Methods Patents (Class 212/270)
  • Patent number: 11858786
    Abstract: An electronic module that dampens torsional oscillation of an object rotating in a horizontal plane in a system that includes a motor control. The electronic module includes a memory that is configured to store a mass-dependent value of the object or of rotating parts of the system, a housing, and a processor that is positioned within the housing. The processor is configured to receive a mass-dependent value of the object, store the mass-dependent value of the object in the memory, calculate a torsional oscillation dampening signal using an algorithm that is based at least in part on the mass-dependent value of the object or of the rotating parts of the system, and transmit the torsional oscillation dampening signal to the motor control thereby dampening torsional oscillation of the object rotating in the horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Power Electronics International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael V. Habisohn, Michael R. A. Habisohn
  • Patent number: 11847866
    Abstract: A crane risk logic apparatus and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the crane risk logic apparatus, the crane risk logic apparatus is integral with a crane, such as a mobile or crawler crane or a tower crane, and located in communication with a load moment indicator. The crane risk logic apparatus receives crane data from the load moment indicator and determines various data analytics, such as, lift angle data, allowable capacity data, operator override data, anti-two-block activation data, operational time data, lift cycle count data, lift classification data, slewing speed data, wind speed data, warning message data, error message data, and winch direction and speed data for each crane lift cycle. The data analytics may be utilized to inform a crane operator evaluation or a crane maintenance schedule for the crane, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventor: Jim D. Wiethorn
  • Patent number: 11753282
    Abstract: A jib system for a vehicle crane having a telescopic jib and a bracing apparatus that can be coupled to the jib by its base frame, where the jib has a roller head and a lifting cable that is deflected via the roller head. Only minor structural measures and preparations are required for automatically rigging and de-rigging the vehicle crane, including by providing at least one transfer rocker that can be integrated in an articulated manner between the jib and the bracing apparatus. By the pivotable support of the transfer rocker on the jib, the base frame configured for coupling to the lifting cable can be displaced by a change in the length of the lifting cable that is effected in the coupled state on a circular path around its roller head from a set-down position of the bracing apparatus to a set-up position of the bracing apparatus and back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TADANO DEMAG GMBH
    Inventor: Klaus Königstein
  • Patent number: 11713220
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include apparatus for and methods of facilitating transfer of objects using a crane. Disclosed apparatuses include a target tracking device mounted on or near a crane at a first location, and a target located near a landing location for the object. The target tracking device and the target facilitate real time determination of relative motion between the two locations. Methods of using the same are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: J. RAY MCDERMOTT S.A.
    Inventors: David Lee Guymon, Matthew McLean, Rinov Herawan
  • Patent number: 11459214
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for remote crane control, the apparatus comprising: a memory for storing instructions; and a processing unit configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory to control the apparatus to: receive one or more images comprising a view of a location on which a crane spreader is to land; display the one or more images on a display; receive user input to mark one or more markers on the one or more received images to facilitate landing of the crane spreader; and transmit position data of the one or more markers in the one or more received images to a processor for determining values defining positioning of the crane spreader relative to the position data of the one or more markers to offset so that the crane spreader proceeds to land based on the determined values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: PSA INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD
    Inventors: Lip Kiong Lee, Vee Leung Ho
  • Patent number: 11427446
    Abstract: A vehicle crane having a telescoping jib, comprising a basic box with linearly displaceable inner boxes and a lifting cable with a load picking-up device. A fastening region is arranged on the basic box or on a head end of one of the inner boxes, and a bracing apparatus is securable to the fastening region by a connecting end. To simplify rigging/de-rigging of the vehicle crane in relation to the bracing apparatus, the fastening region is formed for mounting the bracing apparatus on the basic box or on one of the inner boxes such that a bracing apparatus that is freely suspended on the lifting cable is coupled to the fastening region with the connecting end being brought close to the fastening region by movements of the vehicle crane, retraction and extension of the inner boxes, raising and lowering of the load picking-up device, and/or luffing of the telescoping jib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Tadano Demag GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Heintz
