This disclosure relates generally to lifting machines and, more particularly, to a counterweight sensing system for a lifting machine, such as a crane, and related methods.
Lifting machines and, in particular, cranes typically include systems for determining and displaying various operational aspects to the operator, who of course may use onboard controls to control the operation of the crane. One such operational aspect that it is desirable to understand is the amount of counterweight present for balancing the load being lifted. Many past systems provide no easy or convenient way to automatically measure the amount of counterweight present in a reliable manner, and instead rely on operator input, which can be prone to error.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a system whereby the amount of counterweight is automatically detected, which avoids the need for having the crane operator independently determine and input the amount. This would increase the operational efficiency of the crane, and tend to provide a check against possible operator errors in determining the amount of counterweight present. The system could also be adapted to ensure that the sensing is done in the correct manner to thereby ensure reliable operation of the crane.
According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a lifting machine including a counterweight is provided. The lifting machine includes a lifter for moving the counterweight from a lowered position to a raised position. A first sensor associated with the lifter is provided for sensing a first parameter corresponding to an amount of the counterweight. A second sensor for sensing a condition of the lifter is also provided.
In one embodiment, the lifter comprises a first cylinder, which may be hydraulic, and the first sensor comprises a first pressure sensor associated with a rod end of the first cylinder of the lifter. The second sensor may comprise a sensor for determining a position or extended length of the rod of the first cylinder. The lifter may further include a second cylinder (also possibly hydraulic), and the first sensor may further comprise a second pressure sensor associated with a rod end of a second cylinder of the lifter.
In these or other embodiments, a controller may be provided for receiving an output signal from the first sensor and determining the amount of the counterweight present. The controller may be adapted to stop the lifter upon determining that the lifter has reached a pre-determined position between the lowered position and the raised position. An input may be provided for allowing an operator to verify that the amount of counterweight determined by the controller is correct, and a lock may also be provided for locking the lifter once the operator verifies the amount of counterweight is correct. A platform may also be provided for supporting the counterweight, and the lifter may be adapted for connecting to an upstanding tower on the platform.
According to a second aspect of the disclosure, a lifting machine for associating with a counterweight includes a platform adapted for supporting the counterweight. A first hydraulic cylinder includes a rod adapted for being releasably connected to the platform and for moving the platform from a lowered position to a raised position. A pressure sensor is provided for sensing an amount of pressure on a rod end of the hydraulic cylinder.
The machine may also include a first position sensor for outputting a signal representative of a position of the rod of the first hydraulic cylinder. A second hydraulic cylinder may also be provided for raising and lowering the platform, and a second pressure sensor may be associated with a rod end of the second hydraulic cylinder. A second position sensor may also be provided for outputting a signal representative of a position of the rod of the second hydraulic cylinder.
In these or other embodiments, a controller is provided for receiving a pressure signal from the pressure sensor and determining the amount of the counterweight on the platform. The controller may be adapted to stop the lifter upon determining that the lifter has reached a pre-determined point between the lowered position and the raised position. An input may also be provided for allowing an operator to verify that the amount of counterweight determined by the controller is correct, along with a lock for locking the lifter once the operator verifies the amount of counterweight is correct.
According to still a further aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a crane comprises raising a counterweight using a lifter. The method may further include sensing a condition and a position of the lifter. Based on the sensed condition and position, the amount of counterweight present may be determined.
The lifter may comprise a hydraulic cylinder. The sensing step may comprise determining a pressure associated with the hydraulic cylinder during a pause in the raising step. The position sensing may comprise sensing whether the lifter is at a raised position, a lowered position, or a position between the raised and lowered position. The method may further include the step of polling an operator to verify the amount of counterweight present.
Yet another aspect of the disclosure pertains to a method of operating a crane using a controller programmed for performing the following steps: (1) automatically sensing an amount of counterweight associated with the crane; and (2) polling an operator of the crane to verify the amount of the counterweight. The crane may include a lifter in the form of a hydraulic cylinder, and the sensing step comprises determining a pressure associated with the hydraulic cylinder during a pause in the raising step. The sensing step may further comprise sensing whether the lifter is at a raised position, a lowered position, or a position between the raised and lowered position. The polling step may comprise providing an input to allow the operator to input the amount of the counterweight, or verify that the sensed amount is correct.
In the following description, there are shown and described several embodiments of a counterweight sensing system for a lifting machine and related methods. As it should be realized, the system and methods are capable of other, different embodiments and their several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the inventions as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures:
a illustrated the manner in which the crane upper may be associated with the counterweight platform;
a illustrate a lock pin that may be used to limit the movement of the crane upper;
a illustrate the raising of the counterweight platform;
a-9d illustrate one possible manner of sensing the condition of the lifter; and
a-10b illustrate the manner in which the lifter may be locked in position once the counterweight is raised.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the counterweight sensing system and related methods, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures, wherein like numerals are used to represent like elements.
Reference is now made to
The second boom section 16 is telescopically received within the first or base boom section 14 and includes a head end 16a of the boom assembly 12. It should be appreciated that additional boom sections may be telescopically received within the second boom section 16 and so on to form intermediate sections of the boom assembly 12 when extended. An internal hydraulic cylinder (not shown) is provided to move the telescoping boom sections 14, 16 relative to each other in a manner known in the art.
A lifter, such as a boom hoist external cylinder E, pivots the entire boom assembly 12 in a vertical direction at a connection point P. A hoist rope H, such as a cable, is also connected to a hoist R at one end of the crane 10. The rope H extends over a sheave S at the head end 16a, and thus may be used in connection with the raising and lowering of the boom assembly 12 to carry and move loads.
With continued reference to
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, and with reference to the schematic diagram of
Using this system 24, the amount of counterweight present for use in connection with a lifting operation by the crane 10 may be determined automatically. In one exemplary embodiment, this may be achieved by extending the cylinders 20, 22 to engage corresponding portions of the tray or platform 18, which may be connectors, such as upstanding towers 30, 32 as shown in
Once the connection with the platform or tray 18 is made, the cylinders 20, 22 are actuated to raise counterweight W, as shown in
Once it is sensed that the rod 20a, 22a has reached the mid-point position, the actuation of the cylinder 20, 22 may be halted, at least momentarily. In this halted condition, the output signal from the pressure sensor 26 may be evaluated (after which point the movement may be continued until the rods 20a, 22a are fully retracted, as determined by the position sensor(s) 28). Based on the pressure signal and a known correlation (e.g., through empirical analysis), the amount of counterweight present can be determined, such as by an onboard controller 100 associated with the crane 10, such as in the operator's cab.
Referring back to
If the proper amount of counterweight is verified by the operator as present, then the operation of the crane 10 may commence, such as by using it to lift a load appropriate for the amount of counterweight present and any other conditions present. In this regard, a lock may be engaged to ensure that the counterweight remains held in the active position during further operation. As indicated in
The foregoing description of certain embodiments provides an illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. For example, while a mobile crane with a telescoping boom is shown in the figures, it can be appreciated that the disclosed aspects may be applied to any type of lifting vehicle that uses counterweights. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/325,091, filed Apr. 20, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
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