NL2023564B1

NL2023564B1 - Assembly of a vessel and a crane, and a crane

Info

Publication number: NL2023564B1
Application number: NL2023564A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Hendrik Gerssen Sietse; Hartmans Tiemen
Original assignee: Kenz Figee Group B V
Priority date: 2019-07-24
Filing date: 2019-07-24
Publication date: 2021-02-10

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly of a vessel and a crane comprising: a crane base arranged at the vessel; a main boom that is hingeably connected. to the crane base; a main hoist cable for hoisting loads; a luffing' arrangement for hinging' the main. boonn a knuckle boom that is hingeably connected to the main boom; and a knuckle lever that is fixed to and extends away from the knuckle boom, wherein the crane further comprises a knuckle arrangement for hinging the knuckle boom, the knuckle arrangement comprising a knuckle actuator and one or more knuckle cables, wherein the one or more knuckle cables are connected to the knuckle boom, the knuckle lever, and the knuckle actuator, wherein the knuckle actuator is configured for manipulating the one or more knuckle cables in order to apply a nmment force to each of the knuckle boom and the knuckle lever.

Description

P136485NL00 Assembly of a vessel and a crane, and a crane

BACKGROUND The invention relates to an assembly of a vessel and a crane, more specifically an offshore installation vessel with an offshore knuckle boom crane, and a crane for use in such an assembly.

Known offshore wvessels comprise a hull with a deck and a crane pedestal on the deck that supports an offshore knuckle boom crane. A typical offshore knuckle boom crane has a slewing crane base that is rotatable with respect to the pedestal and the deck around a vertical slewing axis, a main boom with a main boom heel at the proximal end thereof that is hingeably connected to the crane base to hinge the main boom with respect to the crane base around a horizontal first hinge axis, a luffing arrangement for hinging the main boom around the first hinge axis, a knuckle boom with a knuckle boom heel at the proximal end thereof that is hingeably connected to the main boom to hinge the knuckle boom with respect to the main boom around a horizontal second hinge axis, a knuckle arrangement for hinging the knuckle boom around the second hinge axis, and a main hoist cable that is suspended from the knuckle boom for hoisting loads with the crane. The knuckle arrangement comprises a hydraulic cylinder provided between the main boom and the knuckle boom near the second hinge axis for knuckling or hinging the knuckle boom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A disadvantage of the known offshore knuckle boom cranes is that high moment forces are applied to the knuckle boom and the main boom on a relatively small area thereof by the hydraulic cylinder during lifting a load. The crane is designed to cope with these forces and as a result the main boom, the knuckle boom and related components of the crane are constructed from robust steel members. Another disadvantage is that the hydraulic cylinders have a limited operating range and therefore the range in which the knuckle boom can hinge is limited as well, This results in a restricted area of operation of the knuckle boom crane.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly of a vessel and a crane and a crane for use in such an assembly that addresses at least one of the problems described above.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides an assembly of a vessel and a crane, wherein the vessel comprises a hull with a deck, and the crane comprises: a crane base arranged at the vessel, preferably wherein the crane base is rotatable with respect to the vessel around a vertical slewing axis; a main boom with a main boom tip at the distal end thereof and a main boom heel at the proximal end thereof that is hingeably connected to the crane base to hinge the main boom with respect to the crane base around a horizontal first hinge axis; a main hoist cable for hoisting loads with the crane; a luffing arrangement for hinging the main boom around the first hinge axis; a knuckle boom with a knuckle boom tip at the distal end thereof and a knuckle boom heel at the proximal end thereof that is hingeably connected to the main boom to hinge the knuckle boom with respect to the main boom around a horizontal second hinge axis; and a knuckle lever that is fixed to and extends from the knuckle boom heel away from the knuckle boom and substantially transverse to the second hinge axis, wherein the crane further comprises a knuckle arrangement for hinging the knuckle boom around the second hinge axis, the knuckle arrangement comprising a knuckle actuator and one or more knuckle cables, wherein the one or more knuckle cables are connected to the knuckle boom, the knuckle lever, and the knuckle actuator, wherein the knuckle actuator is configured for manipulating the one or more knuckle cables in order to apply a moment force to each of the knuckle boom and the knuckle lever.

