Roth Hydraulics accumulators ensure safe and precise movements in waves

01/07/2021
Biedenkopf/Utrecht, Niederlande. Seaqualize inline Active Heave Compensator Delta600
For precise load handling in maritime applications, Seaqualize in the Netherlands, develops custom-fit solutions. The company is currently working on the Delta600 prototype - an accessory to turn standard heavy lift cranes into Active Heave Compensated (AHC) machines for use on the world's oceans. This is the worlds first inline AHC tool for in-air lifting of heavy loads, and can compensate all heave motions to up to 97% using minimal, battery supplied power. For the development project, Seaqualize is relying on the expertise of Roth Hydraulics in Biedenkopf. The hydraulic accumulator specialist developed an ocean-going piston accumulator system for Delta600.

Delta600 is a flexible accessory for any type of loading crane used to move heavy loads in wave action in harbors, on ships or offshore and which requires lift compensation. The hydraulic unit, with Roth Hydraulics' accumulator technology inside, is placed in the crane hook and enables high-precision lifting, moving and lowering of loads weighing up to 600 tons. In the process, Delta600 compensates for swell and wave motions and controls the load throughout the entire lift. For picking up heavy loads from a heaving ship, the tools hydraulics allow gradual build up of the load into the crane wire and automatic lowering at a safe moment. The gentle movement controlled by the hydraulic spring prevents heavy loads from breaking away, bouncing or hitting the ground. The hydraulic unit ensures very slow and precise setting-down speeds, especially for the setting-down process. The Roth Hydraulics piston accumulator system is around 6 meters tall and has an empty weight of around 20 tons. It consists of several piston accumulators, pressure vessels and control blocks that have been specially optimized for the application. Daniel Lauber, the responsible design engineer at Roth Hydraulics, explained, "Particular challenges in the project were the specified installation space and the effect of the dynamic loads on the components of the hydraulic accumulator system. We are pleased to have worked closely with Seaqualize to develop a solution that was very precisely tailored to the Delta600 application." Acceptance tests for the accumulator system at Seaqualize have already been completed with great success. Edouard Schinkel, Imfounder and the technical lead at Seaqualize, praises the constructive cooperation: "In Roth Hydraulics, we have found a medium-sized partner that sets high quality standards and has the necessary expertise in implementing special projects. Constant exchange of information within the framework of Delta600 has laid the foundation for a business relationship with Roth Hydraulics based on partnership."


Piston accumulators
Roth piston accumulators for machinery and equipment are available in sizes from 0.1 to 1,500 liters. Standard units are available with 350 bar maximum operating pressure and special versions up to 1,200 bar, with variable preload pressure. They are used when high withdrawal volumes and withdrawal rates are required. Depending on the application, significant increases in capacity are possible with downstream gas tanks. Even compact, ready-to-connect large-scale systems with a total volume of well over 100 cubic meters can be realized - by coupling piston accumulators and downstream gas containers in any number. The storage systems are suitable for temperatures from -10 to +80 degrees Celsius, and are optionally available for extreme temperatures from -60 and up to +200 degrees Celsius. Roth designs fluid connections and sealing systems of the piston accumulators individually according to customer requirements. Abrupt gas loss to the fluid side is not possible. Friction-minimized sealing systems ensure high efficiency and highly efficient operation. Additional options, such as a built-in stroke limiter or a wide range of measuring and monitoring devices, provide information on the operating status as well as the energy content. The piston accumulators can be installed in any position.

As a full-range supplier, Roth Hydraulics provides a complete technology range with piston, bladder and diaphragm accumulators as well as accumulator systems for a wide variety of applications. Decades of experience in the development and production of piston accumulators make the company a true specialist. Roth storage systems are designed according to a modular principle. Depending on the requirements, the manufacturer realizes customized and economical solutions.

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