Cranes Patents (Class 340/685)
  • Patent number: 11946223
    Abstract: A shovel includes a lower traveling body, an upper turning body turnably attached to the lower traveling body, an actuator mounted on the lower traveling body or the upper turning body, and a controller configured to set a prohibited area for an obstacle located in a work area and restrict movement of the actuator. The controller determines whether the shovel has entered the prohibited area, and slows or stops movement of the shovel in response to determining that the shovel enters the prohibited area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sou Sakuta, Takeya Izumikawa
  • Patent number: 11939746
    Abstract: A surroundings monitoring system for a work machine includes an image capturing unit configured to capture an image of surroundings of the work machine and a display device configured to display the image of the surroundings of the work machine captured by the image capturing unit and a mark representing the position of a monitoring target. The display device is configured to display the mark in two or more different display forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Kiyota, Shunsuke Otsuki, Susumu Aizawa
  • Patent number: 11932517
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crane, in particular a rotary tower crane (1), comprising a crane boom (3), from which runs a hoisting cable (6) connected to the load hook (7), as well as comprising a load hook positioning device (8) for determining the load hook position, wherein the load hook positioning device (8) has at least three electromagnetic radio modules (9) exchanging radio signals with one another, of which at least one radio module is attached to the load hook and at least two further radio modules are attached to the crane structure and/or in the environment of the crane in a spaced apart manner, as well as an electronic evaluation device for evaluating the radio signals and determining the position of the load hook from the radio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Biberach GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Hofmeister, Tobias Englert
  • Patent number: 11922799
    Abstract: A warning system having a plurality of components including a Lidar device, an adjustment means, an audio source, a light source, a controller, and a power source. The warning system produces at least one of the audible sound and the light signal when the one or more laser beams detects a foreign object. A method for providing a warning in the event a foreign object is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: Charles R. Crittenden
  • Patent number: 11905144
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control method for controlling an actuating device in a handling machine, comprising: comparing (24) a magnitude representative of the movement speed executed or to be executed in response to a movement request signal to a threshold representative of a maximum authorised speed and controlling an actuating device according to the result of said comparison, so as to: execute or sustain (25) the movement of a handling arm as long as the magnitude representative of the speed of the movement executed or to be executed is less than said threshold, and prevent or stop (26) the movement of the handling arm as soon as the magnitude representative of the speed of movement executed or to be executed is greater than said threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Manitou BF
    Inventor: Sylvain Cadou
  • Patent number: 11905146
    Abstract: A system control device (36): acquires the three-dimensional information of the work site, the weight of a load W, and the operating condition of the crane (1) via an input device (34) or a system-side communication device (33); upon acquiring the arrangement position and arrangement direction of the vehicle (2) at the work site via the input device (34), calculates the movable range of the crane (1) in the arrangement position and arrangement direction of the vehicle (2) taking the three-dimensional information of the work site into consideration; and overlays the image (M1) of the crane (1) and the movable range (A) on the two-dimensional image or the three-dimensional image of the work site displayed on a display device (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11866303
    Abstract: Described is a safety system for a self-propelled operating machine (1) comprises a processing unit (3) which includes: a memory module (31) in which a plurality of load diagrams is stored; a limiting module (32) configured for limiting the operational possibilities of actuators of the machine (1), on the basis of a load diagram; a measuring device (41, 42) for acquiring operating parameters relative to various operating conditions of the operating machine (1); and a selection module (33) configured for selecting from the memory module (31) a load diagram on the basis of an operating parameter acquired by the measuring device (41, 42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: MANITOU ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Marco Iotti
  • Patent number: 11858784
    Abstract: A crane that controls an actuator on the basis of a target speed signal Vd of cargo W includes: a control device having a feedback control unit that calculates a target path signal Pd? of the cargo from the target speed signal Vd by integration to correct the target path signal Pd? on the basis of the differential of current position coordinates p(n) of the cargo W corresponding to the target path signal Pd?; and a feedforward control unit that adjusts a weight coefficient of a transfer function G(s) expressing the characteristics of the crane on the basis of a target path signal Pd1? that has been corrected. The target path signal Pd1? corrected by the feedback control unit is corrected using the transfer function G(s) for which the weight coefficient has been adjusted by the feedforward control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Minami
