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#Industry News

Heavy lift auto connection

Connecting slings and shackles on heavy lift operations is complicated and potentially dangerous because of the weight and difficulty of handling the components of heavy lift connection shackles. It can be even more difficult if the operation has be the carried out underwater by divers. Now a Norwegian company can come up with a solution with a powered shackle pin that is available in a variety of load sizes.

Inovatum Lifting AS has developed this powered shackle pin to overcome the challenges of using conventional shackles for lifting operations. Unlike a conventional shackle there is just one unit for the Inoshackle shackle. This unit is connected to the lifting system, either slings or crane hoist in the usual way with a secure pin in the top of the shackle. The connection with lift is made when one part of the 'shackle' is brought down into the connection with semi-circular spacing rings ensuring that it is located in the correct position.

Once in position the actual shackle pin that secures the connection is fired across the gap between the two tongues of the shackle and the connection is then secure. For this, the shackle pin in housed in the 'firing' cylinder and when suitable pressure is applied the pin simply slides across the gap and is locked in place with no screwing or other locking system required.

The power for actuating the pin movement can come from several sources. For underwater work pressurised sea water can be used so that there is no risk of pollution. Compressed air is another possibility and other systems are available. The connection with the power source is made by simply pushing the hose connector into the opening when the connection is automatically made and the connector removed. The pin of the shackle then moves into its lifting position and a small indicator shows that it is locked in place.

Inovatum is offering their Inoshackle in a variety of sizes. Small units with a SWL of from 15 to 100 tonnes are small enough to be easily manhandled but they are also offering larger units that are suitable for lifting loads of 1000, 2000 and 3000 tonnes which will cover most of the requirements of heavy lifting in the offshore arena. These Inoshackles will help to speed up heavy lift operations and should make them considerably safer.

Details

  • Buford, GA 30518, USA
  • Innovatum, Inc.