Patents Assigned to Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
  • Publication number: 20110238208
    Abstract: A method is provided for handling loads in a warehouse for containers that may be automatically stored and removed from storage by a container stacking crane, between a storage area and a truck or other vehicle parked in a parking space of a loading and unloading area To optimize the throughput performance and safety of handling loads in a warehouse for containers, it is proposed that after the truck drives into the parking space and after the driver of the truck leaves the parking space, the parking space is secured against the presence of persons including the driver, before a release signal is given to the container stacking crane for the automatic loading or unloading process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: GOTTWALD PORT TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventor: Ronald Kleine
  • Publication number: 20110163058
    Abstract: A bridge or gantry crane, in particular for handling ISO containers, includes a crane cart that can move along a crane support in the direction of travel of the cart. The cart supports at least one mast that can move in a vertical lift and lowering direction, and a load supporting means for containers being suspended at the mast. In order to optimize the handling rate of a bridge or gantry crane, at least one second mast is provided including a second load supporting means disposed behind and at a distance from a first mast as seen in the direction of travel (K) of the cart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann
  • Publication number: 20110116886
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for securing a container on a platform of a transport vehicle, in particular on a lifting platform of a floor-bound and automatically guided transport vehicle, with securing elements which are supported on the platform and bear against the container to secure same. A multiplicity of securing elements are arranged moveably on the platform in such a manner that, depending on the position and type of a container deposited on the platform, a first group of the multiplicity of securing elements is moved from the container into a passive position, and a second group of the multiplicity of securing elements is moved from the container into an operating position or remains in the operating position in which the second group of securing elements secures the container against slipping from the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: GOTTWALD PORT TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Publication number: 20100213430
    Abstract: The invention relates to a floor-bound transportation vehicle for the transportation of containers, with at least one lifting platform which is arranged on a vehicle frame of the transportation vehicle and can be lifted from a lowered transportation position into a raised transfer position via a lifting drive and, conversely, can be lowered. The lifting platform is fastened on the vehicle frame via at least one toggle lever. The lifting platform can be raised or can be lowered via the at least one toggle lever. The lifting drive acts on the at least one toggle lever, and the lifting platform is guided on the transportation vehicle for the lifting and lowering movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Patent number: 7549546
    Abstract: The invention concerns a wind safety device for at least two outdoor cranes (2a, 2b), able to move by traveling gears (6) on a jointly shared crane track (1), especially track-mounted full gantry cranes, with holding devices engaging at or in the region of the crane track (1) to prevent the cranes (2a, 2b) from lifting up and being pulled away when certain wind speeds are exceeded, and it being possible to join together at least two neighboring cranes (2a, 2b) in the region of the traveling gears (6). In order to achieve greater safety against the lifting up and pulling away of cranes (2a, 2b) taken out of operation due to high wind speeds prevailing, it is proposed that impact elements (10a, 10b) be arranged above the coupling on the at least two neighboring cranes (2a, 2b), lying against each other when the at least two neighboring cranes (2a, 2b) are coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Marie-Jeanne Chargé-Kröll, legal representative, Hermann Franzen, Jannis Moutsokapas, Joachim Kröll
  • Publication number: 20090120890
    Abstract: The invention concerns a wind safety device for at least two outdoor cranes (2a, 2b), able to move by traveling gears (6) on a jointly shared crane track (1), especially track-mounted fill gantry cranes, with holding devices engaging at or in the region of the crane track (1) to prevent the cranes (2a, 2b) from lifting up and being pulled away when certain wind speeds are exceeded, and it being possible to join together at least two neighboring cranes (2a, 2b) in the region of the traveling gears (6). In order to achieve greater safety against the lifting up and pulling away of cranes (2a, 2b) taken out of operation due to high wind speeds prevailing, it is proposed that impact elements (10a, 10b) be arranged above the coupling on the at least two neighboring cranes (2a, 2b), lying against each other when the at least two neighboring cranes (2a, 2b) are coupled together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: GOTTWALD PORT TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim Kröll, Hermann Franzen, Jannis Moutsokapad
  • Patent number: 7515389