  • Patent number: 11858785
    Abstract: A target trajectory signal is calculated by integrating a target speed signal inputted from a suspended-load moving operation tool and passing the integrated signal through a lowpass filter. Target position coordinates of a load are calculated from the target trajectory signal. The current position coordinates of a leading end of a boom are calculated from the attitude of a crane device. An unwinding amount of a wire rope is calculated from the current position coordinates of the load and the current position coordinates of the boom. A direction vector of the wire rope is calculated from the current position coordinates of the load and the target position coordinates of the load. Target position coordinates of the boom are calculated from the unwinding amount and the direction vector. An actuation signal of an actuator is generated from the target position coordinates of the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Minami
  • Patent number: 11718510
    Abstract: The invention addresses the problem of providing a crane and a crane control method that can suppress load swaying when controlling an actuator on the basis of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Minami
  • Patent number: 11708254
    Abstract: A system for protecting an operator on an aerial work platform from a crushing hazard includes a sensor, such as opto-electric sensor, positionable adjacent the control panel area. A control system is programmed to control operation of the driving components based on signals from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: JLG INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ignacy Puszkiewicz, Matthew I. Gilbride, David W. Lombardo, Brian K. Mohlman
  • Patent number: 11691855
    Abstract: A crane is provided. A slewing base camera detects a load W that is suspended by a wire rope, the current coordinate location of the load is calculated from the location of the detected load, the current coordinate location of a tip end of a boom is calculated from the position of a crane, a target velocity signal that was inputted from a manipulation tool is converted into a target coordinate location of the load, a wire rope direction vector is calculated from the current coordinate location of the load and the target coordinate location of the load, a target location of the tip end of the boom for the target coordinate location of the load is calculated from a wire rope reel-out amount and the wire rope direction vector, and an actuator operation signal is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Minami
  • Patent number: 11680859
    Abstract: A combination includes a cable puller having a capstan around which a pulling rope is wrapped, and a sensor configured to measure the distance the pulling rope travels during a pulling operation. The sensor may be a Hall effect sensor and/or an optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: GREENLEE TOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: John Michael Jubeck, Daniel John Marben
  • Patent number: 11677258
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an auxiliary battery configured to power an electrical accessory, a traction battery configured to provide power to propel the vehicle, a winch including a motor and cable, and a controller configured to, responsive to a requested torque of the motor being less than a threshold, initiate transfer of power to the motor from the auxiliary battery, and initiate transfer of power to the motor from the traction battery otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Ehlert, Joseph Confer
  • Patent number: 11668178
    Abstract: A method automatically for adjusting the hoist speed of a drill is disclosed. The method includes determining the mast angle of the drilling implement relative to a work surface, and changing the hoisting speed of the drill implement depending on the mast angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventor: Carl John Moberg
  • Patent number: 11620864
    Abstract: A systems and method for plotting and viewing onboard machine data with graphical user interfaces on a mobile heavy duty machine is disclosed. The method also includes displaying a list of machine systems on an onboard display of the machine. The method further includes receiving at the display a selection of a machine system from the list of machine systems. The method additionally includes displaying one or more parameters at the display based on the selected machine system. The method additionally includes receiving at the display a selection of a parameter. The method also includes displaying a graphical representation, comprising an x-axis and y-axis, of real-time data of the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Lee M. Hogan
  • Patent number: 11618654
    Abstract: A suspended load calculation device includes a detection unit configured to detect information for specifying a load suspended by a crane, a calculation unit configured to calculate the suspended load based on a value detected by the detection unit, and an acquisition unit configured to acquire a boom length, in which the calculation unit corrects the suspended load by a correction value corresponding to the boom length acquired by the acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES CONSTRUCTION CRANES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoya Mori
  • Patent number: 11577939
