Design of the Electrohydraulic Heave Compensation Systems for Marine Cranes

The waves and deep depths currents subject the vessels to complex movements, which affect always the processes of handling tasks. The compensation of these movements is performed by mechatronic systems called "Active Heave Compensation" (AHC). A huge number of cranes and winches with AHC systems are now used for the transfer of loads between two vessels, the positioning of depth drilling devices, the handling of submersible vessels (submarines type) in normal or hazardous situations, providing vital equipment and resources for floating platforms etc. In addition to handling tasks, in the off-shore processes, there are many other activities, which requires AHC systems: service activities for wind power plants; compensated ramps, on which the technical teams are safety moving, reducing the intervention time regardless of the weather conditions. The intervention activities with helicopters allow the landing and taking off through compensated heliports in heavy weather conditions. The activities of drilling at sea depth are performed by specialized ships and floating platforms. This equipment have drilling rigs equipped with AHC systems to prevent breaking of drilling pipes and exposing personnel to accidents. This paper shows an effective manner of solving the design of a typical AHC system of a crane by numerical simulation with Simcenter Amesim software.