f Rectifying device of vehicle alternator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT A highly reliable rectifying device of a vehicle alternator capable of improving the vibration resistance of a diode. A connection lead 33d of a diode 33 included in a rectifying device includes a linear part 33f extended in parallel from a metallic base 33b, and a bent part 33g bent 90° or more substantially like an arc from the linear part 33f. The bending radius R of the bent part 33g is set to a value larger than a separation distance w in a horizontal direction between the terminal of the linear part 33f and the distal part of the connection lead 33d. Full Article
f Assembly for assisting the removal from storage and transfer of wire By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 08:00:00 EDT An assembly for moving wire from one point to a second point distant from the first point. The assembly comprises a first unit comprising a wire straightener and a second unit that moves the wire through the assembly. Full Article
f Method and apparatus for manufacturing stator coil for electric rotating machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A method of manufacturing a stator coil for an electric rotating machine includes the steps of: (1) forming substantially planar electric wires each of which includes in-slot portions to be received in slots of a stator core and turn portions to be located outside the slots to connect adjacent pairs of the in-slot portions; (2) rolling each of the planar electric wires through plastic deformation into a spiral or circular-arc shape; and (3) assembling the rolled electric wires together to form the stator coil. Further, in the rolling step, each of the planar electric wires is rolled by deforming each of the turn portions of the electric wire while restricting movement of at least one of the in-slot portions of the electric wire which is located closer to a rolling start end of the electric wire than the turn portion is. Full Article
f Apparatus and method for forming wire By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus and method for forming a single strand wire with improved flexibility and a stranded cable from a single strand wire. In one embodiment, the flexible single strand wire has a solid, single strand wire body and at least one helical groove formed on an outer circumferential surface of the wire body. The stranded cable includes a plurality of strands. In one embodiment, one of the strands has a planar surface that extends along a longitudinal axis of the cable body. Full Article
f Tissue fastner production method and tissue fastener By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A tissue fastener production method of clamping two living tissues together by bringing the two living tissues into close contact includes the following steps: fixing one end of a wire material made of a metal to a shaft body, and winding the wire material around an outer periphery of the shaft body while twisting the wire material round an axis of the wire material, thereby forming a coil on which a predetermined force is exerted in the winding direction; heat treating the wire material to impart superelasticity thereto; and deforming the wire material to which the superelasticity is imparted in a range in which the wire material is elastically deformable, and reversing the winding direction of the coil in a direction reverse to the winding direction of the coil wound in the step of forming the coil so as to obtain an initial tension corresponding to the predetermined force. Full Article
f Windable steel net reinforcement structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a steel net reinforcement structure which is used for a conveyer belt or a shutter screen. The steel net reinforcement structure comprises: a steel net including hooks projecting from both sides thereof; a reinforcement including a slit cut open along a diagonal direction on both sides thereof; and a steel core which can lock the hooks which are inserted on both inner sides of the reinforcement. The steel net reinforcement structure can be wound conveniently and flexibly while reinforcing strength of the steel net. Full Article
f Bead wire winding and forming device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT In a bead wire winding and forming device, a guide mechanism guiding a bead wire to a former is supported to be movable in a tangential direction of the former and includes a movable body capable of clamping and unclamping the bead wire, a guide body supported on the movable body to be swingable in a plane parallel to a rotational axis of the former and having a guide portion for guiding the bead wire in the tangential direction of the former, and a restriction member for allowing the swing motion of the guide body when the movable body is at a retracted position but for restricting the swing motion of the guide body when the movable body is at an advanced position. Full Article
f Machine for binding reinforcement bars By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 08:00:00 EDT A machine for forming a two-stage wire tie around a pair of bars to bind the bars together. The machine comprises an arrangement for passing the wire in a loop around the bars and a twisting head for twisting the ends of the loop together. The twisting head comprises an arrangement for gripping the ends of the wire and a tie plate through which the ends of the wire pass, and the head is resiliently mounted relative to the bars so as to allow the tie plate to move through a predetermined amount of travel towards the bars, to thereby define the length of a first stage of the tie. The machine is adapted thereafter to release the ends of the wire and continue twisting these to form a second stage of the tie. Full Article
f Method and apparatus for rolling electric wire for stator coil of electric rotating machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is an apparatus for rolling a substantially planar electric wire by more than one turn into a spiral shape. The apparatus includes an inner pressing member having an outer surface, an intermediate pressing member having radially inner and outer surfaces, and an outer pressing member having an inner surface. The inner and intermediate pressing members together press a first part of the electric wire between the outer surface of the inner pressing member and the inner surface of the intermediate pressing member, thereby plastically deforming the first part to extend along the outer surface of the inner pressing member. The intermediate and outer pressing members together press a second part of the electric wire between the outer surface of the intermediate pressing member and the inner surface of the outer pressing member, thereby plastically deforming the second part to extend along the outer surface of the intermediate pressing member. Full Article
f Wire loading magazine for twist attachment device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT A wire loading magazine for a twist attachment device includes a magazine assembly adapted to carry a supply of attachment wire segments and a wire loading assembly carried by the magazine assembly and adapted to individually and sequentially load the attachment wire segments from the magazine assembly into the twist attachment device. Full Article
f Device for producing a loop on one end of a coil spring By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A device for producing a loop at the end of a coil spring has a gripping unit with gripper jaws for retaining the spring in a processing position. The gripping unit is movable to and from the processing position and at least one section of an end turn of the spring protrudes over the gripper jaws. A first slewing gear unit has an output shaft and a coupling section for detachable coupling of a tool for the forming of a loop on the spring through upward bending of the end turn section protruding over the gripper jaws. A counter block attached laterally to the travel direction of the gripping unit is movable over the section of the end turn of the spring protruding over the gripper jaws and has a bending edge as a bending form for producing a loop with the tool. Full Article
f Winding mandrel for vasoocclusive coils By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The winding mandrel includes a pair of generally rounded-cube shaped or orthogonally flat-sided spherical main bodies connected together and having a plurality of cylindrical posts for forming vasoocclusive coils. The main bodies are connected together by a transition post, and the posts of the two main bodies are typically offset. A front end post and back end post are disposed on the front and rear ends of the mandrel. A short winding post member may be added between the connections of the two main bodies to provide additional winding posts. Full Article
f Wire feed pressure lock system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A pressure lock system passes a wire along a wire path from a wire source at a high pressure first region to a destination at a low pressure second region. The pressure lock system includes a pressure lock chamber. A first conduit has an interior positioned to pass the wire along the path and is mounted for rotation. A second conduit has an interior positioned to pass the wire from the pressure lock chamber and is also mounted for rotation. A motor may drive rotation of the first conduit and the second conduit. Pumps may maintain a pressure of the pressure lock chamber lower than a pressure of the first region. Full Article
f Fence stay drill bit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST The present invention is a fence stay drill bit used along with a drill to install and uninstall fence stays more efficiently. The present invention further encompasses a method of installing and uninstalling fence stays using the present invention. The present invention has a drill bit extrusion and an elongated body which houses a slot and a recess. In the preferred embodiment, the elongated body has a cylindrical body which is a safety feature in preventing the present invention from accidentally attaching itself onto objects in the surrounding during use. The elongated body is also attached to a large fillet and a stay receiving lip. Both the recess and the stay receiving lip help guide a tip of a fence stay into the slot therein. The slot has a cavity which traps and stabilizes the tip of fence stay while the present invention is rotated by the drill. Full Article
f Power tool for stainless steel metal locking ties By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A power tool for installing a metal locking tie is disclosed. The power tool includes a body and a power chassis. The body of the tool includes a gear carrier, a tensioning mechanism and a cutting mechanism. The gear carrier is positioned in the tool body and the tensioning mechanism is mounted in the gear carrier. The cutting mechanism engages the gear carrier. As the tie is tensioned, the gear carrier moves linearly in the tool body to cut the tensioned tie. Full Article