    Abstract: A controller controls a plurality of drives of a lifting device, wherein the controller is configured to perform a kinematic transformation of spatial position and orientation coordinates of a body and controls the drives based on the kinematic transformation. The drives can be electric drives. At least six drives are provided and regulated, so that their number exceeds the number of spatial position and orientation coordinates of the body. The lifting device is thus overdetermined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marco Bock, Uwe Ladra, Fabian Lorz
  • Patent number: 11472685
    Abstract: Systems and methods for platform occupancy detection on an aerial device are described. An aerial platform may be provided for the aerial device. A worker may perform operations in the aerial platform and connect to an interlock system thereof. The worker may have an associated transmitter configured to transmit a signal. A first receiver and a second receiver may be disposed on the aerial platform to receive the signal. Based on the time difference between receiving the signal at the first receiver and receiving the signal at the second receiver, the position of the transmitter may be triangulated. If the transmitter is determined to be within the aerial platform and the worker is not connected to the interlock system, preventive actions may be taken before operation of the aerial platform is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Thompson, Daniel Peterson, Michael P. Whitaker
  • Patent number: 11358840
    Abstract: A crane including a traveling body, a boom supported by the traveling body, and a camera supported by the boom, in which an image is taken by the camera, has control apparatus; a display; and a sensor for acquiring coordinates of the camera. The control apparatus acquires map information in a range of the crane, displays the map information on the display, and displays an image taken by the camera at a coordinate position of the camera on the map information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11334094
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile robot having a receiving unit and capable of moving, the mobile robot including: at least three wheels arranged at a lower portion of the mobile robot; a sensing unit configured to measure a weight of the mobile robot applied to each of the at least three wheels; a linear actuator connected to the receiving unit and configured to apply a linear motion to the receiving unit in a direction toward a front section or a rearward section of the mobile robot; and a processor configured to, based on the weight applied to each of the at least three wheels measured by the sensing unit, control the linear actuator so as to apply the linear motion to the receiving unit. In addition, disclosed are a method for controlling a center of mass of a mobile robot, including a method performed by the aforementioned mobile robot, and a non-volatile computer readable storage medium in which a computer program for implementing the aforementioned method is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sanghak Lee, Nakyeong Kim, Sungmin Moon, Jeongkyo Seo
  • Patent number: 11215495
    Abstract: A load sensing system measures lift cylinder pressure and platform height to estimate platform load. The system functions to prevent overload and is designed to comply with regulatory requirements. The system provides the advantages of a force-based approach using simple, lower cost pressure-based measurement components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: JLG INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Louis A. Bafile, James N. Smyly, Aaron A. Powers, Brendan Kotlanger
  • Patent number: 11142438
    Abstract: A working range diagram for a crane includes a boom model representing a current boom length and current lift angle. The working range diagram also includes a plurality of zones based on limit radii corresponding to different predetermined load utilizations. Each zone of the one or more zones represents a radial distance. The working range diagram further includes a load model representing a current load radius positioned relative to the one or more zones. A crane control system may generate the working range diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: MANITOWOC CRANE COMPANIES, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Benton, John R. Rudy
  • Patent number: 10801180
    Abstract: A work machine includes a controllable subsystem, the controllable subsystem having an actuator configured to actuate a movable element of the subsystem. The work machine also includes a control system configured to generate and send control signals to the controllable subsystem actuator, wherein the control signals cause an actuation of the actuator. The work machine also includes a self protection system configured to prevent the control system from sending a control signal to the actuator that would cause a collision between the controllable subsystem and a portion work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Lance R. Sherlock
  • Patent number: 10745261
    Abstract: A lifting vehicle comprises a mobile chassis with a tiltable mast (3) and a lifting device (4,5). Alerting means (15,16) are provided for the purpose of monitoring a load on the lifting device as a result of a cargo being carried thereby. The alerting means comprise a first electronic sensor 11), which records a cargo weight, and a second electronic sensor (12) which records a cargo moment. The alerting means (15,16) are provided with automatic calibration means which, when an output signal below a predetermined threshold value is generated by the one sensor (11), sets to zero an output signal differing therefrom from the other sensor (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: RAVAS EUROPE B.V.
