Abstract: A lifting arrangement for overhead traveling cranes. The lifting arrangement includes two single reeved drums that are reeved together to provide true vertical lift of a load. The lifting arrangement allows for equalization of full up and full down rope fleet angles through utilization of axially staggered dual drums and/or a bottom block with two separate sheave nests. The lifting arrangement may utilize commercially available components to reduce the overall cost of the crane when compared with other powerhouse crane designs.

Abstract: An overhead crane having an adjustable bearing assembly to adjust a wheel and axle of the crane in a horizontal direction in order to minimize skewing of the crane on a pair of parallel rails. A bearing retainer includes an outer surface sized to fit into an associated bore in an end truck of the crane, and an eccentric inner surface which engages the outer surface of a bearing. When the bearing retainer is rotated, the wheel and axle extending therethrough are moved in a horizontal direction. The bearing retainer includes a closed end having a surface which is engageable by a tool to allow for the rotation of the bearing retainer. A locking ring releasably fixes the bearing retainer and therefore the bearing to the frame of the crane as desired.

Abstract: A material handling system for lifting a load and a method sensing an unstable state of the material handling system. The system includes a motor, a brake and a drive. The method includes storing a model of the motor in the drive and generating a signal in the drive. The signal has a voltage and a frequency. The method further includes providing the signal to the motor, sensing a current value of the signal, determining a modeled value based in part on the sensed current value, comparing an actual value to the modeled value to determine whether the load is stable, and generating an output that sets the brake when the load is potentially unstable.

Abstract: A specialized induction facility provides localized heating in only the desired wear areas of a crane wheel while leaving the supporting material “as-forged” and ductile. The wear area of a crane wheel is hardened such that flanges extending out from a working tread surface are not completely through hardened.

Abstract: A counterweight for a monorail hoist. The monorail hoist includes a single support beam and a suspended hoist assembly which is supported for movement along the support beam. The hoist assembly includes a support member which is transverse to the support beam. The counterweight is mounted on the support member. The counterweight is slidable along the support member to optimally balance the overall weight distribution of the hoist assembly. Once the counterweight is properly positioned to balance the hoist assembly, a locking device locks the counterweight to the support member to prevent any further movement of the counterweight along the support member. The locking device is also releasable to allow the counterweight to be moved to or removed from any location along the support member in order to accommodate any changes which may occur to the overall weight distribution of the hoist assembly. Preferably, a plurality of counterweights and cooperating locking devices are provided.

Abstract: A hoist apparatus comprising a frame, a hoist drum mounted on the frame for rotation about a drum axis, a motor connected to the drum for selectively rotating the drum in opposite wind-up and wind-off directions about the drum axis, a hoist rope wound around the drum such that the rope winds on to and off of the drum in response to rotation of the drum in the wind-up and wind-off directions, respectively, the rope having a maximum wind-up point beyond which it is not desirable to wind a significant amount of rope on to the drum, and a proximity switch mounted on the frame adjacent the drum such that the drum moves relative to the switch, the switch being capable of sensing the presence of the rope without touching the rope, and the switch preventing the motor from rotating the drum in the wind-up direction when the switch senses the presence of the rope on the drum at the maximum wind-up point.

Abstract: A specialized induction facility provides localized heating in only the desired wear areas of a crane wheel while leaving the supporting material "as-forged" and ductile. The wear area of a crane wheel is hardened such that flanges extending out from a working tread surface are not completely through hardened.

Abstract: A trolley having an inner assembly and trolley sides is assembled by placing the components of the inner assembly in a welding fixture, welding the inner assembly components together, and welding the inner assembly to the trolley sides. The use of the fixture and the order in which the welds are carried out minimize distortion in the assembled trolley.

Abstract: A support member attached to a support surface is rotated about a threaded stud to change the distance between an object on the support member and the support surface. The support member is fixed relative to the stud when the desired distance is attained, and a nut is fastened onto the stud, thereby trapping the object between the nut and the support member, and fixing the distance between the object and the support surface.