It is to be understood that when the knuckle arrangement hinges the knuckle boom, the main boom of the crane 1s in a raised position in which it is upright and the second hinge axis is located above the first hinge axis. During lifting a load by means of the crane the load applies a force to the knuckle boom due to gravity. The one or more knuckle cables are connected to, among others, the knuckle boom and the knuckle lever, such that the force applied by the load is at least partially transferred to and/or absorbed by the respective one or more cables. For example, the knuckle actuator is operatively connected to the main boom heel, such that the part of the force transferred to and/or absorbed by the one or more knuckle cables is guided towards the main boom heel. As a result, the force applied to the main boom is more equally distributed over the main boom in comparison with the known knuckle boom crane. Additionally, the force applied to the main boom by the load can be reduced. Thus the invention provides a knuckle boom crane of which the components can be formed less robust in comparison with the known knuckle boom crane, Additionally, by using a knuckle arrangement having a knuckle actuator and one or more knuckle cables, less space is required between, for example, the knuckle boom and the main boom for providing the knuckle arrangement. As a result, the operating range is increased in comparison with the known knuckle boom crane In an embodiment the second horizontal hinge axis ig located at a distance from the main boom tip and/or between the main boom heel and the main boom tip, and at least one of the one or more knuckle cables 1s operatively connected to a part of the main boom located above the second horizontal hinge axis. The main boom provides a suspension point for the one or more knuckle cables above the second hinge axis whereby the one or more knuckle cables can exert a pulling force on at least the knuckle boom in a favorable upward direction with respect to the lifted load, thereby maintaining the knuckle boom in a set position.

In an embodiment, the knuckle arrangement is provided with a first knuckle sheave arranged at the main boom above the second horizontal hinge axis, wherein the one or more knuckle cables are reeved from the knuckle actuator to the knuckle lever, and from the knuckle actuator to the knuckle boom via the first knuckle sheave, preferably wherein the first knuckle sheave is arranged at the main boom at or near the main boom tip. In an embodiment thereof the knuckle arrangement comprises a second knuckle sheave at the knuckle lever, wherein the one or more knuckle cables are reeved from the knuckle actuator to the knuckle lever, and from the knuckle actuator to the knuckle boom, via the second knuckle sheave and via the first knuckle sheave, preferably wherein the second knuckle sheave 1s arranged at or near the knuckle lever tip of the knuckle lever. The knuckle actuator is arranged below the second hinge axis and applies a substantially downwards pulling force to the one or more knuckle cables. The one or more knuckle cables run from the knuckle actuator to the knuckle lever and therewith apply a substantially downwards pulling force to the knuckle lever. The one or more knuckle cables also run from the knuckle actuator via the first knuckle sheave that is arranged above the second hinge axis to the knuckle boom and therewith apply a pulling force to the knuckle boom thereby providing an upward pulling force to the knuckle boom, preferably simultaneously. Additionally, the one or more knuckle cables are prevented from crossing each other during hinging of the knuckle boom 5 by means of the second knuckle sheave.

In an alternative embodiment the knuckle actuator comprises an actuator sheave and 1s configured to move the actuator sheave, wherein the one or more knuckle cables are a continuous knuckle cable that has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the continuous knuckle cable is connected to the knuckle lever, the second end of the continuous knuckle cable is connected to the knuckle boom, and the continuous knuckle cable is reeved from the knuckle lever via the actuator sheave, via the first knuckle sheave to the knuckle boom, and wherein movement of the actuator sheave causes the knuckle boom to hinge around the second hinge axis. In an embodiment thereof, the continuous knuckle cable is reeved from the knuckle lever via the actuator sheave, via the second knuckle sheave, via the first knuckle sheave to the knuckle boom.

The actuator sheave is arranged below the second hinge axis and applies a substantially downwards pulling force to the continuous knuckle cable. The continuous knuckle cable runs from the actuator sheave to the knuckle lever and therewith applies at its first end a substantially downwards pulling force to the knuckle lever. The knuckle cable runs from the actuator sheave via the first knuckle sheave that is arranged above the second hinge axis to the knuckle boom and therewith applies at its second end a pulling force to the knuckle boom thereby providing an upward pulling force to the knuckle boom. By using a continuous knuckle cable the force applied by the actuator sheave on the continuous knuckle cable is equally distributed between the knuckle boom and the knuckle lever.

Moreover, this reeving of the continuous knuckle cable prevents the continuous knuckle cable from crossing itself during hinging of the knuckle boom. Additionally, in this arrangement the continuous knuckle cable applies an additional force to the knuckle lever via the second knuckle sheave. This additional force is favourable when the knuckle boom is in an upright position.

In an embodiment the first end of the continuous knuckle cable is connected to the knuckle lever at or near the knuckle lever tip and the second end of the continuous knuckle cable is connected to the knuckle boom at or near the knuckle boom tip. By arranging the suspension points of the continuous knuckle cable on respectively the knuckle boom, the knuckle lever and the main boom further away from the second hinge axis, the knuckle actuator has to provide a lower force to the continuous knuckle cable while lifting a load, in order to maintain the knuckle boom in a set position.

