Crane and related method of operation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9944498-B2
Application number	US-201314406152-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 7, 2013
Priority date	Jun 7, 2012
Publication date	Apr 17, 2018
Grant date	Apr 17, 2018

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.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A crane comprising:
a hoist for performing a lifting operation, the hoist being movable in at least one lateral direction;
a controller for controlling lateral movement of the hoist;
a coupling attached to the hoist for connection to a load; and
a height sensor for monitoring a height of the coupling;
wherein the controller is configured to inhibit lateral movement of the hoist by permitting only incremental lateral movements when the height sensor detects that the coupling is below a pre-defined operating height or that the coupling is outside one or more pre-defined operating height ranges.

2. A crane according to claim 1 , further comprising a sensor for detecting a person in a defined safety region, wherein the controller is further configured to inhibit operation of the hoist when the imaging sensor detects a person in the safety region.

3. A crane according to claim 2 , wherein the sensor for detecting a person in a defined safety region is a motion detection sensor.

4. A crane according to claim 1 , the crane further comprising a load sensor for monitoring a load applied to the hoist, wherein the controller is further configured to inhibit a hoist lifting operation following detection by the load sensor of an initial load applied to the hoist.

5. A crane as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a load position sensor for determining the position of the or a load relative to the hoist.

6. A crane as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the load position sensor comprises a laser and associated receiver.

7. A crane according to claim 1 , wherein the hoist travels a predetermined distance in each incremental lateral movement.

8. A crane according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the hoist to travel a predetermined distance in each incremental lateral movement, in response to each user input.

9. A crane according to claim 8 , comprising a control unit having a joystick and/or a trigger, wherein the hoist travels a predetermined distance each time the joystick and/or the trigger is/are actuated.

10. A crane according to claim 9 , wherein the joystick and/or trigger are returned to a neutral position and actuated again to cause the controller to initiate another incremental lateral movement of the hoist.

11. A method of operating a crane comprising a hoist and a coupling attached to the hoist;
wherein the method comprises monitoring a height of the coupling; and
inhibiting lateral movement of the hoist to permit only incremental lateral movements when the height sensor detects that the coupling is below a pre-defined operating height or that the coupling is outside one or more pre-defined operating height ranges.

12. A method of operating a crane as claimed in claim 11 , comprising controlling the hoist to travel a predetermined distance in each incremental lateral movement.

13. A crane control system for implementing the method as claimed in claim 11 .

14. A method of operating a crane as claimed in claim 11 , comprising controlling the hoist to travel a predetermined distance in each incremental lateral movement, in response to each user input.

15. A method of operating a crane as claimed in claim 14 , comprising receiving an actuation signal from a crane control unit having a joystick and/or a trigger, and controlling the hoist to travel a predetermined distance each time the joystick and/or the trigger is/are actuated.

16. A method of operating a crane as claimed in claim 15 , comprising initiating another incremental lateral movement of the hoist in dependence on receiving a signal indicative of the joystick and/or trigger being returned to a neutral position and being actuating again.

17. A method of operating a crane as claimed in claim 11 , further comprising monitoring for the presence of a person in a defined safety region, and inhibiting operation of the hoist in dependence on detecting a person in the safety region.

18. A method of operation of a crane as claimed in claim 17 , comprising monitoring for movement of a person in a defined safety region and inhibiting operation of the hoist in dependence on detecting movement of a person in the safety region.

Assignees

• Jaguar Land Rover Ltd

Inventors

• Ford Niall
• Conlon Andy
• Thatcher Daniel

Classifications

• B66C13/46

  Position indicators for suspended loads or for crane elements · CPC title

• B66C15/065

  electrical · CPC title

• B66C13/18 Primary

  Control systems or devices (exclusively for rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms B66D1/40) · CPC title

• B66C13/16

  Applications of indicating, registering, or weighing devices (in crane hooks B66C1/40; in safety gear B66C15/00; weighing-apparatus G01G; remote indicating in general G08) · CPC title

• B66C13/063 Primary

  electrical · CPC title