Patent Description:
Lifting containers and other heavy units from one floating vessel to another or between a vessel and a fixed platform is a well known operation offshore, and also lifting between a floating vessel to an onshore location. Containers and bulky loads of different size and weight are commonly lifted from the deck of e.g. a supply vessel and onto e.g. a platform, a dock or another vessel. Such a loading or unloading operation presently requires a crew on the deck where the load is lifted to or from. A lifting element such as a hook is connected to a cable, which is controlled by a crane. The crew connects the lifting element to a lifting sling assembly connected to a container. The lifting sling assembly may be connected in one lifting point such as a master link, and the lifting element is manually connected to e.g. the master link. A lifting operation involving at least one floating vessel constitutes a great risk for the crew, as the containers and units to be lifted are heavy and may move suddenly and unpredictably, due to a vessel's movement at sea. Motion between a vessel such as a ship, and e.g. an offshore facility, may be substantial. Heave compensation systems in a crane may compensate for some of the motion, but when the load is swaying, and especially if the deck is slippery, the load may cause harm to the surroundings immediately after it is lifted above the deck. Such lifting operations are associated with high risk for the crew, and is a known cause of injuries.

There is therefore a need for new technology and solutions to reduce or eliminate the above mentioned disadvantages of known techniques. It is an objective of the present invention to achieve this or to provide further advantages over the state of the art.

Documents useful for understanding the field of technology include <CIT>, which describes a device for lifting a load, such as an intermodal container, comprising a lifting unit adapted for coupling to a crane wire and a sling having first and second ends; <CIT> and <CIT> disclose the preamble of claim <NUM>.

According to the invention, there is provided a lifting element connection device for connecting a lifting element suspended from a cable to a sling element, the lifting element connection device comprising: a top surface having at least one angled portion for guiding the lifting element towards a receiving area of the lifting element connection device; a lifting element receiving portion configured for holding the sling element; wherein the lifting element receiving portion is further configured for receiving the lifting element from the receiving area and providing a connection between the lifting element and the sling element when the lifting element is positioned in the lifting element receiving portion. The lifting element connection device comprises a groove in the top surface, the groove extending from the receiving area to a periphery of the top surface for allowing the cable to move through at least a portion of the top surface.

The appended claims and the detailed description below outline further embodiments.

The above and other characteristics will become clear from the following description of embodiments, given as non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached schematic figures.

The following description may use terms such as "horizontal", "vertical", "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 figures 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 <FIG>, a first embodiment of a lifting element connection device <NUM> is illustrated on the deck of a vessel. The lifting element connection device <NUM> may comprise motive means (not visible in <FIG>; described in detail below) such that the lifting element connection device <NUM> is freely movable on the deck, i.e. able to move in several directions, indicated by arrows in <FIG>. The lifting element connection device <NUM> may thus be able to e.g. rotate about it's own axis, move forward and backward, sideways, etc. such that it can be positioned next to a load <NUM> to be lifted. The lifting element connection device <NUM> may be remotely controlled and positioned, or it may be manually positioned by a crew member next to a load <NUM>.

A load <NUM> to be lifted is connected to a sling assembly <NUM>, as is known in the art. The sling assembly <NUM> may be connected to the load <NUM>, such as a container or other bulky load, at four corners. A sling assembly <NUM> may comprise one or more sling elements <NUM>. A sling element <NUM> is as such a lifting point on a sling assembly <NUM>. The sling element <NUM> is commonly known as a master link.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the lifting element connection device <NUM>. The lifting element connection device <NUM> comprises a top surface <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface <NUM> comprises four angled portions <NUM>. Each angled portion <NUM> extend from each respective side of the lifting element connection device <NUM> towards a receiving area <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving area <NUM> is positioned approximately in the middle of the top surface <NUM>, but it could as such be positioned anywhere on the top surface <NUM>. Alternatively, the top surface <NUM> may be funnel shaped and slant towards the receiving area <NUM>, or the top surface <NUM> may comprise only one curved or bent angled portion <NUM> (e.g. circular-shaped) that slants towards a receiving area <NUM>.

