Light grid system for rope machinery
First Claim
1. A light grid system for rope machinery, the rope machinery including a rope drum having a center line, and a rope wrapped around the rope drum, the rope configured to maneuver a machinery component, the light grid system comprising:
- one or more light grid assemblies, comprising;
sensor frames coupled substantially perpendicularly to one or more vertical post assemblies, wherein the sensor frames are configured to mount substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rope drum and extending along the length of the rope drum; and
sensors coupled to and positioned along the length of the sensor frames, the sensor frames including at least a first sensor frame having sensors configured to emit one or more light beams, and at least a second sensor frame having sensors configured to receive the one or more light beams, such that the one or more light beams are configured to extend across the width of the rope drum and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rope drum, and wherein the sensors are adjustable relative to the sensor frames to move the one or more light beams horizontally relative to the rope drum and in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rope drum;
wherein the one or more light beams are positionable a predetermined distance away from the rope; and
wherein the one or more light grid assemblies are configured to transmit a signal to a control module associated with the rope machinery when at least one of the one or more light beams is obstructed.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A light grid system for rope machinery is provided. The light grid system includes one or more light grid assemblies, including one or more sensor frames configured to be coupled to one or more post assemblies and configured to mount adjacent to one or more rope drums. The light grid assemblies also include one or more sensors coupled to the sensor frames, at least a first sensor configured to emit one or more light beams, at least a second sensor configured to receive the light beams. The light beams are positionable a predetermined distance away from the ropes, and the light grid assemblies are configured to transmit a signal to a control module when the light beams are obstructed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A light grid system for rope machinery, the rope machinery including a rope drum having a center line, and a rope wrapped around the rope drum, the rope configured to maneuver a machinery component, the light grid system comprising:
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one or more light grid assemblies, comprising; sensor frames coupled substantially perpendicularly to one or more vertical post assemblies, wherein the sensor frames are configured to mount substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rope drum and extending along the length of the rope drum; and sensors coupled to and positioned along the length of the sensor frames, the sensor frames including at least a first sensor frame having sensors configured to emit one or more light beams, and at least a second sensor frame having sensors configured to receive the one or more light beams, such that the one or more light beams are configured to extend across the width of the rope drum and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rope drum, and wherein the sensors are adjustable relative to the sensor frames to move the one or more light beams horizontally relative to the rope drum and in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rope drum; wherein the one or more light beams are positionable a predetermined distance away from the rope; and wherein the one or more light grid assemblies are configured to transmit a signal to a control module associated with the rope machinery when at least one of the one or more light beams is obstructed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A dragline excavator, comprising:
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a bucket assembly; a rope drum having a center line; a rope wrapped around the rope drum, the rope configured to maneuver the bucket assembly; and one or more light grid assemblies, comprising; sensor frames coupled substantially perpendicularly to one or more vertical post assemblies, the sensor frames mounted substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rope drum and extending along the length of the rope drum; and sensors coupled to and positioned along the length of the sensor frames, the sensor frames including at least a first sensor frame having sensors configured to emit one or more light beams, and at least a second sensor frame having sensors configured to receive the one or more light beams, such that the one or more light beams are configured to extend across the width of the rope drum and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rope drum, and wherein the sensors are adjustable relative to the sensor frames to move the one or more light beams horizontally relative to the rope drum and in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rope drum; wherein the one or more light beams are positionable a predetermined distance away from the rope; and wherein the one or more light grid assemblies are configured to transmit a signal to a control module associated with the dragline excavator when at least one of the one or more light beams is obstructed. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for installing a light grid system for rope machinery, the method comprising:
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providing a first light grid assembly having sensors configured to emit a plurality of light beams; providing a second light grid assembly having sensors configured to receive the plurality of light beams from the sensors of the first light grid assembly; positioning the first light grid assembly and the second light grid assembly to provide a light grid at a predetermined distance in relation to a rope drum, wherein each of the light grid assemblies includes a sensor frame coupled substantially perpendicularly to a substantially vertical post assembly, positioned substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rope drum, and extending along the length of the rope drum, wherein the light grid extends across the width of the rope drum and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rope drum, and wherein the sensors are adjustable relative to the sensor frames to move the light grid horizontally relative to the rope drum and in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rope drum; and providing a control module configured to initiate a response when one or more of the plurality of light beams are obstructed. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification