Abstract: There is provided a boom extending and retracting apparatus that can improve the convenience of the telescopic boom while reducing the burden on the operator. The boom extending and retracting apparatus of the crane chooses the mode of the fluid circuit between the normal fluid circuit and the differential fluid circuit to slide a plurality of boom members by one telescopic cylinder. After the operating lever is turned to an extension side and the controller starts extending the telescopic boom using the differential fluid circuit, when the operating lever is turned to the extension side again via the neutral position, the controller chooses the normal fluid circuit to extend the telescopic boom using the normal fluid circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crane (101). The crane (101) has a hoist (113) for performing a lifting operation and a controller (125) for controlling operation of the crane. At least one sensor (127) is provided for detecting the presence of a person in a safety region (129). The controller (125) is configured to inhibit operation of the crane (127) when the sensor (127) detects a person in the safety region (129). The present invention also relates to a crane control system and a method of operating a crane (101).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crane (101). The crane (101) has a hoist (113), movable in at least one lateral direction (X, Y), for performing a lifting operation. A controller (125) is provided for controlling lateral movement of the hoist (113). An imaging sensor (127) is provided for detecting a person in a defined safety region (145, 147). The controller (125) is configured to inhibit operation of the crane (101) when the imaging sensor (127) detects a person in said safety region (145, 147). The invention also relates to a control system for a crane (101) and a related method.

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.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to a lifting device for transporting a wafer carrier to an automatic handling system including a suspension rail and an automatic guiding vehicle configured to move along the suspension rail, comprising an elevating holder, a plurality of suspension modules, and a plurality of first drive modules. Specially, the elevating holder has a motion sensor configured to detect whether the elevating holder is in a horizontal state or a non-horizontal state. The first drive modules can be used to synchronously drive the suspension modules according the horizontal state detected by the motion sensor, and the first drive modules can also be used to individually drive each of the suspension modules according the non-horizontal state detected by the motion sensor to recover the elevating holder from the non-horizontal state as the horizontal state.

Abstract: A movement system includes a bridge crane, a trolley, and a movement device. The movement device includes an attachment portion, a plurality of housings, first and second curved elements, a cable, and a cable angle sensor. The curved elements are pivotally attached to housings and perpendicularly overlap with one another such that a first slot defined in the first curved element is perpendicular to a second slot defined in the second curved element. The first curved element is pivotable about a first axis and the second curved element is configured to pivot about a second axis. The cable extends from the attachment portion and through each of the slots. The cable is pivotable to angularly displace at least one of the curved elements about a respective axis. The cable angle sensor is configured to measure the angular displacement of the at least one of the first and second curved elements.

Abstract: A luffing-jib tower crane, comprising a tower and a jib which is connected to the tower via a joint and is held by a luffing cable, wherein the length of the luffing cable can be changed by a drawing-in unit, by the luffing cable being wound onto or unwound from a cable drum of the drawing-in unit, wherein the angle of the jib with respect to the horizontal plane is measured by a first sensor winch is attached to the jib (first angular value), wherein a measuring device measures the length of the unwound part of the luffing cable, from which length the minimum angle of the jib with respect to the horizontal plane (second angular value) can be calculated, and the first angular value can be compared with the second angular value.

Abstract: A method of swing stopping control of a suspended load of a crane including a hoist and a trolley solves an equation of motion, given as an equation with respect to the deviation angle of a suspended load from the vertical direction when the trolley travels, for the trolley acceleration to thereby obtain the value of the acceleration or deceleration of the trolley, obtains speed patterns corresponding to the values of the acceleration or deceleration, drives the trolley according to the obtained speed patterns, and carries out control so that the deviation angle of the suspended load from the vertical direction becomes zero at the time when the acceleration or deceleration of the trolley is ended. Thus, even if the length of a rope holding the suspended load up is changed, a required speed pattern is produced to permit highly accurate positioning.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring and alarm device for construction machinery having long and heavy booms, such as cranes, in particular mobile cranes, is characterized in that a monitor system is provided, which monitors parameters that may change in case of an undesired lowering of the boom or of boom sections in a non-operating condition, and triggers an optical and/acoustic and/or wireless alarm system if the parameters change.

Abstract: A crane including support means arranged to support a load and to move the load along a path, and a scanner including a radiation source and radiation detection means arranged to scan a scanning volume. The path is arranged to pass through the scanning volume so that the scanner can scan the load as it moves along the path.

