MATERIAL LIFTING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20160016764A1
• Filed: 02/13/2013
• Published: 01/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Columbus Mckinnon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Columbus Mckinnon Corporation
• Inventors: Burkey, John R., Bultema, Robert T., Paradowski, Mark R., Wingfield, Stacie, Johnston, Shaun, McCleary, Brett R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,944,500 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 1/66 for engaging holes, recesses, or abutments on articles specially provided for facilitating handling thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/16 Applications of indicating, registering, or weighing devices in crane hooks B66C1/40; in safety gear B66C15/00; weighing-apparatus G01G; remote indicating in general G08
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/48 Automatic control of crane drives for producing a single or repeated working cycle; Programme control
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 15/065 electrical

Abstract

An improved material handling system (15, 115) comprising a material lifting device (16), the material lifting device having a sensor (23) for sensing an operational parameter associated with the material lifting device, a load attachment device (18) configured and arranged to attach a load to the material lifting device, the load attachment device having a data tag (20) containing data regarding one or more parameters associated with the load attachment device, a reader (21) configured and arranged to read the data tag, a processing unit (22) communicating with the reader and the sensor, the processing unit configured and arranged to receive data from the reader and the sensor, and a material handling control device (19) configured and arranged to control operation of the material handling device.

Claims

1. A material handling system comprising:

a material lifting device;

said material lifting device having a sensor for sensing an operational parameter associated with said material lifting device;

a load attachment device configured and arranged to attach a load to said material lifting device;

said load attachment device having a data tag containing data regarding one or more parameters associated with said load attachment device;

a reader configured and arranged to read said data tag;

a processing unit communicating with said reader and said sensor;

said processing unit configured and arranged to receive data from said reader and said sensor; and

a material handling control device configured and arranged to control operation of said material handling device.

2. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said material lifting device comprises a hoist.

3. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said operational parameter associated with said material lifting device is selected from a group consisting of malfunction, load weight, overload, excessive jogging, starts beyond duty cycle, run time beyond duty cycle, and excessive heat.

4. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said load attachment device comprises a below-the-hook lifting device.

5. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said load attachment device is selected from a group consisting of a shackle, a vacuum lifting device, a magnet, a rigging hook, a sling, an eyebolt, a turnbuckle, a ring, a block, a chain, a clamp and a clip.

6. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said data tag comprises an RFID tag and said reader comprises an RFID tag reader.

7. The system set forth in claim 6, wherein said RFID tag comprises an active RFID tag.

8. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said data tag comprises a writable RFID tag.

9. The system set forth in claim 8, wherein said processing unit is configured and arranged to write to said RFID tag.

10. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said parameter associated with said load attachment device is selected from a group consisting of rated capacity, load attachment device weight, identification number, inspection status, and size.

12. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said processing unit comprises a microprocessor.

13. The system set forth in claim 12, wherein said material handling control device comprises an operator control pendant.

14. The system set forth in claim 13, wherein said microprocessor is programmed to provide an output as a function of said received data and to communicate said output to said operator control pendant.

15. The system set forth in claim 14, wherein said operator control pendant communicates wirelessly with said processing unit.

16. The system set forth in claim 14, wherein said operational parameter associated with said material lifting device comprises load weight, wherein said parameter associated with said load attachment device comprises rated weight capacity, and wherein said microprocessor is programmed to compare said load weight and said rated weight capacity.

17. The system set forth in claim 16, wherein said microprocessor output comprises a warning signal if said load weight exceeds said rated weight capacity.

18. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said reader is on said material handling lifting device or said reader is on said material handling control device.

20. The system set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a data processing platform configured and arranged to collect data via a wireless network from said processing unit.

21. The system set forth in claim 20, wherein said wireless network comprises a WiFi network or a cellular network.

23. The system set forth in claim 20, and further comprising a data processing center configured and arranged to collect data via the internet from said data processing platform.

24. The system set forth in claim 23, wherein said data processing center is configured to communicate with a remote user interface.

25. The system set forth in claim 24, wherein said user interface comprises a customer computer or a distributor computer and said communication is via the internet.

26. The system set forth in claim 24, wherein said user interface comprises a display screen and a keyboard.

27. The system set forth in claim 1, wherein said processing unit is connected to a wireless interface.

28. The system set forth in claim 27, and further comprising a data processing platform having a wireless interface configured to receive data transmitted from said processing unit.

29. The system set forth in claim 28, wherein said data processing platform comprises a data storage device configured to store data received from said processing center.

30. The system set forth in claim 29, wherein said data processing platform comprises a computer.

31. The system set forth in claim 30, wherein said data processing platform is connected to the internet.

32. The system set forth in claim 29, and further comprising a data processing center connected to the internet and configured and arranged to process data received from said data processing platform.

33. The system set forth in claim 32, wherein said data processing center is configured and arranged to provide a report of said processed data received from said data processing platform.

34. The system set forth in claim 33, wherein said report provides information on operating mode, predictive maintenance, operator training or safety with respect to said material lifting device.

35. The system set forth in claim 33, wherein said report is provided via a website.

11. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

36. A material handling system comprising:

a hoist;

a reader connected to said hoist and configured and arranged to read a data tag; and

a processing unit communicating with said reader and configured and arranged to receive data from said reader.

37. A method of monitoring a material handling system comprising the steps of:

providing a material handling system comprising;

a material lifting device;

said material lifting device having a sensor for sensing an operational parameter associated with said material lifting device;

a load attachment device configured and arranged to attach a load to said material lifting device;

said load attachment device having a data tag containing data regarding one or more parameters associated with said load attachment device;

a reader configured and arranged to read said data tag;

a processing unit communicating with said reader and said sensor;

said processing unit configured and arranged to receive data from said reader and said sensor; and

a material handling control device configured and arranged to control operation of said material handling device;

reading said data tag of said load attachment device; and

transmitting said data to a processing platform.

38-54. -54. (canceled)