Double D Marine Equipment, a supplier of marine and offshore cranes, has developed an electronic control system for constant winches[ds_preview] of the marine and offshore cranes. A constant tension (CT) winch system is used to achieve a constant line-pull which should prevent slack ropes on the winch system. For example when a load is attached to the winch hook the CT-system can be activated, thus avoiding slack rope caused by waves. The winch adjusts the cable tension at all times when the actual value differs from the pre-set value, the Dutch company said. This prevents loads bouncing on decks. These systems are specially designed for ship-to-ship transfer of goods, for lifting floating objects and various offshore activities.
The control system is fully integrated into the crane and does not affect the operation. The operation will be integrated into the remote control. With minimal adjustments, an electronically controlled winch should be made of any existing winch. According to Double D the benefits are self-evident: less expensive (no large power pack required), less prone to hydraulic system failure and more compact. Furthermore this system will save time and this means money, the company pointed out. The first cranes with an electronically controlled CT winch have now been successfully tested and delivered. The following orders have already been booked. Double D says it is ready to handle the modification of existing winches as well as new construction requests.
