Aspects of the disclosure include apparatus for and methods of facilitating transfer of objects using a crane. Disclosed apparatuses include a target tracking device mounted on or near a crane at a first location, and a target located near a landing location for the object. The target tracking device and the target facilitate real time determination of relative motion between the two locations. Methods of using the same are also disclosed.

A swivel device with rotation damping, adapted to rotationally couple a hoist cable to a hoist hook, the device including: a first disc fixedly mounted on a central axle and adapted to be operationally coupled to a distal end of the cable by a non-rotating coupling; a second disc rotationally mounted on said central axle and spaced apart from said first disc, said second disc adapted to be operationally coupled to the hoist hook by a non-rotating coupling; a first set of magnets mounted on said first disc; and a second set of magnets mounted on said second disc, magnetic fields of said first set of magnets interacting with magnetic fields of said second set of magnets to damp rotation of said second disc about said central axle.

A rope guiding device used in connection with the rope hoist to guide a hoisting rope. The inventive rope guiding device of a rope hoist for guiding a hoisting rope on a rope drum which rope drum may be adapted to rotate in order to wind the hoisting rope around the rope drum or off the rope drum to hoist and lower a load adapted on the hoisting rope, the rope guiding device comprising at least one guiding element to guide the hoisting rope of the rope hoist, and a screw to move said at least one guiding element, is characterized in that wherein the rope guiding device is supported to the body of a trolley of the rope hoist by means of a support arrangement which support arrangement comprises first pivotings and second pivotings adapted to a substantially 90-degree angle in relation to said first pivotings.

An assembly includes a hoist or a winch, a cable, and a fleet angle sensor. The fleet angle sensor includes a frame disposed around an opening and the cable extends through the opening. A first photodetector with multiple light-receiving zones is mounted on the frame. A first light source is mounted on the frame opposite the first photodetector. A shield device is under the frame and includes a shield frame and a cover. The shield frame is around the cable and the cover extends from the shield frame toward the cable, with the cable extending through the cover.

An assembly includes a hoist or a winch, a cable, and a fleet angle sensor. The fleet angle sensor includes a frame disposed around an opening and the cable extends through the opening. A first photodetector with multiple light-receiving zones is mounted on the frame. A first light source is mounted on the frame opposite the first photodetector. A shield device is under the frame and includes a shield frame and a cover. The shield frame is around the cable and the cover extends from the shield frame toward the cable, with the cable extending through the cover.

Adjustable load leveler apparatus and related methods for use with automotive manufacturing systems are disclosed. A disclosed automotive manufacturing system includes a hoist supported by a support structure and configured to carry a vehicle component. The automotive manufacturing system also includes a load leveler mechanism attached to the hoist. The load leveler mechanism includes a frame, a weight movably coupled to the frame, and an actuator operatively coupled to the weight. The automotive manufacturing system also includes control circuitry connected to the actuator and an input device connected to the control circuitry and configured to generate input data in response to a user interacting with the input device. The control circuitry is configured to move, via the actuator, the weight relative to the hoist based on the input data to adjust a levelness of the hoist.

Adjustable load leveler apparatus and related methods for use with automotive manufacturing systems are disclosed. A disclosed automotive manufacturing system includes a hoist supported by a support structure and configured to carry a vehicle component. The automotive manufacturing system also includes a load leveler mechanism attached to the hoist. The load leveler mechanism includes a frame, a weight movably coupled to the frame, and an actuator operatively coupled to the weight. The automotive manufacturing system also includes control circuitry connected to the actuator and an input device connected to the control circuitry and configured to generate input data in response to a user interacting with the input device. The control circuitry is configured to move, via the actuator, the weight relative to the hoist based on the input data to adjust a levelness of the hoist.

Disclosed is a knuckle boom crane for offshore application, wherein the crane includes a knuckle boom, carried by a support structure and equipped with an operating unit. The knuckle boom includes a main boom and a terminal boom. The operating unit of the knuckle boom include at least one downstream linear actuator, arranged between the main boom and the terminal boom, for the rotational operation of the terminal boom about a downstream articulation axis. And the at least one downstream linear actuator is fastened to one of the lateral faces of the main boom and to one of the lateral faces of the terminal boom, in order to provide an improved lever arm between the main boom and the terminal boom.

Disclosed is a knuckle boom crane for offshore application, wherein the crane includes a knuckle boom, carried by a support structure and equipped with an operating unit. The knuckle boom includes a main boom and a terminal boom. The operating unit of the knuckle boom include at least one downstream linear actuator, arranged between the main boom and the terminal boom, for the rotational operation of the terminal boom about a downstream articulation axis. And the at least one downstream linear actuator is fastened to one of the lateral faces of the main boom and to one of the lateral faces of the terminal boom, in order to provide an improved lever arm between the main boom and the terminal boom.

A method and device for preventing impact vibration of a lift system include: acquiring a load weight in a lift container; obtaining preset basic parameters of a lift system; according to the load weight in the lift container and the basic parameters of the lift system, determining a fundamental wave vibration period of a lifting rope when the lift system starts; according to the fundamental wave vibration period and preset calculation parameters of the lift system, determining time-varying simulation parameters of an acceleration of the lift system during a lifting process; according to determined time-varying simulation parameters of the acceleration, lifting the lift container.