Underlying Load Spanning Support And Sling Patents (Class 294/81.55)
  • Patent number: 11278460
    Abstract: A sling bar device includes a central hub and a plurality of sling bar arms extending outwardly from the central hub. At least one of the plurality of sling bar arms is rotatable about the central hub to move a connection location from one angular position to another angular position relative to the central hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Liko Research & Development AB
    Inventors: Johan Lyckestig, Karin L. Olsson
  • Patent number: 10822207
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a lift system for a rotor blade of a wind turbine. The lift system includes a lifting device having at least one cradle. The cradle has a profile that corresponds to at least one of the exterior surfaces of the rotor blade so as to support at least a portion of the rotor blade. Further, the lift system includes a positioning assembly having at least one distance sensor mounted to the hub and at least one visual sensor mounted to the lifting device. Thus, the distance sensor is configured to identify a distance from the hub to the lifting device and the visual sensor is configured to identify a position of the rotor blade in the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Lopez-Benedito, John Carl Bell, Gaylon Mitchell Pfeiffer, Theodore Steven Wilmot, Adam Sean Davis, Marc Cavalle, Jordi Escola Belarte, Bart Jan Veldkamp, Christoph Lammen
  • Patent number: 9463959
    Abstract: A module lift assembly includes first and second multipoint adapter plates separated by a horizontal transverse spreader bar; a lift frame having first and second longitudinal lift beams separated by horizontal transverse bracing; a plurality of slings of adjustable length connecting the first multipoint adapter plate to the first lift beam and connecting the second multipoint adapter plate to the second lift beam; and a plurality of slider assemblies each slidingly affixed to the first and second lift beams, and a lift shackle for attaching to a module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: PCL INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT INC.
    Inventors: Ulrich (Rick) Hermann, Jacek Olearczyk
  • Patent number: 9399564
    Abstract: A module lift assembly includes a lift assembly, a pair of transversely spaced apart longitudinal lift beams and slings connecting the lift assembly to the lift beams. Each of slings is pivotally connected to the lift assembly and the connected lift beam, and is composed of pivotally connected elongate segments. Pivoting of the segments relative to each other, the lift assembly and the lift beams allows the lift assembly to be lowered and raised relative to the lift beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: PCL INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT INC.
    Inventor: Ulrich (Rick) Hermann
  • Publication number: 20150028610
    Abstract: A blade gripping device for gripping a rotor blade, in particular a rotor blade of a wind turbine, comprising a blade gripping assembly with a number of blade gripping tools and a sensor arrangement realized to sense a specific feature of the rotor blade is provided. Thereby, the specific feature is such that it can be used to orientate the blade holding device relative to the rotor blade in a blade gripping manoeuvre. Further the invention concerns a method of moving a blade gripping device for gripping a rotor blade, in particular a rotor blade of a wind turbine, relative to the rotor blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: STEEN MATTRUP HANSEN, JESPER MOELLER, KENNETH HELLIGSOE SVINTH
  • Publication number: 20150030427
    Abstract: A method for using a gripping mechanism and a gripping mechanism for lifting devices is disclosed. In an embodiment a gripping mechanism includes a frame comprising parallel longitudinal members and cross members, a connecting device supported by the frame, the connecting device configured to receive a lifting gear and carriages connected to the longitudinal members, the carriages configured to be adjustable along the longitudinal members, wherein the carriages are adjustable by a drive. The gripping mechanism further includes rewinding devices located at the carriages and continuous flexible elements configured to receive a product to be transported, wherein ends of the continuous flexible elements are connected to the rewind devices, and wherein the rewinding devices are configured to lengthen or shorten the continuous flexible elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Heinrich Von Lutterotti, Aldo Christè
  • Publication number: 20150028609
    Abstract: A blade gripping tool of a blade gripping device for gripping a rotor blade, in particular a rotor blade of a wind turbine is provided. The tool comprises a sling and an automatic sling handover mechanism comprising a sling-conveying element and a sling-receiving element, whereby the sling-conveying element is realized to convey a connection means of the sling along a two-dimensional predefined path of travel around a part of the rotor blade towards the sling-receiving element to connect to a receptor of the sling-receiving element. The invention also concerns a method of gripping a rotor blade, in particular a rotor blade of a wind turbine by means of a number of blade gripping tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: STEEN MATTRUP HANSEN, JESPER MOELLER, KENNETH HELLIGSOE SVINTH
  • Patent number: 7290815
    Abstract: Apparatus 10 discloses an improved hoisting sling specially for palletized 28 loads comprising a pair of skids 12, 14 having opposing ends, each with a channel 16 terminating in a puck-shaped cavity 18 forming means of engagement of lengths of load bearing members 20 having mating puck-shaped members 30 thereon. The load bearing members 20 extend from distal ends of a spreader frame 22 extending between and having means for engaging the load bearing members. Depending from the intersection of the spreader arms 22 an anchor line 24 extends to a common load bearing member 26 serving as terminus for load bearing members extending to the terminal ends of the spreader arms and also serving as point of attachment for a user selected hoisting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Jerry L Whittington