    Inventor: Niels Van Den Berg
  • Patent number: 10648160
    Abstract: A work machine includes: a chassis; a backhoe assembly carried by the chassis, the backhoe assembly including: a boom pivotably linked to the chassis at a boom pivot point; a boom angle sensor associated with the boom pivot point; a stick extendably linked to the boom; a stick extension sensor associated with the stick; a bucket pivotably linked to the stick at a bucket pivot point; and a bucket angle sensor associated with the bucket pivot point. A controller coupled to the boom angle sensor, the stick extension sensor, and the bucket angle sensor is configured to: determine a boom angle of the boom; determine a stick extension of the stick; determine a bucket angle of the bucket; and output a bucket location signal corresponding to a current bucket position and a current bucket orientation, relative to the chassis, based on the determined boom angle, stick extension, and bucket angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Scott A. Elkins
  • Patent number: 10584016
    Abstract: A 3D point cloud is formed of the grippers of a load handling device in relation to a device which is moved horizontally above a load in the load handling device and to which the grippers are connected to be moved in the vertical direction. The grippers are positioned in relation to the horizontally movable device by comparing the formed 3D point cloud with at least one 3D model of the grippers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: KONECRANES GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Heikki Laitasalmi, Lasse Eriksson
  • Patent number: 10507826
    Abstract: A method and system of detecting an impending tip over of a vehicle with the following steps and apparatus. Acquiring first measurement data, the first measurement data having strain data and at least one of attitude data and acceleration data. Acquiring second measurement data, the second measurement data having strain data and at least one of attitude data and acceleration data. Determining, based on the first measurement data and based on the second measurement data, if the second measurement data is indicative of an impending tip over of the vehicle. Only if it is determined that the second measurement data is indicative of an impending tip over of the vehicle, triggering an alarm signal, overriding a control command or overwriting a control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Dana Italia Srl
    Inventors: Carlos Maximiliano Giorgio Bort, Claudio Maffei, Alessandro Massei, Giulio Ornella, Lorenzo Serrao
  • Patent number: 10252894
    Abstract: A self-homing hoist includes a controller configured to initiate a self-homing process to return the hook assembly to a homed position in response to each of at least one homing factor being true. Each homing factor is true or false based on a comparison of the current condition of the homing factor with a threshold requirement. If the current condition satisfies the threshold requirement, then the homing factor is true. If the current condition does not satisfy the threshold requirement, then the homing factor is false. Where all homing factors are true, the controller can initiate the self-homing process by activating a hoist motor to drive the cable drum and reel the hook assembly into the homed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Humble
  • Patent number: 9981835
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a forklift and a forklift control method. The forklift and the forklift control method according to the present disclosure may adjust a fork/mast inclination with reference to the coefficient of friction, and precedently and appropriately adjust a fork/mast inclination right before the forklift enters or exits from a slope by referring to geological information. Further, when a degree of danger is not decreased even when a fork/mast inclination is tilted backward to the largest extend, the forklift and the forklift control method according to the present disclosure may decrease a travelling speed of a vehicle by decreasing an output of the forklift or operating a brake, thereby remarkably decreasing the danger of the load falling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: DOOSAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dae Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 9878888
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a weighing device applicable in a removable manner to the fork of a fork lift or of a lifter and including an external strip to support the load to weigh; a magnetic element arranged to allow applying magnetically the external strip to the fork; and a weighing device arranged below the external strip in such a way as to detect the weight of a load overlying the external strip. The weighing device is further configured to communicate in wireless modality with an external device for the reading of the datum of the detected weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Newtecnik S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mirco Giannetti
  • Patent number: 9738494
    Abstract: Provided is a safety lighting system for an overhead crane comprising a laser generator capable of generating a laser signal; and a crane control system having a programmable logic circuit; wherein the laser generator is integrated with the crane control system; and wherein the laser generator is operable to project a laser signal onto a surface corresponding to the position of the crane or crane components and a method of using the safety lighting system to determine when an object has crossed into a designated safety zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Mazzella Lifting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Shubel, Kenneth Wright
  • Patent number: 9527526
    Abstract: A method operates a steering system of a motor vehicle having a steerable wheel controlled using a steering wheel. The method begins by ascertaining a prevailing control angle of the steering wheel of the motor vehicle. A variable steering ratio between the prevailing control angle and a steering angle of the steerable wheel is defined. A static steering ratio from the variable steering ratio to set the steering angle of the steerable wheel is then selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Esser, Joerg Peter Schalz