Abstract: The present invention shows a crane controller for the semi-automatic control of a rotary crane, the crane comprising at least a slewing actuator for creating a slewing motion of the crane and/or a luffing actuator for creating a luffing motion of the crane, the crane controller comprising an input unit which can be operated by a operator to provide a desired slewing speed and/or a desired luffing speed as an operator input and a model-predictive reference trajectory planning module comprising an optimization unit for calculating a reference trajectory that obeys the system dynamics and follows the operator input, and a feedforward-controller using the reference trajectory for controlling the slewing actuator and/or the luffing actuator. Further, the optimization unit takes into account the deflection of the rope in the tangential and/or radial direction when solving the optimization problem that provides the reference trajectory.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hoisting or lowering movement of a load, which is suspended from a hoisting mechanism of a crane by means of at least two hoisting cables trained round cable sheaves on the load, by monitoring the position of the load and braking and/or stopping the hoisting mechanism upon detection of an undesirable position, wherein the cable sheaves are each connected to the load for pivoting about a horizontal axis, and the position of the load is monitored by detecting a pivoting movement of at least one of the cable sheaves.

Abstract: Provided is a two-block sensing system (or device) that may be attached to an end of a lifting device, for example, a crane. The sensing device may include an A2B mount, a touch bar pivotally connected to the A2B mount, a link pivotally connected to the A2B mount, and a switch operatively connected to the touch bar so that if the touch bar is rotated with respect to the A2B mount, the switch becomes one of activated and deactivated.

Abstract: A vessel (10) includes a crane (12) for positioning diver transfer equipment (36) and/or diver equipment (38) overboard the vessel (10) into a body of water (2). The crane (12) includes: a crane base (24) connected to the vessel (10); a crane arm (14) with a suspension point (16) that is movably connected to the crane base (24); and control elements (26) for controlling the crane arm (14) configuration. The control elements (26) are configured for: determining a change in position and/or orientation of the crane (12) resulting from vessel motion, and dynamically adjusting the crane arm configuration to change the position of the suspension point (16) with respect to the crane base (24) so as to at least partially compensate for the change in position and/or orientation of the crane (12).

Abstract: A crane assembly includes an anti-two block system having a rigid body, a sensor configured to detect upward loading of the body, and a spring biasing the body to a pin of a sheave. The body includes a base, two extensions projecting perpendicularly upward from the base and extending outside the sheave on opposite sides thereof, and a fitting on upper ends of the extensions. The fitting couples to the pin of the sheave such that the body is configured to rotate about the pin. The crane assembly further includes a controller comprising logic configured to prevent movement of a hook in response to a signal from the sensor of the anti-two block system. The weight of the body of the anti-two block system rotates the body such that the extensions are substantially aligned with a cable between an end of a boom and a hook as the boom rotates.

Abstract: The present application relates to a mobile crane comprising a telescopic boom which has a hinged section and at least one telescopic section which can be telescoped out of it, or to a crawler-mounted crane. In accordance with one embodiment, as a position detection device, it has at least one transducer in the form of an inductively operating transponder, a receiver unit for the sensing of the position of the transducer, a control device for control in dependence on a signal of the receiver unit, as well as a signal transmission device in the form of a databus for the transmission of the signal data from the receiver unit to the control device.

Abstract: A mobile working machine, especially a mobile crane, having an undercarriage (1) and a support device with support cylinders (2) to create the support base required for operation, a top carriage (3) mounted pivotably on the undercarriage (1), as well as an apparatus compatible with the type of the working machine, in particular outriggers (4) and a counterweight arrangement (5). One or more additional hydraulic supports (6) are arranged on the undercarriage (1) underneath or in the proximity of the pivot bearing of the top carriage (3), as well as a control unit (7, 8, 9), which monitors the loads of the support device (2) and controls and monitors the additional supports (6).

Abstract: A work machine with a boom that can be derricked, includes: a first derricking angle detector that detects a derricking angle of the boom at a base end of the boom; a second derricking angle detector that detects a derricking angle of the boom at a front end of the boom; a first flexible volume acquisition part that acquires a flexible volume of the boom based on a detected angle by the first derricking angle detector and a detected angle by the second derricking angle detector; a second flexible volume acquisition part that acquires a flexible volume of the boom based on the detected angle by the first derricking angle detector; and a switching part that switches between acquisition of the flexible volume of the boom by the first flexible volume acquisition part and acquisition of the flexible volume of the boom by the second flexible volume acquisition part.

Abstract: A system for determining the horizontal location and skew of a grappling member of a crane includes at least two types of reflectors arranged on the grappling member, the relative locations and shapes of which are known; at least one scanning distance sensor mounted on the crane to measure the distance and direction from the crane to the reflectors; and a data processing device arranged to store in its memory the relative locations and shapes of the reflectors; and to determine the horizontal location and skew of the grappling member on the basis of at least the relative locations and shapes of the reflectors and measured distances and directions from the crane to the reflectors.

Abstract: Equipment provided with a display device, the equipment including a mechanism that includes a movable portion, an operating device that operates movement of the movable portion, a moving mechanism that moves the movable portion, the display device that makes a display about movement of the movable portion, and a drive control unit that, based on the operation by the operating device, controls operation of the moving mechanism and the display of the display device. The display device is configured to make a display about movement of the movable portion prior to start of the movement of the movable portion.

Abstract: A jib part (10) for a crane, in particular a mobile crane, a includes an inner shaping shell (15), tensile elements (11) within hollow profiles (12) and a sheathing, made from a layer of transverse fibers (13) covered by a protective or slide layer (14). The tensile elements (11) are biased and fitted with sensors and/or actuators.

Abstract: A loading device for containers, which is provided with a travel carriage, which can move on a rail. Furthermore, there are two load handling devices which are assigned to the travel carriage, and which are kept fixed to the travel carriage with the help of the supporting cables. Each of the load handling devices can be raised or lowered, and the two load handling devices can be coupled mechanically with each other. A distance sensor is assigned to each of the load handling devices, with which the distance of the load handling devices from the travel carriage can be determined.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to lifting gear such as cranes which use high-strength fiber ropes instead of steel ropes. In this respect, the invention in particular relates to an apparatus for recognizing the discard state of a high-strength fiber rope in use at such lifting gear comprising a detection device for detecting at least one rope parameter as well as comprising an evaluation unit for evaluating the rope parameter and for providing a discard signal in dependence on the rope parameter evaluation. In accordance with the invention, the detection device of the apparatus for recognizing the discard state comprises a plurality of differently configured detection means for a magnetic, mechanical, optical and/or electronic detection of a plurality of different rope parameters which can be evaluated by the evaluation unit individually and/or in combination with one another for recognizing the discard state.

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.

Abstract: A lifting device sensor unit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sensor unit comprises a housing configured to removably couple about a load line of a lifting device. A first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver is coupled with the housing and is configured for determining a sensor unit position in three dimensions. A load monitor is coupled with the housing and is configured for monitoring a load coupled with the load line, including monitoring a load position and a load orientation of the load. A wireless transceiver is coupled with the housing and is configured for wirelessly providing information including the load position, the load orientation, and the sensor unit position, to a display unit located apart from the sensor unit.

Abstract: A crane collision avoidance system is disclosed. One example includes a load locator to determine a location of a load of a crane and provide the location information to a mapping module. In addition, a map receiver module procures a map of a site and provides the map to the mapping module. A tag scanner scans the site for one or more tags defining an obstacle and provides the obstacle information to a mapping module. The mapping module combines the location information, the map and the obstacle information into a user accessible information package that is displayed on a graphical user interface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for the control and/or the data acquisition of a crane, wherein at least one measuring device at the crane supplies one or more measured values for determining the position of at least one load lifting device, in particular a crane hook, wherein a calculation of the position of the load lifting device is effected on the basis of the one or more measured values of at least one measuring device and one or more data characterizing the stiffness of the crane. The present disclosure also relates to a crane controller and a crane for carrying out the method according to the present disclosure.

Abstract: A hoist apparatus including a traveling unit that travels from one place to another, an elevating unit installed in the traveling unit to be lifted up and lowered down from the traveling unit, a grip device which is installed in the elevating unit and selectively grips a stumbling projection formed at one side of an accommodating container accommodating an object, and a separation preventing apparatus which is connected to the elevating unit and selectively closes an open inlet of the accommodating container so that the object accommodated in the accommodating container is not separated from the accommodating container.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a crane, preferably a crawler or truck crane, comprising a crane monitoring means for monitoring the operating condition of the crane, including a calculation unit and a control and display unit. In accordance with the present disclosure, there is additionally provided an operations planner with a separate monitor output, which includes a further calculation unit and which operates on the one hand as a device for planning the operation of the crane and on the other hand as a redundant crane monitoring unit in addition to the crane monitoring means.

Abstract: A crane including an inner boom, an outer boom, a plurality of guide assemblies arranged along the length of the inner and outer boom and adapted for guiding a plurality of lines, and a multi-line material handling system including a first line having an outgoing portion extending to a sheave block, and an incoming portion returning from the sheave block to a supported anchor device, and a second line having an outgoing portion extending to the sheave block, and an incoming portion returning from the sheave block to the supported anchor device.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tower crane load locator is disclosed. One example includes at least four RFID components to provide RFID range measurements between the at least four RFID components. In addition, a load position determiner utilizes the RFID range measurements to determine a location of the load. A load information generator provides the location of the load information suitable for subsequent access by a user.