  • Patent number: 11288897
    Abstract: A crane risk logic apparatus and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the crane risk logic apparatus, the crane risk logic apparatus is integral with a crane, such as a mobile or crawler crane or a tower crane, and located in communication with a load moment indicator. The crane risk logic apparatus receives crane data from the load moment indicator and determines various data analytics, such as, lift angle data, allowable capacity data, operator override data, anti-two-block activation data, operational time data, lift cycle count data, lift classification data, slewing speed data, wind speed data, warning message data, error message data, and winch direction and speed data for each crane lift cycle. The data analytics may be utilized to inform a crane operator evaluation or a crane maintenance schedule for the crane, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Jim D. Wiethorn
  • Patent number: 11091356
    Abstract: An alignment apparatus of a container configured to an alignment of a container smoothly by using a manual operation and an automatic operation together is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideo Noguchi
  • Patent number: 11066284
    Abstract: An object is to provide an article transport vehicle which includes one or more fall preventing members while reducing any increase in complexity of the arrangement. An article transport vehicle includes a travel portion, a support portion, and a moving mechanism. The moving mechanism is configured to move the support portion to a projected position and to a retracted position. The support portion includes a support member configured to support a container, a movable member configured to be moved along a lateral width direction by the moving mechanism, and a vertically moving mechanism configured to move the support member along the vertical direction with respect to the movable member. The article transport vehicle further includes one or more fall preventing members configured to prevent a lid of a supported container from falling, and a movement coupling mechanism configured to move the one or more fall preventing members when the support member is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daichi Tomida
  • Patent number: 10929802
    Abstract: A method for locating at least one object transported in a load compartment of a delivery van, wherein the load compartment has a plurality of doors for removing the at least one object from the load compartment and the delivery van has a controller, includes determining a current position of the at least one object in the load compartment during a journey of the delivery van with a position determination device communicatively connected to the controller, and, for removing the at least one object from the load compartment, determining that door from the plurality of doors with the shortest distance to the current position, indicating the determined door with an indication device communicatively connected to the controller and/or opening the determined door and indicating the current position of the at least one object in the load compartment with the indication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: DEUTSCHE POST AG
    Inventor: Felix Orth
  • Patent number: 10899589
    Abstract: A device executes an actuation control process of causing the actuator to execute actuation corresponding to an operation signal in response to an output of the operation signal, a stopping process of stopping the actuation of the actuator in response to an output of a first over-winding signal or a second over-winding signal during the actuation control process, and a notification process of notifying whether or not the identification signal has already been output from an over-winding sensor in response to the first output of the operation signal corresponding to specific actuation of reducing a suspension length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kitayama
  • Patent number: 10870559
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring a rotational angle of a sinking platform. The apparatus includes a sinking platform being a subject to be measured, suspension ropes and guide ropes connected to the sinking platform, a carriage assembled on the guide ropes, a gyroscope and a gyroscope signal radio transmitter mounted at an upper end of the carriage, and a tilt angle sensor and a radio signal reception processor mounted on the sinking platform. During running of the carriage, the gyroscope keeps measuring a pose of the carriage, and a measured signal is transmitted to the radio transmitter in a wired manner. The radio transmitter transmits a pose signal of the carriage during running to the radio signal reception processor in a wireless manner. A turning angle of the sinking platform in the y direction is accurately obtained by subtracting a pose of the carriage being located at the top of the guide ropes from a pose of the carriage being located at the bottom of the guide ropes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignees: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY, XUZHOU COAL MINE SAFETY EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURE CO., LTD
    Inventors: Guohua Cao, Yandong Wang, Zhencai Zhu, Weihong Peng, Gang Shen, Shanzeng Liu, Chunli Hua, Zhenhua Jiang, Xuan Dong
  • Patent number: 10782202