The receiving area <NUM> is in the illustrated embodiment an opening in the top surface <NUM>, such that a lifting element <NUM> can pass through the receiving area <NUM> and further below the top surface <NUM> and possibly also into the interior of the lifting element connection device <NUM>. The lifting element <NUM> is in the illustrated embodiment a hook, but may also be a magnet, a claw, or any other means suitable as a lifting element. The top surface <NUM> thus acts as a guiding means for the lifting element connection device <NUM>, such that the lifting element <NUM> suspended in a cable <NUM> is easy to navigate towards the lifting element connection device <NUM> and into the receiving area <NUM>. It is as such easier to aim a lifting element <NUM> towards the receiving area <NUM> of a lifting element connection device <NUM> with a large top surface <NUM> than a lifting element connection device <NUM> with a small top surface <NUM>. The lifting element <NUM> does not need to be precisely aimed at the receiving area <NUM>; as long as the lifting element <NUM> contacts the top surface <NUM>, the lifting element <NUM> is steered/guided towards the receiving area <NUM> by the at least one angled portion <NUM> of the top surface <NUM>.

As the lifting element <NUM> is guided through the receiving area <NUM>, it may be further guided by a channel (not visible in <FIG>; described in further detail below) that may connect the receiving area <NUM> to a lifting element receiving portion <NUM>. The top surface <NUM>, the receiving area <NUM> and/or the lifting element receiving portion <NUM> may be shaped such as to orientate the lifting element <NUM> in a certain direction in the lifting element receiving portion <NUM>. The receiving area <NUM> could e.g. have a particular shape, which upon receiving the lifting element <NUM> would force it to be orientated in a predetermined direction in order to enter the channel and receiving portion <NUM>. The shape and weight distribution of the lifting element <NUM> and the shape of the top surface <NUM> can be designed such as to turn and guide the lifting element <NUM> when it moves towards the receiving area <NUM>. The lifting element receiving portion <NUM> may also have a particular shape or configuration, such that the lifting element <NUM> is only accommodated if it is oriented in a particular way. This is described further with reference to <FIG>. The lifting element receiving portion <NUM> may be arranged on a side of the device <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>,<FIG>, so as to to be accessible from an outside of the device <NUM>, e.g. by an operator on the deck.

A sling element <NUM> may be connected to the lifting element connection device <NUM>. The sling element <NUM> may be a master link of a lifting sling assembly, as described with reference to <FIG>, or it could be any other means to which a lifting element <NUM> may be connected. For better clarity, the rest of the lifting sling assembly is not visible in <FIG>, <FIG>. The sling element <NUM> may, in one way of using the device <NUM>, be positioned on the lifting element connection device <NUM> by a crew member after the lifting element connection device <NUM> has been positioned next to a load, and before the lifting operation commences.

Referring now to <FIG>, the sling element <NUM> is positioned such that when the lifting element <NUM> is positioned in the lifting element receiving portion <NUM>, a contact portion <NUM> of the lifting element <NUM> is positioned approximate the sling element <NUM>, and the contact portion <NUM> can be securely connected to the sling element <NUM>. The contact portion <NUM> of the illustrated embodiment is a hook. This is described more in detail with reference to <FIG>.

The top surface <NUM> comprises a groove <NUM>. The groove <NUM> extends from the receiving area <NUM> to a periphery <NUM> of the top surface <NUM>. The periphery <NUM> is defined as the outer edge of the top surface <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the groove <NUM> extends in a straight line, but it may also be curved or have other shapes. The groove <NUM> may be positioned on an angled portion <NUM> as in the illustrated embodiment, or it may be elsewhere on a top surface <NUM>. Also in the illustrated embodiment, the groove <NUM> is positioned directly above the lifting element receiving portion <NUM>, and orientated parallel with the lifting element receiving portion <NUM>, but the groove <NUM> may also be positioned and orientated elsewhere on the top surface <NUM>.

As the cable <NUM> is tensed in order to initiate a lift, it is guided from the receiving area <NUM> through the groove <NUM> and out through the periphery <NUM> of the top surface <NUM>. In <FIG>, the cable <NUM> is illustrated approximately halfway between receiving area <NUM> and the periphery <NUM>. The lifting element <NUM> connected to the sling element <NUM> is thus free to be further lifted up. The lifting element receiving portion <NUM> may be positioned partly outside the lifting element connection device <NUM>, and in particular outside the periphery <NUM> of the top surface <NUM>. As the cable <NUM> is tensed from a point above, the resistance in the cable <NUM> due to the weight of the lifting element <NUM>, to which it is fastened, will thus force the cable <NUM> into the groove <NUM>. As the cable <NUM> is tensed further, the lifting element <NUM> rotates upwards in the lifting element receiving portion <NUM> until it is in an approximately upright position. The lifting element <NUM> is thereby suspended from the cable <NUM>, outside the lifting element connection device <NUM>, and ready to be lifted. This sequence is also described further with reference to <FIG>.

