Patents by Inventor Hermann Franzen

Hermann Franzen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9522623
    Abstract: A floor-bound heavy duty transport vehicle for transporting ISO containers, which, in an initial state, can be operated exclusively in a non-automated operating mode by an operator and can be freely displaced by means of wheels having pneumatic rubber tires. The vehicle comprises a driver's cab having a non-automated control system for non-automated steering, non-automated motion control and non-automated braking, which vehicle can optionally also be used in an automated mode. For this purpose, the heavy duty transport vehicle can be converted such that it can also be operated in an automated mode without a driver and has at least one second installation space for antennae for the conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Terex MHPS GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Patent number: 9090436
    Abstract: A handling system for ISO containers having a gantry crane and a loading and unloading area, in which transport vehicles can be driven in and out. The crane comprises a first traveling crane having a first crane boom on which a first crane trolley having a first toad receiving means can travel between a section on the water side and a section on the land side of the first crane boom, and a second traveling crane having a second crane boom disposed below the section on the land side of the first crane boom, on which a second crane trolley having a second load receiving means can travel, wherein containers can be transferred between the first and second traveling cranes. A passive transfer station is disposed on the second crane boom and the container can be transferred between the transfer station and a transport vehicle located in a loading and unloading area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Terex MPHS GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Mike Hegewald, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Patent number: 8996159
    Abstract: A handling system for containers includes an automated zone in which floor-bound, rubber-tired and driverless container transport vehicles are used which transport containers between container bridges and a container storage facility. A non-automated zone is provided in which floor-bound, rubber-tired and manned container transport vehicles are used, the container transport vehicles being optionally operable in a driverless or manned mode and thus being optionally transportable in the automated zone or the non-automated zone. A corresponding container transport vehicle which can be connected to an auxiliary device for control in the manned mode is characterized in that the auxiliary device comprises a driver's cab that is equipped with a control system for steering, motion control and braking in the manned mode, the container transport vehicle having a detachable fastening possibility for the driver's cab at the front face of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Terex MHPS GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Patent number: 8875826
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for replacing a battery of a ground transportation vehicle, particularly of an unmanned heavy-duty transportation vehicle for ISO containers. The system includes storage spaces for batteries, at least one ground transportation vehicle having a receiving space for a replaceable battery, and at least one loading and unloading device for transporting batteries between the storage spaces and the receiving space of the transport vehicle in a replacement area. The storage space and the receiving space may include respective centering elements such that the battery is aligned relative to the storage space or the receiving space in response to the loading motion of the loading and unloading device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Terex MHPS GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Mike Hegewald, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Patent number: 8800791
    Abstract: A bridge crane or gantry crane is provided for transferring standard cargo holders, especially ISO containers in port zones. A crane trolley is movable along a crane carrier. A rigid mast is guided on the crane trolley and extends in a raising and lowering direction and can be moved using at least one lifting gear and cables on the crane trolley. A load accepting device for standard cargo holders is fastened to the lower end of the mast. The mast is rotatable about a longitudinal rotational axis. A lifting frame supports the lifting gear and is suspended on the crane trolley by a revolving arrangement that includes a revolving tube. An upper end of the revolving tube rests against the crane trolley using a revolving joint, while the lifting frame is mounted on a lower end of the revolving tube. The mast is arranged coaxially to the revolving tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Mike Hegewald, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Patent number: 8789635
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heavy-duty ground transportation vehicle, in particular an unmanned guided heavy-duty transportation vehicle for ISO containers, which is environmentally friendly. This is achieved by arranging a battery in the heavy-duty transportation vehicle to supply power to a travelling drive of the vehicle. The battery is typically a lead battery of considerable weight, and is releasably connected to the transport vehicle in a manner that permits changing the battery (e.g., exchanging a depleted battery for a fresh battery) and recharging the depleted battery at a location outside the vehicle. The battery can be moved into and out of transport vehicle transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Mike Hegewald, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Patent number: 8651793
    Abstract: Method and system for transferring standard cargo holders, especially ISO containers and swap bodies, between railways and roads. The standard cargo holders are loaded onto driverless transport vehicles by means of handling equipment or are received by said transport vehicles, and the driverless transport vehicles transport the standard cargo holders between the handling equipment and a loading and unloading zone. Alternatively, a driving zone for driverless transport vehicles for transporting standard cargo holders to or from the handling equipment adjoins the handling equipment, and a loading and unloading zone for transporting standard cargo holders adjoins the driving zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology, GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Mike Hegewald, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Patent number: 8646630
    Abstract: A bridge crane or gantry crane is provided for transferring standard cargo holders, especially ISO containers and swap bodies, between roads and railways. The crane includes a crane trolley that can be moved along a crane carrier in the direction of travel of the crane trolley, and on which a rigid mast is guided that extends in a raising and lowering direction. The mast can be moved in the raising and lowering direction using at least one lifting gear and cables, the lifting gear being disposed on the crane trolley. A load accepting means for standard cargo holders is rigidly fastened to the lower end of the mast. At least two cables are provided which are in contact with opposite ends of a double arm that is mounted on the load accepting means about a substantially horizontal swivel pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Mike Hegewald, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Publication number: 20130240280