    Abstract: A method for determining stability of a vehicle having a load suspended from the vehicle is provided. The method can include obtaining measurements from a plurality of sensors positioned on the vehicle, obtaining a measurement from a vehicle accelerometer operative to determine an inclination of the vehicle, determining a position of the load suspended from the vehicle, determining a slung load of the load suspended from the vehicle, using the determined slung load and the determined position of the load suspended from the vehicle, determining tipping moments acting on the vehicle, determining righting moments acting on the vehicle and determining a tipping stability based on the determined tipping moments and determined righting moments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Brandt Industries Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Dan Bonnet, Mitch Stilborn, Chris Semple, Daniel Klassen
  • Patent number: 10696524
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the assisted performance of crane movements by a crane with at least two boom elements that are movable relative to one another, whereby an auxiliary control module, after activation by the user, determines at least one target position of the boom system, determines the crane movements necessary for achieving the target position and, after active user confirmation, indirectly or directly activates the specific crane actuators for the performance of the crane movements determined by means of the crane control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Bohnacker, Max Kenzelmann
  • Patent number: 10421648
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crane having a multiple-piece longitudinal structural part, in particular a tower or boom, whose pieces comprise corner arms or horizontal beams which can be placed next to one another and which can be releasably connected to one another by a mortise and tenon joint, wherein the mortise and tenon joint comprises a tongue which can be plugged into a tongue receiver and which can be fixed by means of at least one crossbar which can be inserted transversely to the plug-in direction of the tongue. In accordance with the invention, the crossbar of the mortise and tenon joint can be spread apart by a spreading device such that the pieces of the longitudinal structural part to be connected can be clamped to one another by spreading apart the crossbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Biberach GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Hess, Robert Bramberger
  • Patent number: 10202263
    Abstract: The invention provides a belt axle connecting piece of a winch and a manufacturing method in the field of mechanical technologies. The winch comprises a bracket and a belt axle axially arranged on the winch, wherein the belt axle includes three rods arranged along the axial direction. Bundling belts or ropes can be placed within the clearance between any two adjacent rods. The belt axle connecting piece comprises a cylindrical body, with three bent positioning petals arranged at one end of the body. Every two adjacent positioning petals form positioning holes for securing the rods to the bracket. The connecting piece is simple in structure, sturdy, and easy to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Zhejiang Topsun Logistic Control Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhaoyin Xiao
  • Patent number: 10167142
    Abstract: A ceiling guided vehicle includes a travel driving portion, an elevation driving portion, and a control portion that controls the operation of the travel driving portion and the elevation driving portion. An auxiliary unit that supplies, to the ceiling guided vehicle, one or both of power for driving the travel driving portion and the elevation driving portion and a control signal is provided so as to be attachable to and removable from the ceiling guided vehicle. The auxiliary unit includes a supported portion configured to be supported in a suspended state on a supporting portion provided on the ceiling guided vehicle; and an abutment portion configured to abut against the ceiling guided vehicle in a plurality of abutment areas disposed at different positions in plan view, and the abutment areas are provided at positions lower than the supporting portion in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuya Murakami, Yoshinari Wada
  • Patent number: 10099266
    Abstract: A transporting apparatus for rolling ingots, having at least one travelling carriage, includes a tilting frame and a guide frame, wherein the tilting frame has at least one longitudinally displaceable transporting carriage with a rail section, which is intended for accommodating an ingot rest and, for the purpose of forming a rail extension, can be positioned collinearly in relation to a furnace rail, and the guide frame has at least one hook carriage, which can be moved essentially parallel to the transporting carriage and comprises at least one tiltable hook for engaging in the ingot rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: GAUTSCHI ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventors: Rainer Ehmann, Jochen Brackmeyer
  • Patent number: 10046953