  • Patent number: 9415976
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Dale Hermann, Curt Conquest
  • Patent number: 9343191
    Abstract: A cask transport system includes a support assembly including a plurality of wheels and a support frame coupled to and supported by the wheels. The cask transport system also includes a tower disposed above the support assembly, the tower including a base portion and a tower frame coupled to the base portion, the tower frame movable relative to the base portion. The cask transport system also includes an upper beam assembly coupled to the tower frame, and a bottom block assembly coupled to the upper beam assembly, the bottom block assembly movable relative to the upper beam assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KONECRANES GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steve Coogan, Michael Waedekin, Joseph A. Yustus
  • Patent number: 9290361
    Abstract: A lifting device sensor unit comprises a housing, a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, and a wireless transceiver. The housing is configured to removably couple about a load line of a lifting device. The first GNSS receiver is coupled with the housing and configured for determining a sensor unit position in three dimensions. The wireless transceiver is coupled with the housing and configured for wirelessly providing information including the sensor unit position to a display unit located apart from the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Maynard, John F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9278833
    Abstract: A lifting device sensor unit comprising a housing, a load monitor, and a wireless transceiver. The housing is configured to removably couple about a load line of a lifting device. The load monitor is coupled with the housing and configured for monitoring a load coupled with the load line, including monitoring a load position and a load orientation of the load. The wireless is transceiver coupled with the housing and configured for wirelessly providing information including the load position and the load orientation to a display unit located apart from the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Maynard, John F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9279675
    Abstract: A device for determining an extension length of an extendable machine part includes a first ultrasound sensor and a controller, the controller determining the extension length on the basis of an ultrasound signal received by the first ultrasound sensor. The first ultrasound sensor includes a first ultrasound converter and a second ultrasound converter which are arranged such that they are offset along the measuring direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: MOBA MOBILE AUTOMATION AG
    Inventor: Boris Zils
  • Patent number: 9248998
    Abstract: A method of lifting device load hazard avoidance is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining a three dimensional position of a load hazard avoidance sensor unit coupled with a load line of a lifting device, the determining performed by a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver coupled with a housing of the load hazard avoidance sensor unit, monitoring for a load related hazard in a vicinity of a load coupled with the load line, the monitoring performed by a load monitor coupled with the housing and initiating at least one load related hazard avoidance action in response to a monitored occurrence of the load related hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Maynard, John F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9223008
    Abstract: A method for stabilizing a load suspended with a rope, cable, net, sling or the like is disclosed. A beacon having a plurality of lights thereon may be attached to the load relative to the attachment point to the load, to an attachment point of the load or to the rope, cable sling or the like. A sensor on the lifting device senses the beacon and thus any swinging motion of the load, and a processor responsive to the sensor develops control signals that direct motion of the lifting device to dampen any swinging motion of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Optical Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Hartman, Michael K. Balch, Stephen H. Fox, Jonathan A. Berry, Stephen R. Granade
  • Patent number: 9187295
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a safety method for the lifting and/or transporting of a common load using a plurality of cranes, comprising the steps: determining of possible damage incidents for movement vectors of the cranes; activation of an alarm function if predetermined movement vectors result in damage incidents and/or limitation of the movement vectors used for the control of the cranes to those movement vectors which do not result in damage incidents in any of the cranes. Furthermore, a corresponding control method as well as a safety system and a control system are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Nenzing GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Schneider, Martin Rajek
  • Patent number: 9187916
    Abstract: The present invention provides a boom system, comprising a plurality of joint arms sequentially hinged through a horizontal hinge shaft, and further comprising: mounting two length sensors on each joint arm, wherein one length sensor measures the length of a corresponding joint arm after deformation, and the other length sensor measures the length between it and the distal end of the corresponding joint arm, and there is a preset distance between the two length sensors; mounting a dip angle sensor on each joint arm, and obtaining the angle between the connection line between the two length sensors and a reference plane; a processor which obtains boom system distal end position parameters according to the detection results of the dip angle sensor and the length sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignees: Hunan Sany Intelligent Control Equipment Co., LTD, Sany Heavy Industry Co., LTD