Abstract: A movement system includes a bridge crane, a trolley, and a movement device. The movement device includes an attachment portion, a plurality of housings, first and second curved elements, a cable, and a cable angle sensor. The curved elements are pivotally attached to housings and perpendicularly overlap with one another such that a first slot defined in the first curved element is perpendicular to a second slot defined in the second curved element. The first curved element is pivotable about a first axis and the second curved element is configured to pivot about a second axis. The cable extends from the attachment portion and through each of the slots. The cable is pivotable to angularly displace at least one of the curved elements about a respective axis. The cable angle sensor is configured to measure the angular displacement of the at least one of the first and second curved elements.

Abstract: A vehicle crane—in particular an articulated-arm crane—includes a lifting arm and one or more articulated arms, and the geometry of the crane arms can be changed with respect to one another. A load cable can be guided or is guided on the crane arms. A compensation device allows the tension in the load cable to be controlled or regulated upon a change in the geometry of the crane arms with respect to one another.

Abstract: An automatic signaling system to prevent a tractor from being accidently lifted with the cargo by a ship to shore gantry crane. The embodiment includes multiple sensors to detect a lifted condition and radio output upon a lifted condition. The radio output channel is determined by an automatic identification system that identifies the crane the tractor is under. Upon receiving a lifted signal the cranes hoist will be stopped and disabled but will still allow lowering until the lifted signal stops.

Abstract: There is provided a slewing control device that enables to detect breakdown of a driving system of a mechanical brake, and generate a torque for holding a slewing body in a stopped state to thereby prevent movement of the slewing body when an anomaly has occurred. In a working machine for driving a slewing body by an electric motor 1, judgment is made as to whether a mechanical brake 4 is in an inconsistent state, based on a command to be outputted to a brake circuit B, and a pressure detected by a brake pressure sensor 17. The inconsistent state is a state that the mechanical brake 4 is in a brake released state when an activation command for switching the mechanical brake 4 to a brake activated state is outputted. If it is judged that the mechanical brake 4 is in the inconsistent state, a command for obtaining a braking torque for holding the slewing body in a stopped state is outputted to the electric motor 1.

Abstract: A luffing-jib tower crane, comprising a tower and a jib which is connected to the tower via a joint and is held by a luffing cable, wherein the length of the luffing cable can be changed by a drawing-in unit, by the luffing cable being wound onto or unwound from a cable drum of the drawing-in unit, wherein the angle of the jib with respect to the horizontal plane is measured by a first sensor winch is attached to the jib (first angular value), wherein a measuring device measures the length of the unwound part of the luffing cable, from which length the minimum angle of the jib with respect to the horizontal plane (second angular value) can be calculated, and the first angular value can be compared with the second angular value.

Abstract: A system and method for using a gantry crane to efficiently and safely transport loads such as containers and ship hatch covers from one location to another along a known path while avoiding collisions between the loads and obstructing objects which may be situated in the known path. A transceiver emitting laser beams may be used to establish both the position of the spreader and its load and the profile of the known path. Continuous comparisons are made by computer between the location of a dynamic digital protective envelope constructed around the crane spreader and its load, if any, and a digital representation of the profile of the known path to be traveled by the spreader and its load, if any. In the event, the comparison indicates intersection of the protective envelope and the path profile, a speed limit is imposed on the motor controlling the movement in the X axis of the trolley or in the Z axis of the spreader, as required to prevent a collision.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating a crane having a movable undercarriage and a superstructure rotatably supported thereon with a luffable main boom and derrick boom arranged thereon, wherein an auxiliary crane having a telescopic boom is connected to the crane as derrick ballast and the derrick ballast radius is set via the telescopic boom of the auxiliary crane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an angle-related method of monitoring crane safety during the setup procedure of a crane, wherein the crane has a sensor system and a crane control and the crane control receives one or more measured values from the sensor system during the setup procedure and compares the measured value or values received with at least one corresponding limit value and triggers a measure on an exceeding and/or falling below of the limit value or values.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a crane, in particular an offshore crane, having a slewing gear and a hydraulic slewing gear drive, wherein the slewing gear is held in its position via a holding torque applied by the hydraulic slewing gear drive, and wherein an overload safety device is provided having at least one detection means for detecting the outreach and/or the position of the crane hook and having at least one pressure relief valve, with the system pressure applied to the hydraulic slewing gear drive via at least one pressure relief valve can be regulated in dependence on the outreach and/or on the position of the crane hook.