The groove <NUM> may comprise a cover element <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover element <NUM> are two longitudinal flaps connected on either side of the groove <NUM>. The flaps are rotatable upwards from an initial covering position, such that a lifting element <NUM> approaching from above will not get stuck in the groove <NUM>. The cover element <NUM> may also be one or more flexible elements covering the groove <NUM>, and the cover element <NUM> may be mechanically movable in other ways to uncover the groove <NUM>.

<FIG> is a detail view of the lifting element receiving portion <NUM> of the lifting element connection device <NUM>, and illustrates the lifting element <NUM> in the lifting element receiving portion <NUM>. The lifting element connection device <NUM> comprises a sling element support <NUM>, and in <FIG> a sling element <NUM> rests on the sling element support <NUM>. The sling element <NUM> may be positioned on the sling element support <NUM> e.g. by a crew member, as described with reference to <FIG>. The sling element support <NUM> may protrude upwards, and is configured for supporting a sling element <NUM> such that the contact portion <NUM> of the lifting element <NUM> is adjacent the sling element <NUM> when the lifting element <NUM> is resting in the lifting element receiving portion <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the hook extends through the sling element <NUM> when the hook element <NUM> is resting in the lifting element receiving portion <NUM>.

As the lifting element <NUM> passes through the receiving area and is guided towards the lifting element receiving portion <NUM>, it is oriented in a certain direction, as described previously. The orientation of the lifting element <NUM> may be such that the point <NUM> of the contact portion <NUM> of the hook is pointing upwards when the lifting element <NUM> is resting in the lifting element receiving portion <NUM>. The lifting element <NUM> is thereby ready to engage with the sling element <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates that the lifting element receiving portion <NUM> is elevated by elevating means <NUM>, such that the contact portion <NUM> of the lifting element <NUM> is engaged with the sling element <NUM>. A locking mechanism (not shown) may also be triggered, such that the sling element <NUM> is releasably locked to the lifting element <NUM>.

The elevating means <NUM> may be a hydraulic piston, an electromotor driving a shaft, a spring mechanism, or any other means for elevating the lifting element receiving portion <NUM>. The lifting element receiving portion <NUM> may be rotated about an axis within the lifting element connection device <NUM>, such that the contact portion <NUM> is elevated sufficiently to engage with the sling element <NUM>, or the lifting element receiving portion <NUM> may be elevated in a translator movement.

Alternatively, the elevating means <NUM> may elevate the lifting element <NUM> itself out of the receiving portion <NUM>, the receiving portion <NUM> being stationary, such that the lifting element <NUM> engages with the sling element <NUM>. The elevating means <NUM> may as such be any element or mechanism that upon activation operates on the receiving portion <NUM> or on the lifting element <NUM>, and moves the lifting element <NUM> towards an engagement position with the sling element <NUM>.

The elevating means <NUM> may be remotely controlled. In this way, there may not be a need for crew to manually connect the sling element <NUM> to the lifting element <NUM>.

<FIG> is a step-by-step illustration of how a lifting element on a cable is connected to a sling element in the lifting element connection device. Starting from the top left, considering the subfigures in a clockwise direction, the sling element <NUM> is positioned on the receiving portion <NUM> (top left), a lifting element <NUM> is received in the angled portion <NUM> (top right), the lifting element <NUM> is elevated by an elevating means and connected to the sling element (bottom right), the wire is tensioned upwards (bottom centre), and the lifting element <NUM> is lifted out of the receiving portion <NUM> with the sling element <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional cut through the lifting element connection device <NUM>, illustrating parts of the interior. The lifting element connection device <NUM> may comprise a lifting element channel <NUM> connecting the receiving area to the lifting element receiving portion (not visible in the figure). As explained previously, the lifting element channel <NUM> may be shaped such as to accommodate the lifting element and provide for a predetermined orientation of the lifting element. In an embodiment without a lifting element channel <NUM>, the lifting element may be guided directly from the receiving area into the lifting element receiving portion.

