US3760401A

US3760401A - Crane operated rotation monitor

Info

Publication number: US3760401A
Application number: US00130914A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Tallon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-04-05
Filing date: 1971-04-05
Publication date: 1973-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 1990-09-18

Abstract

A crane operated rotation monitor includes a means to transduce mechanical rotation to electrical energy and means to transduce the electrical energy to mechanical rotation. An indicator rotates in correlation with the crane rotation thereby providing a visual monitor of the crane position. Means are provided to actuate warning lights to indicate danger zones. An alarm alerts the crane operator of a dangerous position of the crane. Additional means are provided to test a positive functioning of the warning lights and circuits.

Description

0 Muted States Patent m1 [1 11 3,760,401 Tallon 1 1 Sept. 18, 1973 [54] CRANE OPERATED ROTATION MONITOR 3,156,907 11/1964 Lanning et a1. 340/198 [76] Inventor: Harry Tallon, 37 Pompton Rd.,

Haledon, N 07508 Primary Examiner-David L. Trafton Attorney-James J. Cannon [22] Filed: Apr. 5, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 130,914 [57] ABSTRACT A crane operated rotation monitor includes a means to if 3" 3m/267 340/ 2 6 1 24 5 transduce mechanical rotation to electrical energy and d C 198 means to transduce the electrical energy to mechanical 1 0 l 2 2 69 rotation. An indicator rotates in correlation with the l l crane rotation thereby providing a visual monitor of the crane position. Means are provided to actuate warning [56] References cued lights to indicate danger zones. An alarm alerts the UNITED STATES PATENTS crane operator of a dangerous position of the crane. 1,937,375 11/1933 Woodward 340/198 X Additional means are provided to test a positive func- 3,638,2ll 1/1972 Sanchez 340/267 C tioning bf the warning lights and circuits. 2,858,070 10/1958 Scharff 340/267 C 3,489,293 1/1970 Sallow 340/267 C 7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED8EP18'975 3,760,401

sum 1 or 4 INVENTOR. f/mQ/Qy 7 11.40 i,

PATENTED SEPI 8 I973 SHEET v3 BF 4 INVENTOR. f/meey 75,

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PATENTEDSEH s m saw u 0F 4 INVENTOR. H/m y 73 a? v Arfo/e/yey CRANE OPERATED ROTATION MONITOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to a rotation monitor suitable for cranes. Construction cranes often must operate at locations within close proximity of buildings and electrical wires. In these situations it is essential that means are provided to monitor the rotation of the crane boom and to provide suitable warning to the crane operator.

Another situation where monitoring the rotation of the boom is advantageous is in a situation where concrete is being poured and the crane operator doesnot have a clear view of the pouring point and. must return the crane boom to the same location many times.

Prior art methods of monitoring and controlling a crane boom have utilized a system involving a plurality of contact points which are used to energize indicator lights in correspondence to each of the contact points. This system requires many contact points to approach continuous monitoring of the crane boom. Furthermore, no warning signal is provided to alert the crane operator of an impending danger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a means to monitor the rotation of a crane boom and means to warn the crane operator of the entrance of the boom into preset prohibited zones.

As the crane cabin rotates to bring the boom into position, a gear follows the rotation and through a gear reduction box the cabin rotationis correlated to a mechanical rotation which drives a transmitting synchro. The electrical output of this transmitting synchro is conducted to a receiving synchro where the electrical signal is transduced to mechanical rotation. The transduced mechanical rotation drives an indicator and a pair of bi-directional dual actuating cams.

These cams are preset with regard to prohibited zones left and right with respect to the front of the crane. Two sets of microswitches are positioned so that the cams actuate the microswitches in accordance to the preset danger zones. The microswitches energize warning lights and an alarm upon prohibited rotation of the crane boom.

The alarm system comprising the microswitches warning lights and alarm is provided with a means to test the operational status of the warning system without actually having to rotate the crane boom.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a means to monitor a crane boom and provide warning lights when the crane boom enters a preset region.

Another object of this invention is to provide a safety mechanism for controlling and monitoring the rotation of a crane boom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a remote monitoring means for a crane operated rotation monitor.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means to indicate the position of crane drive chains with respect to the crane boom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means to indicate the crane truck chassis with the respect to the crane boom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a crane operated rotation monitor which can be tested to determine the operational status of the warning lights and alarm.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A preferred embodiment of the'invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified form of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the indicator with the face removed;

FIG. 3 illustrates a section cut of the indicator of FIG. 2 along the line of 11-0;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of the indicator in FIG. 2 along the line b-b;

FIG. 5 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the indicator cams;

FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment for the indicator face; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the electrical system for the indicator; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternate preferred embodiment of the coupling to a crane.