f Apparatus and methods for filament crimping and manufacturing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Apparatus and methods for filament crimping. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a body and a filament crimp element. The filament crimp element comprises a first set of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a first set of features and a second set of cavities disposed at a spacing which creates a second set of features. The first and second set cavities are substantially opposite one another. The first set of features are adapted to be placed at least partially within the second set of cavities and the second set of features are adapted to be placed at least partially within the first set of cavities. Methods and apparatus for the manufacture of the device are also disclosed. In addition, methods for automated placement and manufacture of assemblies using the crimp elements are also disclosed. Full Article
f Device for internal flaw magnification during wire drawing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A device for use as an adjunct in assuring that a manufactured wire is substantially free of internal flaws. A plurality of successively adjacent wire bending stations are provided, where each station includes means for bending the wire into bending planes which are different for each of the stations. The wire is passed through the successive stations, whereby the different bending planes at each station subject the wire at each station to tensile bending strain at portions of the wire cross-section which are different for each station. As a result the probability is increased that a given internal flaw in the wire will be exposed to the tensile bending strain condition as the wire passes through the successive stations, increasing likelihood of breakage of the wire at the flaw or of flaw magnification to improve detection of the flaw during subsequent wire inspections. Full Article
f Cable tie tensioning and cut-off tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A hand held tool for the tensioning and severing of cable ties, including reciprocating means for tensioning the cable tie tail, locking means to prevent further tensioning upon the attainment of a preselected tension level in the tie tail, and severing means to sever the tie tail from the cable tie head. Full Article
f Cable tie tensioning and cut-off tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A hand held tool for the tensioning and severing of cable ties, including reciprocating means for tensioning the cable tie tail, locking means to prevent further tensioning upon the attainment of a preselected tension level in the tie tail, and severing means to sever the tie tail from the cable tie head. Full Article
f Reinforcing bar binding machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A reinforcing bar binding machine is provided with a device for detecting a power supply voltage during a binding wire twisting step subjected to the heaviest load and comparing the power supply voltage with a predetermined CPU operation voltage, and a control device for driving a motor in a reverse direction when the voltage has dropped below the predetermined CPU operation voltage. The power supply voltage during operation is monitored, and twisting operation is suspended before the voltage drops below the CPU operation voltage, whereby the binding wire twisting mechanism is returned to the initial position. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the binding wire twisting mechanism from being stopped while grasping the binding wire, when the CPU stops. Full Article
f Protective metal netting with interwoven wires, and a machine and a method for its manufacture By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A protective metal netting comprises a plurality of longitudinal metal wires or cables (10) side by side, each interwoven with at least one adjacent longitudinal wire or cable (10) in an interweave portion (24), in which at least one of the metal wires or cables (20) has an almost rectilinear development, or in any case with loops that are less pronounced than the lower-strength neighboring cables. A machine for manufacturing interwoven metal nettings comprises a cylindrical drum (50), on the outer surface of which a plurality of pins (52) protruding radially and arranged in axial rows at equal angular intervals is fixed, with an equal pitch in all the rows. Some pins (54) present on the cylindrical drum (50) are fitted out-of-alignment with respect to the above-mentioned pitch. Full Article
f Drilling rig mast lift systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST Systems and methods for rig assembly and for erecting a mast of a rig and such systems with roller apparatus to facilitate movement of a mast section from a mover. In a first embodiment, the method includes erecting a rig mast section on a substructure, the substructure including a first substructure box spaced-apart from a second substructure box, the first substructure box comprising a first upper box above a first lower box and the second substructure box comprising a second upper box above a second lower box. Full Article
