Patents Assigned to Konecranes PLC
  • Patent number: 9919904
    Abstract: The invention relates to a balancer (1) for raising, holding and lowering a load, comprising a cable drum (7) which can be rotated in a manner actuated by pressure medium and has a cable for bearing the load, which cable can be unwound from and wound onto said cable drum (7), and has a device for emergency braking of the cable drum (7) if a defined rotational speed is exceeded, which device for emergency braking comprises at least one locking element (16) which is fastened to the cable drum (7), is held in a freewheeling position in a spring-loaded manner and can be moved into a deployed locking position in a manner which is actuated by centrifugal force, in which locking position the rotation of the cable drum (7) is blocked by virtue of the fact that the locking element (16) is in engagement with a stop which is stationary relative to the cable drum (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Konecranes PLC
    Inventors: Willi Gottschling, Herbert Pinwinkler, Gheorghe Stirbu-Blagut
  • Patent number: 9908753
    Abstract: A chain hoist (10) having an improved chain guide (12) for a link chain (14). The chain guide (12) has a channel (36) with a cross-shaped cross section, through which the link chain (14) extends. An end surface (26) of the chain guide (12) extends away from a mouth opening (28) of the channel (36). The channel (36) establishes a through-passage direction (D) which widens in the direction of the end surface (26), and a protrusion (30) is formed on the end surface (26) around the mouth opening (28) of the channel (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: KONECRANES PLC
    Inventors: Jurgen Weingartner, Dominik Muller, Bernhard Rusam
  • Patent number: 9790989
    Abstract: The invention relates to a linear guide (1) having at least one inner and at least one outer profile-member (2, 3), the outer profile-member (3) at least partially surrounding the inner profile-member (2) and the profile-members (2, 3) being guided one inside the other by means of at least two linear guiding means which are preferably arranged diametrically opposite each other, wherein at least a portion of a first linear guiding means is arranged in a floating manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Konecranes PLC
    Inventors: Markus Breitfuβ, Manfred Josef Wallner
  • Patent number: 9663331
    Abstract: The lifting device according to the invention comprises a carriage (16) and a lifting unit (17), which are connected to each other by means of linear guides (29, 30). The carriage (16) comprises two side parts (19, 20) that can be adjusted in view of their distance relative to each other by means of a distance adjustment device (36). In doing so, they are centered by means of a centering device (45) with respect to the lifting unit (17), in particular with respect to the pulling means originating from the lifting unit (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: KONECRANES PLC
    Inventors: Reiner Buhlmayer, Jurgen Weingartner
  • Publication number: 20160107865
    Abstract: A grabber (102, 202) for a load handling apparatus, comprising an optical distance measuring device (104, 204, 304) and fastening means (106, 206, 306a-c) that fasten the optical distance measuring device (104, 204, 304) in a flexible manner to the grabber. The grabber (102, 202) may be provided in a crane, such as a boom crane, bridge crane, container crane or gantry crane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: KONECRANES PLC
    Inventors: Ville MANNARI, Ari NIEMINEN, Jussi LEHTIÖ
  • Patent number: 9284162
    Abstract: A lifting hook includes a hook body with a hook stem and a hook tip; a safety latch with a fastening end and a free latch end, the fastening end of the safety latch being pivotally fastened close to the stem so as to be moved between an open position and a closed position, the safety latch being in its open position substantially against the inside of the hook body in a position that leaves a hook jaw free while in the closed position the latch end extends across the hook jaw to the hook tip, closing the jaw on the inside thereof; and an actuator for actuating the safety latch, the actuator including a spring arranged between the safety latch and the hook body and forcing the latch end into the closed position, a locking pawl structure and a cam surface arrangement for locking the safety latch into the open position, and a release extending across the jaw for releasing the safety latch from the open position. A safety latch for a lifting hook is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: KONECRANES PLC
    Inventors: Ekku Rytkönen, Antti Niskala, Piia Linnainmaa, Marko Lyden, Richard Rappu
  • Publication number: 20160068378
    Abstract: A chain hoist includes a body; a hoist chain passing through the body; through-holes in the body for the hoist chain; and an actuator arrangement for operating the chain hoist, the actuator being used for moving the hoist chain through said through-holes in a lifting or lowering direction of the chain hoist, and on the side of at least one through-hole the portion of the hoist chain moving outside the body is provided with a limiter member whose position in the longitudinal direction of the hoist chain is adjustable, the limiter member being provided with a detectable sensor; and a sensor detection member is provided in the vicinity of said through-hole to detect the detectable sensor at a predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: Konecranes Plc
