U.S. patent application number 11/618859 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-03 for failure proof gantry crane and chain jack hoist assembly.
Invention is credited to Julian W. Davis.
Application Number | 20080159831 11/618859 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39584216 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080159831 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davis; Julian W. |
July 3, 2008 |
Failure Proof Gantry Crane and Chain Jack Hoist Assembly
Abstract
This patent discloses embodiments of a crane system that provide
for high-capacity failure proof operation. For example, an
overheard crane system may include a trolley configured to
translate between a first position and a second position. The crane
system may further include a lift mechanism carried by the trolley
or a support span portion of the trolley and be configured to
releasably translate a chain between a support position and a lift
position. The lift mechanism, in turn, could include a fixed latch
configured to engage a first link of the chain, the fixed latch
having an open position and a closed position, and a traveling
latch movably aligned relative to the fixed latch and configured to
engage a second link of the chain, the traveling latch having an
open position and a closed position.
Inventors: |
Davis; Julian W.; (West
Union, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
P.O. BOX 10395
CHICAGO
IL
60610
US
|
Family ID: |
39584216 |
Appl. No.: |
11/618859 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/140.3 ;
254/264 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B66C 5/04 20130101; Y02E
30/30 20130101; G21D 1/003 20130101; G21C 19/32 20130101; B66C
17/06 20130101; G21C 19/02 20130101; B66D 1/60 20130101; G21C 19/20
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/140.3 ;
254/264 |
International
Class: |
B63B 27/12 20060101
B63B027/12 |
Claims
1. An overhead crane system comprising: a trolley, the trolley
comprising: a support span; a drive system carried by the support
span and configured to translate at least the support span between
a first position and a second position; and a lift mechanism
carried by the support span and configured to releasably translate
a chain between a support position and a lift position, the lift
mechanism comprising: a fixed latch configured to engage a first
link of the chain, the fixed latch having an open position and a
closed position; and a traveling latch movably aligned relative to
the fixed latch and configured to engage a second link of the
chain, the traveling latch having an open position and a closed
position; wherein the fixed latch is in the open position and the
traveling latch is in the closed position as the lift mechanism
translates between the support position and the lift position, and
wherein the fixed latch is in the closed position and the traveling
latch is in the open position as the lift mechanism translates
between the lift position and the support position.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a gantry configured to
support the trolley.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the gantry includes: a transverse
beam; a first leg coupled to a first end of the transverse beam;
and a second leg space apart from the first leg and coupled to a
second end of the transverse beam distal to the first leg; wherein
the transverse beam is configured to support the trolley.
4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a hydraulic system
carried by the trolley, wherein the hydraulic system is fluidly
coupled to the lift mechanism.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the lift mechanism includes at
least one hydraulic cylinder, the at least one hydraulic cylinder
fluidly coupled to hydraulic system and configured to translate
between the support position and the lift position.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the lift mechanism is configured
to releasably translate the chain in a lift direction, and wherein
the translation of the traveling latch in the closed position and
the second link of the chain causes the fixed latch to release the
first link of the chain and shift to the open position.
7. A crane system comprising: a trolley carrying a drive system,
wherein the trolley is translatable between a first position and a
second position in response to the carried drive system; and a
hydraulic lift mechanism carried by the trolley and configured to
releasably translate a chain between a support position and a lift
position, the lift mechanism comprising: a fixed latch configured
to engage a first link of the chain, the fixed latch having an open
position and a closed position; and a traveling latch movably
aligned relative to the fixed latch and configured to engage a
second link of the chain, the traveling latch having an open
position and a closed position; wherein the fixed and traveling
latches alternately and cooperatively secure the chains during the
translation between the lift position and the support position.
8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a gantry configured to
support the trolley.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the gantry includes: a transverse
beam; a first leg coupled to a first end of the transverse beam;
and a second leg space apart from the first leg and coupled to a
second end of the transverse beam distal to the first leg; wherein
the transverse beam is configured to support the trolley.
10. The system of claim 7 further comprising: a first leg; and a
second leg space apart from the first leg; wherein the first and
second legs are configured to support the trolley.
11. The system of claim 7 further comprising a hydraulic system
carried by the trolley, wherein the hydraulic system is fluidly
coupled to the hydraulic lift mechanism.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the hydraulic lift mechanism
includes at least one cylinder, the at least one cylinder fluidly
coupled to hydraulic system and configured to translate between the
support position and the lift position.
13. The system of claim 7, wherein the lift mechanism is configured
to releasably translate the chain in a lift direction, and wherein
the translation of the traveling latch in the closed position and
the second link of the chain causes the fixed latch to release the
first link of the chain and shift to the open position.
14. A crane system comprising: a trolley carrying a drive system,
the trolley aligned in a substantially horizontal manner and
translatable via the drive system between a first position and a
second position; a power generation system carried by the trolley,
wherein the power generation system includes: a hydraulic drive
motor: and a hydraulic power unit coupled to the hydraulic drive
motor, wherein the hydraulic power unit is configured to generate
hydraulic pressure: a lift mechanism carried by the trolley and
including at least one cylinder fluidly coupled to the hydraulic
power unit and wherein the lift mechanism and at least one cylinder
are configured to translate in response to the generated hydraulic
pressure, and wherein the lift mechanism is aligned substantially
perpendicular to the trolley in a first direction, and configured
to releasably translate a chain in the first direction, the lift
mechanism including: a fixed latch configured to engage the chain;
and a traveling latch carried by the at least one cylinder and
movably aligned relative to the fixed latch and configured, with
respect to the fixed latch, to alternately engage the chain;
wherein the fixed and traveling latches alternately and
cooperatively secure the chains during the translation in the first
direction.
15. The system of claim 14 further comprising a gantry configured
to support the trolley.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the gantry includes: a
transverse beam; a first leg coupled to a first end of the
transverse beam; and a second leg space apart from the first leg
and coupled to a second end of the transverse beam distal to the
first leg; wherein the transverse beam is configured to support the
trolley.
17. (canceled)
18. (canceled)
19. The system of claim 14, wherein the lift mechanism is
configured to releasably translate the chain in a lift direction,
and wherein the translation of the traveling latch and the second
link of the chain causes the fixed latch to release the first link
of the chain.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This patent generally relates to crane systems, and more
particularly to a gantry or bridge crane that incorporates a
fail-proof hold lift mechanism.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Overhead crane and lifting systems are well known and
utilized in industrial environments to move and transport goods,
equipment and/or materials. FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary
embodiment of a known lifting or crane system 100. The crane system
100 includes a bridge or gantry 102 configured to support a wire
hoist 104. The bridge or gantry 102 includes a pair of transverse
beams 106, each of which is coupled to a leg or support 108, 110.
The legs 108, 110 are attached and disposed at respective ends of
each of the transverse beams 106, thereby creating an open
arch-like structure. In many application, the legs 108, 110 are not
required because the structure or building in which the crane
system 100 operates includes an elevated runway system (not shown).
The elevated runway (not shown) allows the bridge or gantry 102 to
translate along a pre-defined path within the structure. Drive
systems 112 are coupled to each pair of legs 108 and 110, thereby
providing additional support and rigidity to the overall gantry
102. Alternatively, the drive system 112 may be coupled directly to
the bridge or gantry 102. Each of the drive systems 112 includes a
motor 114 such as, for example, a traction motor, mechanically
coupled to a plurality of wheels or rollers 116. The motor 114 on
each of the drive systems 112 motivates the wheels 116 which, in
turn, moves or drives the gantry 102 in a desired direction or to a
desired location.
[0003] The wire hoist 104 is supported by a platform or trolley 118
carried along a top rail on the surface of the transverse beams
106. The trolley 118 is configured to traverse or travel along the
plane defined by the transverse beams 106. The wire hoist 104
includes drives and controllers (not shown) designed and arranged
to control and monitor a plurality of wires or ropes 120. The wires
120 extend from the wire hoist 104 and engage a container C. The
container C hangs from the plurality of wires 120 and can be moved
in the direction of travel followed by the trolley 118 or the drive
system 112, or both.
[0004] The lifting or loading capacity of the exemplary systems
such as the crane system 100 may be increased and/or augmented by
utilizing multiple wire hoists 104. In order to provide a
high-capacity, high safety factor system, a crane system must
typically be designed to support five to ten times the normal
operating load. This excess load capacity is intended to ensure,
that in the event of an accident or catastrophe such as, for
example, a seismic or dynamic event, the load will remain secure
and supported. In order to provide the necessary level of
protection and redundancy in these known systems, a great deal of
mechanical and electrical complexity must be incorporated into the
system design. These additional systems and components, in turn,
provide multiple points of potential failure that must be
monitored, reinforced and/or otherwise protected. Points of failure
may, among other things, include the electrical and control
circuitry and wiring, the mechanical drive and lift components, and
the wires utilized for supporting and lifting the container C or
other loads.
[0005] It would be desirable to provide a lifting or crane system
that could provide for high lifting capacity and/or failure proof
hold capabilities while simultaneously utilizing a simplified
mechanical and control system. These simplified systems could be
utilized in critical environments in which high-capacity and
failure proof hold systems are required to comply with safety
and/or governmental regulations. Moreover, these simplified systems
should include fewer points of failure thereby increasing the
overall operational time and usability of the equipment.
SUMMARY
[0006] Discloses herein are embodiments of a crane system that
provide for high-capacity and failure proof hold operation. For
example, the disclosed crane system may be configured to support a
load during a seismic event that could cause the load to
momentarily and dynamically increase by a factor of five to ten.
One disclosed embodiment is an overheard crane system that includes
a trolley which incorporates a support span and carries a drive
system on the support span. The drive system may be, in turn,
configured to translate the trolley between a first position and a
second position. The crane system may further include a lift
mechanism carried by the support span and configured to releasably
translate a chain between a support position and a lift position.
One exemplary lift mechanism may include a fixed latch configured
to engage a first link of the chain, the fixed latch having an open
position and a positive closed position, and a traveling latch
movably aligned relative to the fixed latch and configured to
engage a second link of the chain, the traveling latch having an
open position and a positive closed position. In operation, while
the fixed latch is in the open position and the traveling latch is
in the positive closed position, the lift mechanism can translate
between the support position and the lift position. Similarly,
while the fixed latch is in the positive closed position and the
traveling latch is in the open position, the lift mechanism can
translate between the lift position and the support position. Thus,
regardless of the direction of travel of the load or the chain, one
of the latches (fixed or traveling) is always in the positive
closed position thereby supporting and holding the load.
[0007] Additional features and advantages are described in, and
will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a known crane
system;
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a crane system
constructed in accordance with the teaching disclosed herein;
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a
trolley that may be utilized in conjunction with the crane system
disclose herein;
[0011] FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of the trolley shown in FIG.
3;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a lift mechanism
that may be utilized in conjunction with the crane system shown in
FIG. 2 and the trolley shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A; and
[0013] FIG. 4A illustrates a plan view of the lift mechanism that
may be cooperatively engaged to a chain.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a bridge or
gantry crane system 200 that may be utilized to transport materials
and/or equipment in a conventional manner with a high safety factor
utilizing mechanical friction brakes or stops in cooperation with a
wire rope hoist system (discussed below). For example, in a nuclear
power plant the transportation of a reactor head, a reactor vessel,
fuel cask or other potentially radioactive or otherwise hazardous
load must be conducted in compliance with regulations and laws
provided and/or enforced by entities such as the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC). Thus, it is desirable for the crane system 200 to
be designed to lift and transport a load while maintaining, for
example, a ten to one (10 to 1) lift capacity or ratio to support
that load throughout a catastrophic event. For example, if the
crane system 200 is designed to lift a thirty-five ton (35 ton)
reactor vessel, then the system 200 may be built with the capacity
to lift and hold three-hundred and fifty tons (350 tons) or ten
times the anticipated normal duty-cycle load. While the likelihood
of a dynamic or seismic event occurring during a lift or transport
operation is extremely low, e.g., around 0.0000001 or 1.times.e-7,
the ability to prevent a catastrophic failure is desirable. In this
configuration, should the system 200 experience a seismic event
producing forces or accelerations of 3Gs (or three times the force
of gravity) during the transport of a reactor head, the reactor
head would still be support and held secure. Thus, the excess
holding capacity of the system 200 provides for a failure proof
hold operation.