    Abstract: A floor-bound heavy duty transport vehicle for transporting ISO containers, which, in an initial state, can be operated exclusively in a non-automated operating mode by an operator and can be freely displaced by means of wheels having pneumatic rubber tires. The vehicle comprises a driver's cab having a non-automated control system for non-automated steering, non-automated motion control and non-automated braking, which vehicle can optionally also be used in an automated mode. For this purpose, the heavy duty transport vehicle can be converted such that it can also be operated in an automated mode without a driver and has at least one second installation space for antennae for the conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: GOTTWALD PORT TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Publication number: 20130236279
    Abstract: A handling system for containers includes an automated zone in which floor-bound, rubber-tired and driverless container transport vehicles are used which transport containers between container bridges and a container storage facility. A non-automated zone is provided in which floor-bound, rubber-tired and manned container transport vehicles are used, the container transport vehicles being optionally operable in a driverless or manned mode and thus being optionally transportable in the automated zone or the non-automated zone. A corresponding container transport vehicle which can be connected to an auxiliary device for control in the manned mode is characterized in that the auxiliary device comprises a driver's cab that is equipped with a control system for steering, motion control and braking in the manned mode, the container transport vehicle having a detachable fastening possibility for the driver's cab at the front face of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: GOTTWALD PORT TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Patent number: 8517192
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann
  • Publication number: 20120243966
    Abstract: A handling system for ISO containers having a gantry crane and a loading and unloading area, in which transport vehicles can be driven in and out. The crane comprises a first traveling crane having a first crane boom on which a first crane trolley having a first load receiving means can travel between a section on the water side and a section on the land side of the first crane boom, and a second traveling crane having a second crane boom disposed below the section on the land side of the first crane boom, on which a second crane trolley having a second load receiving means can travel, wherein containers can be transferred between the first and second traveling cranes. A passive transfer station is disposed on the second crane boom and the container can be transferred between the transfer station and a transport vehicle located in a loading and unloading area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Mike Hegewald, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Patent number: 8157492
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Publication number: 20120073889
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heavy-duty ground transportation vehicle, in particular an unmanned guided heavy-duty transportation vehicle for ISO containers, which is environmentally friendly. This is achieved by arranging a battery in the heavy-duty transportation vehicle to supply power to a travelling drive of the vehicle. The battery is typically a lead battery of considerable weight, and is releasably connected to the transport vehicle in a manner that permits changing the battery (e.g., exchanging a depleted battery for a fresh battery) and recharging the depleted battery at a location outside the vehicle. The battery can be moved into and out of transport vehicle transversely with respect to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: GOTTWALD PORT TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Mike Hegewald, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Publication number: 20120068664
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for replacing a battery of a ground transportation vehicle, particularly of an unmanned heavy-duty transportation vehicle for ISO containers. The system includes storage spaces for batteries, at least one ground transportation vehicle having a receiving space for a replaceable battery, and at least one loading and unloading device for transporting batteries between the storage spaces and the receiving space of the transport vehicle in a replacement area. The storage space and the receiving space may include respective centering elements such that the battery is aligned relative to the storage space or the receiving space in response to the loading motion of the loading and unloading device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: GOTTWALD PORT TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Mike Hegewald, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Patent number: 8128064
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Publication number: 20110240584
    Abstract: A bridge crane or gantry crane is provided for transferring standard cargo holders, especially ISO containers in port zones. A crane trolley is movable along a crane carrier. A rigid mast is guided on the crane trolley and extends in a raising and lowering direction and can be moved using at least one lifting gear and cables on the crane trolley. A load accepting device for standard cargo holders is fastened to the lower end of the mast. The mast is rotatable about a longitudinal rotational axis. A lifting frame supports the lifting gear and is suspended on the crane trolley by a revolving arrangement that includes a revolving tube. An upper end of the revolving tube rests against the crane trolley using a revolving joint, while the lifting frame is mounted on a lower end of the revolving tube. The mast is arranged coaxially to the revolving tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: GOTTWALD PORT TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Mike Hegewald, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Publication number: 20110240583
    Abstract: A bridge crane or gantry crane is provided for transferring standard cargo holders, especially ISO containers and swap bodies, between roads and railways. The crane includes a crane trolley that can be moved along a crane carrier in the direction of travel of the crane trolley, and on which a rigid mast is guided that extends in a raising and lowering direction. The mast can be moved in the raising and lowering direction using at least one lifting gear and cables, the lifting gear being disposed on the crane trolley. A load accepting means for standard cargo holders is rigidly fastened to the lower end of the mast. At least two cables are provided which are in contact with opposite ends of a double arm that is mounted on the load accepting means about a substantially horizontal swivel pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: GOTTWALD PORT TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Mike Hegewald, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • Publication number: 20110243704
    Abstract: Method and system for transferring standard cargo holders, especially ISO containers and swap bodies, between railways and roads. The standard cargo holders are loaded onto driverless transport vehicles by means of handling equipment or are received by said transport vehicles, and the driverless transport vehicles transport the standard cargo holders between the handling equipment and a loading and unloading zone. Alternatively, a driving zone for driverless transport vehicles for transporting standard cargo holders to or from the handling equipment adjoins the handling equipment, and a loading and unloading zone for transporting standard cargo holders adjoins the driving zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: GOTTWALD PORT TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Franzen, Armin Wieschemann, Mike Hegewald, Jannis Moutsokapas
  • 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