    Inventor: Fabrice COPIN
  • Patent number: 9233818
    Abstract: The monitoring of a brake is disclosed. The brake includes first and second braking surfaces and a magnetizing device arranged to move the braking surfaces to an open state, in which the braking surfaces are separated from each other, and to a closed state, in which the braking surfaces are connected to each other. During the monitoring of the brake, the time is measured that elapses from the change in the magnetic field caused by the magnetizing device to the shift of the braking surfaces from one state to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: KONECRANES PLC
    Inventors: Niko Ekholm, Aapo Jantunen, Johanna Kirjavainen, Juha Toikka, Risto Vilppo
  • Publication number: 20160002009
    Abstract: A hoisting rope arrangement in a trolley moving along a main girder of a crane and driven by an outside mechanism is provided. Both sides of the trolley are provided with successive rope pulley pairs located at a distance from one another in a longitudinal direction of the trolley and, below these, sheaves situated in a hoisting member, whereby on both sides of the trolley, a first hoisting rope is led from a first end of the main girder of the crane via one rope pulley of a first rope pulley pair down to the sheave and therefrom via an other rope pulley to a second end of the main girder, and a second hoisting rope is led from the second end of the main girder via one rope pulley of a second rope pulley pair down to the sheave and therefrom via an other rope pulley to the first end of the main girder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: KONECRANES PLC
    Inventor: Esa OJAPALO
  • Patent number: 9222277
    Abstract: A scissors lift assembly includes a top frame, a bottom frame, and a pair of scissors assemblies, each extending between the top frame and the bottom frame to move the top frame relative to the bottom frame. The scissors lift assembly also includes a safety catch mechanism coupled to at least one of the top frame, the bottom frame, and one of the scissors assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: KONECRANES PLC
    Inventor: Joe Yustus
  • Publication number: 20150361621
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method to form a rail joint, in which staggerings (6, 7) corresponding to each other are made in joinable solid-profile rail ends (4, 5) of parts (2, 3) of a rail (1) so that when a completed rail joint is viewed from above the rail heads bond; both rail ends are secured to a corresponding mounting; the rail ends secured to the mountings are brought against each other whereby said bonding is established; and the mountings that are against each other are secured to one another. The staggerings (6, 7) are made in such a manner that the lower edges (4a, 5a) of the rail ends (4, 5) are left substantially unstaggered whereby the staggerings extend from these lower edges towards the top surfaces or the rail ends; and the rail ends (4, 5) are welded by their lower edges (4a, 5a) at their entire width to their mountings (8, 9). The invention also relates to a rail joint made by this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: KONECRANES PLC
    Inventors: Kari MÄENPÄÄ, Esa OJAPALO
  • Publication number: 20150353327
    Abstract: A lifting hook, its safety latch and a locking and releasing device of the safety latch are disclosed. The lifting hook includes a hook body having a hook stem and tip. The safety latch has a fastening end and a free latch end, the fastening end of the safety latch being pivotally fastened close to the stem so as to move the safety latch between an open position and a closed position, the safety latch being in its open position substantially against the inside of the hook body in a position that leaves a hook jaw free, while in the closed position the latch end extends across the hook jaw to the hook tip, closing the jaw on the inside thereof. A spring arranged between the safety latch and hook body forces the latch end into the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: KONECRANES PLC
    Inventor: Jack HOOVER
  • Publication number: 20150329330
    Abstract: A lifting hook includes a hook body with a hook stem and a hook tip; a safety latch with a fastening end and a free latch end, the fastening end of the safety latch being pivotally fastened close to the stem so as to be moved between an open position and a closed position, the safety latch being in its open position substantially against the inside of the hook body in a position that leaves a hook jaw free while in the closed position the latch end extends across the hook jaw to the hook tip, closing the jaw on the inside thereof; and an actuator for actuating the safety latch, the actuator including a spring arranged between the safety latch and the hook body and forcing the latch end into the closed position, a locking pawl structure and a cam surface arrangement for locking the safety latch into the open position, and a release extending across the jaw for releasing the safety latch from the open position. A safety latch for a lifting hook is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: KONECRANES PLC
