A gap jumping overhead crane for use with two parallel runways each having a first and second end and a gap between their first and second ends. The crane has a hoist mounted on a bridge having opposing ends that extends between the two parallel runways. The bridge is slidably mountable to the two parallel runways at each of its ends by an end truck. Each end truck has two ends and at least three load wheels attached to the end truck. At least two of the load wheels are separated by a distance greater than the size of the gap to permit the crane to cross the gap in the runways.

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.

An overhead hoist transfer apparatus includes a rail assembly including a straight rail having an empty section, and a curved rail having a curved empty section; an engine including a first LSD having first and second wheels at two sides respectively; and a second LSD having third and fourth wheels at two sides respectively; a moving carriage driven by the engine and suspended from the rail assembly; first and second guide wheels disposed on the first LSD; third and fourth guide wheels disposed on the second LSD; and two guide boards disposed above a joining point of the straight rail and the curved rail. An elevation of the guide boards is equal to that of the guide wheels. The guide board includes a straight edge and a curved edge.

An overhead hoist transfer apparatus includes a rail assembly including a straight rail having an empty section, and a curved rail having a curved empty section; an engine including a first LSD having first and second wheels at two sides respectively; and a second LSD having third and fourth wheels at two sides respectively; a moving carriage driven by the engine and suspended from the rail assembly; first and second guide wheels disposed on the first LSD; third and fourth guide wheels disposed on the second LSD; and two guide boards disposed above a joining point of the straight rail and the curved rail. An elevation of the guide boards is equal to that of the guide wheels. The guide board includes a straight edge and a curved edge.

Overhead transportation system allows multiple transportation vehicles to transport individual loads simultaneously in X-Y-Z guided path. Plurality of overhead cranes supported by a transport vehicle, a guided rail matrix on each level, a lift mechanism at one or more ends of the guided rail matrix, and a control system allows said overhead cranes supported by transport vehicles mounted over the guide rail matrix to travel in X-Y-Z direction for material handling and storage. The guide rail matrix comprises a plurality of cells formed and the transport vehicle runs on guide rails surrounding the cells. Controllers are not limited to programmable logic controllers, microcontrollers etc. In another embodiment, a plurality of overhead crane are integrated with a microcontroller and sensing unit to avoid collision between vehicles and material carried. Optional robotic arms or portable machinery to place material appropriately or perform work (packing, machining, other operations) to produce goods.

Overhead transportation system allows multiple transportation vehicles to transport individual loads simultaneously in X-Y-Z guided path. Plurality of overhead cranes supported by a transport vehicle, a guided rail matrix on each level, a lift mechanism at one or more ends of the guided rail matrix, and a control system allows said overhead cranes supported by transport vehicles mounted over the guide rail matrix to travel in X-Y-Z direction for material handling and storage. The guide rail matrix comprises a plurality of cells formed and the transport vehicle runs on guide rails surrounding the cells. Controllers are not limited to programmable logic controllers, microcontrollers etc. In another embodiment, a plurality of overhead crane are integrated with a microcontroller and sensing unit to avoid collision between vehicles and material carried. Optional robotic arms or portable machinery to place material appropriately or perform work (packing, machining, other operations) to produce goods.

The present invention relates to a self-propelled machine, particularly for the aerial handling of loads, even medium-length loads, such as for example tube bundles or the like.

The present invention relates to a self-propelled machine, particularly for the aerial handling of loads, even medium-length loads, such as for example tube bundles or the like.

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.