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for the control of a drive of a crane, in particular of a slewing gear and/or of a luffing mechanism, wherein a desired movement of the boom tip serves as an input value on the basis of which a control parameter for the control of the drive is calculated, characterized in that the oscillation dynamics of the system comprising the drive and the crane structure are taken into account in the calculation of the control parameter to reduce natural oscillations. The present invention furthermore comprises a method for the control of a hoisting gear of a crane, wherein a desired hoisting movement of the load serves as an input value on the basis of which a control parameter for the control of the drive is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-WERK NENZING GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Schneider, Oliver Sawodny, Sebastian Kuechler
  • Patent number: 10006821
    Abstract: A deflection detection system determines a deflection of a boom assembly. The deflection detection system may include a beam source, a beam target, and a processor. The beam source is configured to be installed into a hollow boom section at a first end and configured to emit a beam. The beam target configured to be installed into the hollow boom section at a second end that is opposite the first end. The processor is configured to instruct the beam source to emit the beam; acquire a first target-impact indication that is associated with a first impact location of the beam on the beam target; acquire a second target-impact indication that is associated with an impact location of the beam on the beam target; and determine a deflection of the hollow boom section based at least in part on the first target-location and the second target-location indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David K. Boger
  • Patent number: 9950908
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the load in a material handling system is disclosed. The load weight detection system measures torque at four operating conditions both at constant speed and during acceleration. The level of torque generated by the motor under each of these operating conditions is stored in the motor drive. The motor drive also receives a signal corresponding to the speed of the hoist motor. Based on the measured torque, as well as the expected torque at no load and at rated load for the measured speed, the motor drive then determines the load present on the hoist. In some systems, two or more hoists are required to operate in tandem to lift a load. Each motor drive determines the weight of the load supported by its respective hoist motor and determines a total weight of the load based on the weights determined by each motor drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Magnetek, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Verheyen, Aaron S. Kureck
  • Patent number: 9802796
    Abstract: A connector is provided for connecting a first crane and a second crane, each crane having a boom, the connector includes a first connecting arm and a second connecting arm, the first connecting arm building the top of the boom of the first crane, the second connecting arm building the top of the boom of the second crane, the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm being hinged together about only one common pivotal axis within a common pivotal plane, and the booms of the first and the second cranes are linked up in motion in a common luffing plane, and the luffing plane is identical to the pivotal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: TEREX GLOBAL GMBH
    Inventors: Junjie Li, Günter Karp
  • Patent number: 9751733
    Abstract: The invention relates to a collar bearing for a telescopic boom for the sliding support of two telescopic sections in the collar region of the outer telescopic section, wherein the collar bearing includes fixing means, whereby the collar bearing selectively is releasably connectable with the outer or inner telescopic section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventors: Engelbert Häbe, Ralf Schörle
  • Patent number: 9701235
    Abstract: An installation apparatus for handling a component of a wind turbine is provided. The installation apparatus includes a base, a support portion and an extensible arm having opposing ends connected to the support portion and the base, respectively. The extensible arm is adapted to move the support portion relative to the base and about a transverse axis of the installation apparatus between a transport position and an installation position. In the transport position the support portion rests on the base. In the installation position the support portion and the base form an angle. An assembly including such an installation apparatus and a method of mounting a wind turbine are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Henning Poulsen, Kristian Soeholm
  • Patent number: 9522811
    Abstract: The invention provides a livestock feed-displacing device and system, with a grab bucket which can be positioned above a feed kitchen with feed positions by a control unit, wherein the control unit is designed to compose an amount of animal feed from feed material provided in the feed kitchen by positioning the grab bucket at a grabbing position, grabbing livestock feed underneath said grabbing position, positioning the grab bucket at a desired feed-unloading point, such as in a feed wagon, and unloading the grabbed livestock feed at the feed-unloading point, wherein the control unit is designed to earmark, if at least one predetermined clearing-up criterion has been met, livestock feed in the feed kitchen as waste to be removed and to make the device carry out a clearing-up operation, wherein the clearing-up operation comprises the removal of the livestock feed at said feed position by displacing it to another position in the feed kitchen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Lely Patent N.V.
