Norwegian Dynamics POLARIS

Lightweight crane shock absorber

POLARIS is a lightweight crane shock absorber for topside overload protection, peak-load reduction and fast deck setup. Compared with traditional accumulator-based systems, it reduces weight, footprint and cost, even at large capacities.

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No accumulators, no needle valves

Typical shock absorbers have large external accumulators for spring effect and needle valves for damping. POLARIS has neither, the entire functionality is contained within a single hydraulic cylinder, which drastically cuts weight, footprint and cost. CFD designed valves gives unmatched efficiency, where we typically see >90%, unheard of with conventional designs.

  • All contained in a single cylinder
  • No pilot accumulator filling
  • Quick setup time
  • Fully retracted even with payload attached
  • Ready for reuse in <1 h, no need to bring to deck

75 - 4000 t

Maximum force

1.0 - 8.0 m

Stroke length

<1 h

Typical setup time

>90%

Typical efficiency

DNV type approval certification

Classification

POLARIS is designed, classed and tested according to DNV ST-0378.

POLARIS crane shock absorber

Compact and rugged package

A considered mechanical layout protects key components while making adjustment, handling, upending and maintenance straightforward.

Sustainability

POLARIS is designed for repeated use with minimal servicing, extending equipment life and reducing waste. Its compact, all-in-one design eliminates auxiliary components, lowering material usage and environmental footprint.

Committed To Safety

We follow and exceed the testing requirements in DNV RP-N202. POLARIS is pull-tested in a frame to ensure structural integrity as part of the manufacturing process. The fail-safe design ensures that even in the event of a system malfunction, the unit maintains a safe state. All pressure volumes are continuously monitored.

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Engineered for Performance

  • Piston rod locking
  • Data logging
  • Force and stroke measurement
  • All volumes have pressure measurement
  • Fail-safe design

Frequently Asked Questions

POLARIS is used for topside overload protection where the overload comes from a falling object, such as a piling hammer.

POLARIS shock absorber combines a hydraulic cylinder with a small gas accumulator. The gas accumulator is used to ramp up the force until the damping preset is reached and the force will be constant until the payload comes to a halt due to a specially designed valve. 

POLARIS shock absorber is usually fitted to the crane hook via slings and connected to the payload via slings.
  • Much lower cost
  • Much lower weight
  • Much smaller footprint
  • Much faster to adjust
  • Only a small quantity of nitrogen required for adjustment
  • Much higher efficiency 
  • Easier and much faster filling of gas
  • No pilot accumulator filling/draining required, hence no need for an external HPU
  • Better filling kit
  • Easier to use calculation sheet

Choose a traditional solution if the application is not topside shock absorption/overload protection, or if the unit must be used subsea.

Request Further Information

POLARIS configurations from approximately USD 20,000. Lead time and project pricing depends on capacity, stroke and classification — fill in the form below and we’ll send drawings, datasheet and a project-specific quotation.