f System for measuring length of a beam extension and detecting support By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST An extendable beam measurement system includes a support; a beam mounted on the support and movable with respect to the support along an axis of movement; a series of sensory points mounted along either the beam or the support in an orientation that is not parallel to the axis of movement of the beam; and a sensor attached to the other of the beam or the support in a direction that crosses the series of sensory points at different positions during movement of the beam along said axis. The sensor generates a first signal varying as the beam is moved along the axis to thereby provide a signal indicating the position of the beam with respect to the support. The system is useful on an outrigger for supporting a crane. Optionally the system can provide a second signal indicative of whether a jack on the outrigger is contacting a support surface and supporting the crane. Alternatively, the system used to optionally generate the second signal can be used by itself to indicate whether a jack is supporting the crane, even if the beam extension is not measured. Full Article
f Method and device for hoisting an item by means of a crane By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A method and a device for hoisting an item at sea with a hoisting device comprises moving the item between a plurality of different height levels. In addition, the method comprises alternately supporting the load of the item with a first hoisting rope and a second hoisting rope while moving the item between the plurality of different height levels. Further, the method comprises arranging the first hoisting rope and the second hoisting rope to extend in parallel along at least part of the distance between the item and the hoisting device. Still further, the method comprises releasably connecting the first hoisting rope to the second hoisting rope. Moreover, the method comprises suspending the second hoisting rope from a hanger when the second hoisting rope is supporting the load of the item. The method also comprises connecting the hanger to an arm of the hoisting device. Full Article
f Crane with automatic counterweight balancing device and method of arranging counterweight thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST The present invention provides a crane with an automatic counterweight balancing device and a method of arranging counterweight thereof. The crane includes a main body and a counterweight device mounted to the main body. The counterweight device includes first and second magnetic field generators and first and second permanent magnetic counterweight blocks. The crane uses a combined arrangement of the magnetic field generators, the permanent magnetic counterweight blocks, an electrical control device, and a transducer device to detect, in a real time manner, output torques of servo motors, whereby when the output torques are not equal to rating torques, magnetic field intensities are varied to change downward magnetic forces acting on the permanent magnetic counterweight blocks thereby regulating loading of the servo motors and thus regulating the output torques of the servo motors to effect automatic balancing of counterweight and improve stability of the crane during a conveyance process. Full Article
f Telescoping system for crane jib and auxiliary jib By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A crane jib system having a main jib, an auxiliary jib, and a telescoping cylinder. The main jib is comprised of main telescoping portions and the auxiliary jib is attached to the main jib and comprises auxiliary telescoping portions. The telescoping cylinder has a first telescopic part locking unit disposed on a base portion of the telescoping cylinder. The first telescopic locking unit is adapted to selectively engage the main telescoping portions. A second telescopic part locking unit is disposed on the telescoping cylinder above the first telescopic part locking unit. The second telescopic part locking unit is adapted to selectively engage the auxiliary telescoping portions. Full Article
f Boom truck for handling loads above and below ground level By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A boom truck includes a telescopic lifting boom with a lifting unit and a support structure having a first support arranged on the chassis of the boom truck. A second support in the form of an elongated bearing and support beam body extends in the longitudinal direction of the boom truck. The beam body is pivotally mounted to the first support about a rear bearing axis, whereas the lifting boom is pivotally mounted to beam body about a front bearing axis. Actuators act on the beam body and the lifting boom as a unit and act to pivot the lifting boom about the front bearing axis. Full Article
f Power and control for wireless anti-two block system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A power generator is associated with a crane boom at or near the tip of the boom. The generator responds to movement of the lifting cable to initiate the transmission of a signal to a crane controller. The signal serves as a start-up or a wake-up signal to the crane controller which may then immediately analyze operation of, for example, an anti-two block device associated with the boom tip. The crane controller may then control the operation of the crane in accordance with signals received from the anti-two block device or immediately identify malfunctions of the anti-two block device and control the crane operations accordingly. Full Article
f Alignment apparatus and method for a boom of a pipe handling system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A pipe handling apparatus has a frame, a boom pivotally connected to the frame so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, an arm extending outwardly of the boom when the boom is in the second position, a gripper affixed to the end of the arm opposite the boom, a first line having a first end affixed to the boom, a second line interconnected to an opposite end of the first line and connected to the frame, and an actuator interconnected to the first and second lines. The actuator changes an angular relationship of the first and second lines so as to selectively tension the lines. The second line includes a first cable offset from linear alignment with the first line and a second cable extending in angular relationship with the first cable. Full Article
f Cable-driven trailer loading system for liner By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A cable-driven liner loading system for loading of an invertible liner onto a trailer bed and unloading the invertible liner from the trailer bed. A movable trolley is supported between a pair of tracks defined by C-shaped members. The movable trolley is actuated by a cable system that is driven by a winch and a set of pulleys, permitting the movable trolley to move along an axis of the trailer bed to facilitate loading of the invertible liner in a serpentine-like manner. Full Article
f Lift apparatus and system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A lifting apparatus for a lift system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a) a motor adapted for providing a lifting force, b) at least one connector operatively connected to the motor, the connector adapted for connecting a load-bearing component to the motor, c) an information receiver for receiving a load limit information about the load-bearing component, d) a motor controller electrically coupled to the motor and the information receiver, wherein the motor controller is adapted to limit the lifting force of the motor based on the load limit information received by the information receiver. Full Article
f Service apparatus for turbomachine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST Various embodiments include a service apparatus for a turbomachine. The service apparatus can include: a frame for coupling to an opening in the turbomachine; a bridge member operably coupled to the frame and spanning a width of the frame, the bridge member being substantially movable along a length of the frame; and a crane member operably coupled to the bridge member, the crane member being substantially movable along the width of the frame, wherein the crane member includes at least one attachment device for attaching to an object within the turbomachine. Full Article
f Method for controlling a hoisting or paying out movement and hoisting frame having tiltable cable shreave for use therein By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A method for controlling a hoisting or lowering movement of a load, which is suspended from a hoisting mechanism of a crane by means of at least two hoisting cables trained round cable sheaves on the load, by monitoring the position of the load and braking and/or stopping the hoisting mechanism upon detection of an undesirable position, wherein the cable sheaves are each connected to the load for pivoting about a horizontal axis, and the position of the load is monitored by detecting a pivoting movement of at least one of the cable sheaves. Full Article
f Compressible stop member for use on a crane By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A compressible stop member for use on a crane includes: a housing having a first sealed end, a second end, a first cylindrical surface and a second cylindrical surface; a free piston slidably contained within the housing in a sealing engagement with the first cylindrical surface; a compressed gas chamber in the housing between the free piston and the first sealed end; and a rod comprising a cylindrical portion with a diameter less than the diameter of the second cylindrical surface and a rod support portion that separates a first liquid chamber comprising the volume inside the housing between the free piston and the rod support portion from a second liquid chamber comprising the volume between the rod support portion and the second end of the housing. Also, the rod support portion includes at least one flow channel allowing liquid to flow between the first and second liquid chambers. Full Article
f Ballast carriage for a crawler crane By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST The present disclosure relates to a crane with a travelling undercarriage, an uppercarriage rotatably mounted on the same with a luffing boom and derrick boom arranged on the same, and a ballast carriage connectable with the uppercarriage via a coupling element, wherein the ballast carriage is a standardized heavy-duty transport device with separate drive and separate drive controller, and wherein this drive controller can be influenced as a result of the movement of the crane. Full Article