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for safely disconnecting electric drives, wherein disturbances of the electric drive which are independent from the driving and lifting speed are recognized in a delay-free manner by retaining the safety function and are used for disconnecting the electric drive. The signals of the sensors (7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.2) are detected in a redundant manner and are redundantly compared to preselected threshold values in evaluation devices (2.1, 2.2) such that the electric drive (12) is safely disconnected in a redundant manner without using mechanical position devices if the preselected threshold value of the electric drive (12) is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Ronald Kleine, Andreas Kruschinski, Frank Demelius
  • Patent number: 7415320
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic method for increasing the throughput of a container reloading point or a container storage space and for reducing the loading and unloading time for a container transport vehicle. According to said method, after the identification of a container transport vehicle, the loading platform of the transport vehicle that has been parked in the parking area of the container storage space is measured. The position co-ordinates of the loading platform are determined by a data processing system. The container to be loaded is then automatically positioned by means of a crane, using the position co-ordinates of the loading platform. To align the container exactly in relation to the loading platform, the latter is measured again and any deviation in relation to the position of the container thus obtained is used for said exact alignment. The container is deposited on the platform automatically. The unloading of a container transport vehicle involves practically identical steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Patent number: 7410339
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer plant, especially for loading and unloading ISO containers from container ships at seaports, comprising a vertical support which is propped up on the land side and on which a horizontal extension arm is braced. Said horizontal extension arm, along which a horizontal conveying device can be displaced, protrudes across the ship that is to be unloaded on the sea side. The horizontal conveying device cooperates with hoisting and lowering devices which pick up and put down the containers. The aim of the invention is to create a redesigned transfer plant and a method for loading and unloading containers, preferably ISO containers, from container ships in seaports, which allow the transfer rate to be significantly increased and consequently the lay times of the container ships at the pier to be substantially reduced. Said aim is achieved by disposing at least two horizontal conveying devices (9, 10) on the horizontal extension arm (1.4, 1.5, 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Joachim Kröll
  • Patent number: 7350840
    Abstract: A lifting device for containers comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder arranged on a support frame with a piston and piston rod and at least two, spaced-apart horizontal guiding cross-bars. Lengthwise displacement of the piston rod is transformed into a synchronous upward and downward movement by at least one angle lever pivoted on the support frame. The at least one angle lever comprises two lever arms, one of the lever arms being connected to the piston rod and the other of the lever arms being connected to one of the guiding cross-bars. The guiding cross-bars are connected to a load receiving device for the container and are guided on vertical support pillars of the support frame at both ends for lifting and lowering the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Joachim Kröll
  • Patent number: 7267241
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining a load on a hoist of a crane for handling a container, including rope drum, drive motor as well as hoist transmission disposed between drive motor and rope drum and having a hoist transmission case which is swingably supported about an axis in parallel relationship to the rope drum axis and can be supported on its opposite end on at least one torque support, which a device for indirect determination of the load, suspended from the ropes, is assigned to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Patent number: 7066094
    Abstract: A supporting framework for a craneway for at least one crane which travels on at least one track, especially for a bridge crane which travels on two tracks, includes a track carrier elongated in a track direction and having at least one carrier section of reinforced concrete, preferably of prestressed concrete. A system of pillars includes reinforced concrete pillars, whose upper ends in each case support the carrier sections via a top component and whose lower ends are in each case anchored in the soil via a base component. An adjustable bearing in the area of the top component and/or of the base component in at least some of the pillars allows adjusting the track carrier according to the desired course of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Janis Moutsokapas, Helge-Eckehard Tempel
  • Patent number: 6715977
    Abstract: A loading device for ISO containers in a container terminal is arranged below the land-side boom in the rear area of the container bridge and cooperates with container transport vehicles. The loading device comprises at least two bridge members which are movable on the ground independent from one another transverse to the longitudinal axis of the boom, and are oriented parallel to one another and to the boom. Each bridge member forms a loading station for an ISO container and carries in the area of its longitudinal center a receiving platform for an ISO container which can be set down and picked up by load-carrying means, this receiving platform being rotatable about a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Dobner, Hermann Franzen, Joachim Kröll
