Inverted pedestal crane
US6491174B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 26, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB66C23/52
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An inverted pedestal crane has a base mountable to an underside of a horizontal support structure, such as for example a rig floor. A crane pedestal extends downwardly from the base, and a boom connects pivotally to the pedestal. The pedestal and the crane base rotate about a vertical axis, while the boom moves pivotally in relation to the pedestal. The crane has one main and a pair of auxiliary hydraulic rams for moving the boom during load handling operations. A robust slew bearing assembly mounted above the crane pedestal allows rotation of the base and the pedestal. The slew bearing assembly has a pair of parallel plates, a plurality of centering rollers and a plurality of stabilizing rollers mounted adjacent to an outer circumference of the parallel plates, between the plates. A winch assembly is mounted on top of the base, the winch assembly carrying a cable that extends over a pulley secured to a free end of the boom. A truss assembly secured to the pedestal and to an underside of the base resists overturning moments acting on the crane when the boom engages a load. An operator cab is mounted on a support plate adjacent a lower portion of the pedestal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.