Abstract: A device, method and system for automatic calibration of a container crane, the container crane being controlled by a system including a first sensor (LPS) and/or a second sensor (TPS), are provided. A calibration rig is arranged in a fixed position and includes a plurality of markers, each arranged at a known and fixed position and distance relative to one another. The markers may include a first marker with a first visual appearance, or active marker and/or a second marker with a second visual appearance, or passive marker. The active marker is preferably an illumination source, such as an IR source. A method for calibrating a container crane using the calibration device and a container control system including the calibration device and one or more computer programs are also described.

Abstract: A multi-use vehicle mounted loading rack system adapted to safely lift and move loads onto and off of a truck. The system includes a support which rests on bed rails which rest on a truck bed, a horizontal member, a trolley which is reversibly extendable relative to the horizontal member, a hoist mounted on the trolley, and an electrical control system including a tilt sensor and other safety features.

Abstract: A method of operating an overhead hoist transport system is provided. A control unit, a plurality of vehicles and a load port are provided. The vehicles are connected to the control unit. At least one vehicle includes an image capture unit. Next, a teaching step is performed by using the image capture unit to pick up an image of the load port. The image is then transferred to the control unit. According to the image of the load port, the control unit determines the position of the load port and drives each vehicle to unload or load at least one article from the load port.

Abstract: Mobile or stationary working apparatus, in particular a working vehicle, with at least one telescopic extension arm (3) which has two or more extension arm elements (31, 32, 33) which can be moved in relation to one another, with detection means being provided on the extension arm elements (31, 32, 33) and also on a base station, in particular a rotatable trailer of the working vehicle, for detecting the position of the extension arm elements (31, 32, 33) in relation to one another and with respect to the base station, with provision being made, according to the invention, for the detection means to be in the form of radio detection means, with a radio base unit (8) being arranged on the base station and further transponder units (10, 12) being arranged on the extension arm elements (32, 33).

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring and alarm device for construction machinery having long and heavy booms, such as cranes, in particular mobile cranes, is characterized in that a monitor system is provided, which monitors parameters that may change in case of an undesired lowering of the boom or of boom sections in a non-operating condition, and triggers an optical and/acoustic and/or wireless alarm system if the parameters change.

Abstract: A crane for loading and unloading a cargo includes a trolley assembly. The trolley assembly includes a first trolley movable in a longitudinal direction along a boom of the crane; a second trolley movable in a lateral direction on the first trolley; a hoist provided on the second trolley; a spreader movable in a vertical direction by the hoist; a light emitting unit provided on the spreader; and a smart camera for capturing an image of the light emitting unit to measure a movement of the spreader. A movement of the hoist is controlled by a location control unit based on the measured movement of the spreader.

Abstract: An inventory storage and retrieval system and method are provided for a shipping or storage facility. In an embodiment, the system includes: (a) a mobile computer and radio on a load-handing vehicle; (b) sensors on the vehicle to determine the ground location and orientation of the vehicle; (c) encoders that determine the position of a lifting mechanism relative to a chassis of the vehicle; and (d) a base computer and radio that communicates with the vehicle. The system maintains an inventory database of items and their respective storage locations in three dimensions as a result of the loading activity of the vehicle. The data can be used to guide the vehicle for ground movement generally to a storage location, appropriately orient the vehicle, and then to move the lifting mechanism of the vehicle to deposit or retrieve the item at a particular storage location.

Abstract: The present invention shows a crane control of a crane which includes at least one cable for lifting a load, wherein at least one sensor unit is provided for determining a cable angle relative to the direction of gravitational force. Furthermore, there is shown a crane control for driving the positioners of a crane which includes at least one first and one second strand of cables for lifting the load, with a load oscillation damping for damping spherical pendular oscillations of the load, wherein first and second sensor units are provided, which are associated to the first and second strands of cables, in order to determine the respective cable angles and/or cable angular velocities, and the load oscillation damping includes a control in which the cable angles and/or cable angular velocities determined by the first and second sensor units are considered. Furthermore, a corresponding crane and a method are shown.

Abstract: In a glassware forming machine, a mold is moved to and from a work position by a device having a supporting structure connected to an overhead frame of the machine; a gripping head for engaging the mold; a cable transmission having a cable operated by a winch and connected to the gripping head to move the gripping head to and from the supporting structure in a substantially vertical direction; and a powered articulated arm connected to the gripping head and to the supporting structure to exert substantially horizontal forces on the gripping head.