WO2024218121A1

WO2024218121A1 - Crane having a crane boom with a tagline system having a transverse beam

Info

Publication number: WO2024218121A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/060362
Authority: WO
Inventors: Terence Willem August Vehmeijer; Marc Louis Brinkman
Original assignee: Itrec BV
Current assignee: Huisman Equipment BV
Priority date: 2023-04-19
Filing date: 2024-04-17
Publication date: 2024-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2025-10-19
Also published as: CN121219223A; NL2034630B1

Abstract

A crane for hoisting a load comprises a tagline system. Guide rails (60, 61) are secured to the crane boom member and travelling members (80, 81) are mounted on the guide rails. A transverse beam (90) is supported by the travelling members so as to extend in a direction transverse to a central plane of the crane boom member. Each of the travelling members is provided with a sliding support (120) for the transverse beam (90) between the axial ends thereof allowing for variation of the spacing between the first and second travelling members. First and second tagline assemblies are each configured so that the first (95) and second (96) taglines extend from axially spaced apart positions on the transverse beam (90) to the load when in use.

Description

CRANE HAVING A CRANE BOOM WITH A TAGLINE SYSTEM HAVING A TRANSVERSE BEAM

The present invention relates to the field of cranes having a crane boom member, a hoist system, and a tagline system.

Generally, the tagline system is provided to allow enhanced control of the motion, position, and/or orientation of the load during the hoisting process using the crane.

In particular in the field of installation and/or maintenance of wind turbines, e.g. at an offshore location, the need exists for handling of components "at the height of the nacelle". This includes, for example, the handling of the rotor blades during their installation to the hub of the wind turbine. Current designs propose or already have the nacelle at a height of more than 100 meters, e.g. at 120 meters or more, for example the Haliade-X 12 MW wind turbine.

Cranes with tagline systems are frequently employed to control the position and/or orientation of a wind turbine component, e.g. the rotor blade. This is, for example, not done only during the hoisting of the rotor blade but also, or just, during the mounting of the root end of the blade to the hub of the wind turbine.

Examples of cranes having a tagline system are presented in EP1925582, EP2490975, EP2889251 , DE20201003269U, and WG2023/006796.

For example, in EP2490975, a known crane with tagline system is shown having a transverse beam that extends horizontally, perpendicular to the length of the crane boom member. The beam is supported by two travelling members that over a pair of parallel guide rails secured to the crane boom member. The know beam has telescoping end sections, each operable by an actuator. On each end section a tagline winch is mounted, with the tagline spooled onto a drum of the winch.

The present invention aims to provide an improved tagline system, e.g. in view of the structure of the crane boom member and/or in view of providing enhanced versatility when performing tagline assisted crane operations. The invention provides a crane for hoisting a load, e.g. a wind turbine component, e.g. a wind turbine rotor blade, which crane comprises:

- a crane boom member having an inner end, a boom member tip, a length between the inner end and the boom member tip, wherein the crane boom member has a central plane,

- a hoist system comprising a hoist winch and a hoist winch driven hoist cable configured to suspend the load from the crane,

- a tagline system for controlling the load lifted by the crane, wherein the tagline system comprises:

- first and second guide rails arranged on the crane boom member,

- a first travelling member mounted on the first guide rail,

- a second travelling member mounted on the second guide rail,

- a transverse beam supported by the first and second travelling members so as to extend in a direction transverse to the central plane of the crane boom member, which transverse beam has axial ends, wherein each of the first and second travelling members is provided with a sliding support for the transverse beam between the axial ends thereof allowing for variation of the spacing between the first and second travelling members,

- a first tagline assembly including a first tagline and an associated first tagline winch,

- a second tagline assembly including a second tagline and an associated second tagline winch, wherein the first and second tagline assemblies are each configured so that the first and second taglines extend from axially spaced apart positions on the transverse beam to the load when in use.

Due to the presence of the sliding supports for the transverse beam a variation of the spacing between the first and second travelling members is possible. As will be explained here, this allows for a variety of embodiments and related operational possibilities. Variation of the spacing between the travelling members may be the result of the guide rails being non-parallel and/or of the travelling members being moved into different positions along the length the crane boom member (so the one travelling member being at a different height than the other travelling member) so that the transverse beam assumes an inclined position. The latter may also be of benefit in an embodiment wherein the guide rails are parallel to one another.

In an embodiment, the transverse beam is a fixed length beam, lacking any telescopic portion. This allows for a simple and robust design of the transverse beam.

In an embodiment, the tagline system comprises an actuator configured to controllably shift the transverse beam along the length thereof relative to first and second travelling members.

In a preferred embodiment, the tagline system comprises a centralizing mechanism configured to maintain a center of the transverse beam in the central longitudinal plane of the crane boom member whilst the tagline system is operated so as to cause a variation of the spacing between the first and second travelling members. For example, when the guide rails are non-parallel, e.g. in case of an A-frame type crane boom member, the centralizing mechanism will cause the transverse beam to remain centered relative to the crane boom member when the transverse beam is moved up and down along the crane boom member.

In a practical embodiment, the centralizing mechanism comprises an endless elongated member, e.g. a cable or chain, passing over two axially spaced apart guides, e.g. sheaves or chain wheels, mounted on the transverse beam so as to have a first run and a second run of the endless elongated member, wherein the first traveling member is connected to the first run, and wherein the second traveling member is connected to the second run. This mechanism effectively keeps the center of the transverse beam in the same position relative to the central plane of the crane boom member when a variation of the spacing between the first and second travelling members takes place.

In an embodiment, the crane boom member has a tapering configuration over at least a part of the length thereof, wherein the first and second guide rails are non-parallel to one another, at least over a part of their length, e.g. over their entire length. In practical embodiments, the guide rails are converging towards one another in the direction towards the tip of the crane boom member, e.g. as shown in figures 15A, B of W02023/006796. For example, the crane boom member has non-parallel main chords, e.g. at a front side of the crane boom member along which the load is hoisted, wherein these non-parallel main chords are provided with the first and second guide rails respectively or wherein these guide rails are integrated with the respective main chord.

For example, the crane boom member comprises an A-frame having a pair of non-parallel legs or leg sections, wherein the first and second guide rails are mounted on a respective leg or leg section in a non-parallel arrangement relative to one another. The inventive tagline system, preferably also provided with the centralizing mechanism, allows for optimal integration of the transverse beam of the tagline system with such a crane boom member.

In an embodiment, each sliding support is provided with a swivel providing a swivel axis perpendicular to a plane defined by the guide rails, such that the angle of the transverse beam relative to the central plane of crane boom member is adjustable over a range which includes the perpendicular angle as well as inclined positions wherein the first travelling members is higher than the second travelling member and inclined positions wherein the second travelling member is higher than the first travelling member. This embodiment may be of benefit both for non-parallel guide rails and for an embodiment wherein the guide rails are parallel to one another.

In an embodiment, the tagline system comprises:

- a first drive assembly configured to move the first travelling member along the first guide rail,

- a second drive assembly configured to move the second travelling member along the second guide rail, preferably the drive assemblies being controllable independent from one another.

In an embodiment, the first and second drive assemblies are configured to move the first travelling member and the second travelling member such that the angle of the transverse beam relative to the central plane of crane boom member is adjustable over a range which includes the perpendicular angle as well as inclined positions wherein the first travelling members is higher than the second travelling member and inclined positions wherein the second travelling member is higher than the first travelling member. Preferably, the sliding supports are provided with a swivel providing a swivel axis perpendicular to a plane defined by the guide rails. This embodiment may be of benefit both for non-parallel guide rails and for an embodiment wherein the guide rails are parallel to one another In an embodiment, the travelling members are each configured to releasably secure the sliding support for the transverse beam, wherein the tagline system further comprises a tagline sheave component that is mountable to the travelling member upon removal of the sliding support. This allows for the use of the travelling members selectively in combination with the transverse beam or with each travelling member being equipped with a tagline sheave. This increases the versatility of the tagline system.

In an embodiment, the crane boom member is provided with:

- a third tagline assembly including a third tagline and an associated third tagline winch,

- a fourth tagline assembly including a fourth tagline and an associated fourth tagline winch, wherein the third and fourth winches are mounted on the crane boom member, and wherein the third and fourth taglines each depend from a respective third and fourth tagline sheave mounted on the tip of the crane boom member, so as to extend - in use - primarily in vertical direction to the load, e.g. to the blade lifting tool.

In embodiments, the first and second taglines act primarily in a horizontal direction, and (when present) the third and fourth taglines act primarily in vertical direction.

It is noted that a third tagline and/or fourth tagline may also be arranged to extend from another point on the crane boom than the tip, e.g. from a respective tagline trolley movably mounted on a guide rails, e.g. on the same guide rails as a travelling member or on another guide rail.

It is noted that a third tagline and/or fourth tagline may also be arranged to extend from other points on the transverse beam than the first and second taglines, e.g. the third and fourth taglines being arranged to cross another seen from above..

In embodiments, the hoist system comprises a blade lifting tool configured to lift the rotor blade of a wind turbine, wherein the blade lifting tool is configured to be or is suspended from the hoist cable, and wherein the blade lifting tool is connectable or connected to the first and second taglines. In embodiments, the blade lifting tool is also configured to be connected or is connected to the third and fourth taglines.

In embodiments, the hoist cable depends from a hoist sheave assembly at the boom member tip. In another embodiment, the crane includes a jib that is pivotally connected to the boom member tip, with the hoist cable depending from the jib. In embodiments, the crane boom member comprises one or more latticed hollow box structure sections, and comprises a pair of front main chords at a front side of the crane boom member, a pair of rear main chords at a rear side of the crane boom member, the one or more latticed hollow box structure sections further comprising lacing members between adjacent main chords, wherein each guide rail is directly mounted on, or integrated with, a main chord of the crane boom member, e.g. a front main chord member.

For example, the crane boom member is embodied as described in non-prepublished application PCT/EP2023/078844, which is incorporated herein by reference.

For example, the crane boom member comprises a main chord formed from four steel planar plate members that are welded to one another in a rectangular or square cross-sectional arrangement, wherein the four plate members are:

- a front plate member;

- a rear plate member opposite the front plate member,

- an inner plate member,

- an outer plate member opposite the inner plate member, wherein the front plate member extends from a corner joint with the outer plate member inward beyond a joint of the front plate member to the inner plate member to form an inwardly protruding guide rail portion having an inner end face, wherein the outer plate member extends from the corner joint with the front plate member rearward beyond a joint of the outer plate member to the rear plate member to form a rearwardly protruding guide rail portion having a rear end face, wherein the traveling member is provided with a first roller set of one or more rollers engaging the inner end face of the inwardly protruding guide rail portion and with a second roller set of one or more rollers engaging the rear end face of the rearwardly protruding guide rail portion.

Herein the inwardly protruding guide rail portion and the rearwardly protruding guide rail portion together form one of the first and second guide rails of the tagline system. In practical embodiments, the crane boom member has a pair of such main chords to form the first and second guide rails.

In an embodiment, the crane comprises: - a base structure, e.g. adapted to be mounted on a vessel, e.g. for fixation to the hull of the vessel;

- a revolving structure slewable on a slew bearing about a vertical slew axis relative to the base structure, the structure being provided with a boom connection member to which the crane boom member is connected at the inner end thereof, so that the boom is pivotal up and down about a boom pivot axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a boom;

- a luffing device for pivoting the boom up and down, comprising a luffing winch and a variable length luffing system.

The present invention also relates to a vessel provided with a crane as discussed herein, e.g. equipped with a blade lifting tool for installation of a rotor blade to an offshore wind turbine. It will be appreciated that the tagline system can also be of use when handling other wind turbine components, e.g. a gearbox, generator, auxiliary crane to be mounted on the wind turbine, etc.

For example, the base structure of the crane is configured to be placed on a floating foundation of a wind turbine, e.g. as discussed in W02023041730.

The present invention also relates to a method for installation of a component to a wind turbine, e.g. a rotor blade, wherein use is made of a crane and/or vessel as discussed herein.

In an embodiment, a rotor blade is mounted to a hub of the wind turbine at an inclination relative to the horizontal, wherein the transverse beam is positioned at an inclined position corresponding substantially to the inclination of the rotor blade.

The invention will now be discussed in more detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

- fig. 1 shows an example of a crane according to the invention,

- fig. 2 shows a tagline system of the crane of figure 1 ,

- fig. 3 shows the transverse beam with centralizing mechanism of the tagline system of figure 2,

- fig. 4 shows the travelling member and the sliding support for a transverse beam,

- fig. 5 shows the travelling member with the swivel provided between the travelling member and the sliding support of figure 4,

- fig. 6 shows the transverse beam in an inclined position, - fig. 7 shows the crane where the sliding support for the transverse beam has been replaced by a tagline sheave,

- fig. 8 shows the crane with additional taglines,

- fig. 9. shows as an example that main chords of the crane boom member are also embodied as a guide rail for the travelling member.

Figure 1 schematically shows a crane 1 comprising a crane boom member 10 having an inner end 11 , a boom member tip 12, and a length between the inner end and the boom member tip.

The crane further comprises a hoist system with a hoist winch (not shown) and a hoist winch driven hoist cable 21 configured to suspend the load, here rotor blade 101 , from the crane.

In this example, a crane hook 190 is suspended from the cable 21 , with slings 191 suspending blade lifting tool 100 from the crane hook 190.

The hoist cable 21 depends from a hoist sheave assembly 22 at the boom member tip 12.

The crane 1 has a base structure 40, e.g. adapted to be mounted on a vessel, e.g. for fixation to the hull of the vessel. The vessel can be a floating vessel, e.g. a monohull or a semi-submersible, or can be a jack-up vessel, for example.

The crane 1 has a revolving structure 50 slewable on a slew bearing 51 about a vertical slew axis relative to the base structure.

In this example, the structure 50 includes a gantry 51 .

The structure 50 is provided with a boom connection member 41 to which the crane boom member is connected at the inner end 11 thereof, so that the boom member 10 is pivotal up and down about a boom pivot axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a boom.

The crane further comprises a luffing device for pivoting the boom up and down, comprising a luffing winch (not shown) and a variable length luffing system 52, here extending from the top of the gantry 51 to the tip of the boom member 10.

The crane boom member 10 has a central plane that is perpendicular to the pivot axis of the boom member and through the center of the member 10. A first guide rail 60 and a second guide rail 61 are present on the crane boom member 10.

In an embodiment, as shown here, the crane boom member has a tapering configuration over at least a part of the length thereof, e.g. the crane boom member being embodied as an A-frame type crane boom member as shown.

The first and second guide rails 60, 61 are non-parallel to one another, at least over a part of their length, here over their entire length. This may, in embodiments, be applicable with a tapering configuration of the crane boom member.

As discussed, in another embodiments, the first and second guide rails could be parallel to one another, at least over a part of their length, e.g. over their entire length. This may, in embodiments, be applicable with a crane boom member that is non-tapering.

In the illustrated example, the crane boom member 10 comprises one or more latticed hollow box structure sections. The crane boom member comprises a pair of front main chords 70 at a front side of the crane boom member, a pair of rear main chords 71 at a rear side of the crane boom member, the one or more latticed hollow box structure sections further comprising lacing members 72 between adjacent main chords.

In embodiments, each guide rail 60, 61 is directly mounted on a main chord of the crane boom member.

In the example as shown, see also figure 9, each guide rail 60, 61 is integrated with a main chord of the crane boom member, here with a front main chord.

Figure 2 shows in more detail the tagline system for controlling the load lifted by the crane.

A first travelling member 80, e.g. a trolley with rollers, is mounted on the first guide rail 60 and a second travelling member 81 is mounted on the second guide rail 61.

The tagline system further comprises a first drive assembly 30 configured to move the first travelling member 80 along the first guide rail 60 and a second drive assembly 31 configured to move the second travelling member 81 along the second guide rail 61 , preferably the drive assembly being controllable independent from one another. The tagline system further comprises a transverse beam 90 which is supported by the first and second travelling members 80, 81 so as to extend in a direction transverse to the central plane of the crane boom member 10.

The transverse beam has axial ends. For example, the beam 90 has a fixed length, so lacking any telescopic portion.

As illustrated, the tagline assembly has a first tagline assembly including a first tagline 95 and an associated first tagline winch 181 and a second tagline assembly including a second tagline 96 and an associated second tagline winch 182. The first and second tagline assemblies are each configured so that the first and second taglines extend from axially spaced apart positions on the transverse beam 90 to the load, here the tool 100, when in use.

Figure 2 further shows the blade lifting tool 100 configured to lift the rotor blade 101 of a wind turbine. The blade lifting tool is configured to be or is suspended from the hoist cable 21. The blade lifting tool is connectable or connected to the first and second taglines 95, 96.

The figures show that the blade lifting tool 100 has a frame with blade retention members, e.g. clamping members. The frame is tiltable connected via a horizontal axis hinge to a pendant member that is suspended from the crane hook. A tilt actuator between the frame 76 and the pendant member allows for controlled tilting of the tool so as to set an inclination of the rotor blade 101 , e.g. in view of installation of the blade 101 whilst inclined to the hub of the wind turbine.

Figure 3 shows the travelling member 81 which is movably mounted on guide rail 61 of the crane boom member 10. Also the transverse beam 90 is shown. The travelling member 81 is provided with a sliding support 120 for the transverse beam 90. Such a sliding support is also present on the second travelling member. The sliding supports function to support the transverse beam 90 between the axial ends of the transvers beam and allow for a variation of the spacing between the first and second travelling members 80, 81 . This variation occurs as the beam 90 is moved up and down along the crane boom member 10 as the guide rails 60,61 are non-parallel.

Figure 4 shows an example of a centralizing mechanism which is configured to maintain a center of the transverse beam 90 in the central plane of the crane boom member 10 whilst the tagline system is operated and the load is lifted or lowered. In this example, the centralizing mechanism comprises an endless elongated member 110, e.g. a cable or chain, passing over two axially spaced apart guides 111 on the transverse beam so as to have a first run and a second run of the endless elongated member. The first traveling member 80 is connected to the first run 112 and the second traveling member 81 is connected to the second run 113. Due to this mechanism the beam will remain centered relative to the central plane when the beam moves up and down along the crane boom member. Other centralizing mechanisms are possible as well, e.g. with a controllable centering drive between one of the travelling members and the beam 90.

Figures 5 illustrates the presence of a swivel 130 provided in combination with each sliding support 120 which provides a swivel axis 131 perpendicular to a plane defined by the guide rails 60, 61.

The first and second drive assemblies 30, 31 are configured to move the first travelling member 80 and the second travelling member 81 such that the angle of the transverse beam 90 relative to the central plane of crane boom member is adjustable over a range, which includes the perpendicular angle as well as inclined positions, wherein the first travelling members is higher than the second travelling member and inclined positions wherein the second travelling member is higher than the first travelling member, which is shown in Figure 6.

Figure 7 illustrates that the travelling members 80, 81 are configured to releasably secure the sliding support 120 for the transverse beam 90 allowing to exchange the sliding support for a tagline sheave when the beam 90 and the support 120 are removed. The tagline sheave component 170 can then be mounted to the travelling member 80, 81.

Figure 8 illustrates that the first and second tagline winches 181 , 182 are mounted on the crane boom member 10 in proximity of the tip thereof.

As shown, preferably, the crane further comprises a third tagline assembly including a third tagline 97 and an associated third tagline winch 183 and a fourth tagline assembly including a fourth tagline 98 and an associated fourth tagline winch 184.

The third and fourth winches 183, 184 are here mounted on the crane boom member, also in proximity of the tip thereof. As preferred, the third and fourth taglines 97, 98 each depend from a respective third tagline sheave (not shown in the figures) and fourth tagline sheave mounted 190 on the tip of the crane boom member, so as to extend - in use - primarily in vertical direction to the load, e.g. to the blade lifting tool 100.

In an embodiment, the third and fourth tagline extend from the gantry 51.

Figure 9 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the crane boom member 10 comprising a main chord 70, 71 formed from four steel planar plate members that are welded to one another in a rectangular or square cross-sectional arrangement. The four plate members are a front plate member 200a, a rear plate member 200c opposite the front plate member, an inner plate member 200d and an outer plate member 200b opposite the inner plate member.

The front plate member extends from a corner joint with the outer plate member inward beyond a joint of the front plate member to the inner plate member to form an inwardly protruding guide rail portion having an inner end face.

The outer plate member extends from the corner joint with the front plate member rearward beyond a joint of the outer plate member to the rear plate member to form a rearwardly protruding guide rail portion having a rear end face.

The traveling member 80,81 is provided with a first roller set 210 of one or more rollers engaging the inner end face of the inwardly protruding guide rail portion and with a second roller set (not shown) of one or more rollers engaging the rear end face of the rearwardly protruding guide rail portion.

Claims

C L A I M S

1 . A crane (1) for hoisting a load, e.g. a wind turbine component, e.g. a wind turbine rotor blade (101), which crane comprises:

- a crane boom member (10) having an inner end, a boom member tip, a length between the inner end and the boom member tip, wherein the crane boom member has a central plane,

- a hoist system comprising a hoist winch and a hoist winch driven hoist cable (21) configured to suspend the load from the crane,

- first and second guide rails (60,61) arranged on the crane boom member,

- a first travelling member (80) mounted on the first guide rail,

- a second travelling member (81) mounted on the second guide rail,

- a transverse beam (90) which is supported by the first and second travelling members (80,81) so as to extend in a direction transverse to the central plane of the crane boom member, which transverse beam (90) has axial ends, wherein each of the first and second travelling members (80, 81) is provided with a sliding support (120) for the transverse beam between the axial ends thereof allowing for variation of the spacing between the first and second travelling members (80,81),

- a first tagline assembly including a first tagline (95) and an associated first tagline winch (181),

- a second tagline assembly including a second tagline (96) and an associated second tagline winch (182), wherein the first and second tagline assemblies are each configured so that the first and second taglines (95,96) extend from axially spaced apart positions on the transverse beam (90) to the load when in use.

2. Crane according to claim 1 , wherein the tagline system comprises a centralizing mechanism (110, 111 ,112, 113) configured to maintain a center of the transverse beam (90) in the central plane of the crane boom member whilst the tagline system is operated so as to cause a variation of the spacing between the first and second travelling members (80,81).

3. Crane according to claim 2, wherein the centralizing mechanism comprises an endless elongated member (110), e.g. a cable or chain, passing over two axially spaced apart guides (111) on the transverse beam so as to have a first run (112) and a second run (113) of the endless elongated member, wherein the first traveling member (80) is connected to the first run and wherein the second traveling member (81) is connected to the second run.

4. Crane according to any one or more of claims 1 - 3, wherein the first and second guide rails (60,61) are non-parallel to one another, at least over a part of their length, e.g. wherein the crane boom member (10) has a tapering configuration over at least a part of the length thereof.

5. Crane according to any one or more of claims 1 - 4, wherein each sliding support (120) is provided with a swivel (130) providing a swivel axis perpendicular to a plane defined by the guide rails (60,61), such that the angle of the transverse beam (90) relative to the central plane of crane boom member is adjustable over a range which includes the perpendicular angle as well as inclined positions wherein the first travelling members is higher than the second travelling member and inclined positions wherein the second travelling member is higher than the first travelling member.

6. Crane according to any one or more of claims 1 - 5, wherein the tagline system comprises:

- a first drive assembly (30) configured to move the first travelling member (80) along the first guide rail,

- a second drive assembly (31) configured to move the second travelling member (81) along the second guide rail, preferably the drive assemblies (30,31) being controllable independent from one another.

7. Crane according to any one or more of claims 1 - 6, wherein the first and second drive assemblies (30,31) are configured to move the first travelling member and the second travelling member such that the angle of the transverse beam (90) relative to the central plane of crane boom member is adjustable over a range which includes the perpendicular angle as well as inclined positions wherein the first travelling members is higher than the second travelling member and inclined positions wherein the second travelling member is higher than the first travelling member.

8. Crane according to any one or more of claims 1 - 7, wherein each travelling member (80,81) is configured to releasably secure the sliding support (120) for the transverse beam, and wherein the tagline system comprises a tagline sheave component (170) that is mountable to the travelling member (80,81) upon removal of the sliding support.

9. Crane according to any one or more of claims 1 - 8, wherein the crane boom member is provided with:

- a third tagline assembly including a third tagline (97) and an associated third tagline winch,

- a fourth tagline assembly including a fourth tagline (98) and an associated fourth tagline winch, wherein the third and fourth winches (182,183) are mounted on the crane boom member, and wherein the third and fourth taglines each depend from a respective third and fourth tagline sheave mounted on the tip of the crane boom member, so as to extend - in use - primarily in vertical direction to the load, e.g. to the blade lifting tool.

10. Crane according to any one or more of claims 1 - 9, wherein the first and second tagline winches (181 ,182) are mounted on the crane boom member, e.g. in proximity of the tip thereof.

11 . Crane according to any one or more of claims 1 - 10, wherein the hoist system comprises a blade lifting tool (100) configured to lift the rotor blade (101) of a wind turbine, wherein the blade lifting tool is configured to be or is suspended from the hoist cable, and wherein the blade lifting tool is connectable or connected to the first and second taglines (95,96), in an embodiment of claim 8 also to the third and fourth taglines.

12. Crane according to any one or more of claims 1 - 11 , wherein the hoist cable (21) depends from a hoist sheave assembly at the boom member tip.

13. Crane according to any one or more of claims 1 - 12, wherein the crane boom member comprises one or more latticed hollow box structure sections, and comprises a pair of front main chords (70) at a front side of the crane boom member, a pair of rear main chords (71) at a rear side of the crane boom member, the one or more latticed hollow box structure sections further comprising lacing members between adjacent main chords, wherein each guide rail (60,61) is directly mounted on, or integrated with, a main chord of the crane boom member, e.g. a front main chord (70).

14. Crane according to any one or more of claims 1 - 13, wherein the crane boom member comprises a main chord (70) formed from four steel planar plate members that are welded to one another in a rectangular or square cross-sectional arrangement, wherein the four plate members are:

- a front plate member;

- a rear plate member opposite the front plate member,

- an inner plate member,

- an outer plate member opposite the inner plate member, wherein the front plate member extends from a corner joint with the outer plate member inward beyond a joint of the front plate member to the inner plate member to form an inwardly protruding guide rail portion having an inner end face, wherein the outer plate member extends from the corner joint with the front plate member rearward beyond a joint of the outer plate member to the rear plate member to form a rearwardly protruding guide rail portion having a rear end face, wherein the traveling trolley (80,81) is provided with a first roller set of one or more rollers engaging the inner end face of the inwardly protruding guide rail portion and with a second roller set of one or more rollers engaging the rear end face of the rearwardly protruding guide rail portion.

15. Crane according to any one or more of claims 1 - 14, wherein the crane comprises:

- a base structure (40), e.g. adapted to be mounted on a vessel, e.g. for fixation to the hull of the vessel,

- a revolving structure (50) slewable on a slew bearing about a vertical slew axis relative to the base structure, the revolving structure (50) being provided with a boom connection member to which the crane boom member (10) is connected at the inner end thereof, so that the boom is pivotal up and down about a boom pivot axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a boom, - a luffing device for pivoting the boom up and down, comprising a luffing winch and a variable length luffing system.

16. A vessel provided with a crane according to one or more of the preceding claims, e.g. equipped with a blade lifting tool (100) for installation of a rotor blade to an offshore wind turbine.

17. Method for installation of a component, e.g. a rotor blade, to a wind turbine, wherein use is made of a crane according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 - 15 and/or a vessel of claim 16.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein a rotor blade (101) is mounted to a hub of the wind turbine at an inclination relative to the horizontal, and wherein the transverse beam (90) is positioned at an inclined position corresponding substantially to the inclination of the rotor blade.