Load monitoring system for booms

• US 5,557,526 A
• Filed: 09/22/1994
• Issued: 09/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schwing America, Inc. (XCMG Construction Machinery Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Schwing America, Inc. (XCMG Construction Machinery Company Limited)
• Inventors: Anderson, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Voeltz, Emanuel T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLER, CRAIG S
• Application Number:
  US08/310,848
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 73/37, 73/49.4, 73/862.51, 73/862.581, 200/83 W, 212/238, 340/665, 340/666, 340/685, 364/424.04, 364/424.07, 364/508, 364/556, 364/567
• US Class Current: 701/50
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 23/905 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 21/04 Devices for both conveying and distributing concrete pumps F04
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 21/0436 on a mobile support, e.g. truck
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 21/0463 with boom control mechanisms, e.g. to automate concrete distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/0061 Force sensors associated with industrial machines or actuators for the specific machine or actuator involved see relevant class, e.g. F01, F04, F16, B66, E21

Abstract

A system for and method of monitoring the operation of a boom are disclosed. A first parameter is sensed, the first parameter being indicative of a load on a first boom component. It is determined from the sensed first parameter when a load supported by the first boom component exceeds a predetermined value. Information, indicative of one or more occurrences of loads on the first boom component which exceed the predetermined value, is stored. Based upon the stored information, an output is provided which is indicative of whether a boom warranty is in effect.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring operation of a boom system comprising:

sensing a first parameter indicative of a load on a first boom system component, the load on the first boom system component being a function of one or more forces acting on the boom system component;

determining, from the sensed first parameter, when the load on the first boom system component exceeds a predetermined value;

storing information indicative of an occurrence of a load on the first boom system component which exceeded the predetermined value; and

determining whether a boom warranty is in effect based upon the stored information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein storing information further includes storing a date during which the load on the first boom system component exceeded the predetermined value.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein storing information further includes storing a time during which the load on the first boom system component exceeded the predetermined value.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein storing information further includes storing a magnitude of the load on the first boom system component which exceeded the predetermined value.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein storing information further includes storing a maximum load on the first boom system component.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein storing information further includes storing a number of occurrences of loads on the first boom system component, each of which exceeded the predetermined value.

7. The method of claim. 1 wherein the predetermined value bears a known relationship to a maximum recommended load for the first boom system component.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the first parameter is a signal provided by a strain gauge coupled to the first boom system component, the signal being indicative of mechanical stress on the first boom system component.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first boom system component is a boom section.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the first boom system component is an outrigger which stabilizes the boom system against the weight of an extended boom.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the parameter sensed is hydraulic pressure.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the hydraulic pressure is indicative of forces acting on the first boom system component to oppose rotational movement of the first boom system component.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the first boom system component is an outrigger, and wherein the hydraulic pressure is indicative of a load supported by the outrigger.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined value bears a known relationship to a minimum operating total load for the first boom component which must be exceeded for the first boom component to have experienced a fatigue stress cycle.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein storing information further comprises storing information indicative of a total number of fatigue stress cycles experienced by the first boom component.

16. A method of monitoring operation of a boom system having boom components including a boom with at least one boom section, including at least one outrigger for supporting and stabilizing the boom system against the weight of the boom, and including a rotational actuator mechanism for rotating the boom, the method comprising:

sensing a first parameter which is indicative of a magnitude of forces acting on a first boom system component;

determining from the sensed first parameter when the magnitude of the forces acting on the first boom system component exceeds a predetermined value;

storing information indicative of an occurrence of forces acting on the first boom system component which have a magnitude which exceeded the predetermined value, wherein storing information includes storing a date during which the magnitude of the forces acting on the first boom system component exceeded the predetermined value; and

providing an output based upon stored information.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein storing information further includes storing a time during which the magnitude of the forces acting on the first boom system component exceeded the predetermined value.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein storing information further includes storing a maximum value of the magnitude of the forces acting on the first boom system component.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein storing information further includes storing a number of occurrences of forces acting on the first boom system component, each of which has a magnitude which exceeded the predetermined value.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the predetermined value bears a known relationship to a maximum recommended magnitude of forces acting on the first boom system component.

21. The method of claim 16 and further comprising:

determining whether a boom warranty is in effect based upon the output.

22. The method of claim 16 and further comprising:

scheduling boom maintenance based upon the output.

23. A system for monitoring operation of a boom comprising:

a first sensor coupled to the boom, the first sensor providing a first sensor output indicative of forces acting on a first boom component;

means for determining, from the first sensor output, when the forces acting on the first boom component exceed a predetermined value;

means for storing information indicative of an occurrence of forces acting on the first boom component which exceeded the predetermined value; and

providing an output based upon the stored information.

24. The system of claim 23 and further comprising:

means for predicting fatigue failure of the first boom component based upon the output.

25. The system of claim 23 and further comprising:

means for determining whether a boom warranty is in effect based upon the output.