AU2018206810A1 - Wasp (wireless,autonomous spreader positioner) - Google Patents

Abstract

A device used for complicated crane lifts using a two beam lifting system with the upper beam (1) connected to the lower beam (6) via a chain (13) that is anchored to the bottom lifting lug (4) on the upper beam (1) and anchored to the top lifting lug (7) on the lower beam (6). The lower beam (6) has an inbuilt mobile unit (20) used to position the centre of mass by using a thread drive gearing system (25) as the centre of mass is shifted, the angle of the lower beam (6) changes due to natural gravitational pull. Sets of chains are rigged up to the bottom lifting lugs (10) which are then rigged up to the object being lifted. The bottom lifting lugs (10) are attached weight sensor units (43) which are attached to the internal beam (20). The upper beam (1) is rigged up to the crane using the main lifting points (2) and the lower beam (6) is rigged up to the upper beam (1) using a chain (13) The lower beam has another feature which is used to make it spin horizontally. A gearing system (19) is powered by a high torque electric motor (18). The gearing system (19) is fitted to the base plate (8) for the lifting lug (7) which has bearings to allow it to spin freely. This mechanism allows for the bottom beam (6) to be positioned correctly to avoid the suspended load colliding with the structure. Couterweights (30) are parts that are connected to the bottom lifting lugs (10) and are used to counteract the weight of an item mounted on the extension. The bottom beam (6) can either be calibrated at horizontal or put at an angle by moving the internal beam (20) during a lift to place items into a difficult area with overhead structure. In addition to the lower beam (6), high tensile steel beams called extensions (14) are used for two functions. The extensions (14) can be mounted onto the bottom lifting lugs (10) on the bottom beam (6) using the lug slots (16) in the centre of the extrusion block (15) that's positioned in the centre of the extensions (14). This forms a H-frame assembly (36) to allow a four point lifting system. This setup allows for a more stable lift for heavier or larger items. The extensions (14) can also be mounted on the edges of the bottom beam (6) using the designated fitting points (23) and by aligning the restrictor plates (24) to the edge of the lower beam (6). The functions of this device are controlled using a computer processing unit (35) which is controlled by a remote control (37). The CPU (35) is connected to antennas (11) that receive the signal from the remote control (37). The electrical and electronics are powered by rechargeable batteries (38). The batteries (38) are interchangeable and are recharged by solar panels mounted on the top of the bottom beam (6) and also by being removed and mounted into a battery recharging device (39). In addition to the CPU (35), an angle sensor device is fitted inside the bottom beam (6) and gives the operator a reading of the angle for the bottom beam (6). The angle sensor can also be used to calibrate a target angle required for a lift. There are sets of restriction switches that cut the circuit to the thread drive system (25) when the lower beam (6) has an angle exceeding the limit or if the lifting lugs (10) have moved to close to the edge of the cutouts (38). The switch for the cutouts (38) is a "push/off" switch (34) that cuts the positive line to the thread drive motor (25). The angle switch (33) cuts off the negative terminal when the angle of the bottom beam (6) reaches a certain angle. The circuit for the thread drive (25) has a forward and reverse function so that when one terminal is cut by a restrictor switch, the opposite function will still work. The storage box (40) is where all the parts are stored when not in use. The storage box (40) is fitted with forklift slots (41) and lifting lugs (42) to make it easy for transporting. Fig 2- 2 5 '41 25A 19 87 31 20 21 6 1 lF1-24

Description

WASP - Wireless, Automated Spreader/Positioner

FIELD OF INVENTION:

Cranes and lifting equipment

SUMMARY

This invention is an accessory for a crane designed to tilt a suspended item to the desired angle by use of a remote control. In addition, it eliminates the need for dual crane lifts in some cases. Another advantage of the invention is its ability to enable objects to be set down onto a target level on a multi-storey building or structure.

2018206810 20 Jul 2018

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (0001) The invention in general reduces the number of steps required for complicated lifts such as tilt panels or structural beams that are required to be fitted at a particular angle or also a clam shell which is a part for the train load out station for mine sites and can weigh up to 50 tonnes and is transported in horizontal position making it require a 90 degree tilt up in order to be fitted.

(0002) There are lifting operations that require two cranes. The primary crane is the one that will bear the load throughout the entire operation. The second crane is usually rigged up to the bottom of the load to prevent the load slipping along the ground whilst being tilted from a horizontal position to a vertical position and then detached from the load whilst the primary crane stays attached.

(0003) Dual crane lifts require an intermediate rigger, a highly experienced crane operator and a dual crane lift study plus the additional crane to perform the task which can increase the cost and duration. The invention can eliminate the need for an intermediate rigger and only require a basic rigger. The crane operator may not need as much experience to operate this device whilst operating the crane and also eliminate the need for a second crane.

(0004) There are crane lifting operations that require the use of chainblocks for removing heavy parts from tight spaces. With this invention, the need for chainblocks is eliminated with selfcentering system that uses weight measured on each lug to determine when the load being lifted will be stable upon lifting. This will reduce the duration and manual handling required for such complex lifts.

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. The present invention relates generally to cable based lifting mechanisms such as cranes used for lifting heavy items and also odd shaped items. In addition, the invention relates to, among other things, correcting the angle of the item during the lift.
2. 2. The invention is composed of two main components. The first component is the top spreader beam which has a lifting lug positioned in the centre and at the bottom of the beam. The top of the beam has two lifting points positioned to the left and right edges.
3. 3. The second component is positioned at the bottom of the assembly and is the load-bearing spreader beam with an inbuilt mobile mechanism that has two lifting lugs fitted beneath it and the main beam has sections cut out for access to the lifting lugs. The inbuilt mechanism can move along the x-axis in order to change the position of the centre of weight resulting in rotating the angle of the beam about the y-axis. A sound beacon and flashing beacon activates when the inbuilt system is moving.
4. 4. In addition to component two, it has an inbuilt worm-drive electric motor that is used to mechanically turn the lifting lug positioned at the top of the second beam, resulting in rotating the beam about the x-axis. This is used to correct the slew of the suspended load without the need for taglines.
5. 5. The lower beam has solar panels fixed to the top face and are connected to the secondary cell battery system.
6. 6. The lower beam has two arrow signals made from LED lighting panels. This is used to acknowledge the direction of which the internal beam is moving when the controls are activated. This is used to avoid confusion due to the ability of the crane hook being able to rotate 360 degrees by the free spinning swivel.
7. 7. Components one and two are connected by a removable high tensile chain that has a maximum rated capacity equal to that of the two components and is made from high grade alloys to meet the Australian and international engineering standards. The required alloy is A514.
8. 8. The internal mechanism in beam two has an isolation system that is activated when the second beam reaches a certain angle relevant to horizontal axis. This application is in place to prevent the

   2018206810 20 Jul 2018 second beam from exceeding a safe angle that can cause a collision between the two beams.
9. 9. The internal mechanism in beam two is an internal beam that rests on a system of wheels to enable mobility. The internal mechanism is moved back and forth by a transmission system that consists of a threaded shaft and a long nut with a gear fitted to it. A high tensile threaded shaft is mounted on the inside of the second beam. The interior mechanism's driving gear moves it back and forth along the threaded shaft in order to move its centre of weight, resulting in a tilt angle. The gear is driven by a high torque electric or hydraulic motor that is fixed to the internal beam.
10. 10. The second beam has a set of lifting lugs are fitted to the bottom side of the internal mechanism and extrude through the cut-outs of the second beam. A foldable seal is mounted along the bottom of the internal mechanism to insulate the interior of the second beam from the environment.
11. 11. The invention is controlled by a wireless control that can be placed in the crane cab or held by a person on ground level with a waist belt. In addition, the remote control has inbuilt magnets in order for it to be mounted on a metallic surface.