FIG. 1 illustrates the overall subsystems and relevant components for, the preferred embodiment of the invention. Cabin 1 rests on the stationary turntable 2 and rotates about stationary bull gear 3. The crane operator, not shown, ordinarily operates from within cabin 1. Engine 4 provides the drive power for the overall operation of the system comprising cabin 1. The output from engine 4 is coupled to pulley 5 which drives a generator 6 through pulley belt 7. The output of generator 6 or inverter 18 is ordinarily a 115 volts alternating current and is used to power the electrical drive portion of the invention. The mechanical output of engine 4 is coupled over to reverse clutch 8 and horizontal reversing shaft 9 in a manner well known in the art.

The mechanical force from clutch 8 and shaft 9 connect to the drive pinion gear 10. The drive pinion gear 10 causes platform I l to rotate about bull gear 3. Rotation of cabin 1 results in a corresponding rotation in pinion gear 12.

The rotation of pinion gear 12 is coupled through shaft 13 to the gear reduction drive 14. The purpose of gear reduction drive 14 is to provide a proper relationship between the actual rotation of pinion gear 12 and the input required for the subsequent portion of the system. If, for example, it was desired to use the present invention on a variety of cranes having different types of bull gears it is convenient and necessary to have a means to adapt each crane bull gear to a correlated system input.

A spiral bevel gear unit 15 is used to take the output from reduction gear drive 14. Spiral bevel gears 15 is attached to synchro transmitter 17. Synchro transmitter 17 is well known in the art. The power required for synchro transmitter 17 is obtained either from inverter 18 or generator 6 on line 19. The input for the inverter 18 is obtained from crane engine's battery 12 v. DC which is not shown.

The output from synchro transmitter 17 is conducted along leads 20 to synchro receiver 21 which is connected through a 90 drive unit 22 into indicator 23.

Rotational inputs to synchro transmitter 17 result in rotational outputs to synchro receiver 21 which is coupled through 90 drive 22 to shaft 24 inside indicator 23. The internal composition and organization of indicator 23 is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5. Bidirectional

dual actuating cams

25 and 26 are mechanically attached to shaft 24 by nut 27. Spacers 28 and 29 are also used on shaft 24. Die spring clutch 30

permits cams

25 and 26 to be preset in relative positions to each other while causing earns 25 and 26 torotate with the rotation of shaft 24.

Selectro arm 31 is mechanically connected to cam 26 and selectro arm 32 is mechanically connected to cam 25. The arm to cam angle in both instances is 90.

Microswitches

33, 34, 35, and 36 are positioned so that

micro-rollers

37, 38, 39, and 40 are actuated by the

relevant cams

25 and 26.

For example, if cam 25 were rotated clock-wise from the positions shown, it is evident from FIG. 4 that portion 41 would actuate micro-roller 38 before portion 42 actuated micro-roller 37.

Green light 43 is used to indicate operation of the crane within a safe zone. Clockwise motion into a danger zone would first energize amber light 44 and then red light 45 within an accompanying portable warning signal. correspondingly, counter clockwise motion into a danger zone would energize amber light 46 and then red light 47.

FIG. 6 illustrates the display which would appear on dial 48. The operator can tell from dial 48 such things as his crawler assembly.

Dial 48 is marked in 4 sections of 90 so as to simplify the reading of boom direction with respect to the crawler front direction.

The mechanical operation of indicator 23 is related to the electrical wiring as shown in FIG. 7 and an understanding of the operation of indicator 23 may be obtained by considering an example.

Suppose cam 26 were preset with locator 31 at 50 clockwise in operation as long as cabin 1 were operating within a safe zone, green light 43 would be energized. As cabin 1 turns clockwise within the safe zone and approaching the unsafe zone amber light 44 would be energized by cam 26 at about 22 95 before the preset 50 mark by cam portion 49. The angle 22 15 arises from the particular design selected for cam 26. Cam portion 48 would then lift microswitch 36 due to roller 40 and thus put green light 43 out through normally closed relays 58 and 59 by breaking the contact at the normally closed (N.C.) position of microswitch 36.