[0015] The crane system 200 includes a bridge or gantry 102 similar
to the one discussed in connection with the crane system 100. The
gantry 102 or movable gantry, in turn, supports a trolley 202
configured to carry one or more hydraulic lift mechanisms 204
(shown in an exploded perspective view in FIG. 2). It will be
understood that the lift mechanism 204 may be oriented in a variety
of manners with respect to the gantry 102 or the trolley 202, but
will often be oriented or aligned in a symmetrical manner with
respect to each other (or multiple lifts mechanisms) in order to
balance forces and load communicated to the gantry 102 and/or the
trolley 202. In one embodiment, the trolley 202 may include wheels
or rollers 208 mounted along a bottom trolley surface in contact
with the top edge of the transverse beam 106. The top edge or top
rail 106a of the transverse beam 106 may, in turn, be designed to
cooperate with the rollers 208 or may include a rail (not shown)
along which along which the trolley 202 may travel. The trolley 202
may include a drive system 206 that is configured to directly drive
the rollers 208 along the transverse beams 106. Alternatively, the
drive system 206 may include a dedicated drive wheel (not shown)
that can couple directly to the transverse beams 106 to drive the
trolley 202 and the rollers 204 may simply act as free-wheeling
bearing or support surfaces.
[0016] The trolley 202 may further include a support deck 210 that
spans the distance between the transverse beams 106. The support
deck or support span 210 can be configured to carry the hydraulic
lift mechanisms 204 and/or any control or hydraulic equipment
required to operate the same. The support deck or span 210 may be
fixedly attached to the trolley 202, or may be shiftable relative
to the trolley structure to allow for precise positioning of the
hydraulic lift mechanisms 204. The hydraulic lifts or lift
mechanisms 204 may be a linear chain jack manufactured by the
BARDEX CORPORATION of Goleta, Calif. The hydraulic lifts 204, in
one exemplary embodiment, releasably engage a chain 212 that
extends through the support deck 210. The chain 212 includes a
plurality of links individually identified by the reference numeral
214. The chain 212, in turn, may be secured to a load L.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged partial perspective view of
another embodiment of a trolley 300 that may be utilized to
transport the load L. The trolley 300 may be an extended length
trolley designed to span the width of a rectilinear structure or
the circumference of a round structure, and may be configured to
translate along a rail 302 via the roller or wheels 304 disposed or
positioned at its ends. In this environment, the trolley 300 and
the rail 302 are permanently mounted within a structure as opposed
to upon the gantry 102. For example, the rail 302 can be mounted
around the circumference or perimeter of a structure thereby
allowing the trolley 300 to transport materials therein.
[0018] The trolley 300, as previously discussed in connection with
the trolley 202, includes a support deck or support span 306. The
support span 306 may be fixedly attached to the trolley 300, or
alternatively may be configured to translate along the structure of
the trolley 300 independently of the trolley's motion along the
rail 302. The support span 306 carries a hydraulic generation and
control equipment 308 and electrical control and monitoring
equipment 310. For example, the hydraulic generation and control
equipment 308 may include a one hundred twenty-five horsepower (125
HP) motor driving a hydraulic power unit (not explicitly shown)
configured to generate fifty-two hundred pounds-per-square-inch
(5,200 PSI) of oil pressure to drive the hydraulic lift 204.
