Lifting Column with Modular Power System for Lifting a Vehicle and System and Method Therefor

• US 20160002014A1
• Filed: 07/07/2014
• Published: 01/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stertil B.V. (Stichting Administratiekantoor Citadel Enterprises)
• Original Assignee: Stertil B.V. (Stichting Administratiekantoor Citadel Enterprises)
• Inventors: De Jong, Jurjen Jan
• Granted Patent: US 10,787,350 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 3/24 fluid-pressure operated water-pressure machines F03B; hydraulic gearings F16H; cylinders, pistons F16J; fluid-pressure servomotors F15B
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 3/44 with self-contained electric driving motors
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 3/46 Combinations of several jacks with means for interrelating lifting or lowering movements
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 7/04 hydraulically or pneumatically operated
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 7/16 by one or more hydraulic or pneumatic jacks
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 7/28 Constructional details, e.g. end stops, pivoting supporting members, sliding runners adjustable to load dimensions

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lifting column, lifting system and method for lifting a vehicle. The lifting column according to the invention includes a frame with a carrier configured for carrying the vehicle; a drive for driving the carrier in at least one of the ascent or descent of the carrier; and a modular power system configured for providing power to the drive and adapted to comprise a variable number of energy storage systems.

Claims

1. A lifting column for lifting a vehicle, comprising:

a frame with a carrier configured for carrying the vehicle;

a drive for driving the carrier in at least one of the ascent or descent of the carrier; and

a modular power system configured for providing power to the drive and adapted to comprise a variable number of energy storage systems.

2. The lifting column according to claim 1, wherein the modular power system comprises a modular rack configured for removing, switching and/or adding energy storage systems.

3. The lifting column according to claim 1, further comprising an energy regeneration system.

4. The lifting column according to claim 3, wherein the energy regeneration system enables that in an ascent mode a motor drives a pump and in a descent mode is configured for energy generation enabling the pump to drive the motor as a generator.

5. The lifting column according to claim 1, further comprising an energy storage management system capable of monitoring energy storage system status.

6. A lifting system comprising a number of lifting columns in accordance with claim 1.

7. The lifting system according to claim 6, further comprising a central controller.

8. The lifting system according to claim 7, wherein the central controller comprises:

a transmitter/receiver for communication with individual lifting columns; and

computing means, such as a processor, for determining required control actions for individual lifting columns;

wherein at least one of the central controller or at least one of the lifting columns comprises user input means configured for providing the central controller with input.

9. The lifting system according to claim 7, wherein the central controller comprises a central energy storage management system capable of monitoring the energy storage system status of individual energy storage systems of individual lifting columns.

10. The lifting system according to claim 6, wherein the central controller controls two or more independent groups of selected lifting columns.

11. The lifting system according to claim 6, further comprising a signal distributor for receiving and forwarding signals between the central controller and one or more of the individual lifting columns

12. A method for providing power to a lifting column, comprising the steps of providing a lifting column according to claim 1, and providing a modular power system with a number of energy storage systems.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of providing an indication to a user or external system of energy storage system status.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of performing a energy storage system planning for a number of lifting columns.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the energy storage system planning involves lifecycle management of a energy storage system.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the energy storage system planning involves indicating energy storage system status in the selection process for a new group of lifting columns.