The lifting element connection device <NUM> may comprise motive means <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the motive means <NUM> are belts, but the lifting element connection device <NUM> may also be equipped with wheels or other motive configurations. The motive means <NUM> may also be adapted for transporting the lifting element connection device <NUM> on tracks and rails, and the motive means <NUM> may even be a low frictional surface that allows sliding of the lifting element connection device <NUM> on the ground, and that optionally can be securely fixed to the ground. The motive means <NUM> may allow the lifting element connection device <NUM> to move in any horizontal direction for easy manoeuvring of the lifting element connection device <NUM>, and the motive means <NUM> may also allow the lifting element connection device <NUM> to rotate horizontally about a center axis.

In the illustrated embodiment, the motive means <NUM> are powered by a power source <NUM> such as a battery pack, and controlled by a control mechanism <NUM> such as an electric motor.

Referring now to <FIG>, a lifting element <NUM> that may be utilized together with a lifting element connection device of the present invention is illustrated. <FIG> is a perspective view of the lifting element <NUM>, and <FIG> is a top view. The lifting element <NUM> is a hook comprising a contact portion <NUM> and may comprise a lifting element body <NUM>. The lifing element body <NUM> may be a hook block, and may be positioned between the contact portion <NUM> and a cable interaction element <NUM>.

The lifing element body <NUM> may comprise an acute side <NUM> and a blunt side <NUM>. In <FIG>, the blunt side is the right hand side, and the acute side is the left hand side. The acute side <NUM> may have a ridge <NUM>, extending in the longitudinal direction of the lifing element body <NUM>. The lifting element channel and/or the lifting element receiving portion may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the acute side <NUM>, such that the lifting element <NUM> is oriented and accommodated correctly in the lifting element receiving portion, as described with reference to <FIG>.

The acute side <NUM> may also be heavier than the blunt side <NUM>, such that the acute side <NUM> is further drawn towards a lower position than the blunt side <NUM>. The lifting element <NUM> will therefore inherently strive to position e.g. the point <NUM> in an upwards direction, as the point <NUM> is pointing towards the blunt, light side of the lifting element <NUM>. If the lifting element is a claw, a magnet or other lifting element, these devices might have other criterias for positioning.

<FIG> illustrates a second embodiment of a lifting element connection device <NUM>'. In this embodiment, the lifting element connection device <NUM>' comprises a robotic arm <NUM>. The robotic arm <NUM> may be remotely controlled, and may have a grabber element (or the like) which can be used for engaging (e.g., picking up) and connecting a sling element <NUM> to the receiving portion <NUM> of the lifting element connection device <NUM>'. The device <NUM>' may otherwise comprise any combination of, or all, the features described above in relation to device <NUM>.

According to embodiments of the inventions, lifting containers and other heavy units from one floating vessel to another or between a vessel and a fixed platform can be carried out in a safer and/or more efficient manner. This may provide benefits in terms of operational safety, reduced downtime during operations, an increased operating window (e.g. weather window) for carrying out such lifting operations, etc..

A system such as that described in embodiments herein may be particularly well-suited for use with unmanned platforms, whereby the device <NUM>,<NUM>' can be positioned on the deck of the unmanned platform and remotely controlled to assist in lifting operations. Further applications includes use on land, which may also realise some or all of the above-mentioned advantages.

Claim 1:
A lifting element connection device (<NUM>; <NUM>') for connecting a lifting element (<NUM>) suspended from a cable (<NUM>) to a sling element (<NUM>), characterised in that the lifting element connection device (<NUM>; <NUM>') comprises:
a top surface (<NUM>) having at least one angled portion (<NUM>) for guiding the lifting element (<NUM>) towards a receiving area (<NUM>) of the lifting element connection device (<NUM>; <NUM>') and a lifting element receiving portion (<NUM>) configured for holding the sling element (<NUM>);
wherein the lifting element receiving portion (<NUM>) is further configured for receiving the lifting element (<NUM>) from the receiving area (<NUM>) and providing a connection between the lifting element (<NUM>) and the sling element (<NUM>) when the lifting element (<NUM>) is positioned in the lifting element receiving portion (<NUM>), and wherein the lifting element connection device (<NUM>; <NUM>') comprises a groove (<NUM>) in the top surface (<NUM>), the groove (<NUM>) extending from the receiving area (<NUM>) to a periphery (<NUM>) of the top surface (<NUM>) for allowing the cable (<NUM>) to move through at least a portion of the top surface (<NUM>).