Regardless of the specific horsepower and pressure generation
capacity of the hydraulic generation and control equipment 308, the
power generated by the equipment 308 may be utilized to drive and
control the lift mechanism 204. It will be understood that the
hydraulic generation and control equipment 308 and/or the hydraulic
power unit may be designed and selected from commercially available
components and will be sized based on the design and load
requirements of the crane system 200 and/or trolley 300. The
hydraulic generation and control equipment 308 may further include
hard-piping 312 (see FIG. 3A) and at least one one-way control
valve or simply a control valve 314 (see FIG. 3A) that allows the
fluid to be freely pumped into the lift mechanism or hydraulic lift
204, but released only upon receipt of a specific command from the
hydraulic and/or electrical control and monitoring equipment 310.
In this way, once the hydraulic lift 204 is carrying the load L, it
is physically incapable of releasing the load until the electrical
control and monitoring equipment 310 commands and/or instructs at
least one of the one-way valves or control valves 314 to open and
release the hydraulic pressure therein. Thus, the load L is
continuously and held and supported by one of the two sets of
latches (discussed more below) and the hydraulic lift 204.
[0019] The electrical control and monitoring equipment 310 may be
communicatively coupled to the hydraulic lift 204 and the hydraulic
generation and control equipment 308. The electrical control and
monitoring equipment 310 may include, for example, an industrial
computer (not explicitly shown), sensors, proximity switches,
relays, transmitters and receivers, and other command, control, and
communication equipment. The electrical control and monitoring
equipment 310 may further be communicatively coupled to the drive
systems 112, 206. In this way, the electrical control and
monitoring equipment 310 may be programmed to direct and control
the movement and/or rotation of the trolley 300 and/or crane system
200. Alternatively, the electrical control and monitoring equipment
310 may be in communication with a central control room (not shown)
and be configured to communicate control and movement instructions
received from the same. In yet another alternative embodiment, the
electrical control and monitoring equipment 310 may incorporate a
Web server (not shown) that allows for equipment monitoring and
control over a network such as, for example, the Internet, an
intranet, a wide area network (WAN), etc.
[0020] FIGS. 4 and 4A illustrate an enlarged view of the hydraulic
lift 204 that may be utilized in conjunction with the crane systems
and trolleys disclosed herein. The hydraulic lift 204, in this
exemplary embodiment includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders 400
each having an extendable rod 402 and hydraulic cylinder head
(disposed within the cylinder and therefore not shown). The
extendable rods 402 being hydraulically shiftable between a support
or retracted position adjacent to the hydraulic cylinders 400 and a
lift or extended position. The extendable rods 402 each include a
rod end 404 configured to support and carry a traveling cross arm
406. In this exemplary embodiment, the lift or hydraulic cylinders
400 are substantially vertically lined and arranged in a parallel
manner with the respect to each other. Moreover, it will be
understood that one or more flow valves (not shown) in fluid
communication between the hydraulic cylinders 400 and the hydraulic
generation and control equipment 308 may regulate and balance the
flow/pressure provided to each of the cylinders 400. In this way,
the hydraulic pressure provided by the hydraulic generation and
control equipment 308 will be equally delivered to the hydraulic
cylinders 400 thereby causing the extendable rods 402 and the
associated rod ends 404 to shift and/or move at a substantially
common rate or velocity. Furthermore, by tying or coupling the rod
ends 404 together via the traveling cross arm 406, the movement of
the extendable rods 404 may be further regulated.
