Patents Assigned to MHE Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11414306
    Abstract: A trolley installer for use with a crane bridge is configured for supporting a trolley thereon. The trolley installer includes a lift system adapted for mounting to the crane bridge. The lift system includes a lift mechanism and a strand coupled to the lift mechanism. The trolley installer also includes a platform member including a table for supporting a trolley and an attachment mechanism for releasably coupling with the strand of the lift system. The lift mechanism is operable to lift and lower the platform member relative to the crane bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Waisanen, Steven M. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 10770192
    Abstract: A system and method for removing spent fuel assemblies from a fuel building and transporting them to on-site facilities. A cask transporter is moved into the fuel building with an empty spent fuel storage cask, spent fuel assemblies are loaded into spent fuel storage cask, the cask is sealed, and the cask transporter moves the loaded spent fuel storage cask to a handling area for final disposal. Components of the system include a penetration cover, a lifting mechanism, a control system, a valve system, and the cask transporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Waisanen, Joe Yustus
  • Publication number: 20200118699
    Abstract: A system and method for removing spent fuel assemblies from a fuel building and transporting them to on-site facilities. A cask transporter is moved into the fuel building with an empty spent fuel storage cask, spent fuel assemblies are loaded into spent fuel storage cask, the cask is sealed, and the cask transporter moves the loaded spent fuel storage cask to a handling area for final disposal. Components of the system include a penetration cover, a lifting mechanism, a control system, a valve system, and the cask transporter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Waisanen, Joe Yustus
  • Patent number: 10311988
    Abstract: A system and method for removing spent fuel assemblies from a fuel building and transporting them to on-site facilities. A cask transporter is moved into the fuel building with an empty spent fuel storage cask, spent fuel assemblies are loaded into spent fuel storage cask, the cask is sealed, and the cask transporter moves the loaded spent fuel storage cask to a handling area for final disposal. Components of the system include a penetration cover, a lifting mechanism, a control system, a valve system, and the cask transporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Waisanen, Joe Yustus
  • Patent number: 10304576
    Abstract: A transfer system for spent fuel canisters includes a carrier, a shielded bell trolley movable along the carrier and carrying a shielded bell, and a canister trolley movable along the carrier and carrying a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the spent fuel canister into and out of the shielded bell. The canister trolley can move along the carrier independent of the shielded bell trolley and the shielded bell trolley can move along the carrier independent of the canister trolley. The shielded bell trolley and the canister trolley can be selectively interlocked for selected transfer operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Waisanen
  • Publication number: 20180075934
    Abstract: A system and method for removing spent fuel assemblies from a fuel building and transporting them to on-site facilities. A cask transporter is moved into the fuel building with an empty spent fuel storage cask, spent fuel assemblies are loaded into spent fuel storage cask, the cask is sealed, and the cask transporter moves the loaded spent fuel storage cask to a handling area for final disposal. Components of the system include a penetration cover, a lifting mechanism, a control system, a valve system, and the cask transporter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Syeven K. Waisanen, Joe Yustus
  • Patent number: 9824781
    Abstract: A system and method for removing spent fuel assemblies from a fuel building and transporting them to on-site facilities. A cask transporter is moved into the fuel building with an empty spent fuel storage cask, spent fuel assemblies are loaded into spent fuel storage cask, the cask is sealed, and the cask transporter moves the loaded spent fuel storage cask to a handling area for final disposal. Components of the system include a penetration cover, a lifting mechanism, a control system, a valve system, and the cask transporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Waisanen, Joe Yustus
  • Publication number: 20170162284
    Abstract: A transfer system for spent fuel canisters includes a carrier, a shielded bell trolley movable along the carrier and carrying a shielded bell, and a canister trolley movable along the carrier and carrying a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the spent fuel canister into and out of the shielded bell. The canister trolley can move along the carrier independent of the shielded bell trolley and the shielded bell trolley can move along the carrier independent of the canister trolley. The shielded bell trolley and the canister trolley can be selectively interlocked for selected transfer operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen K. Waisanen
  • Patent number: 9653189
    Abstract: A transfer system for spent fuel canisters includes a carrier, a shielded bell trolley movable along the carrier and carrying a shielded bell, and a canister trolley movable along the carrier and carrying a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the spent fuel canister into and out of the shielded bell. The canister trolley can move along the carrier independent of the shielded bell trolley and the shielded bell trolley can move along the carrier independent of the canister trolley. The shielded bell trolley and the canister trolley can be selectively interlocked for selected transfer operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Waisanen
  • Patent number: 9206020
    Abstract: A work platform for use in performing maintenance while supported on an overhead crane. The work platform is particularly useful for performing maintenance on an overhead cranes located in areas where normal lifting equipment and/or scaffolding cannot easily access the overhead crane. However, the work platform is also useful for performing maintenance on equipment and/or structures in the vicinity of overhead cranes, and on overhead cranes located in areas without accessibility problems. The work platform is hoisted for placement on the support structure of the overhead crane by hoist apparatus of the overhead crane. When positioned, the work platform may be fully supported on the support structure of the overhead crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve K. Waisanen, Fred J. D'Amico, Neal Charles Erikson, Henry Jacob Conrady, III
  • Patent number: 8573921