    Inventors: Jan Martinus Van Kuilenburg, Karel Van Den Berg, Martinus Cornelis Johannes Buijs
  • Patent number: 9495654
    Abstract: A method for searching transition routes from an initial state of a plurality of stackable items to a target state by a computer at predetermined conditions includes connecting between transitionable states at an edge by a single handling operation transitioning from the initial state to the target state, to generate a state space graph; evaluating a lower bound of handling operation cost from a certain state to the target state, based on both the stacking sequence of the plurality of items in the certain state and the stacking sequence of the plurality of items in the target state; and searching a route from the initial state to the target state where the handling operation cost is minimal on the state space graph using a heuristic search algorithm based on the lower bound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hama, Hiroki Yanagisawa, Takayuki Yoshizumi
  • Patent number: 9495653
    Abstract: A method for searching transition routes from an initial state of a plurality of stackable items to a target state by a computer at predetermined conditions includes connecting between transitionable states at an edge by a single handling operation transitioning from the initial state to the target state, to generate a state space graph; evaluating a lower bound of handling operation cost from a certain state to the target state, based on both the stacking sequence of the plurality of items in the certain state and the stacking sequence of the plurality of items in the target state; and searching a route from the initial state to the target state where the handling operation cost is minimal on the state space graph using a heuristic search algorithm based on the lower bound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hama, Hiroki Yanagisawa, Takayuki Yoshizumi
  • Patent number: 9453660
    Abstract: An exemplary method for installing at an installation site a photovoltaic module including a panel and support legs includes disposing the photovoltaic module over a support surface such that the support legs are in a stowed position; lifting the photovoltaic module from a support surface while engaging a magnetic field with the support legs so as to maintain the support legs in the stowed position; disengaging the magnetic field from the support legs of the lifted photovoltaic module so as to release the support legs from the stowed position to an installation position in which the support legs are rotated downwards relative to the stowed position; and lowering the photovoltaic module to the installation site with the support legs in the installation position so as to install the photovoltaic module at the installation site, the support legs supporting the panel at the installation site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Alion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam French, Timothy Wheeler, Kevin Hennessy, Jess Crowe, Luis Francisco Castro Hernandez
  • Patent number: 9327946
    Abstract: A boom system includes a boom turret, a brake for preventing rotational movement of the boom turret, and a controller for actuating the brake. The brake prevents movement of the turret when the turret is subject to rotational loading below a torque threshold and allows rotational movement of the turret when the turret is subject to rotational loading above the torque threshold. The controller dynamically adjusts the torque threshold in response to changes in the position of the boom during operation of the boom system, including applying a lower torque threshold when the boom is in a first position and applying a higher torque threshold when the boom is in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Stakor, William Baldwin Dodge, IV
  • Publication number: 20150069001
    Abstract: An exemplary method for installing at an installation site a photovoltaic module including a panel and support legs includes disposing the photovoltaic module over a support surface such that the support legs are in a stowed position; lifting the photovoltaic module from a support surface while engaging a magnetic field with the support legs so as to maintain the support legs in the stowed position; disengaging the magnetic field from the support legs of the lifted photovoltaic module so as to release the support legs from the stowed position to an installation position in which the support legs are rotated downwards relative to the stowed position; and lowering the photovoltaic module to the installation site with the support legs in the installation position so as to install the photovoltaic module at the installation site, the support legs supporting the panel at the installation site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Adam FRENCH, Timothy WHEELER, Kevin HENNESSY, Jess CROWE, Luis Francisco CASTRO HERNANDEZ
  • Publication number: 20150048043
    Abstract: A crane apparatus and method are described for lifting a heavy load such as a wind-turbine generator unit 46 on to a wind-turbine tower 1. The crane is designed to climb up cables 3 attached to the top of the tower, carrying with it the cables 45 and lifting gear 31 which will be required for the main lifting operation. The crane comprises a pair of jib-frames 20 with boom arms 26, 27 which can be retracted during lifting and then deployed to a pivotable, loadbearing position once the crane is mounted at the top of the tower 1. Hydraulic strand jacks 31 and heavy-duty strands 45 are preferably used for the heavy lifting. In a preparation step, a load-bearing bracket assembly 13, 14, to which the jib-frames 20 will be secured, is hoisted up and fitted to the top of the tower 1. Once the lifting operations are complete, the crane assembly and the bracket assembly 13, 14 are lowered from the tower 1 and removed from site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: VSL International AG
    Inventors: Jean Marie Laurens, Guy Russell, Walter Althaus, Max Ernst Meyer
  • Patent number: 8939299
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for handling and/or servicing components of a wind turbine, such as installing and/or dismantling components into or from a wind turbine nacelle or such as servicing exterior components such as blades, hub, tower and nacelle of the wind turbine are disclosed. The gripping apparatus comprising at least one arm for gripping around the wind turbine tower, the at least one arm capable of forming a gap between gripping elements of the gripping apparatus. The at least one arm extends around the entire outer circumference, seen perpendicular to a horizontal plane, of the wind turbine tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Claus Ahler, Jesper Stærke Rosengren, Hans-Christoph Paul
  • Publication number: 20140346131
    Abstract: The present invention disclosed a construction apparatus and method for lifting structure integrally over the obstacles in vertical direction to a position with different horizontal projection. The apparatus comprises two platform beams placed each other in parallel, two lifting beams laterally relative to the platform beams and a lifter equipped with the lifting beams. Push instrument kits are installed on the platform beams and the lifting beams respectively, and a plurality of sets of baffles installed on both sides of the platform beams to provide the push instrument kits with a counter-force when the push instrument kits work. When the structure encounters obstacles during the process of lifting the structure by two lifters, the posture of the structure can be altered by operating the push instrument kits and the lifters, such that the horizontal projection of the structure will be reduced and the structure can therefore be lifted over the obstacle in vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicants: Shanghai YeSheng Mechanical & Electrical Control Technology Co., LTD, Guangzhou Construction Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Long WANG, Wei WEI, Junyue GAO, Jianming WEN, Sui YIN, Yuantao ZHAO, Yanfeng JIA
  • Publication number: 20140332487
    Abstract: A drilling rig transfer system includes a mobile transfer beam, a trolley assembly operatively attached to and moveable along the mobile transfer beam, and a connection mechanism suspended from the trolley assembly for connecting to and lifting a device. The mobile transfer beam is suspended from first and second traveling blocks through connections at first and second suspension positions along the mobile transfer beam. A method of transferring a device may include suspending a connection mechanism from the trolley assembly over a first location, lowering and attaching the connection mechanism to a device disposed at the first location, lifting the device with the connection mechanism, moving the trolley assembly along the mobile transfer beam to position the connection mechanism and the device over a second location, and lowering the connection mechanism and the device into the second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Devin International, Inc.
    Inventor: Doyle Frederic Boutwell, JR.
  • Patent number: 8875911
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rig assembly and for erecting a mast of a rig and such systems with roller apparatus to facilitate movement of a mast section from a mover. In a first embodiment, the method includes erecting a rig mast section on a substructure, the substructure including a first substructure box spaced-apart from a second substructure box, the first substructure box comprising a first upper box above a first lower box and the second substructure box comprising a second upper box above a second lower box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert B. Donnally, Chunqiao Ren, Xi Lin Liu, Yan Yu, Peng Yue, Wei Wang
  • Publication number: 20140319091
    Abstract: A method for handling a wind powerplant's rotor hub or to handle a wind powerplant's rotor using a hoist, in particular for erecting a wind powerplant or for assembling or disassembling a rotor to and from such a powerplant, in particular a hub or a rotor being configured by means of one assembly side to the wind powerplant's tower, the hub or rotor being raised or held by the hoist. In the raised state, the hub is tilted by a tilting mechanism acting on it out of the initial, raised position by a predetermined angle of tilting, or the rotor is tilted by a tilting mechanism acting on the rotor blade roots of the rotor through a predetermined angle of tilting. A mechanism to handle a wind powerplant's rotor hub of a wind powerplant's rotor, in particular for assembling or dismantling a rotor to or from its wind powerplant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SENVION SE
    Inventors: Alf Trede, Oliver Heinecke, Carsten Eusterbarkey
  • Patent number: 8857635
    Abstract: A crane, in particular a large crane, including a power consumer system for providing energy, a primary energy source for feeding primary energy into the power consumer system, at least one secondary energy source, independent of the primary energy source, for feeding secondary energy into the power consumer system, at least one energy storage unit arranged locally on the crane and is, in particular, associated with the at least one crane component and connected to the power consumer system for storing primary energy and/or secondary energy, at least one drive motor connected to the power consumer system for operating at least one crane component and a secondary energy source configured such that energy returned from the crane operation is at least partially fed as secondary energy into the power consumer system. The at least one crane component is configured as a secondary energy source for energy recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Terex Cranes Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Alfons Weckbecker, Marc Krebs, Axel Beckmann, Frank Schnittker, Steffen Helfrich
