Manitowoc Crane Companies, Inc.

John R Rudy

Matthew Thoresen

John Fremont Benton

Stephen J Schoonmaker

Matthew T Oswald

Jared Yorke

Ingo Schiller

Frank C Schnittker

Melisa Lavery

A crane includes a lower works having one or more ground engaging elements, an upper works connected to the lower works, the upper works having a boom, and a system for determining a crane status. The system includes a sensor assembly positioned to have a line of sight along at least a portion of a length of the boom or the lower works. The sensor assembly configured to detect light transmission and output sensor information. The system further includes a computer configured to receive the sensor information and determine the crane status based on the sensor information. A method of determining the crane status is also provided.

System for determining crane status using optical and/or electromagnetic sensors

A working range diagram for a crane includes a boom model representing a current boom length and current lift angle. The working range diagram also includes a plurality of zones based on limit radii corresponding to different predetermined load utilizations. Each zone of the one or more zones represents a radial distance. The working range diagram further includes a load model representing a current load radius positioned relative to the one or more zones. A crane control system may generate the working range diagram.

Graphical working range diagrams for displaying allowable and projected loads

An optical detection system for a crane having a counterweight assembly includes an image capture assembly having one or more image capture devices configured to capture an image of the counterweight assembly and an optical control system. The optical control system is configured to detect one or more objects in the captured image, the one or more objects selected from the counterweight assembly, a weight unit of the counterweight assembly, a stack of weight units of the counterweight assembly, and a marker on the counterweight assembly. The optical control system is also configured to analyze the one or more detected objects and determine a status of counterweight assembly based on the analysis of the one or more detected objects.

Optical detection and analysis of a counterweight assembly on a crane

A crane includes a carrier, a superstructure coupled to the carrier, the superstructure including a boom, and an optical detection system having an image capture assembly including one or more image capture devices configured to capture an image of one or more of the carrier and the superstructure, and an optical control system. The optical control system is configured to detect one or more objects in the captured image, the one or more objects selected from: the carrier, the superstructure, and a marker, analyze the one or more detected objects, and determine a status of the boom based on the analysis of the one or more detected objects. The optical detection system and a method for determining the status of the boom are provided as well.

Optical detection and analysis for boom angles on a crane

A measurement system includes a plurality of RFID tags, each RFID tag configured to output tag information, each RFID tag having a width and spaced from an adjacent RFID tag by a pitch, a single RFID reader configured to read the tag information from at least one RFID tag of the plurality of RFID tags and a plate having a window disposed between the RFID reader and the plurality of RFID tags, wherein the window is dimensioned to control a transmission range between the RFID tags and the RFID reader. The system further includes a carrier to which the plurality of RFID tags are mounted and a control system configured to determine a position of the at least one RFID tag based on the tag information.

Measurement system

A crane includes a carrier, a superstructure mounted on the carrier and including a boom, a cable extending from the boom, a lifting appliance coupled to the cable, and an optical detection system. The optical detection system includes an image capture device configured to capture an image, and an optical detection computer configured to detect one or more objects in the captured image, the one or more objects selected from: the lifting appliance, the cable, a load coupled to the lifting appliance, an object remote from the crane and a marker. The computer is also configured to analyze the one or more detected objects and determine a condition of a crane component based on the analysis of the one or more detected objects. Methods of determining the condition of the crane component and controlling crane operation are also included.

Optical detection system for lift crane

A crane includes a carrier and a superstructure. A hoist is coupled to the superstructure and includes a hoist drum and a rope. The crane further includes an optical detection system. The optical detection system includes an image capture assembly having an image capture device configured to capture an image of the hoist, and an optical control system configured to detect an object in the captured image, the object selected from: the rope, the hoist drum, a wrap of rope on the hoist drum and a marker on the hoist. The optical control system is configured to analyze the detected objects and determine a condition of a crane component based on the analysis. A method of determining a condition of a crane component includes capturing an image, detecting the objects in the image, analyzing the detected objects and determining a condition of the crane component based on the analysis.

Optical detection and analysis of crane hoist and rope

A system and method for visually monitoring an outrigger includes a camera assembly configured to monitor an outrigger and a control system operably and communicably connected to the camera assembly. The control system executes instructions to determine a presence, length, and/or position of the outrigger based by an image captured by the camera assembly. The outrigger may include a target to be detected by the camera assembly for monitoring of the outrigger. The target may be the outrigger itself, detected by the control system using edge detection, or a marker disposed on the outrigger. The system may be implemented with a crane having a carrier unit and a superstructure. The system may include a plurality of camera assemblies and a plurality of outriggers.

Visual outrigger monitoring system

An extendable beam measurement system includes a support; a beam mounted on the support and movable with respect to the support along an axis of movement; a series of sensory points mounted along either the beam or the support in an orientation that is not parallel to the axis of movement of the beam; and a sensor attached to the other of the beam or the support in a direction that crosses the series of sensory points at different positions during movement of the beam along said axis. The sensor generates a first signal varying as the beam is moved along the axis to thereby provide a signal indicating the position of the beam with respect to the support. The system is useful on an outrigger for supporting a crane. Optionally the system can provide a second signal indicative of whether a jack on the outrigger is contacting a support surface and supporting the crane. Alternatively, the system used to optionally generate the second signal can be used by itself to indicate whether a jack is supporting the crane, even if the beam extension is not measured.

System for measuring length of a beam extension and detecting support

A method is disclosed for controlling a crane which comprises a boom that may be raised or lowered by angular adjustment of the boom about a base portion of the crane. The method prevents operation of the crane in an undesired condition by continuously monitoring operation of the crane, including monitoring at least the position of the boom with respect to the base of the crane. If the crane approaches a limit of its operating range or any operational parameter, its operation will be controlled so as to selectively prohibit or permit a boom raising operation of the crane, depending on the cause of the condition, rather than uniformly prohibit such an operation.

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Greencastle, PA, United States of America

John R Rudy