Control device for a hoist mechanism of a crane

• US 6,079,576 A
• Filed: 12/12/1996
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH (Liebherr-International AG)
• Original Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH (Liebherr-International AG)
• Inventors: Morath, Erwin, Bosler, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Brahan, Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US08/766,407
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 212/276, 212/277, 212/278, 212/281, 212/288, 212/289, 340/685
• US Class Current: 212/278
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/44 pneumatic of hydraulic

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control device for a hoist mechanism of a crane, preferably for a crane with a jib which can be varied in length and be luffed, with a hydraulic motor driving the hoist mechanism drum which motor forms a closed hydraulic circuit together with a hydraulic pump driven by a motor, preferably by a diesel engine, and with a locking brake for the hoist mechanism drum. In accordance with the invention in the high-pressure line of the hydraulic circuit a pressure gauge is positioned the signals of which are fed to a comparator unit, a unit for determining the moment of the hoist mechanism drum is provided the signals of which are fed to the comparator unit and the comparator unit together with a processing unit of the control unit adapts the pressure in the high-pressure line to the moment which must be applied by the hydraulic motor and which corresponds to the moment of the hoist mechanism drum by means of a corresponding increase or decrease of the pumping capacity in such a manner that a smooth holding, lifting or lowering of the load is possible when the locking brake is released.

Claims

1. Control device for a hoist mechanism of a crane, installed with a jib arranged to be varied in length and luffed by a luffing ram, comprising:

a hydraulic motor driving a hoist mechanism drum, said hydraulic motor arranged to form a closed hydraulic circuit together with a hydraulic pump, wherein a hoist rope is wound by said hoist mechanism drum,

an overload safety unit having a storage for storing measurement values of pressure of hydraulic oil in the luffing ram, angle of the luffing ram and length of the jib, and

a processing unit arranged to control pumping capacity by comparing hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic circuit with a moment value of the hoist mechanism drum,

a drive shaft coupled to said motor and drum,

a brake pulley disposed along said motor and drum and arranged to lock said drum,

high pressure lines coupling said motor and pump with a pressure gauge positioned in one of said lines and arranged to constantly feed signals to said processing unit,

an engine arranged to drive said pump, and

a hoist mechanism which provided with a counter or incremental transducer to determine current winding position of the hoist rope,

wherein the moment value of the hoist mechanism drum is determined by the pressure of the hydraulic oil in the luffing ram, the angle of the luffing ram and the length of the jib stored in said overload safety unit.

2. A control device in accordance with claim 1, wherein sag of the jib is measured to determine its effective length.

3. A control device in accordance with claim 2, wherein to measure the sag of the jib, vertical angle measuring devices are positioned in its lower and its outer areas.

4. A control device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the sag of the jib is additionally determined from the measured pressure of the hydraulic liquid in the luffing ram, the measured luffing angle and the linear load of the jib.

5. A control device in accordance with claim 3, wherein a hoist mechanism winch is provided with a counter or incremental transducer to determine the current winding position of the hoist rope.

6. A control device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor form a closed hydrostatic drive system.

7. A control device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the sag of the jib is determined from the measured pressure of the hydraulic liquid in the luffing ram, the measured luffing angle and the linear load of the jib.

8. A control device in accordance with claim 2, wherein a hoist mechanism winch is provided with a counter or incremental transducer to determine the current winding position of the hoist rope.

9. A control device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor form a closed hydrostatic drive system.

10. A control device in accordance with claim 1, wherein sag of the jib is determined from the measured pressure of the hydraulic liquid in the luffing ram, the measured luffing angle and the linear load of the jib.

11. A control device in accordance with claim 10, wherein a hoist mechanism winch is provided with a counter or incremental transducer to determine the current winding position of the hoist rope.

12. A control device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor form a closed hydrostatic drive system.

13. A control device in accordance with claim 1, wherein A hoist mechanism winch is provided with a counter or incremental transducer to determine the current winding position of the hoist rope.

14. A control device in accordance with claim 13, wherein the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor form a closed hydrostatic drive system.

15. A control device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor form a closed hydrostatic drive system.

16. A control device in accordance with claim 1, wherein

vertical angle measuring devices are positioned in lower and outer areas of the jib and coupled to the overload safety unit to measure sag of the jib and determine effective length of the jib, and

the sag of the jib is additionally determined from the measured pressure of the hydraulic liquid in the luffing ram, the measured luffing angle and the linear load of the jib.

17. A control device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the engine is a diesel engine.