f Method for handling and/or servicing components of a wind turbine and a gripping apparatus for performing the method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A method and an apparatus for handling and/or servicing components of a wind turbine, such as installing and/or dismantling components into or from a wind turbine nacelle or such as servicing exterior components such as blades, hub, tower and nacelle of the wind turbine are disclosed. The gripping apparatus comprising at least one arm for gripping around the wind turbine tower, the at least one arm capable of forming a gap between gripping elements of the gripping apparatus. The at least one arm extends around the entire outer circumference, seen perpendicular to a horizontal plane, of the wind turbine tower. Full Article
f Load hook control device for a crane By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A crane, in particular a lattice mast crane, having a bottom hook block with a load suspension means, in particular a load hook, wherein the bottom hook block has at least one winch whose outgoing control rope is connected or connectable to the crane boom for securing and/or aligning the load position or bottom hook block position. Full Article
f Lift and mount apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The present invention provides devices, apparatuses, and systems for lifting and mounting of clinical- and research-related equipment. In particular, the present invention provides a lift and mount system for mass spectrometers (e.g., for time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometers (MS)). Full Article
f Monitoring and alarm device for construction machinery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a monitoring and alarm device for construction machinery having long and heavy booms, such as cranes, in particular mobile cranes, is characterized in that a monitor system is provided, which monitors parameters that may change in case of an undesired lowering of the boom or of boom sections in a non-operating condition, and triggers an optical and/acoustic and/or wireless alarm system if the parameters change. Full Article
f Method of swing stopping control and system of swing stopping control of suspended load of crane By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A method of swing stopping control of a suspended load of a crane including a hoist and a trolley solves an equation of motion, given as an equation with respect to the deviation angle of a suspended load from the vertical direction when the trolley travels, for the trolley acceleration to thereby obtain the value of the acceleration or deceleration of the trolley, obtains speed patterns corresponding to the values of the acceleration or deceleration, drives the trolley according to the obtained speed patterns, and carries out control so that the deviation angle of the suspended load from the vertical direction becomes zero at the time when the acceleration or deceleration of the trolley is ended. Thus, even if the length of a rope holding the suspended load up is changed, a required speed pattern is produced to permit highly accurate positioning. Full Article
f Luffing-jib tower crane with jib angle error control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A luffing-jib tower crane, comprising a tower and a jib which is connected to the tower via a joint and is held by a luffing cable, wherein the length of the luffing cable can be changed by a drawing-in unit, by the luffing cable being wound onto or unwound from a cable drum of the drawing-in unit, wherein the angle of the jib with respect to the horizontal plane is measured by a first sensor winch is attached to the jib (first angular value), wherein a measuring device measures the length of the unwound part of the luffing cable, from which length the minimum angle of the jib with respect to the horizontal plane (second angular value) can be calculated, and the first angular value can be compared with the second angular value. Full Article
f Counterweight block and assemblies for cranes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A counterweight block apparatus includes a pair of interconnecting counterweight blocks having top and bottom surfaces, the counterweight blocks forming a plane of interconnection along adjacent sides thereof; and a shear bar releasably secured between the adjacent sides of the interconnecting counterweight blocks, generally perpendicular to the plane of interconnection, to provide resistance to relative vertical movement of the interconnecting counterweight blocks along the plane of interconnection. In another aspect, each counterweight block includes in at least one side thereof an indentation from a top of the counterweight block to a depth more shallow than the thickness of the counterweight block, the indentation defining a lip for hand grabbing. An aperture may be formed through the rest of the thickness of the counterweigh block at each indentation, wherein a securing strap can be run through each aperture of a stacked plurality of counterweight blocks to secure them to each other. Full Article
f Controlling method, system and device for hook deviation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A controlling method for a hook deviation to regulate the deviation angle of a telescopic crane hook, involves following steps: A. Detecting the deviation angle and deviation direction of a rope, which is linked to the hook, in the horizontal plane relative to the direction of gravitational force; B. Judging whether the deviation angle is more than the predetermined value, if the deviation angle is more than the predetermined value, then turning to step C, and if the deviation angle is less than the predetermined value, then turning to step A; C. Compensatively controlling the deviation angle of the hook according to the deviation angle and direction. And a controlling system for the hook deviation and a controlling device for the hook deviation are provided. The method or system or device enables the detection of the deviation angle and direction of the hook in a quick and precise manner, and the compensatory control of the deviation angle of the hook is performed according to the detected deviation angle and direction, thus it avoids overdependence on human factor and reduces potential safety risks. Full Article