In an embodiment the distance between the second hinge axis and the main boom tip is between 10 percent and 40 percent, preferably 35 percent, of the distance between the second hinge axis and the knuckle boom tip. The inventors have found that this embodiment provides a ratio that is a favourable trade-off between the amount that the crane is extended when the knuckle boom is in an extended position and the magnitude of the moment force applied by the knuckle arrangement on the knuckle boom.

In an embodiment the knuckle lever tip is located at a distance from the second horizontal hinge axis, wherein the distance between the second hinge axis and the knuckle lever tip is at least 10 percent, preferably 20 percent, of the distance between the second hinge axis and the knuckle boom tip. An advantage of this embodiment is that the knuckle arrangement applies sufficient moment force on the knuckle lever.

In an embodiment the knuckle boom and the knuckle lever extend in the same notional plane transverse to the second hinge axis and substantially parallel to the main boom, wherein a knuckle angle between the central axis of the knuckle boom and the central axis of the knuckle lever is between 10 degrees and 40 degrees, preferably 35 degrees. This embodiment provides that the knuckle lever extends from the main boom when the knuckle boom is in a retracted position substantially along the main boom. Therefore, the knuckle lever defines an arm to which a moment can be applied to initiate hinging the knuckle boom from the retracted position.

In an embodiment the knuckle actuator comprises an actuator cable that is reeved in between the knuckle actuator and the main boom heel. The tension in the knuckle cable is transferred via the actuator sheave to the actuator cable. By the reeving a pulley effect is obtained, such that the tension in the actuator cable is lower than the tension in the knuckle cable and thereby a lower force is to be applied to actuate the knuckle cable.

In an embodiment the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis are orientated substantially parallel to each other. The main boom and the knuckle boom therefore hinge in the same plane which makes operating the crane more straightforward.

In an embodiment the knuckle boom is hingeable between a retracted position, in which the knuckle boom extends substantially along the main boom, and an extended position in which the knuckle boom extends in a direction substantially away from the main boom. An advantage of this embodiment is that the crane is relatively compact when in the retracted position of the knuckle boom, especially when the crane is stored in a boomrest, and in the extended position of the knuckle boom the crane can hoist loads far away from and high with respect to the crane base.

In an embodiment the crane comprises a retraction actuator between the main boom and the knuckle boom, wherein the retraction actuator is arranged to hinge the knuckle boom with respect to the main boom into the retracted position. The retraction actuator can pull the knuckle boom from a substantially vertical position thereof towards the main boom into the retracted position substantially along the main boom.

In an embodiment the retraction actuator comprises a tugger winch on the main boom and a tugger cable between the tugger winch and the knuckle boom. This is a robust and reliable embodiment of the retraction actuator.

In an embodiment the main boom comprises two main boom girders that are substantially parallel with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction of the main boom and two crossbars that interconnect and space apart the main boom girders transverse, wherein the knuckle boom is at least partially received between the two main boom girders when the knuckle boom is in the retracted position. In this configuration the crane is compact in the retracted position. Additionally, the knuckle boom is at least partially protected from external influences by the main boom girders.

In an embodiment in the retracted position of the knuckle boom the main hoist cable is suspended from the main boom for hoisting loads, and in the extended position of the knuckle boom the main hoist cable is suspended from the knuckle boom for hoisting loads. In this configuration the same hoist cable is used in both positions of the knuckle boom crane. No additional operations are required to alter the reeving of the main hoist cable.

In an embodiment, the knuckle actuator comprises one or more winches.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides crane for use in an assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

The crane relates to the assembly according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments and thus has at least the same technical advantages, which will not be repeated hereafter.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric rear view of an assembly of a vessel and a crane according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 1s an isometric view of the crane as shown in figure 1; and Figures 3A-3D are side views of the crane as shown in figures 1 and 2 with a knuckle boom of the crane in varying positions; and Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the crane as shown in figures 1, 2 and 3A-3D that shows a knuckle arrangement of the crane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows an assembly of a vessel 1 and a crane 20, more specifically an offshore knuckle boom crane, according to an embodiment of the invention. The vessel 1 comprises a hull 2 with a bow 3, a stern 4, a main cabin 5 at the bow 3, a deck 6 between the main cabin 5 and the stern 4, a crane pedestal 7 on the deck 6, and the crane 20 on the pedestal 7 for hoisting loads above and beyond the deck 6. The crane 20 is shown in more detail in figure 2. The crane 20 comprises a slewing crane base 21 that is rotatably connected to the crane pedestal 7 via a slewing bearing or slewing ring 22 for slewing, also known as rotating, the crane base 21 with respect to the crane pedestal 7 around a vertical slewing axis S. The crane 20 furthermore comprises an elongated main boom 30 with a notional central boom axis A, an elongated knuckle boom 50 with a notional central knuckle axis B, two main hoist cables 23 each with a main hook 24, and one auxiliary hoist cable 25 with an auxiliary hook 26. The main hoist cables 23 and the auxiliary hoist cable 25 are either suspended from the main boom 30 or the knuckle boom 50 depending on the position of the knuckle boom 30 as will be explained further down below.

