Manitowoc Crane Companies, Inc.

Albinger, Timothy James

Nysse, Brian Nicholas

Timothy James Albinger

Brian Nicholas Nysse

Joel David Zick

Joseph R Rucinski

Derrick L Geiser

Jonathan Michael Borlee

Ian M Moore

John William Taylor

Ryan Matthew Fickau

Stephen Anthony Vossen

William J O'Neil

Charles R Wernecke

Brandon D Resch

Ingo Noeske

David A Robertson

Steven Anthony Vossen

Ryan M Fickau

A method for calculating a crane capacity for a crane having a variable position counterweight at a locked position includes determining a boom combination and determining a maximum capacity at a hook position for the boom combination. A maximum target value for an operating condition dependent on a balance of the crane is determined. An indication of the locked counterweight position is received. At least one new target value for the operating condition dependent on the balance of the crane between the variable position counterweight at the locked counterweight position is established. A new capacity of the crane is calculated by decrementing the maximum capacity of the crane proportionally to a difference in the maximum target value and the at least one new target value. Cranes and crane control systems may employ this method.

System and method for calculation of capacity charts at a locked counterweight position

A compressible stop for use in a crane has a housing, a rod slidably mounted within the housing, a floating piston, and a valve assembly. The floating piston divides the housing into a gas portion biasing the floating piston towards an end of the housing and a liquid portion containing a hydraulic fluid. The valve assembly divides the liquid portion into a support portion and a reserve portion. The valve assembly includes a check valve allowing a liquid to flow from the reserve portion into the support portion, a pressure sensitive valve inhibiting the liquid from flowing from the support portion into the reserve portion unless the pressure is above a threshold pressure, and a frangible divider configured to rupture when the liquid pressure exceeds a rupture pressure.

Fast acting compressible stop

An intermediate suspension connection column segment designed for use in constructing a column which is supported by a suspension that includes a first end having a first connection configured to connect to a first adjacent column segment; a second end opposite the first end, the second end having a second connection configured to connect to a second adjacent column segment; and an intermediate suspension connection between the first connection and the second connection, the intermediate suspension connection configured to couple an intermediate suspension between the suspension and the column.

System and method for connecting a crane suspension assembly to a support column

A lift crane includes a carbody and movable ground engaging members mounted on the carbody. A rotating bed is rotatably connected to the carbody and includes a counterweight support frame including a rack coupled directly to a lower surface of the rotating bed. A boom is pivotally mounted to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit movement device is configured to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. At least one auxiliary member includes a counterweight pad that is configured to not touch the ground during a pick, move, and set operation. A linear actuator is configured to adjust a distance that the counterweight pad is above the ground.

Height adjustment mechanism for an auxiliary member on a crane

A system and method for calculating a crane capacity for a crane having a variable position counterweight at an intermediate position is disclosed. In the method a boom combination is determined and a maximum capacity at a hook position is determined for the boom combination. A target value for an operating condition is established dependent on a balance of the crane between the variable position counterweight and a load on the hook. An indication is received of an intermediate counterweight position, and a load is calculated for the hook at the hook position for the boom combination and the intermediate counterweight position that results in the operating condition having the target value to determine an intermediate capacity. The intermediate capacity is compared with the maximum capacity and the lower of the maximum capacity and the intermediate capacity is output.

System and method for calculation of capacity charts at intermediate counterweight positions

A system and method for positioning a movable crane counterweight is disclosed. In the method, a boom orientation is determined, a first counterweight position is determined, a first crane capacity at the first counterweight position is determined, a second counterweight position is determined corresponding to a second rearward stability associated with the boom orientation. A second crane capacity at the second counterweight position. A load on the crane is determined and the counterweight is positioned at a third position between the first counterweight position and the second counterweight position dependent on the boom load, and the first crane capacity.

System and method for crane counterweight positioning

A compressible stop member for use on a crane includes: a housing having a first sealed end, a second end, a first cylindrical surface and a second cylindrical surface; a free piston slidably contained within the housing in a sealing engagement with the first cylindrical surface; a compressed gas chamber in the housing between the free piston and the first sealed end; and a rod comprising a cylindrical portion with a diameter less than the diameter of the second cylindrical surface and a rod support portion that separates a first liquid chamber comprising the volume inside the housing between the free piston and the rod support portion from a second liquid chamber comprising the volume between the rod support portion and the second end of the housing. Also, the rod support portion includes at least one flow channel allowing liquid to flow between the first and second liquid chambers.

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Manitowoc, WI, United States of America

Timothy James Albinger