    Inventors: Ekku RYTKÖNEN, Antti NISKALA, Piia LINNAINMAA, Marko LYDEN, Richard RAPPU
  • Patent number: 9156662
    Abstract: A system with an apparatus that moves on wheels along a track defined by rails, and comprises two opposite sides carried by two or more wheels. The apparatus comprises detectors, at least one detector in either side of the apparatus in a known spatial connection with a wheel for generating to the control unit a signal that represents a measured lateral distance of a specific part of the wheel from a rail. Signals received from detectors are associated with position data that represents a specific position along the track where the lateral distance of the specific part of the wheel from the rail was measured. Signals received from detectors in spatial connection with wheels in opposite sides of the apparatus are used to generate an indication that represents temporal dimensional compatibility of the apparatus and the track. An effective tool for advanced monitoring interoperability of the apparatus and the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Konecranes PLC
    Inventors: Simo Hakkarainen, Ari Lehtinen, Matti Pekkarinen, Jussi Kiova, Jukka Saikkonen, Kari Wallgren, Don Paulino
  • Patent number: 9150389
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system capable of determining in which lane a container handling machine is present below a quay crane or the like crane and/or capable of determining the correct location of a container handling machine in its driving direction (y) with respect to a quay crane or the like crane as containers are delivered to the crane or containers are retrieved from the crane by the container handling machine. The crane is fitted with at least one scanning laser distance sensor or the like range finder, and the container handling machines are fitted with one or more reflectors whose height profile is used for the determination of a correct location and/or for the identification of a container handling machine and for the distinction thereof from other container handling machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Konecranes Plc
    Inventors: Kari Rintanen, Mikko Sampo
  • Publication number: 20150260259
    Abstract: A invention relates to a chain shackle for fastening a hoist chain of a chain hoist to a hoisting member or the chain hoist. The chain shackle includes two identical shackle halves installable against each other to work together in such a manner that they form between them a first space for one chain loop or chain loop half of the hoist chain to lock it against the hoisting direction or force. The first space is open in a first direction in the longitudinal direction of the chain shackle. A second space is connected to the first space and intended for a second hoist chain loop that is coupled with the first chain loop or is to be coupled with a chain loop half. The second space is open in both longitudinal directions of the hoist chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: KONECRANES PLC
    Inventor: Ismo Kuivamäki
  • Publication number: 20150252861
    Abstract: Monitoring a brake that includes first and second braking surfaces and a magnetizing device that, in response to the electric current supplied to them, are arranged to generate a magnetic field that is arranged to move the braking surfaces from a closed state, in which the braking surfaces are connected to each other, to an open state, in which the braking surfaces are separated from each other. Determining the electric current of the brake as the braking surfaces begin to move, from the closed state to the, open state, determining the maximum electric current of the magnetizing device of the brake in the open state, determining the condition of the brake as a current ratio from the electric current measured as the braking surfaces start to move to the maximum electric current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: KONECRANES PLC
    Inventor: Aapo Jantunen
  • Patent number: 9108826
    Abstract: To facilitate the use of a crane, an angle feedback information on a rope angle (?) of the crane is received, the angle feedback information being measured by means of a sensor at or adjacent to a trolley; and the angle feedback information is corrected by compensating an error caused by a speed change, and processed to provide movement instructions or other control information relating to the crane on the basis of real-time corrected angle information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: KONECRANES PLC
    Inventors: Lasse Eriksson, Harri Ylä-Soininmäki, Janne Salomääki
  • Publication number: 20150225209
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured with a set of operating instructions and a sensor for monitoring an environment of the apparatus. The environment of the apparatus is monitored for compliance with the set of operating instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: KONECRANES PLC
    Inventors: Tuomo Härkönen, Tuomas Martinkallio
  • Patent number: D748156
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Konecranes Plc
    Inventors: Sami Koponen, Jan Anders Ove Sjostrand, David Jaan Vilhelm Backman