The main boom 30 comprises two main boom girders 31 that are substantially parallel with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction of the main boom 30 and two crossbars 32 that interconnect and space apart the main boom girders 31 transverse to the notional central boom axis A. The main boom 30 comprises a main boom heel 33 at the proximal end thereof that is hingeably connected to a main boom suspension 27 at the crane base 21 by a pin-hole connection 35 between the respective main girders 31 and the crane base 21 to hinge around a horizontal first hinge axis P. The main boom 30 comprises a main boom tip 34 at the distal end thereof with two first main hoist sheaves 36 and a first auxiliary hoist sheave 37 for the respective main hoist cables 23 and auxiliary hoist cable 25.

The knuckle boom 50 comprises two main knuckle girders 51 that are substantially parallel with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction of the knuckle boom 50 and two round bars 52 that interconnect and space apart the main knuckle girders 51 transverse to the notional central knuckle axis B. The knuckle boom 50 is narrower than the main boom 30 to fit between the main boom girders 51. The knuckle boom 50 comprises a knuckle boom heel 53 at the proximal end thereof that is hingeably connected to the main boom 30 by a shaft connection 55 to hinge around a horizontal second hinge axis Q. The knuckle boom 50 comprises a knuckle boom tip 54 at the distal end thereof with two second main hoist sheaves 56 and a second auxiliary hoist sheave 57 for the respective main hoist cables 23 and the auxiliary hoist cable 25. The second hinge axis Q is located between the main boom heel 33 and the main boom tip 34 and is orientated substantially parallel with respect to the first hinge axis P. In this example the distance between the second hinge axis Q and the main boom tip 34 is approximately 35 percent of the distance between the second hinge axis Q and the knuckle boom tip 54. It is to be understood that another ratio may be used, wherein the ratio preferably is between 10 percent and 40 percent.

As best shown in figures 3B and 3C the crane 20 comprises an elongated knuckle lever 60 that is fixed to and extends away from the knuckle boom heel 53 in a direction away from the knuckle boom 50 and substantially transverse to the second hinge axis Q. The knuckle lever 60 has a knuckle lever tip 61 at the distal end thereof and a notional central lever axis C. In this example the angle o between the central knuckle axis B and the central lever axis C is approximately 35 degrees. It is to be understood that another angle a may be used, the angle a preferably being between 10 degrees and 40 degrees. In this example the distance between the second hinge axis 9Q and the knuckle lever tip 61 is approximately 20 percent of the distance between the second hinge axis Q and the knuckle boom tip 54. It is to be understood that another ratio may be used, wherein the ratio preferably is at least 10 percent.

A luffing arrangement 70 is configured for luffing, also known as hinging, the main boom 30 with respect to the crane base 21 around the first hinge axis P. In this example the luffing arrangement 70 comprises multiple first luffing sheaves 71 at a top suspension 28 at the topside of the crane base 21, multiple second luffing sheaves 72 at the main boom tip 34, and two luffing cables 73 that are reeved in between the first luffing sheaves 71 and the second 1luffing sheaves 72. Not shown luffing winches manipulate the luffing cables 73 in order to hinge the main boom 30 with respect to the crane base 21 around the first hinge axis P between a raised position wherein the main boom is upright, or substantially upright, to hoist loads and a transport position wherein the main boom is orientated substantially horizontally.

A knuckle arrangement 100 is configured for knuckling, also known as hinging, the knuckle boom 50 with respect to the main boom 30 around the second hinge axis Q between a retracted position wherein the knuckle boom 50 extends substantially along the main boom 30 and partly between the main boom girders 31, and an extended position wherein the knuckle boom 50 extends from the main boom 30 in a direction substantially away from the crane base 21. In the retracted position of the knuckle boom 50 the main hoist cables 23 and the auxiliary hoist cable 25 are suspended from the main boom 30 respectively via the first main hoist sheaves 36 and the first auxiliary hoist sheave

37. In the extended position of the knuckle boom 50 the main hoist cables 23 and the auxiliary hoist cable 25 are suspended from the knuckle boom 50 respectively via the first main hoist sheaves 36 and the first auxiliary hoist sheave 37. The knuckle cables 101 are guided via the second main hoist sheaves 56 and the second auxiliary hoist sheave

57.

