A method for steering a gantry crane having wheel assemblies includes the steps of: initiating movement of the gantry crane; and rotating the wheel assemblies wherein the front wheel assemblies rotate in a first rotational direction and the rear wheel assemblies rotate in a second rotational direction. The first rotational direction is opposite to the second rotational direction. First side wheel assemblies rotate at a first rotational speed and second side wheel assemblies rotate at a second rotational speed, such that the gantry crane moves from a linear path to an arcuate path with a turning radius decreasing to substantially zero for rotation about a central axis.

A method for steering a gantry crane having wheel assemblies includes the steps of: initiating movement of the gantry crane; and rotating the wheel assemblies wherein the front wheel assemblies rotate in a first rotational direction and the rear wheel assemblies rotate in a second rotational direction. The first rotational direction is opposite to the second rotational direction. First side wheel assemblies rotate at a first rotational speed and second side wheel assemblies rotate at a second rotational speed, such that the gantry crane moves from a linear path to an arcuate path with a turning radius decreasing to substantially zero for rotation about a central axis.

A crane system includes an elevated track spanning a first location to a second location; at least one spreader assembly configured to move along the elevated track using a tram assembly unit, and to move a shipping container from a first storage area to a second storage area, wherein the first storage area and the second storage area are between the first location and the second location; and a controller configured to identify the shipping container and control a movement of the shipping container using the at least one spreader assembly.

A crane system includes an elevated track spanning a first location to a second location; at least one spreader assembly configured to move along the elevated track using a tram assembly unit, and to move a shipping container from a first storage area to a second storage area, wherein the first storage area and the second storage area are between the first location and the second location; and a controller configured to identify the shipping container and control a movement of the shipping container using the at least one spreader assembly.

A control unit causes a lifting unit to perform a lifting operation for raising/lowering a holding unit by executing feedback control for controlling the lifting unit to move a position of the holding unit in a lifting direction closer to a target position while changing the target position, and the control unit executes feedback control with the target position fixed while causing the travel unit to perform a travel operation for traveling along a travel path in a state where the holding unit is holding an article. The control unit reduces a travel operation gain which is a gain of the feedback control during the travel operation to lower than a lifting operation gain which is a gain of the feedback control during the lifting operation.

An overhead hoist transfer (OHT) apparatus and a differential overhead trolley thereof are provided. The OHT apparatus includes a rail module and a differential overhead trolley. The rail module includes a main rail and a first rail, and defines a turning path extending from the main rail to the first rail. The differential overhead trolley is movably disposed on the rail module, and includes a walking mechanism and a carrying body that is hung on the rail module by being connected to the walking mechanism. The walking mechanism includes two differential wheels and a driving unit that is connected to the two differential wheels. When the differential overhead trolley is moved along the turning path, the driving unit is configured to drive the two differential wheels to move along the first rail by different rolling velocities.

An overhead hoist transfer (OHT) apparatus and a differential overhead trolley thereof are provided. The OHT apparatus includes a rail module and a differential overhead trolley. The rail module includes a main rail and a first rail, and defines a turning path extending from the main rail to the first rail. The differential overhead trolley is movably disposed on the rail module, and includes a walking mechanism and a carrying body that is hung on the rail module by being connected to the walking mechanism. The walking mechanism includes two differential wheels and a driving unit that is connected to the two differential wheels. When the differential overhead trolley is moved along the turning path, the driving unit is configured to drive the two differential wheels to move along the first rail by different rolling velocities.

A vehicle for moving a container containing a hoisting device for hoisting the container from a first position, to hold it in a stored position at the bottom side of the vehicle and to lower the container from the stored position to the second position; a frame supporting the hoisting device; a first guide and second guide attached for guiding the vehicle along a first path in a first horizontal direction, and along a second path in a second horizontal direction transverse to the first direction; wherein the vehicle is arranged to run, in a first mode, along the first path if the first guide engages with the first path and the second guide is spaced apart from the second path, and, in a second mode, along the second path if the second guide engages with the second path and the first guide is spaced apart from the first path.

A vehicle for moving a container containing a hoisting device for hoisting the container from a first position, to hold it in a stored position at the bottom side of the vehicle and to lower the container from the stored position to the second position; a frame supporting the hoisting device; a first guide and second guide attached for guiding the vehicle along a first path in a first horizontal direction, and along a second path in a second horizontal direction transverse to the first direction; wherein the vehicle is arranged to run, in a first mode, along the first path if the first guide engages with the first path and the second guide is spaced apart from the second path, and, in a second mode, along the second path if the second guide engages with the second path and the first guide is spaced apart from the first path.

In a lifting and transporting device for lifting a load (13) and for transporting the same transversely to the lifting direction (8), for use in the production of a screwed flange connection (35), in order to bring a tensioning tool (13) into a tensioning position in which it is in engagement with a screw bolt connection (18) to be pretensioned, or into a transport position in which it is out of engagement with a screw bolt connection and can be transported to the next screw bolt connection, wherein the flange (36a, 36b) extends horizontally, comprising a frame (2) for picking up and for lifting a load (13), a holding device (3) for holding the load, wherein the holding device is movable relative to the frame in the lifting direction (8), and comprising a hoisting device (4) for lifting and lowering the holding device (3) with the load (13) attached thereto, wherein the frame (2) is mounted on a first and a second support bearing (5, 6) and the first support bearing (5) is designed for abutment against the flange upper side (14), the frame (2) is designed to extend from the flange upper side (14) along the flange face (15) to below the flange underside (16), the second support bearing (6) is designed for abutment against the flange upper side (14) or against the flange face (15), the holding device (3) is equipped to hold the tensioning tool (13) below the flange underside (16) with the engaging means directed upwards, and the hoisting device (4) is equipped to lift the holding device (3) with the tensioning tool (13) attached thereto from a lowered transport position into a tensioning position.