A method for hoisting and transporting assemblies in an underground nuclear power plant, the method including: 1) pouring concrete onto a reactor cavern to form a rock anchor beam; hoisting a circular bridge crane to the reactor cavern through a hoist shaft on a top of the reactor cavern; mounting the circular bridge crane on the rock anchor beam by using a truck crane; 2) installing a containment cylinder and a track beam of a polar crane in the reactor cavern using the circular bridge crane; hoisting a gantry crane on one end of a polar crane girder and sending the polar crane girder to the reactor cavern; hoisting the other end of the polar crane girder using the circular bridge crane; allowing the polar crane girder to be horizontal; and mounting the polar crane girder on the track beam.

The invention provides a crane assembly for lifting a load comprising: a pair of guides (2) positioned parallel to one another; a carriage (4,40) associated with each guide (2) and movable along each guide (2); a bridge (1) having an attachment point (8) for attaching the load, the bridge (1) being attached between the carriages (4,40) through connector arms (3), each connector arm (3) being attached through a lower end (31) to the bridge (1) and pivotable (5) at least about an axis perpendicular to the bridge, each connector arm (3) being attached at an upper end (32) to the corresponding carriage (4,40) through a multi-axis joint (33,35); wherein each multiaxis joint (33,35) is connected to the corresponding carriage (4,40) through a low friction thrust bearing (6)configured to rotate with initial movement of the corresponding carriage (4,40).

The invention provides a crane assembly for lifting a load comprising: a pair of guides (2) positioned parallel to one another; a carriage (4,40) associated with each guide (2) and movable along each guide (2); a bridge (1) having an attachment point (8) for attaching the load, the bridge (1) being attached between the carriages (4,40) through connector arms (3), each connector arm (3) being attached through a lower end (31) to the bridge (1) and pivotable (5) at least about an axis perpendicular to the bridge, each connector arm (3) being attached at an upper end (32) to the corresponding carriage (4,40) through a multi-axis joint (33,35); wherein each multiaxis joint (33,35) is connected to the corresponding carriage (4,40) through a low friction thrust bearing (6)configured to rotate with initial movement of the corresponding carriage (4,40).

A motor controller detects the speed at which a driven member is travelling when it enters a slow-down region of a material handling system. Using this speed and a deceleration rate, the motor controller determines a required slow-down distance to reach a desired slow speed. A traverse distance is determined as a difference between the length of the slow-down region the slow-down distance. The traverse distance extends for a first portion of the slow-down region and the slow-down distance extends for the second portion of the slow-down region. While the driven member is located within the traverse distance, the driven member may continue operating at the speed at which it entered the slow down region. When the driven member reaches the slow-down distance, the motor controller begins decelerating the driven member.

A cylinder is included that has a plurality of tracks integrated into the cylinder. A drive unit is integrated into the cylinder and the drive unit has a pair of drive wheels that each engages the crane track. The drive unit rotates each of the drive wheels in a first direction or a second direction. A carriage extends around the cylinder and a plurality of rollers is each rotatably coupled to the carriage. Each of the rollers engages a respective one of the tracks on the cylinder thereby facilitating the carriage to travel along the cylinder. A transport unit is integrated into the carriage and the transport unit engages the cylinder. The transport unit is actuatable to urge the carriage to travel along the cylinder in either a primary direction or a secondary direction.

A cylinder is included that has a plurality of tracks integrated into the cylinder. A drive unit is integrated into the cylinder and the drive unit has a pair of drive wheels that each engages the crane track. The drive unit rotates each of the drive wheels in a first direction or a second direction. A carriage extends around the cylinder and a plurality of rollers is each rotatably coupled to the carriage. Each of the rollers engages a respective one of the tracks on the cylinder thereby facilitating the carriage to travel along the cylinder. A transport unit is integrated into the carriage and the transport unit engages the cylinder. The transport unit is actuatable to urge the carriage to travel along the cylinder in either a primary direction or a secondary direction.

A method and apparatus is provided for at least holding an object with a crane having a bridge spanning between and movable on the spaced apart rails, an upper platform movable longitudinally on the bridge, and a hoist mounted to the platform, the hoist having a rope and a lifting member disposed at a remote end of the rope. The method includes engaging and moving a positioner to a selected location on the bridge or the upper platform using the hoist; securing the positioner to the bridge at the selected location or the upper platform; securing the positioner to an object; holding the object with the positioner; releasing the object from the positioner; releasing the positioner from the bridge or the upper platform; and engaging and moving the positioner away from the selected location on the bridge or the upper platform using the hoist.

A method and apparatus is provided for at least holding an object with a crane having a bridge spanning between and movable on the spaced apart rails, an upper platform movable longitudinally on the bridge, and a hoist mounted to the platform, the hoist having a rope and a lifting member disposed at a remote end of the rope. The method includes engaging and moving a positioner to a selected location on the bridge or the upper platform using the hoist; securing the positioner to the bridge at the selected location or the upper platform; securing the positioner to an object; holding the object with the positioner; releasing the object from the positioner; releasing the positioner from the bridge or the upper platform; and engaging and moving the positioner away from the selected location on the bridge or the upper platform using the hoist.

A method and equipment for detecting with smart glasses used by the operator an target intended by the operator; detecting a driving command given by the operator; and responsively to the detection of the driving command steering the loading member or the load towards said target.

A method and equipment for detecting with smart glasses used by the operator an target intended by the operator; detecting a driving command given by the operator; and responsively to the detection of the driving command steering the loading member or the load towards said target.