As schematically indicated in figure 4, in this example the knuckle arrangement 100 comprises a knuckle actuator that in this example ís embodied as a bridle arrangement 102 that comprises a bridle block 106 with two actuator sheaves 103 that are movable along the respective knuckle cables 101, multiple first bridle sheaves 107, multiple second bridle sheaves 108 at the main boom 30 near the main boom heel 33 and/or fixed to the lower crossbar 32, a bridle cable 109 that is reeved in between the first bridle sheaves 107 and the second bridle sheaves 108, and a not shown bridle winch for manipulating the bridle cable

107. The knuckle arrangement 100 comprises two first knuckle sheaves 105 that are rotatably connected to the main boom tip 34, and two second knuckle sheaves 104 that are rotatably connected to the knuckle lever tip 61.

The knuckle arrangement 100 comprises two continuous parallel knuckle cables 101 that have a first end 111 and a second end 112. The respective knuckle cables 101 are with the first end 111 connected to fixed first connection points 62 at the knuckle lever tip 61 and are at the second end 112 connected to fixed second connection points 58 at the knuckle boom tip 54. Each of the knuckle cables 101 is reeved from the knuckle lever tip 61 via the actuator sheaves 103 of the bridle arrangement 102, back to and via the second knuckle sheaves 104 at the knuckle lever tip 61, via the first knuckle sheaves 105 at the main boom tip 34 to the knuckle boom tip 54.

By manipulating the bridle cable 107 the bridle block 102 is moved towards or away from the main boom heel 33 and therewith the actuator sheaves 103 manipulate the knuckle cables 101. By manipulating the knuckle cables 101 the knuckle boom 50 hinges around the second hinge axis Q with respect to the main boom 30.

The above described embodiment of the knuckle arrangement 100 comprises two knuckle cables 101, two actuator sheaves 103, two first knuckle sheaves 105 and two second knuckle sheaves 104 in a parallel configuration. It is to be understood that an embodiment of the knuckle arrangement 100 with one knuckle cable 101, one actuator sheave 103, one first knuckle sheave 105 and one second knuckle sheave 104 achieves the same result. It is to be understood that the knuckle actuator may have other embodiments that are able to move the actuator sheave 103 with respect to the main boom heel 33 such as a hydraulic cylinder or a spindle.

The knuckle arrangement 100 comprises a retraction actuator 120 that in this example comprises two tugger winches 121 on the main boom 30 near the main boom heel 33 and two tugger cables 122 on the respective tugger winches 121 that are connected to the knuckle boom 50 near the knuckle boom tip 54. The retraction actuator 120 is configured to pull the knuckle boom 50 towards the main boom 30 from a substantially vertical position into the retracted position of the knuckle boom 50.

Figure 3A shows the crane 20 with the knuckle boom 50 in its fully retracted position wherein it extends substantially along the main boom 30. In this position the tugger cables 122 are retracted by the tugger winches 121 in order to pull the knuckle boom 50 close to the main boom 30 partly between the main boom girders 31. The knuckle boom 50 is out of the way of the main hoist cables 23 with the main hook 24 and the auxiliary hoist cable 25 with the auxiliary hook 26 that therefore are suspended from the main boom tip 34 respectively via the first main hoist sheaves 36 and the auxiliary hoist sheave 37. With the knuckle boom 50 in this position the crane 20 is relatively compact and it is possible to lift heavy objects that are close to the crane base 21.

In the {fully retracted position of the knuckle boom 30 the knuckle lever 60 protrudes with respect to the main boom 30 from between the main boom girders 31 as a result of the angle o between the central knuckle axis B and the central lever axis C. This configuration of the knuckle lever 60 provides leverage for the knuckle cable 101 to initiate a hinging movement of the knuckle boom 50. To hinge the knuckle boom 50 with the knuckle boom tip 54 away from the main boom 30 and towards the main hoist cables 23, the bridle block 102 with the actuator sheaves 103 is pulled towards the main boom heel 33 by manipulating the bridle cable 109. As a result, the knuckle cables 101 pull the knuckle lever tip 61 towards the main boom heel 33 thereby hinging the knuckle boom 50. When the knuckle boom 50 departs from its fully retracted position the knuckle cable 101 exerts a high moment force on the knuckle boom 50 via the knuckle lever tip 61 and only exerts a small moment force on the knuckle boom 50 via the knuckle boom tip 54 as the knuckle cable 101 is orientated almost parallel to the knuckle boom 50. As best shown in figure 3B during hinging of the knuckle boom 50 the main hoist cables 23 and the auxiliary hoist cable 25 are respectively picked up or caught by the second main hoist sheaves 56 and the second auxiliary hoist sheave 57 at the knuckle boom tip 54. The tugger winches 121 release the tugger cables 122 in correspondence to the knuckle boom tip 54 that is moved away from the main boom

30.

