Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a flywheel on a floating vessel includes a support for the flywheel; and a tilt sensor for measuring an angle of slope relative to the Earth, the tilt sensor being arranged to detect a change of an angle of slope of the floating vessel relative to the Earth. The apparatus further includes a driver for manoeuvring the support relative to the floating vessel, based on the measured angle of slope from the tilt sensor, wherein the driver is operable to manoeuvre the support so as to counteract a change of an angle of slope of the flywheel relative to the Earth due to the detected change of an angle of slope of the floating vessel.

Abstract: There is described a hoisting system and method of lifting that make use of a particular fibre rope. The fibre rope includes a plurality of magnets that are embedded within the fibre rope and spaced apart along the rope with a known axial distance between the magnets. The system may include a fibre rope hoisting speed sensor, and a magnetic field sensor that can sense the presence of the magnetic field of the embedded magnets. Using the sensors, the hoisting speed of the rope may be determined by: measuring the time between the passing of consecutive magnets by using the magnetic field sensor; calculating the distance between consecutive magnets using the hoisting speed sensor and the measured time between the passing of the consecutive magnets; and comparing the calculated distance between the magnets with an original, predefined distance between the magnets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for regenerating and distributing energy, such as employed on a vessel or floating offshore installation, the system including a first power distribution system, a second power distribution system electrically isolated from the first power distribution system, and a flywheel mechanically connected to both the first and second power distribution systems. Each of the first and second power distribution systems may include a motor/generator mechanically connected to the flywheel and a drive module electrically connected to its respective motor/generator. The flywheel drive modules may be connected to a common flywheel control module that includes a control algorithm for operating the system.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic device includes an extender which is arranged to be actuated by hydraulic fluid, and a rotor of an electric motor, the rotor being arranged to rotate about a part of the extender. The rotor may have an annular body which encircles or surrounds part of the extender. There is also described a related method of use and a marine vessel or platform where the device may be applied.

Abstract: A method of upgrading a knuckle-boom crane to a heave-compensating crane includes: removing a knuckle-boom from a main boom; mounting a main boom extension to the main boom for increasing the length of the main boom; and mounting a heave-compensating boom at a far end of the main boom extension such that the heave-compensating boom extends in a downward vertical direction (Z) in operational use of the heave-compensating crane. The heave-compensating boom is configured to be pivotable with respect to the main boom extension in both horizontal directions (X, Y). A heave-compensation system is provided to the knuckle-boom crane, wherein the heave-compensation system compensates for horizontal variations by controlling the orientation of the heave-compensating boom relative to the main boom extension, and compensates for vertical variations by means of a further vertical heave-compensation system, such as a winch-based heave-compensation system.

Abstract: There is described a hoisting system and method of lifting that make use of a particular fibre rope. The fibre rope includes a plurality of magnets that are embedded within the fibre rope and spaced apart along the rope with a known axial distance between the magnets. The system may include a fibre rope hoisting speed sensor, and a magnetic field sensor that can sense the presence of the magnetic field of the embedded magnets. Using the sensors, the hoisting speed of the rope may be determined by: measuring the time between the passing of consecutive magnets by using the magnetic field sensor; calculating the distance between consecutive magnets using the hoisting speed sensor and the measured time between the passing of the consecutive magnets; and comparing the calculated distance between the magnets with an original, predefined distance between the magnets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for regenerating and distributing energy, such as employed on a vessel or floating offshore installation, the system including a first power distribution system, a second power distribution system electrically isolated from the first power distribution system, and a flywheel mechanically connected to both the first and second power distribution systems. Each of the first and second power distribution systems may include a motor/generator mechanically connected to the flywheel and a drive module electrically connected to its respective motor/generator. The flywheel drive modules may be connected to a common flywheel control module that includes a control algorithm for operating the system.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic device includes an extender which is arranged to be actuated by hydraulic fluid, and a rotor of an electric motor, the rotor being arranged to rotate about a part of the extender. The rotor may have an annular body which encircles or surrounds part of the extender. There is also described a related method of use and a marine vessel or platform where the device may be applied.

Abstract: A device for tensioning an elongated hoisting member, comprises: a first friction-generating member rotatably supported around a first support member; a second friction-generating member rotatably supported around a second support member, the first and second friction-generating members being adapted to provide friction to the elongated hoisting member when the friction-generating members are pressed against each other with a portion of the elongated hoisting member therebetween. A brake is provided for braking the rotation of the friction-generating members around the support members. There is also described a system that includes such a device, as well as a method for operating such a system.

Abstract: A spooling device for facilitating spooling of a wire on a drum winch from a feeding point includes a suspension cradle mounted to the mechanical frame. The suspension cradle supports a rotatable wire sheave or receiving the wire extending form the feeding point and for guiding the wire to a specific location on the drum winch. The suspension cradle having the wire sheave is slideably mounted to the frame in accordance with a curved path. The curved path is configured such that the fleet angle of the wire extending from the feed point is at least partially compensated in order to reduce fringing effects of the wire on the wire sheave during sliding movement of the wire sheave along its curved path.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a flywheel on a floating vessel includes a support for the flywheel; and a tilt sensor for measuring an angle of slope relative to the Earth, the tilt sensor being arranged to detect a change of an angle of slope of the floating vessel relative to the Earth. The apparatus further includes a driver for manoeuvring the support relative to the floating vessel, based on the measured angle of slope from the tilt sensor, wherein the driver is operable to manoeuvre the support so as to counteract a change of an angle of slope of the flywheel relative to the Earth due to the detected change of an angle of slope of the floating vessel.

Abstract: A spooling device for facilitating spooling of a wire on a drum winch from a feeding point includes a suspension cradle mounted to the mechanical frame. The suspension cradle supports a rotatable wire sheave or receiving the wire extending form the feeding point and for guiding the wire to a specific location on the drum winch. The suspension cradle having the wire sheave is slideably mounted to the frame in accordance with a curved path. The curved path is configured such that the fleet angle of the wire extending from the feed point is at least partially compensated in order to reduce fringing effects of the wire on the wire sheave during sliding movement of the wire sheave along its curved path.

Abstract: Described is an offshore lifting crane, as for a vessel or platform, that includes a support structure, a crane boom connected to the support structure, a winch drum rotatable around its longitudinal axis, a winch drum drive means, and an elongated hoisting member. The hoisting member includes a first end connected to the winch drum and a second end connectable to a load. The hoisting member extends over at least a part of the crane boom, and the winch drum is arranged such that its longitudinal axis is substantially vertical.

Abstract: A method of upgrading a knuckle-boom crane to a heave-compensating crane includes: removing a knuckle-boom from a main boom; mounting a main boom extension to the main boom for increasing the length of the main boom; and mounting a heave-compensating boom at a far end of the main boom extension such that the heave-compensating boom extends in a downward vertical direction (Z) in operational use of the heave-compensating crane. The heave-compensating boom is configured to be pivotable with respect to the main boom extension in both horizontal directions (X, Y). A heave-compensation system is provided to the knuckle-boom crane, wherein the heave-compensation system compensates for horizontal variations by controlling the orientation of the heave-compensating boom relative to the main boom extension, and compensates for vertical variations by means of a further vertical heave-compensation system, such as a winch-based heave-compensation system.

Abstract: A method of building an offshore windmill includes, using a 3D-heave-compensated crane, placing on a windmill pedestal a lifting jack having a receiving region, and fixing the lifting jack to the windmill pedestal such that the lifting jack can be later removed, and such that a windmill column can be placed within the receiving region directly on the windmill pedestal. The windmill generator is installed using the 3D-heave-compensated crane. The windmill column is partially erected on the windmill pedestal using the 3D-heave-compensated crane and the lifting jack. Before the windmill is fully erected, windmill blades are placed on the windmill generator using the 3D-heave-compensated crane, and the erection of the windmill column on the windmill pedestal is completed using at least the lifting jack. Using the 3D-heave-compensated crane, the lifting jack is removed from the windmill pedestal.

Abstract: A drilling unit on a deck of a floating vessel, includes a drill tower structure with a heave-compensation system, a winch mounted at or near the deck, a crown block mounted at a top side of the drill tower structure and at least one wire rope between the winch and the crown block. The heave-compensation system includes a slideable support frame configured to be moved in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the drill tower structure. Either the winch or the crown block is positioned within the slideable support frame such that a distance between the winch and the crown block is controlled by at least one electric motor or linear actuator. In an alternative embodiment in which a crown block in not employed, the winch is placed in the slideable support frame at the top side of the drill tower structure.

Abstract: A system for hoisting a load on a drilling rig includes: a hoisting means having an elongated hoisting member and an elongated hoisting member drive means; a drill string rotation means suspended from an end of the elongated hoisting member; a support structure having a first side and a second side and being adapted to support at least a portion of the weight the drill string rotation means; a first elongated hoisting member guiding means connected to the support structure; and a counterweight connected to the elongated hoisting member at the second side of the support structure. The elongated hoisting member is reeved over the first elongated hoisting member guiding means from the first to the second side of the support structure. The drill string rotation means is suspended from the elongated hoisting member at the first side of the support structure.

Abstract: A method of building an offshore windmill includes, using a 3D-heave-compensated crane, placing on a windmill pedestal a lifting jack having a receiving region, and fixing the lifting jack to the windmill pedestal such that the lifting jack can be later removed, and such that a windmill column can be placed within the receiving region directly on the windmill pedestal. The windmill generator is installed using the 3D-heave-compensated crane. The windmill column is partially erected on the windmill pedestal using the 3D-heave-compensated crane and the lifting jack. Before the windmill is fully erected, windmill blades are placed on the windmill generator using the 3D-heave-compensated crane, and the erection of the windmill column on the windmill pedestal is completed using at least the lifting jack. Using the 3D-heave-compensated crane, the lifting jack is removed from the windmill pedestal.

Abstract: A winch drum device includes a first winch drum with an outer surface adapted to accommodate axially displaced turns of wire rope and further includes a wire rope storage means, such as a recess, extending at least partially radially in from said outer surface. The wire rope storage means is adapted to accommodate one or more layers of the wire rope. The winch drum device may be incorporated into a winch.

Abstract: A device for tensioning an elongated hoisting member, comprises: a first friction-generating member rotatably supported around a first support member; a second friction-generating member rotatably supported around a second support member, the first and second friction-generating members being adapted to provide friction to the elongated hoisting member when the friction-generating members are pressed against each other with a portion of the elongated hoisting member therebetween. A brake is provided for braking the rotation of the friction-generating members around the support members. There is also described a system that includes such a device, as well as a method for operating such a system.