Altec Industries, Inc.

Aaron B Beck

Timothy J Mourlam

William Naber

Westin Sykes

Michael A Fleming

Jonathan Westin Sykes

Jesse L Thompson

David Bryon Fuller

Andrew W Featherstone

Jd Casias

A system and method for providing real-time, sensory information associated with a remote location using a remote capture device and a head-mounted display. In some embodiments, the system comprises a fiber-optic cable to transmit a signal comprising sensory information collected by the remote capture device to the head-mounted display. Further, the remote capture device may be secured onto a boom of an aerial device.

Head mounted display for remote operation of machinery

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for improved control of articulating boom assemblies are disclosed herein. Automated functions, such as auto ground and auto stow functions, may be provided to automatically move an articulating boom assembly to the desired position. When an automated function is requested, a series of waypoints may be generated, and the boom assembly may move a boom tip thereof through each of the series of waypoints. Using the machine geometry of the boom assembly and the pose of the boom assembly when the automated function is requested may enable the waypoints to be determined. The automated functions may enable the boom assembly to be moved faster than when manually operated and also eliminates the need for the operator to provide a series of complex inputs required to move each joint of the articulating boom assembly to reach the desired position.

Operations of articulating boom assemblies

A control input apparatus for operating an aerial lift system includes a control lever assembly that has at least one control lever and at least one position sensor. The at least one position sensor may indicate a position and/or a movement of the at least one control lever. The control input apparatus additionally incudes a control input element actuatable over a movement range from a non-actuated position to a fully-actuated position, and at least one interlock sensor that releases an interlock corresponding to the control lever assembly upon the control input element being actuated at least to an actuation threshold position located between the non-actuated position and the fully-actuated position. Upon the control input element being actuated at least to the actuation threshold position, the control input apparatus provides control inputs corresponding to the position and/or the movement of the control lever indicated by the at least one position sensor.

Aerial lift systems and control input apparatuses with high electrical resistance for use with aerial lift systems

A device, system, and method for providing electrical power to an electrically isolated region utilizing an electrically insulating drive shaft to transmit rotational energy over an electrically isolated gap to an electrical generator disposed in the electrically isolated region. Electrical power generated by the generator is used to power at least one electronic device in the electrically isolated region or to charge a battery, while maintaining electrical isolation.

Non-conductive shaft generator

Disclosed is a system which uses one or more camera units with embedded processors to measure the relative translation and/or rotation between different members on an aerial device. Image data from each unit is processed and transmitted processing to the position control system of the aerial device, and used to determine the position of an aerial element of the device.

Aerial device including translation or rotation measurement

A turntable leveling system is configured to level a boom turret of an aerial device. This allows the boom turret to be leveled more than with level correction by outriggers. The turntable leveling system includes a lower turntable wedge and an upper turntable wedge. Each of the lower turntable wedge and the upper turntable wedge is independently rotatable relative to the chassis. The turntable leveling system is configured to be installed between a chassis and the boom turret of an aerial device. The turntable leveling system may further comprise a central turntable wedge disposed between the upper turntable wedge and the lower turntable wedge.

Turntable leveling system

Embodiments of the invention provide for a circuit that detects a contact between a high-voltage power source and an electrically-conductive non-grounded device. A probe may conduct an electric potential from the electrically-conductive device to the circuit. A first leg of the circuit may shift the phase of the electric potential of the first leg relative to a phase of the electric potential of a second leg of the circuit. A voltage indicative of the phase difference of the electric potential between the first leg and the second leg may be measured. The detected voltage may be indicative of the contact between the high-voltage power source and the electrically-conductive device.

System and method for detecting a contact between an aerial device and an electrical power source

A position-determining actuator includes a rod, a barrel, a wave detector, and a controller. The barrel at least partially surrounds a piston of the rod so as to define a cap-side void and allow the rod to telescope relative to the barrel. The wave detector is associated with the cap-side void and configured to read fluid pressure of a hydraulic fluid disposed in the cap-side void. The controller is configured to receive, from the wave detector, a pressure reading from within the cap-side void; analyze the pressure reading to determine an extension standing wave; and analyze the extension standing wave to determine an extension dimension of the cap-side void.

Position-determining actuator

A boom protection system prevents damage to an insulated boom section. The boom protection system has a static strain-detection assembly, a pressure-detection assembly, and an alarm. The static strain-detection assembly is configured to determine a load disposed from an implement at a distal end of said insulated boom section. The static strain-detection assembly includes a subject plate presenting a void therein, a traversing member spanning the void, and a strain gauge disposed adjacent to the traversing member. The pressure-detection assembly is configured to detect pressure within a hydraulic cylinder that is associated with the insulated boom section. The pressure detection assembly comprises a first pressure gauge at a distal end of the hydraulic cylinder, and a second pressure gauge at a proximal end of the hydraulic cylinder. The alarm is configured to alert a user of potential structural damage to the insulated boom section.

Growing community of inventors

Kansas City, MO, United States of America

Aaron B Beck