GB2591195A

GB2591195A - Detection system and method for a crane

Info

Publication number: GB2591195A
Application number: GB2104068.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Innes Mcleod Ross
Original assignee: Intebloc Ltd
Current assignee: Intebloc Ltd
Priority date: 2018-09-19
Filing date: 2019-09-19
Publication date: 2021-07-21
Also published as: WO2020058720A3; GB201815290D0; WO2020058720A2; GB202104068D0

Abstract

A detection system (30) for a crane (12) comprises an image sensing arrangement (32) for observing a given observation area (A1) comprising the operational zone of the crane (12). The image sensing arrangement (32) is configured to convey a signal (S1) comprising image data regarding the observation area (A1) to a controller (34) which determines the presence of any personnel (P) within the observation area (A1) from the image data and which, via a wireless communication arrangement (36), outputs an alert signal (S2) to the personnel (P) in the observation area (A1). Also described is a detection system (130) forming part of a pick-up and lay- down system, in which image data from an image sensing arrangement (132) is communicated by a wireless communication arrangement (236) to a display (244) in the crane cab (216) or to a remote location (R) such as a control room. Also described is a pick-up and lay-down system comprising a scanning arrangement (332) configured to scan a container and/or equipment to be conveyed by a crane, and a controller (334) configured to determine the identity of the container and/or equipment and determine a lay-down location for the container and/or equipment to be conveyed, which is communicated by a wireless communication arrangement (236) to an operator or other remote location.

Claims

1. A detection system for a crane, comprising: an image sensing arrangement for observing a given observation area, the detection system configured so that the observation area comprises at least part of an operational zone of the crane, wherein the image sensing arrangement is configured to convey a signal comprising image data regarding the observed area; a controller configured to receive the signal from the image sensing arrangement, the controller configured to determine the presence of personnel within the operational zone from the image data received from the image sensing arrangement and output an alert signal; and a wireless communication arrangement configured to communicate the alert signal output by the controller.

2. The detection system of claim 1 , wherein the communication arrangement is configured to communicate the alert signal to the personnel in the operational zone.

3. The detection system of claim 1 or 2, comprising one or more haptic devices, the haptic devices configured to receive the alert signal from the communication arrangement and provide a warning signal to the personnel.

4. The detection system of claim 3, wherein the warning signal comprises one or more of: an audio signal; vibration; and visual signal.

5. The detection system of any preceding claim, wherein the communication arrangement is configured to communicate the alert signal to at least one of: a crane operator; a memory device of the detection system; safety operative; black box recorder; base station; or other remote location.

6. The detection system of any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the detection system is configured for mounting on the crane.

7. The detection system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the image sensing arrangement, controller and/or at least part of the communication arrangement are configured for mounting on the crane.

8. The detection system of claim 6 or 7, wherein at least part of the detection system is configured for mounting on the crane block.

9. The detection system of claim 8, wherein at least one of the image sensing arrangement, controller and/or at least part of the communication arrangement are configured for mounting on the crane.

10. The detection system of any preceding claim, wherein the image sensing arrangement comprises one or more of: a camera arrangement, e.g. a digital camera; a video camera e.g. a digital video camera; a night vision camera; a thermal imaging camera, e.g. an infrared camera.

11 . The detection system of any preceding claim, wherein the controller utilises an object detection software tool to determine the presence of personnel within the operational zone.

12 The detection system of any preceding claim, wherein the controller utilises ultrawideband (UWB) tracking to determine the presence of personnel within the operational zone.

13. The detection system of any preceding claim, wherein the communication arrangement comprises a radio frequency communication arrangement, the communication arrangement configured to communicate the alert signal at a frequency of 868 to 870 MHz; or 902 to 928 MHz; using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy); 2.4GHz; or 5GHz.

14. A crane comprising the detection system of any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The crane of claim 14, wherein the crane takes the form of: an offshore or onshore crane suitable for use in an oil and gas installation; a tower crane suitable for use on a construction site; or a mobile crane.

16. A method of detecting personnel operating within the operational zone of a crane using the detection system of any one of claims 1 to 13.

17. A pick-up and lay-down system for conveying containers and/or equipment from one location to another, comprising: a detection system comprising an image sensing arrangement for observing a given observation area including at least part of an operational zone of a crane, wherein the image sensing arrangement is configured for mounting on the crane, and wherein the image sensing arrangement is configured to wirelessly convey a signal comprising image data regarding the area observed by the sensing arrangement to at least one of: personnel in the operational zone; a crane operator; a memory device of the detection system; safety operative, black box recorder, base station or other remote location.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the image sensing arrangement is configured for mounting on the crane block.

19. The system of claim 17 or 18, wherein the detection system comprises a connection arrangement for mounting the detection system to the crane.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the connection arrangement comprises a magnetic connection arrangement.

21 . The system of claim 19 or 20, wherein the connection arrangement comprises a mechanical connection arrangement.

22. The system of any one of claims 17 to 21 , wherein the image sensing arrangement comprises one or more of: a camera arrangement, e.g. a digital camera; a video camera, e.g. a digital video camera; a night vision camera; a thermal imaging camera, e.g. an infrared camera.

23. The system of any one of claims 17 to 22, comprising a wireless communication arrangement.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the communication arrangement comprises a radio frequency communication arrangement, the communication arrangement configured to communicate the alert signal at a frequency of 868 to 870 MHz; or 902 to 928 MHz; using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy); 2.4GHz; or 5GHz.

25. The system of any one of claims 17 to 24, comprising a crane.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the crane takes the form of: an offshore or onshore crane suitable for use in an oil and gas installation; a tower crane suitable for use on a construction site; or a mobile crane.

27. Use of the system of any one of claims 17 to 26.

28. A pick-up and lay-down system for conveying containers and/or equipment from one location to another, comprising: a scanner arrangement configured to scan a container and/or equipment to be conveyed by a crane and output a data signal comprising data relating to the container and/or equipment to be conveyed; a controller configured to receive the data signal from the scanner arrangement, the controller configured to determine the identity of the container and/or equipment to be conveyed from the received data signal and determine a lay-down location for the container and/or equipment to be conveyed, the controller configured to output an output signal indicative of the lay-down location; and a wireless communication arrangement configured to communicate the output signal to an operator.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the controller is configured to receive and/or communicate with a site mapping system.

30. The system of claim 28 or 29, wherein the scanner arrangement comprises a laser scanner, such as a lidar.

31 . The system of claim 28, 29 or 30, wherein the scanner arrangement is configured to scan the dimensions of the container and/or equipment.

32. The system of any one of claims 28 to 31 , wherein the scanner arrangement is configured to scan the ID of a container and/or equipment.

33. The system of any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein the controller utilises an object recognition software tool to identify the container and/or equipment from the received data.

34. The system of any one of claims 28 to 33, wherein the communication arrangement is configured to communicate the output signal to at least one of: personnel in the operational zone of the crane; a crane operator; safety operative, black box recorder, base station or other remote location.

35. The system of any one of claims 28 to 34, comprising a crane.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the crane takes the form of: an offshore or onshore crane suitable for use in an oil and gas installation; a tower crane suitable for use on a construction site; a mobile crane.

37. Use of the system of any one of claims 28 to 36.

38. A processing system, computer program product or a carrier medium configured to implement the system and/or method of any preceding claim.