  • Publication number: 20140263139
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to roll lifting assemblies, systems, and methods for lifting, handling, and/or maneuvering rolled material. According to some embodiments, a roll lifting system may be configured to move a single roll and/or to concurrently move two or more rolls. For example, a roll lifting system may comprise a translocation apparatus and/or a lift assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BUILDING MATERIALS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: John A. Ramsey, Jason N. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20140202971
    Abstract: An enhanced stability crane (100) is described. Embodiments include a telescoping main support mast (114) upon which a crane base (106) resides. A boom (140) projects upwardly from the crane base and a jib (148) typically projects upwardly from the boom. A clamping assembly (108) resides on the main support mast and is configured to attach to an existing structure adjacent to the crane, in order to enhance stability. Multiple clamping assemblies can be distributed along the telescoping main support mast when it is extended. The existing structure is generally a tower structure (180) that is columnar and vertical in shape and orientation, and frequently has an elliptical horizontal cross-section. Tower structures are typically, but not necessarily, wind turbine towers. In some embodiments, the crane is mobile capable of lifting objects weighing about 110 tons to a height of about 400 feet. The crane typically adjusts to a collapsed configuration, enabling facile transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Eli Bosco, Christopher Desrochers
  • Publication number: 20140199154
    Abstract: A lifting system (1) for lifting an item (2) with a vessel (4) comprising a first support (5) and a second support (6), wherein the lifting system comprises an elongate lifting structure (3) comprising a first end (7) and a second end (8), an item connector constructed and arranged to in use connect the lifting structure to the item near or at the first end, a weight (21) connected to a weight connector (10) provided on the lifting structure near or at the second end, a first connector (11) constructed and arranged to connect the lifting structure (31) in use to the first support, a second connector (12) constructed and arranged to connect the lifting structure in use to the second support, wherein the first connector is located at a distance from the item connector in a direction from the first end to the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: HEEREMA MARINE CONTRACTORS NEDERLAND SE
    Inventors: Guido Johannes Maria Ammerlaan, Onno Ludolf De Waard
  • Publication number: 20140175038
    Abstract: The wind turbine assembly system of the present invention comprises a lifting structure comprising at least first structural support elements configured to transmit stresses to the wind turbine tower during the hoisting of a wind turbine component and a crane configured to displace the wind turbine component towards the tower axis, the system further comprising a displaceable climbing element with respect to the lifting structure by means of guiding mechanisms, the displaceable climbing element incorporating second structural support elements dimensioned to at least partly support the weight of the lifting structure, where the first structural support elements are displaceable so that their relative position can vary with respect to the lifting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: ACCIONA WINDPOWER, S.A.
    Inventors: Teresa ARLABAN GABEIRAS, Jose Miguel GARCIA SAYES, Ivan GARCIA MAESTRE, Alfonso RUIZ ALDAMA, Asier GOMEZ ANDUEZA, Jose Luis ARISTEGUI LANTERO, Ander GASTON LUJAMBIO, Miguel NUNEZ POLO
  • Patent number: 8708171
    Abstract: A boom (1) is used for receiving loads on the end thereof. The boom (1) has a metal boom hollow profile (2) extending along a boom longitudinal axis (3), and also a reinforcing layer (7) made of a fiber-plastic composite, connected to the boom hollow profile (2) at least in sections. At least one sensor element (12) is arranged in the region of the reinforcing layer (7). The sensor element (12) is used to detect strains in the boom (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Terex Demag GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Schmidt, Frank Schnittker
  • Patent number: 8702061
    Abstract: A first cutoff valve is disposed in a main duct ranging between a control valve and a bottom chamber of a hydraulic cylinder. A sequence valve in the first cutoff valve is disposed along such a direction as to control outflow of a hydraulic fluid from the bottom chamber and the hydraulic pressure in a rod chamber is applied to the sequence valve as an external pilot pressure. A second cutoff valve is disposed in a main duct ranging between the control valve and the rod chamber of the hydraulic cylinder. A sequence valve in the second cutoff valve, disposed along such a direction as to control outflow of the hydraulic fluid from the rod chamber, and the hydraulic pressure in the rod chamber is applied to the sequence valve as an internal pilot pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Suzuki, Isao Oosato, Hirokazu Shimomura, Yoshinori Oowada