[0021] A fixed cross arm 408 ties together a top or base portion
410 of the hydraulic cylinders 400. Similar to the traveling cross
arm 406, the fixed cross arm 408 spaces apart and secures the
hydraulic cylinders 400 while providing additional rigidity and
stability to the overall hydraulic lift 204. Both the traveling
cross arm 406 and the fixed cross arm 408 each support and carry a
pair of latches, wherein each pair of latches is individually
identified as traveling latches 412 and fixed latches 414,
respectively. The latches 412, 414 are one-way latches which allow
movement in a single direction and prevent movement in the opposite
direction. In this exemplary embodiment, the latches 412, 414 allow
vertical movement in the direction indicated by the arrow Al and
prevent movement in the direction indicated by the arrow A2. The
latches 412, 414 are mounted adjacent to a slot 416 (see FIG. 4A)
manufactured through and provided within both the traveling cross
arm 406 and the fixed cross arm 408, respectively. The slot 416 is
sized to accept the chain 212 and the individual links 214.
[0022] In operation, the chain 212 is oriented and aligned
substantially in the direction indicated by the arrow Al and
positioned through the slots 416 provided within the traveling
cross arm 406 and a fixed cross arm 408, respectively. The links
214 of the chain 212 are alternately and individually engaged by
the traveling latches 412 and the fixed latches 414. In particular,
the fixed last 416 engages and carries an inner portion of the link
214 when the extendable rods 404 and the associated traveling cross
arm 406 are translating towards an extended position, i.e., a
position away from the hydraulic cylinders 400. During this
movement, the fixed latches 414 do not engage the chain 212 and may
be aligned substantially parallel to the direction indicated by the
arrow Al. Upon reaching the extended position, the fixed latches
414 rotate or close to a position substantially perpendicular to
the direction of the chain 212 and any one of the links 214. In
other words, the fixed latch 414, while substantially aligned with
the traveling cross arm 406, engages one of the links 214. As the
hydraulic cylinders 400 reverse directions and begin to retract the
extendable rods 404, the chain 212 is carried and moved in a
substantially vertical direction indicated by the arrow A1. The
movement of the chain 212 in a substantially vertical direction,
causes the previously closed fixed latch 414, i.e., the fixed latch
414 was releasably engaged with one of the links 214 and arranged
substantially perpendicular to the direction of the chain 212 and
any one of the links 214, to swivel and open to a position
substantially aligned in the direction indicated by the arrow A1.
Thus, while the hydraulic cylinders 400 force the extendable rods
404 and associated hardware towards an extended position, the chain
212 is securely held by the latches 412 supported on the fixed
cross arm 408. Similarly, while the hydraulic cylinders 400 retract
the extendable rods 404 and the associated hardware, now engaged
and supporting the links 214 of the chain 212, the latches 412
release the chain 212 thereby allowing free movement of the same.
Thus, the chain 212 is always securely fastened and mechanically
supported by one of the two sets of latches 412 and/or 414 thereby
providing for a secure hold of the chain 212 and the associated
load L.
[0023] In one exemplary embodiment, each hydraulic cylinder 400 may
be a six inch (6'') diameter hydraulic cylinder configured to
receive fifty-two hundred pounds per square inch (5,200 PSI) of
hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic generation and control
equipment 308. The force (F) in tons generated by this exemplary
cylinder is equal to the hydraulic pressure (P) provided multiplied
by the area (A=.pi.*r 2) of the cylinder head (in this instance
area is equal to .pi.*(3*3)) minus the area of the two inch
diameter rod (in this instance area is equal to .pi.*(1*1)) divided
by two thousand pounds (2000 lbs) or P=(F*A)/2000. In this example,
each hydraulic cylinder 400 is capable of pulling with a force
equal to approximately sixty-five (65) tons. Thus, the two
hydraulic cylinders 400 of the hydraulic lift 204 can combine to
carry or move approximately one hundred and thirty (130) tons. By
utilizing two or more hydraulic lifts 204, two-hundred and sixty
(260) tons can be carried or moved. Alternatively, cylinders of
greater or lesser area may be utilized to increase or change the
capacity of the crane system 200 and trolley 300. In yet another
alternate embodiment, the pressure provided by the hydraulic
generation and control equipment 308 may be increased or decreased
to further alter the lifting capacity of the system(s).
[0024] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described
herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes
and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended
advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and
modifications be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *