Articulated slewing jib crane and wind turbine incorporating same
View Patent ↗A jib crane includes a first arm configured for cooperation with a hoist, and a second arm hingedly connected to the first arm. A mounting bracket is hingedly connected to the second arm, and the mounting bracket is configured for attachment to a wind turbine. The first arm is configured to swing along a first horizontal arc and the second arm is configured to swing along a second horizontal arc. The jib crane is configured to pick up a load outside the wind turbine and move the load to a location inside the wind turbine.
1. A jib crane comprising:
a first arm, the first arm configured for cooperation with a hoist;
a second arm hingedly connected to the first arm;
a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket hingedly connected to the second arm, the mounting bracket attached to a door frame of a wind turbine;
wherein, the first arm is configured to swing along a first horizontal arc and the second arm is configured to swing along a second horizontal arc, and wherein the jib crane is configured to pick up a load outside the wind turbine and move the load to a location inside the wind turbine.
2. The jib crane of claim 1 , wherein the first arm includes the hoist.
3. The jib crane of claim 2 , wherein the hoist is attached to a bracket on the first arm.
4. The jib crane of claim 2 , the first arm further comprising:
a track configured to permit the hoist to travel along the first arm.
5. The jib crane of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first hinge pin connecting the first arm and the second arm; and
a second hinge pin connecting the second arm and the mounting bracket.
6. The jib crane of claim 1 , further comprising:
a handle on the first arm, the handle configured for facilitating movement of the first arm.
7. The jib crane of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket is bolted to the door frame.
8. The jib crane of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket is clamped to the door frame.
9. The jib crane of claim 1 , further comprising a protective pad attached to at least one of the first arm and the second arm.
10. The jib crane of claim 1 , the first arm further comprising:
a telescoping arm and a stationary arm, wherein the telescoping arm is extendible to increase an operating reach of the jib crane.
11. A wind turbine comprising:
a tower;
a nacelle mounted on the tower;
a rotor connected to the nacelle, the rotor including a hub and a plurality of blades;
a jib crane comprising:
a first arm, the first arm configured for cooperation with a hoist;
a second arm hingedly connected to the first arm;
a mounting bracket, the mounting bracket hingedly connected to the second arm, the mounting bracket attached to a door frame of the wind turbine;
wherein, the first arm is configured to swing along a first horizontal arc and the second arm is configured to swing along a second horizontal arc, and wherein the jib crane is configured to pick up a load outside the wind turbine and move the load to a location inside the wind turbine.
12. The wind turbine of claim 11 , wherein the first arm includes the hoist.
13. The wind turbine of claim 12 , wherein the hoist is attached to a bracket on the first arm.
14. The wind turbine of claim 12 , further comprising:
a first hinge pin connecting the first arm and the second arm; and
a second hinge pin connecting the second arm and the mounting bracket.
15. The wind turbine of claim 13 , further comprising:
a handle on the first arm, the handle configured for facilitating movement of the first arm.
16. The jib crane of claim 12 , wherein the mounting bracket is at least one of: bolted to the door frame or clamped to the door frame.
17. The wind turbine of claim 12 , further comprising a protective pad attached to at least one of the first arm and the second arm.
18. The wind turbine of claim 12 , the first arm further comprising:
a track configured to permit the hoist to travel along the first arm.
19. The wind turbine of claim 12 , the first arm further comprising:
a telescoping arm and a stationary arm, wherein the telescoping arm is extendible to increase an operating reach of the jib crane.