US4566599A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telecontrol system for cranes
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1983-08-04
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Granted: 1986-01-28
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Expires: 2003-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A control for a crane having a plurality of pressure-activated clutches with a control panel in the cab on a swingable upper works. A lightweight portable control panel is connected by an umbilical cord to the rotating joint and a switch selectively connects either the portable panel or the cab panel to an amplifier. An encoder in each panel provide redundant control signals to the amplifier which amplifies the signal with less noise and passes the amplified signal to a decoder which selects the proper current source to activate a solenoid-actuated hydraulic valve to modulate hydraulic pressure to the clutch selected by operation of a control lever on the selected one of the two panels.
Inventors
- 👤 Ferruccio Villa
- 👤 Fabio Castelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:10
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66D; B66D1/00; B66D1/28; B66D1/40; B66C; B66C13/00; B66C13/18; F; F16; F16D; F16D48/00; F16D48/06; F16D48/066; F16D2500/00; F16D2500/10; F16D2500/11; F16D2500/1107; F16D2500/1112; F16D2500/30; F16D2500/314; F16D2500/3146; F16D2500/31493; F16D2500/70; F16D2500/704; F16D2500/70402; F16D2500/7041; F16D2500/70418; F16D2500/7042; F16D2500/706; F16D2500/70668
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
In a crane having a swingable upper works including a cab, a rotating joint and a pressure actuated clutch for controlling a crane function, the improvement comprising; a cab control panel mounted in said cab and including a cab control lever moveable to provide a cab control input; a cab encoder in said cab control panel for producing a cab output signal related to said control input; a lightweight portable control panel including a remote control lever moveable to provide a remote control input; a remote encoder in said portable control panel for producing a remote output signal related to said remote control input; an umbilical cord connecting said remote encoder in said rotating joint; an operational amplifier; a switch for selectively connecting said amplifier to one of said rotating joint and said cab encoder; a decoder connected to receive the output from said amplifier; a variable current source means connected to said decoder and producing a current flow related to the selected one of said control input; a solenoid means connected to said source means and producing a solenoid force related to current; a hydraulic valve means operatively connected to said solenoid means for modulating pressure to said clutch as a function of said solenoid force; and both said cab and said remote encorders producing redundant output signals and said operational amplifier selects the output signal with less noise to amplify.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
In a crane having a swingable upper works including a cab, a rotating joint and a pressure actuated clutch for controlling a crane function, the improvement comprising; a cab control panel mounted in said cab and including a cab control lever moveable to provide a cab control input; a cab encoder in said cab control panel for producing a cab output signal related to said control input; a lightweight portable control panel including a remote control lever moveable to provide a remote control input; a remote encoder in said portable control panel for producing a remote output signal related to said remote control input; an umbilical cord connecting said remote encoder in said rotating joint; an operational amplifier; a switch for selectively connecting said amplifier to one of said rotating joint and said cab encoder; a decoder connected to receive the output from said amplifier; a variable current source means connected to said decoder and producing a current flow related to the selected one of said control input; a solenoid means connected to said source means and producing a solenoid force related to current; a hydraulic valve means operatively connected to said solenoid means for modulating pressure to said clutch as a function of said solenoid force; and both said cab and said remote encorders producing redundant output signals and said operational amplifier selects the output signal with less noise to amplify.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
216 words
In a crane having a swingable upper, a cab, a rotating joint and a pressure actuated clutch for controlling a crane function, the improvement comprising; a cab control panel mounted in said cab and including a cab control lever moveable to provide a cab control input; a cab encoder in said cab control panel for producing a pair of redundant cab output signals related to cab control input; a portable control panel having a remote control lever moveable to provide a remote control input; a remote encoder in said portable control panel for producing a pair of redundant remote output signals related to said remote control input; an umbilical cord connecting both of said remote output signals from said remote encoder to said rotating joint; an operational amplifier; a double-pole, double-throw switch for selectively connecting the redundant output signals from a selected one of said cab and remote encoders to said amplifier, said amplifier amplifying the one of said redundant signals with less noise, a decoder connected to receive the output from said amplifier; a variable current source means connected to said decoder and producing a current flow related to the control input; and a solenoid-actuated hydraulic valve connected to said source means for modulating hydraulic pressure to said clutch as a function of current flow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
216 words
In a crane having a swingable upper, a cab, a rotating joint and a pressure actuated clutch for controlling a crane function, the improvement comprising; a cab control panel mounted in said cab and including a cab control lever moveable to provide a cab control input; a cab encoder in said cab control panel for producing a pair of redundant cab output signals related to cab control input; a portable control panel having a remote control lever moveable to provide a remote control input; a remote encoder in said portable control panel for producing a pair of redundant remote output signals related to said remote control input; an umbilical cord connecting both of said remote output signals from said remote encoder to said rotating joint; an operational amplifier; a double-pole, double-throw switch for selectively connecting the redundant output signals from a selected one of said cab and remote encoders to said amplifier, said amplifier amplifying the one of said redundant signals with less noise, a decoder connected to receive the output from said amplifier; a variable current source means connected to said decoder and producing a current flow related to the control input; and a solenoid-actuated hydraulic valve connected to said source means for modulating hydraulic pressure to said clutch as a function of current flow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The invention according to claim 2, wherein said crane has a plurality of clutches to control a plurality of crane functions; and further comprising: a solenoid-actuated valve associated with each clutch; a current source operatively connected to each valve; a distributor means in said decoder for distributing the control input to the selected one of said clutches; a selector means in said decoder for selecting the clutch with which a particular control input is associated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-27 | 1989-07-29 | 1990-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-27 | 1993-07-29 | 1994-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-27 | 1997-07-29 | 1998-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |