom is a main winch, which is configured and dimensioned for hoisting and lowering a payload via a lifting wire (not shown). The main winch 9 may be powered by an electric motor. The translatory motion T (here: telescopic) of the secondary boom is achieved by one or more power-and-transmission units 11 connected to the main boom. Figures 1, 2, and 4 show three such units, but the invention shall not be limited to this number. The powerand-transmission unit comprises a drive unit 11’ operatively connected to a first gear 16, and at least a portion of the secondary boom comprises a second gear 17. The first and second gears are dimensioned and configured for gripping engagement, whereby operation of the drive unit 11’ causes the secondary boom to move (translate T) with respect to the main boom.Although, in the illustrated embodiment, the secondary boom 7 is shown as being arranged for telescopic movement inside a box boom 6, it should be understood that the main boom and secondary boom may be slidably interconnected in other configurations Referring to figure 3, the first gear 16 is a circular gear and the second gear 17 is a linear gear, in combination a rack-and-pinion drive. The drive unit 11’ is an electric motor, rotatably connected to the first gear.Required power cables and other equipment for operating the electric motors described above are not described, as such are well known in the art.In figure 4, the invented crane 1 is illustrated in three different angular positions: I – a fully raised positon, II – an intermediate positon, and III – a fully lowered position. In the positions I and III, the secondary boom 7 is fully retracted, while it is fully extended in position II. It should be understood that the secondary boom may be extended (completely or partly) at any angular position of the main boom. In its fully extended position, the secondary boom 7 may be extended completely beyond the hinged connection 8, i.e. on the side of the first (forward) end 6a. The main and secondary booms are balanced by the drive arrangement (pivot winch 12 and drive wires 13). Position III may be used as a parking position when the crane is not in use, a portion of the main boom being supported by the boom rest 5.Figure 4 illustrates the versatility and improved operational range of the invented crane, compared to cranes of the prior art. The electric motors and the associated gears make hydraulic cylinders and a tower (normally extending above the main boom in cranes types of the prior art) superfluous. The main boom may be lowered much farther downwards and much closer to the pedestal 2 (position III) than cranes of the prior art, which means that an operator may move the boom close to a payload without having to pay out much of the lifting wire. The invented crane is also more compact when not in use, and occupies less deck space than a conventional tower crane.As described above, the invented crane is all electrically powered, with no need for hydraulic actuators and associated equipment. The electric motors (and associated control system, not shown) allow for an improved three-dimensional control of the crane, with more accurate response times than traditional hydraulic cylinders. This is particularly relevant when the crane is installed on a ship or other vessel, where the ability to quickly control pivot P, slewing S, and telescoping T, is important to compensate for the ship’s movement.
Claims
Claims1. A crane (1) for a ship, comprising:- a superstructure (3) comprising a support structure (18) which supports a main boom (6) having a first end (6a) and a second end (6b), via a hinged connection (8) which is arranged closer to the second end than to the first end, whereby the main boom is pivotable in a vertical plane;characterized by:- the superstructure (3) being rotatably arranged on a pedestal (2), and the superstructure (3) is rotatably connected to the pedestal (2) via a slewing mechanism (4) whereby the superstructure is rotatable around a pedestal vertical axis (y);- a drive arrangement arranged below the main boom, wherein the drive arrangement comprises a pivot winch (12) having an electric motor, a rotary attachment device (14), and one or more drive wires (13) extending between winch and the rotary attachment device; and- wherein the pedestal (2) comprises a boom rest (5) for supporting a portion of the main boom when the crane is not in use.2. The crane of claim 1, wherein the electric motor-and-winch assembly (12) is arranged on the first end portion (6b) of the main boom, and the rotary attachment device (14) is arranged on the support structure (18).3. The crane of any one of claims 1-2, further comprising a secondary boom (7) which is slidably connected to the main boom and arranged for translatory motion with respect to the main boom, wherein- one or more power-and-transmission units (11) is connected to the main boom, wherein a power-and-transmission unit comprises a drive unit (11’) operatively connected to a first gear (16);- at least a portion of the secondary boom comprising a second gear (17); and- the first and second gears are dimensioned and configured for gripping engagement, whereby operation of the drive unit (11’) causes the secondary boom to move with respect to the main boom.4. The crane of claim 3, wherein the drive unit (11’) is an electric motor.5. The crane of any one of claims 3-4, wherein the first gear (16) is a circular gear and the second gear (17) is a linear gear.6. The crane of any one of claims 3-5, wherein the secondary boom is slidably arranged inside at least a portion of the main boom.7. The crane of any one of claims 3-6, further comprising a main winch (9) arranged on the secondary boom, said main winch configured and dimensioned for hoisting and lowering a payload via a lifting wire.8. The crane of claim 7, wherein the main winch comprises an electric motor.Patentkrav1. En kran (1) for et skip, omfattende:- en hovedstruktur (3) omfattende en bærestruktur (18) som bærer en hovedbom (6) som har en første ende (6a) og en andre ende (6b), via en hengslet forbindelse (8) som er arrangert nærmere til den andre enden enn til den første enden, hvorved hovedbommen er svingbar i et vertikalplan;karakterisert ved:- at hovedstrukturen (3) er roterbart arrangert på en sokkel (2), og hovedstrukturen (3) er roterbart koplet til sokkelen (2) via en svingmekanisme (4) hvorved hovedstrukturen er roterbar om en sokkel-vertikalakse (y);- et drivarrangement arrangert under hovedbommen, der drivarrangementet omfatter en dreievinsj (12) som har en elektrisk motor, en roterbar tilkoplingsinnretning (14), og én eller flere drivvaiere (13) som strekker seg mellom vinsjen og den roterbare tilkoplingsinnretningen; og- der sokkelen (2) omfatter en bomstøtte (5) for å understøtte et parti av hovedbommen når kranen ikke er i bruk.2. Kranen som angitt i krav 1, der den elektriske motor-og-vinsjsammestillingen (12) er arrangert på hovedbommens første endeparti (6b), og den roterbare tilkoplingsinnretningen (14) er arrangert på bærestrukturen (18).3. Kranen som angitt i et hvilket som helst av kravene 1-2, videre omfattende en sekundærbom (7) som er glidbart tilkoplet hovedbommen og arrangert for langsgående bevegelse i forhold til hovedbom, der- én eller flere kraft-og-overføringsenheter (11) er koplet til hovedbommen, der en kraftog-overføringsenhet omfatter en drivenhet (11’) operativt koplet til et første gir (16); - minst ett parti av sekundærbommen omfatter et andre gir (17); og- de første og andre girene er dimensjonert og konfigurert for å gripe inn i hverandre, der operasjon av drivenheten (11’) fører til at sekundærbommen beveger seg i forhold til hovedbom.4. Kranen som angitt i krav 3, der drivenheten (11’) er en elektrisk motor.5. Kranen som angitt i et hvilket som helst av kravene 3-4, der det første giret (16) er et sirkelformet gir og det andre giret (17) er et rettlinjet gir.6. Kranen som angitt i et hvilket som helst av kravene 3-5, der sekundærbommen er glidbart arrangert inne i i det minste et parti av hovedbommen.7. Kranen som angitt i et hvilket som helst av kravene 3-6, videre omfattende en hovedvinsj (9) arrangert på sekundærbommen, og hovedvinsjen er konfigurert og dimensjonert for å heise og senke en nyttelast via en løftevaier.8. Kranen som angitt i krav 7, der hovedvinsjen omfatter en elektrisk motor.
Drawings

Priority

No priority

Patent classes

IPC classesB66C 23/04B66C 23/16B66C 23/70CPC classesB66C 23/04B66C 23/16B66C 23/706

Citations

CN 109185409 A (A)US 3913756 A (A)EP 0949184 A2 (A2)US 4596336 A (A)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners
SEAONICS AS
Postboks 144 6001 ÅLESUND NO (ÅLESUND Municipality, Møre og Romsdal county)Org. number: 997012461Inventors
Jarle Sigurd Ødegård
Postboks 8971 Torgarden 7439 TRONDHEIM NO (TRONDHEIM Municipality, Trøndelag county)

Agent

ZACCO NORWAY AS
ZACCO NORWAY AS

Org. number: 982702887

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Open in The Brønnøysund Register Centre
Postboks 488 0213 OSLO NO (OSLO Municipality, Oslo county)
Org. number: 982702887
Reference: P343745NO00

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