    Inventors: Xiaogang Yi, Zuoliang Zhang, Dong Li
  • Patent number: 9169973
    Abstract: A method for detecting zonal operator presence includes receiving a sensor output from a sensor. The sensor may be located on an agricultural machine and the sensor output indicates an operating state of the agricultural machine. Once the sensor output has been received, the operating state of the agricultural machine is determined based on the sensor output. The operating state includes an operator being located within a work area of the agricultural machine. The work area is divided into a plurality of zones. An operating parameter is adjusted based on the operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Vincent Nickel
  • Patent number: 8981955
    Abstract: A system and method for alerting operators of mobile equipment to the presence of people in monitored areas around the periphery of the mobile equipment they are operating is provided. The system includes an RFID detection system which is installed on the mobile equipment and alerts the operator to the presence of people wearing Personal Protection Equipment containing RFID safety tags. The system also includes a tag programming system which allows RFID safety tags to be created. The system also includes a tag testing system which allows a person to test the functionality of the RFID safety tags contained in the personal safety equipment they are wearing. The system also includes RFID personal safety equipment such as 3D safety vests and RFID hardhats which contains RFID safety tags. The 3D safety vests also include enhanced 3D visual markings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Marlex Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Uwe D. Schaible, Jonathan Fava, Peter Atef Wadie Basl, Norman H. Von Styp-Rekowski, Jeff William Edward McDonald, Jason Philip Garr
  • Patent number: 8977440
    Abstract: A heavy-duty vehicle including a movable arm, an operator control unit, an inertial measurement device, and a controller. The operator control unit directs movement of the movable arm. The inertial measurement device measures a pitch motion and a heave motion of the heavy-duty vehicle. The controller mitigates pitch motion and heave motion by adjusting a movement of the movable arm. The inertial measurement device detects a motion in one of a first direction and a second direction. The controller determines a direction of movement of the arm in one of a third direction and a fourth direction. The controller increases the speed of motion of the arm when the motion is in the first direction and the movement is in the third direction or when the motion is in the second direction and the movement is in the fourth direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jason Trombley, William Calihan
  • Patent number: 8941502
    Abstract: A safety monitoring system for a catenary system that includes an overhead wire, a support pole and a counterweight attached to the end of the overhead wire and suspended by the support pole. The catenary safety monitoring system includes a temperature sensor for detecting an ambient temperature, a position sensor for detecting a position of the counterweight and an electronic controller. The electronic controller compares a detected position of the counterweight with a predicted position determined by the electronic controller using an ambient temperature from the temperature sensor. A message transmitter provides a warning to a user if the detected position of counterweight is not within a predetermined percentage of the predicted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Impulse Inc. LLC
    Inventors: Grant Welch, Gary Graham
  • Patent number: 8874329
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a stability parameter of a loading crane mounted on a vehicle supported on the ground by wheels and by support elements separate from the wheels includes calculating, using a processor, the stability parameter of the loading crane mounted on the vehicle supported on the ground by the wheels and the support elements, and comparing the magnitude of the stability parameter to at least one predetermined limit value. The calculating includes detecting contributions to a magnitude of the stability parameter of the wheels of the vehicle on which the loading crane is mounted and detecting contributions to the magnitude of the stability parameter of the support elements of the vehicle on which the loading crane is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Palfinger AG
    Inventor: Thomas Zinke
  • Patent number: 8777027
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Erwin Morath
  • Patent number: 8723638
    Abstract: A joystick controller is disclosed for controlling speed of a boom lift platform, the controller having motors or the like that provide tactile feedback that is intuitively interpreted and adjusted by the user of the joystick speed control, the joystick being neutrally-biased to effect a null velocity when the joystick is positioned in a neutral position, but the tactile feedback forcing the joystick away from neutral to a degree that represents the platform's actual speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Enovation Controls, LLC
    Inventor: Kennon H Guglielmo
  • Patent number: 8686868
    Abstract: A system and method for assisting drivers of Bomb Carts and Shuttle Carriers to position their vehicles appropriately for loading and unloading containers at a gantry crane. The system uses laser scanners mounted at various levels on the gantry crane sill beams to determine the type, position, orientation and skew angle of the vehicles as well as whether the vehicles are in a loaded or unloaded condition. In addition, the system provides indicator devices to direct drivers how to move their vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: TMEIC Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Stocker, Michael G. Bartel, Gregory A. Hedrick