  • Patent number: 8689720
    Abstract: A mono hull vessel for retrieving and deploying equipments in offshore region comprising a deck box with an upper deck (2) at its top said upper deck having a lifting and lowering device (3,3?), a hull/pontoon (1) at the base of said vessel, the vessel is characterized in that said hull/pontoon (1) is connected to the deck box by a plurality of columns (4) and said hull/pontoon (1) is made in one piece and is continuous to form the platform for a lower deck (5), the upper and lower deck being configured to allow lifting and lowering of equipment therefrom and thereon respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Eide Marine Services AS
    Inventor: Georg Eide
  • Publication number: 20140076835
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tower crane with a tower of at least one tower element, in particular lattice piece, and a structural guying with at least one guy rod for the horizontal anchorage of the tower at a structure, wherein the at least one guy rod of the structural guying is attached or attachable to an attachment point of the tower element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Liebherr-Werk Biberach GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Herse
  • Patent number: 8651301
    Abstract: A method according to the invention of controlling a rotation speed of a motor of a speed-controllable hoist drive comprises receiving a lift speed instruction; forming a final speed instruction by using initial information containing the lift speed instruction; and using the final speed instruction as a speed instruction for the rotation speed of the motor of the speed-controllable hoist drive. The method further comprises monitoring a position derivative of an actual value of a cable force. The initial information for forming the final speed instruction comprises the position derivative of the actual value of the cable force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Konecranes PLC
    Inventors: Jussi Kiova, Janne Salomäki
  • Patent number: 8640895
    Abstract: A drum tensioning method is provided for operating a crane having a continuously reeved load hoist line, with a first end of the load hoist line connected to a first drum and a second end of the load hoist line connected to a second drum, with the load hoist line reeved through boom sheaves and a hook block. The method includes the steps of applying a hold-back force to the second drum; applying a winding force to the first drum greater than the hold back force on the second drum; and applying the winding and hold back forces while limiting movement of the hook block, thereby spooling the load hoist line from the second drum through the boom sheaves and hook block to the first drum while maintaining tension in the load hoist line such that the load hoist line is wound under more tension on the first drum than it had previously been wound on the second drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan E. Pleuss, Terry S. Casavant, Paul M. Pukita
  • Patent number: 8631576
    Abstract: A method for attaching a rotor of a wind turbine generator and a method for constructing a wind turbine generator are provided, with which the rotor blades can be prevented from breaking and with which the construction costs can be reduced. The present invention includes: an assembly step (S1) in which a plurality of wind-turbine rotor blades are attached to a rotor head to assemble the rotor on the ground; a wire attaching step (S2) in which a first wire is attached to a first hoisting portion provided on a rotation axis of the rotor and in which a second wire is attached to a second hoisting portion provided at a position away from the rotation axis; a hoisting step (S3) in which the rotor is hoisted with the first wire; a rotor raising step (S4) in which the first wire is extended so that the rotor is hoisted with the second wire; and a rotor attaching step (S6) in which the rotor hoisted with the second wire is attached to the nacelle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd
    Inventor: Tomohiro Numajiri
  • Publication number: 20130251498
    Abstract: A method positions a load and fetches a positioned load or stacks loads with a crane having location measurement arranged thereto. The method includes taking a load to a selected position; detecting the unloading of the load mainly automatically; storing coordinate information of the load position mainly automatically into the memory of the crane or its control; when fetching a load or adding loads to a stack, activating, at a selected first time instant, a positioning switch arranged in the crane and connected to the memory, whereby coordinates of a load or stack most advantageously positioned relative to the movement of the crane are selected, after which the crane begins to move to said coordinates; and then hoisting or lowering the load at the selected coordinates, and at a selected second time instant, deleting the coordinate information associated with the position of the load from the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: KONECRANES PLC
    Inventors: Justus Dahlén, Hannu Lindfors
  • Publication number: 20130243592
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a Magnus rotor comprising a carrier arranged in the interior of the Magnus rotor, a rotor which rotates about the carrier in operation of the Magnus rotor, a plate which horizontally closes off the rotor, and a bearing which carries the rotor on the carrier. The rotor has at least one opening in the plate. The carrier has at least one fixing point for lifting the Magnus rotor by means of at least one fixing means and a lifting apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: WOBBEN PROPERTIES GMBH
    Inventor: Rolf Rohden