f Hydraulic braking apparatus for a crane drive and crane By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic braking apparatus for a crane drive for carrying out crane work, in particular a slewing gear, having at least one hydraulic stopping brake for braking the drive movement of the crane drive in an emergency situation, wherein at least one pressure regulation valve is provided for controlling at least one stopping brake to ensure a time-delayed braking torque build-up. Full Article
f Method for mounting wind turbine blades to a wind turbine hub By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A method for mounting a wind turbine blade to a wind turbine hub by use of a crane boom is provided. An orientation of the blade is kept substantially horizontal when the blade is lifted off the ground and mounted to the rotor hub. Control wires, which connect the blade via the crane boom to a winch arrangement, are used for keeping the blade orientation substantially horizontal in addition to at least one bearing wire for bearing the blade weight. Full Article
f Cabling configuration for railless elevators By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An elevator including a car is arranged in a shaft. A set of compensator cables are attached to a bottom of the car and engaged with a compensator drum. A set of hoist cables are attached to a top of the car and engaged with a hoist drum to move the car vertically in the shaft, wherein the set of compensator cables and the set of hoist cables are configured to only move the car vertically. Full Article
f Lift systems with continuous in-rail charging By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Rail-mounted lift systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, the lift system includes a rail having at least one conductor positioned on an upper interior surface of the rail. A carriage may be slidably disposed in the rail for relative movement to the rail. The carriage generally includes a carriage body, at least one pair of support wheels rotatably coupled to the carriage body and slidably engaged with the rail, and a conductor truck comprising at least one conductive roller rotatably attached to the conductor truck. The conductor truck may be mounted to the carriage body with a biasing member upwardly biasing the conductive roller into rolling engagement with the at least one conductor. A lift unit may be coupled to the carriage body and includes a motor paying out and taking up a lifting strap. The lift unit is electrically coupled to the at least one conductive roller. Full Article
f Fly jib for a crane and method of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fly jib for a crane having a load block includes a variable length beam to which a load can be connected. A rotation mechanism is connected to the variable length beam, and is connectable to the load block so that said rotational mechanism can selectively rotate the variable length beam with respect to the load block. A balance mechanism is connected to the variable length beam, the balance mechanism automatically keeps the variable length beam in a horizontal position. Full Article
f Mobile lift crane with variable position counterweight By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A mobile lift crane includes a carbody; a rotating bed; a boom; a moveable counterweight unit; at least one linear actuation device; and at least one arm pivotally connected at a first end to the rotating bed and at a second end to the linear actuation device. The arm and linear actuation device are connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit such that extension and retraction of the linear actuation device changes the position of the counterweight unit compared to the rotating bed. In one method of operation, the counterweight unit is never supported by the ground during crane pick, move and set operations other than indirectly by the ground engaging members on the carbody. Full Article
f Movement system configured for moving a payload in a plurality of directions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A movement system includes a bridge crane, a trolley, and a movement device. The movement device includes an attachment portion, a plurality of housings, first and second curved elements, a cable, and a cable angle sensor. The curved elements are pivotally attached to housings and perpendicularly overlap with one another such that a first slot defined in the first curved element is perpendicular to a second slot defined in the second curved element. The first curved element is pivotable about a first axis and the second curved element is configured to pivot about a second axis. The cable extends from the attachment portion and through each of the slots. The cable is pivotable to angularly displace at least one of the curved elements about a respective axis. The cable angle sensor is configured to measure the angular displacement of the at least one of the first and second curved elements. Full Article