Electrically driven AHT winches arrive
Cargotec has released electrically-driven versions of its range of MacGregor offshore anchor handling and towing winches (eAHT).
“This new series of electrically driven winches inherits the best characteristics of our proven designs”, said Francis Wong, Cargotec’s sales director for offshore winch solutions.
The eAHT series comprises winches with line pulls ranging from 200 tons to 600 tons, with an initial speed up to 25m/min and with a brake holding capacity up to 800 tons. Each winch is available in double or triple-drum configuration to meet various design and operational requirements. The drums are designed to carry a huge capacity of steel wire rope, as well as large diameter low specific weight fibre rope. The extended shaft connections at both ends of the winch are suitable for fitting chain wheels to handle chains ranging from 76mm diameter up to 160mm diameter.
The winches are driven by an AC variable frequency electric motor through an enclosed helical bevel gearbox. They also feature a freshwater cooled hydraulic or pneumatic disc brake system allowing smooth changing between operational speed modes, from static to dynamic and during dynamic lowering operations. They also have a regenerative multi-drive system, which offers various benefits including space savings, reduced wiring and greater redundancy when compared with traditional single-drive solutions. The regenerative energy can be easily fed back into the ship’s main power system using Active Front-End (AFE) technology which has ultra-low harmonics capability. Alternatively, it can be dissipated through the braking resistor.
The winches are equipped with independent electro-hydraulically or fully electrically driven spooling devices, which can be supplied as separate units for the yard to install on the winch compartment bulkhead or on the deck. The winch and spooling device can be controlled both locally and remotely from the wheelhouse.
All control features, including the length, speed and tension monitoring system, are incorporated in one or two touch screens and remote control panels. Alternatively, these controls can be integrated into an ergonomically designed operator chair with two joysticks located in the armrests.
Technical specification:
eAHT series
Pull 200 to 600 tons
Speed < 25m/min
Brake holding <800 tons
Double or triple-drum