  • Patent number: 6698990
    Abstract: A transfer installation for piece goods, in particular for ISO containers, including a warehouse having individual linear storage modules, and including at least one loading installation which can be displaced transversely to the storage modules and is intended for land-going means of transport, between which a storage and retrieval unit assigned to each storage module operates. The loading installation includes at least two ground-level leading stations for means of transport, to each of which is assigned one intermediate buffer store which is arranged on the second level, located above the means of transport, and has at least one storage location from which the respective means of transport can be manually loaded/unloaded by means of an associated loading crane. The intermediate buffer stores are connected to one another via a transfer transporter and one of the intermediate buffer stores is connected to the warehouse via the storage and retrieval unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Dobner, Hermann Franzen, Joachim Kröll
  • Patent number: 6691882
    Abstract: A rail-borne handling machine for handling containers and bulk materials in seaports and inland harbors includes a framework for carrying load bearing means and includes gantry supports arranged on the framework. Rail-based traveling gears are connected to the gantry supports of the framework via articulated connections for supporting the framework on rails. Balancers connected to the gantry supports via articulated connections and at least four steerable tire-based traveling gears are connected to the framenwork via the balancers. The at least four steerable tire-based traveling gears are symmetrical to a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis of said handling machine. Tho handling machine is maneuverable via the at least four steerable tire-based traveling gears when the rail-based traveling gears are raised from the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Beyer, Kurt Hartmann, Dieter Klessinger
  • Patent number: 6619626
    Abstract: A method for pressure compensation in reversible motors used to drive hoisting cables and closing cables of a cable operated crane is provided. The method includes connecting a hydraulic motor to hoisting cables, connecting another hydraulic motor to closing cables, connecting the hydraulic motors to a common pressure medium source via delivery lines, performing a closing operation of a grab of the crane while simultaneously detecting working pressures in working circuits of the hydraulic motors, adjusting the working pressures during the closing operation using a control so that during the grab the working pressures are substantially equal to one another. The present invention also provides a device for pressure compensation in reversible motors for driving hoisting cables and closing cables of a cable operated crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Kruschinski
  • Patent number: 6564955
    Abstract: A mobile harbor crane for the combined handling of containers and bulk materials, having an undercarriage and an upper carriage which is mounted rotatably on the base frame of the undercarriage and on which a tower with a boom that can be pivoted about a horizontal axis is arranged. Four support beams are connected pivotally to a base frame of the undercarriage, symmetrically to the longitudinal and transverse axes of the vehicle, in such a way that they can each be pivoted about vertical axes, they are provided at their free ends with vertically acting leveling cylinders, by means of which the support beams are supported on the wheels of a plurality of traveling gear assemblies via balancers for uniform distribution of the supporting forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Joachim Kröll, Janis Moutsokapas
  • Publication number: 20030077149
    Abstract: A loading device for ISO containers in a container terminal is arranged below the land-side boom in the rear area of the container bridge and cooperates with container transport vehicles. The loading device comprises at least two bridge members which are movable on the ground independent from one another transverse to the longitudinal axis of the boom, and are oriented parallel to one another and to the boom. Each bridge member forms a loading station for an ISO container and carries in the area of its longitudinal center a receiving platform for an ISO container which can be set down and picked up by load-carrying means, this receiving platform being rotatable about a vertical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mathias Dobner, Hermann Franzen, Joachim Kroll
  • Patent number: 6551043
    Abstract: A loading device for ISO containers in a container terminal with a container bridge for the loading and unloading of ships and with automatic incoming and outgoing transfer of the containers by means of automatic guided vehicles, with at least one container load suspension device in the form of a spreader and devices for the intermediate positioning of the container within the loading device to allow the installation or removal of the twistlocks, and with platforms for the workers performing this task. The loading device consists of a polar bridge crane, which can rotate around its center vertical axis, and which is designed as a bridge crane with a trolley capable of traveling on a crane bridge supported on a circular track located in the rear area of the land-side rail of the container bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Joachim Kröll, Mathias Dobner