    Abstract: A device and method for lifting and rotating a massive container comprising a base frame assembly, a cradle pivotally connected to the base frame assembly and adapted to hold the container, a mechanism for moving the container vertically relative to at least part of the base frame assembly, and a hydraulic cylinder connected between the base frame assembly and the cradle for rotating in a vertical plane the cradle relative to the base frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Waisanen
  • Patent number: 8526565
    Abstract: A fuel transfer system is used for transporting spent fuel from a first room to a second room. The system includes a carriage configured for travel between the first room and the second room, and a boom assembly that extends and retracts between the first room and the second room, wherein the boom assembly facilitates travel of the carriage. The system also includes a hoist system positioned in the first room. The hoist system includes at least one boom cable interconnected with the boom assembly to extend and retract the boom assembly. The hoist system also includes at least one carriage cable interconnected with the carriage to move the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Waisanen
  • Publication number: 20130117999
    Abstract: A work platform for use in performing maintenance while supported on an overhead crane. The work platform is particularly useful for performing maintenance on an overhead cranes located in areas where normal lifting equipment and/or scaffolding cannot easily access the overhead crane. However, the work platform is also useful for performing maintenance on equipment and/or structures in the vicinity of overhead cranes, and on overhead cranes located in areas without accessibility problems. The work platform is hoisted for placement on the support structure of the overhead crane by hoist apparatus of the overhead crane. When positioned, the work platform may be fully supported on the support structure of the overhead crane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Waisanen, Fred J. D'Amico, Neal Charles Erikson, Henry Jacob Conrady, III
  • Patent number: 8438713
    Abstract: A pin removal assembly for use with an upper block of a crane includes a sheave support and a pin support. The upper block includes a frame, a plurality of sheaves, and a removable sheave pin that defines and axis of rotation for the sheaves and supports the sheaves within the frame. The pin removal assembly includes a sheave support mountable to the frame of the upper block and a pin support mountable to the frame of the upper block. The pin support is configured to support the sheave pin when the sheave pin is removed from the upper block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Waisanen
  • Patent number: 8360203
    Abstract: A work platform for use in performing maintenance while supported on an overhead crane. The work platform is particularly useful for performing maintenance on overhead cranes located in areas where normal lifting equipment and/or scaffolding cannot easily access the overhead crane. However, the work platform is also useful for performing maintenance on equipment and/or structures in the vicinity of overhead cranes, and on overhead cranes located in areas without accessibility problems. The work platform is hoisted for placement on support structure of the overhead crane by hoist apparatus of the overhead crane. When positioned, the work platform may be fully supported on the support structure of the overhead crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve K. Waisanen, Fred J. D'Amico, Neal Charles Eriksson, Henry Jacob Conrady, III
  • Patent number: 8176611
    Abstract: A pin removal assembly for use with an upper block of a crane includes a sheave support and a pin support. The upper block includes a frame, a plurality of sheaves, and a removable sheave pin that defines and axis of rotation for the sheaves and supports the sheaves within the frame. The pin removal assembly includes a sheave support mountable to the frame of the upper block and a pin support mountable to the frame of the upper block. The pin support is configured to support the sheave pin when the sheave pin is removed from the upper block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Waisanen
  • Patent number: 7963579
    Abstract: A bottom block assembly includes a block having a central vertical axis, a hook secured to the block for attaching a load to the block, a first pair of sheaves rotatably attached to the block, a first rope reeved about the first pair of sheaves, a second pair of sheaves rotatably attached to the block, and a second rope reeved about the second pair of reeves. The first and second pairs of sheaves are each equally spaced about the central vertical axis. The first pair of sheaves are located higher on the block than the second pair of sheave so that a portion of the first rope located between the first pair of sheaves crosses over a portion of the second rope located between the second pair of sheaves. If either rope fails, the other rope ensures the block remains level with a full load attached to the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Waisanen
  • Patent number: 7874439
    Abstract: An overhead crane adapted to be supported by at least one main support beam includes a bridge adapted to travel in a substantially horizontal direction along the at least one main support beam, a trolley adapted to travel in a substantially horizontal direction along the bridge, a jib rotatably coupled to a bottom surface of the trolley, and a hoist adapted to travel in a substantially horizontal direction along the jib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Waisanen
  • Patent number: 7775571
    Abstract: A bottom block assembly for an overhead crane includes a main bottom block, an outer frame carried by the main bottom block and rotatable relative to the main bottom block about a vertical axis of rotation, and a pair of paddles carried by the outer frame and downwardly extending from the outer frame on opposed sides of the main bottom block. Upper ends of the paddles are pivotably secured to the outer frame about horizontal axes so that lower ends of the paddles pivot toward and away from each other. The paddles are pivotable between a closed position wherein each of the paddles is substantially vertical and an open position wherein the lower end of each of the paddles is outwardly pivoted away from a vertical central axis. Each of the paddles has a keyhole-shaped closed-section opening near its lower end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Waisanen
  • Patent number: 7735662
    Abstract: A crane having an upper block, a lower block, a drum, and two ropes. The upper block includes an equalizer having a yoke to which the ropes are connected. The connections between the ropes and the yoke include load cells that measure the forces carried by each of the ropes. The upper block includes a fail-safe system that prevents failure of the upper block in overload conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: MHE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Waisanen