During the same interval this action in microswitch 36 makes contact at the normally open (N.C.) position of microswitch 36 causing current to pass to the common (C) pole of the right hand microswitch 35 and hence to the normally closed position of microswitch 35. This in operation passes current to amber light 44 through flasher 50 which gives a flashing to amber light 44.

Additional clockwise rotation of cabin 1 of about 17 55 and before the preset 50 to the right will cause cam portion 51 to make contact with roller 40 which causes the opening of the normally closed portion of microswitch 35 and the closing of the contact at the normally open position of microswitch 35. This results in current to amber light 44 having terminated and at the same time current is passed to red light and through normally open relay 52 power is supplied to alarm 53.

The combination of the illuminated red light 45 and the portable alarm 53 should give wholly satisfactory warning to the crane operator or to any other person who has indicator 23 electrically coupled to cabin 1. There is, of course, no reason why indicator 23 can't be located remotely since this is readily possible in view of known art.

The electrical system for indicator 23 is provided with a means for testing the operational status of the electrical components and connections. Push

buttons

54, 55, 56, and 57 are normally open and provide a means to test the operational status of

amber lights

44, 46,

red lights

45, 47 relays 52 flashers and alarm 53. Switch 60 provides 12 V.D.C. power to the system and power indicator 61 and dashlight 62 are available for the operator.

A crane operated rotation monitor is suitable for a wide range of applications involving the use of a boom in situations requiring means by which to monitor or warn a crane operator of potentially serious danger. Another application for the present invention is where concrete on a super structure is done blind.

FIG. 8 presents an alternate preferred embodiment for obtaining the conversion of rotational force into electrical energy. Here, synchro transmitter 17 is mounted on the rotary frame 1 l with bolts 71 and shaft 72 is attached to stationary turntable 2 by means of bolts 73. Rotation of rotary frame 11 causes synchro transmitter 17 to rotate about the relatively stationary shaft 72 so that appropriate electrical signals are generated and transmitted to synchro receiver 21.

The embodiment of FIG. 8 is simple and easily adapted to a wide range of applications.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all atter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. A crane operated rotation monitor comprising;

a. means to generate a first rotationalforce correlated to the rotation of the crane boom including a pinion gear and a gear reduction box;

b. means to transduce said first rotational force into electrical signals continuously;

means to transduce said electrical signals to a second rotational force;

d. an indicator responsive to said second rotational force;

e. first and second bi-directional dual actuating cams axially mounted with said indicator including a die spring clutch separating said cams;

f. first and second switches responsive to said first cam;

g. third and fourth switches responsive to said second cam; and

h. warning lights including circuit means responsive to said switches and said second rotational force.

2. The monitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indicator indicates the drive chain position with respect to boom position.

3. A crane operated rotation monitor comprising:

4. The monitor as claimed in claim 3, wherein said means to transduce comprises a synchro transmitter attached to one part of said crane and a synchro transmitter input shaft mounted to another part of said crane so that rotation of said boom results in relative motion of said synchro transmitter with respect to said shaft.

5. The monitor as claimed in claim 3, further comprising means to test said warning lights.

6. The monitor as claimed in claim 3 comprising an alarm actuated by said second and fourth switches.

7. The monitor as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first and second bi-directional dual actuating cams are adapted for preseting.

a: a; a a a

Claims

1. A crane operated rotation monitor comprising: a. means to generate a first rotational force correlated to the rotation of the crane boom including a pinion gear and a gear reduction box; b. means to transduce said first rotational force into electrical signals continuously; means to transduce said electrical signals to a second rotational force; d. an indicator responsive to said second rotational force; e. first and second bi-directional dual actuating cams axially mounted with said indicator including a die spring clutch separating said cams; f. first and second switches responsive to said first cam; g. third and fourth switches responsive to said second cam; and h. warning lights including circuit means responsive to said switches and said second rotational force.

3. A crane operated rotation monitor comprising: a. means to generate a first rotational force correlated to the rotation of the crane boom; b. means to transduce said first rotational force into electrical signals continuously; c. means to transduce said electrical signals to a second rotational force; d. an indicator responsive to said second rotational force; e. first and second bi-directional dual actuating cams axially mounted with said indicator; f. first and second switches responsive to said first cam; g. third and fourth switches responsive to said second cam; and h. warning lights responsive to said switches.