As best shown in figures 3C and 3D, to hinge the knuckle boom 50 further upwards the bridle block 102 with the actuator sheaves 103 is pulled further towards the main boom heel 33 by manipulating the bridle cable 109. The knuckle cables 101 pull the knuckle lever tip 61 towards the main boom heel 33 and pull the knuckle boom tip 54 upwards towards the main boom tip 34. During hinging the knuckle boom 50 upwards the moment force exerted by the knuckle cable 101 on the knuckle boom 50 via the knuckle lever 60 gradually decreases and the moment force exerted by the knuckle cable 101 on the knuckle boom 50 via the knuckle boom tip 54 gradually increases. In the extended position of the knuckle boom 50 the main hoist cables 23 and the auxiliary hoist cable 25 are respectively suspended from the knuckle boom 50 via the first main hoist sheaves 36 and the first auxiliary hoist sheaves 37. The main hoist cables 23 and the auxiliary hoist cable 25 are guided via the second main hoist sheaves 56 and the second auxiliary hoist sheaves 57. In the extended position the crane 20 can lift objects higher with respect to the deck © and further away from the crane base 21 as compared to the retracted position of the knuckle boom 50.

It 1s to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will le be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CONCLUSIESCONCLUSIONS

1. Samenstel van een vaartuig en een kraan, waarbij het vaartuig een romp met een dek omvat, en de kraan is voorzien van: een kraanbasis die is opgesteld op het vaartuig, bij voorkeur waarbij de kraanbasis roteerbaar is ten opzichte van het vaartuig om een verticale zwenkas; een hoofdmast met een hoofdmastpunt aan het distale eind daarvan en een hoofdmasthiel aan het proximale eind daarvan die scharnierbaar is verbonden met de kraanbasis teneinde de hoofdmast ten opzichte van de kraanbasis om een horizontale eerste scharnieras te scharnieren; een hoofdhijskabel voor het hijsen van lasten met de kraan; een topinrichting voor het scharnieren van de hoofdmast om de eerste scharnieras; een knikmast met een knikmastpunt aan het distale eind daarvan en een knikmasthiel aan het proximale eind daarvan die scharnierbaar is verbonden met de hoofdmast teneinde de knikmast ten opzichte van de hoofdmast om een horizontale tweede scharnieras te scharnieren; en een knikhefboom die is bevestigd aan en zich uitstrekt vanaf de knikmasthiel weg van de knikmast en in hoofdzaak dwars op de tweede scharnieras, waarbij de kraan verder is voorzien van een knikinrichting voor het scharnieren van de knikmast om de tweede scharnieras, waarbij de knikinrichting een knikactuator en één of meer knikkabels omvat, waarbij de één of meer knikkabels zijn verbonden met de knikmast, de knikhefboom, en de knikactuator, waarbij de knikactuator is geconfigureerd voor het manipuleren van de één of meer knikkabels teneinde een momentkracht uit te oefenen op elk van de knikmast en de knikhefboom.An assembly of a vessel and a crane, wherein the vessel comprises a hull with a deck, and the crane comprises: a crane base disposed on the vessel, preferably wherein the crane base is rotatable relative to the vessel to move a vertical swivel axis; a main boom having a main boom tip at its distal end and a main boom heel at its proximal end that is pivotally connected to the crane base to pivot the main boom relative to the crane base about a horizontal first pivot axis; a main hoist cable for lifting loads with the crane; a top device for pivoting the main boom about the first pivot axis; a knuckle mast having an knuckle mast tip at the distal end thereof and an knuckle mast heel at the proximal end thereof pivotally connected to the main mast to pivot the knuckle mast relative to the main mast about a horizontal second pivot axis; and an articulated lever attached to and extending from the articulated mast heel away from the articulated mast and substantially transverse to the second pivot axis, the crane further including an articulation device for pivoting the articulated mast about the second pivot axis, the cranking device having a articulated actuator and one or more kink cables, the one or more kink cables being connected to the articulated mast, the articulating lever, and the articulated actuator, the articulating actuator being configured to manipulate the one or more kink cables to apply a momentary force to each of the the articulated mast and the articulated lever.

