Lifting device efficient load delivery, load monitoring, collision avoidance, and load hazard avoidance

• US 9,359,177 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2013
• Issued: 06/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Maynard, Kurtis L., Cameron, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): THOMAS, ANA D
• Application Number:
  US14/088,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20140081534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 212/270, 212/272, 212/276, 212/278
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/46 Position indicators for suspended loads or for crane elements
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 15/04 for preventing collisions, e.g. between cranes or trolleys operating on the same track
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 15/045 electrical

Abstract

A method of lifting device collision avoidance is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining a three dimensional position of a collision avoidance sensor unit coupled with a load line of a first lifting device, the determining performed by a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver coupled with a housing of the collision avoidance sensor unit, generating a geofence for the first lifting device based at least in part on the collision avoidance sensor unit position, monitoring for a collision related hazard indicated by encroachment between the first geofence and a second geofence associated with a second lifting device and initiating at least one collision hazard avoidance action in response to a monitored occurrence of the collision related hazard.

Claims

1. A method of lifting device collision avoidance, said method comprising:

determining a three dimensional position of a collision avoidance sensor unit coupled with a load line of a first lifting device, said determining performed by a first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver coupled with a housing of said collision avoidance sensor unit;

generating a geofence for said first lifting device based at least in part on said collision avoidance sensor unit position;

monitoring for a collision related hazard indicated by encroachment between said geofence and a second geofence associated with a second lifting device; and

initiating at least one collision hazard avoidance action in response to a monitored occurrence of said collision related hazard.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

wirelessly providing said geofence and said second geofence from said collision avoidance sensor unit to a display unit located apart from said collision avoidance sensor unit.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein initiating at least one collision hazard avoidance action in response to a monitored occurrence of said collision related hazard comprises:

wirelessly providing a collision alert to a display unit located apart from said collision avoidance sensor unit.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said initiating at least one collision hazard avoidance action in response to a monitored occurrence of said collision related hazard comprises:

sounding a warning.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said initiating at least one collision hazard avoidance action in response to a monitored occurrence of said collision related hazard comprises:

illuminating an indicator.

6. A lifting device collision avoidance system comprising:

a lifting device collision avoidance sensor unit configured for coupling with a load line of a lifting device; and

a computer system located remotely from said lifting device collision avoidance sensor unit and configured for receiving wirelessly reported information from said lifting device collision avoidance sensor unit and utilizing said wirelessly reported information for;

generating a geofence for a first lifting device based at least in part on a collision avoidance sensor unit position received in said wirelessly reported information;

monitoring for a collision related hazard indicated by encroachment between said geofence and a second geofence associated with a second lifting device; and

initiating at least one collision hazard avoidance action in response to a monitored occurrence of said collision related hazard.

7. A lifting device collision avoidance sensor unit, said collision avoidance sensor unit comprising:

a housing configured to removably couple about a load line of a lifting device;

a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver coupled with said housing and configured for determining a collision avoidance sensor unit position in three dimensions;

a wireless transceiver coupled with said housing and configured for wirelessly accessing a body position of said lifting device;

a geofence generator coupled with said housing and configured for generating a geofence from said collision avoidance sensor unit position and said body position;

a collision monitor coupled with said housing and configured for monitoring for a collision related hazard indicated by encroachment between said geofence and a second geofence associated with a second lifting device; and

an avoidance action initiator coupled with said housing configured for initiating at least one collision hazard avoidance action in response to occurrence of said collision related hazard being detected by said collision monitor.