2. Samenstel volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de tweede horizontale scharnieras op een afstand van de hoofdmastpunt en/of tussen de hoofdmasthiel en de hoofdmastpunt is gelegen, en waarbij ten minste één van de één of meer knikkabels werkzaam is verbonden met een deel van de hoofdmast dat boven de tweede horizontale scharnieras is gelegen.Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second horizontal pivot axis is located at a distance from the main boom tip and / or between the main boom heel and the main boom tip, and wherein at least one of the one or more kink cables is operatively connected to a part of the main boom. located above the second horizontal pivot axis.

3. Samenstel volgens conclusie 1 of conclusie 2, waarbij de knikinrichting is voorzien van een eerste knikschijf die is aangebracht aan de hoofdmast boven de tweede horizontale scharnieras, waarbij de één of meer knikkabels zijn ingeschoren vanaf de knikactuator naar de knikhefboom, en vanaf de knikactuator naar de knikmast via de eerste knikschijf, bij voorkeur waarbij de eerste knikschijf is aangebracht aan de hoofdmast aan of nabij de hoofdmastpunt.An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the buckling device includes a first buckling sheave mounted on the main boom above the second horizontal hinge axis, the one or more buckling cables being sheared from the buckling actuator to the buckling lever, and from the buckling actuator. to the articulated boom via the first articulated pulley, preferably with the first articulated pulley being mounted on the main boom at or near the main boom tip.

4. Samenstel volgens conclusie 3, waarbij de knikinrichting een tweede knikschijf aan de knikhefboom omvat, waarbij de één of meer knikkabels zijn ingeschoren vanaf de knikactuator naar de knikhefboom, en vanaf de knikactuator naar de knikmast, via de tweede knikschijf en via de eerste knikschijf, bij voorkeur waarbij de tweede knikschijf is aangebracht aan of nabij de knikhefboompunt van de knikhefboom.An assembly according to claim 3, wherein the buckling device comprises a second buckling pulley on the buckling lever, wherein the one or more buckling cables are sheared from the buckling actuator to the buckling lever, and from the buckling actuator to the buckling mast, via the second buckling pulley and via the first buckling pulley , preferably wherein the second buckling disk is arranged at or near the buckling lever tip of the buckling lever.

5. Samenstel volgens conclusie 3, waarbij de knikactuator een actuatorschijf omvat en is geconfigureerd teneinde de actuatorschijf te bewegen, waarbij de één of meer knikkabels een continue knikkabel zijn die een eerste eind en een tweede eind heeft, waarbij het eerste eind van de continue knikkabel is verbonden met de knikhefboom, het tweede eind van de knikkabel is verbonden met de knikmast, en de continue knikkabel is ingeschoren vanaf de knikhefboom via de actuatorschijf, via de eerste knikschijf naar de knikmast, en waarbij beweging van de actuatorschijf als gevolg heeft dat de knikmast scharniert om de tweede scharnieras.The assembly of claim 3, wherein the kink actuator comprises an actuator sheave and is configured to move the actuator sheave, the one or more kink cables being a continuous kink cable having a first end and a second end, the first end of the continuous kink cable is connected to the articulated lever, the second end of the articulated cable is connected to the articulated mast, and the continuous articulated cable is sheared from the articulated lever through the actuator sheave, through the first articulated sheave to the articulated mast, and movement of the actuator sheave causes the folding mast pivots about the second pivot axis.

6. Samenstel volgens conclusies 4 en 5, waarbij de continue knikkabel is ingeschoren vanaf de knikhefboom via de actuatorschijf, via de tweede knikschijf, via de eerste knikschijf naar de knikmast.Assembly according to claims 4 and 5, wherein the continuous kink cable is reared from the kink lever via the actuator sheave, via the second kink sheave, via the first kink sheave to the articulated mast.

7. Samenstel volgens conclusie 5 of 6, waarbij het eerste eind van de continue knikkabel is verbonden met de knikhefboom aan of nabij de knikhefboompunt en het tweede eind van de continue knikkabel is verbonden met de knikmast aan of nabij de knikmastpunt.Assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first end of the continuous kink cable is connected to the kink lever at or near the kink lever tip and the second end of the continuous kink cable is connected to the knuckle mast at or near the knuckle mast tip.

8. Samenstel volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, wanneer afhankelijk van conclusie 2, waarbij de afstand tussen de tweede scharnieras en de hoofdmastpunt tussen 10 procent en 40 procent, bij voorkeur 35 procent, van de afstand tussen de tweede schamieras en de knikmastpunt is.An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, when dependent on claim 2, wherein the distance between the second pivot axis and the main mast tip is between 10 percent and 40 percent, preferably 35 percent, of the distance between the second pivot axis and the articulated mast tip.

9. Samenstel volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de knikhefboompunt op een afstand van de tweede horizontale scharnieras is gelegen, waarbij de afstand tussen de tweede scharnieras en de knikhefboompunt ten minste 10 procent, bij voorkeur 20 procent, van de afstand tussen de tweede scharnieras en de knikmastpunt is.An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buckling lever tip is located at a distance from the second horizontal pivot axis, wherein the distance between the second hinge axis and the buckling lever tip is at least 10 percent, preferably 20 percent, of the distance between the second hinge axis. and the knuckle mast tip is.

10. Samenstel volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de knikmast en de knikhefboom zich in hetzelfde denkbeeldige vlak dwars op de tweede scharnieras en in hoofdzaak parallel aan de hoofdmast uitstrekken, waarbij een knikhoek tussen de centrale as van de knikmast en de centrale as van de knikhefboom tussen 10 graden en 40 graden, bij voorkeur 35 graden, is.Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the articulated mast and the articulated lever extend in the same imaginary plane transversely to the second pivot axis and substantially parallel to the main boom, whereby a buckling angle between the central axis of the articulated mast and the central axis of the articulation lever is between 10 degrees and 40 degrees, preferably 35 degrees.

11. Samenstel volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de knikactuator een actuatorkabel die is ingeschoren tussen de knikactuator en de hoofdmasthiel omvat.An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buckling actuator comprises an actuator cable sheared between the buckling actuator and the main boom heel.

12. Samenstel volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de eerste scharnieras en de tweede scharnieras in hoofdzaak parallel aan elkaar zijn georiënteerd.Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis are oriented substantially parallel to each other.

13. Samenstel volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de knikmast scharnierbaar is tussen een teruggetrokken positie, waarin de knikmast zich in hoofdzaak langs de hoofdmast uitstrekt, en een uitgestrekte positie waarin de knikmast zich uitstrekt in een richting in hoofdzaak weg van de hoofdmast.An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the knuckle mast is pivotable between a retracted position, in which the knuckle mast extends substantially along the main mast, and an extended position in which the knuckle mast extends in a direction substantially away from the main mast.

14. Samenstel volgens conclusie 13, waarbij de kraan een intrekactuator tussen de hoofdmast en de knikmast omvat, waarbij de terugtrekactuator is ingericht teneinde de knikmast ten opzichte van de hoofdmast naar in de teruggetrokken positie te scharnieren.An assembly according to claim 13, wherein the crane comprises a retraction actuator between the main boom and the articulated boom, the retraction actuator being arranged to pivot the articulated boom relative to the main boom to the retracted position.

15. Samenstel volgens conclusie 14, waarbij de terugtrekactuator een treklier aan de hoofdmast en een trekkabel tussen de treklier en de knikmast omvat.Assembly according to claim 14, wherein the retraction actuator comprises a pull winch on the main boom and a pull cable between the pull winch and the articulated mast.

16. Samenstel volgens één der conclusies 13-15, waarbij de hoofdmast is voorzien van twee hoofdmastbalken die in hoofdzaak parallel aan elkaar zijn en twee dwarsliggers die de hoofdmastbalken onderling verbinden en op afstand van elkaar houden, waarbij de knikmast ten minste gedeeltelijk is opgenomen tussen de twee hoofdmastbalken wanneer de knikmast in de teruggetrokken positie is.An assembly according to any one of claims 13-15, wherein the main boom is provided with two main boom beams that are substantially parallel to each other and two sleepers interconnecting the main boom beams and keeping them spaced apart, the articulated boom being at least partially received between the two main boom beams when the boom is in the retracted position.

17. Samenstel volgens één der conclusies 13-16, waarbij in de teruggetrokken positie van de knikmast de hoofdhijskabel aan de hoofdmast hangt voor het hijsen van lasten, en in de uitgestrekte positie van de knikmast de hoofdhijskabel aan de knikmast hangt voor het hijsen van lasten.Assembly according to any one of claims 13-16, wherein in the retracted position of the articulated mast the main hoist cable hangs from the main mast for lifting loads, and in the extended position of the articulated mast the main hoist cable hangs from the articulated mast for lifting loads. .

18. Samenstel volgens één der voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de knikactuator één of meer lieren omvat.Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the articulated actuator comprises one or more winches.

19. Kraan voor gebruik in een samenstel volgens één der voorgaande conclusies. -0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-Faucet for use in an assembly according to any one of the preceding claims. -0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-