Embodiments of the disclosure include a reel hoist interlock system for an overhead crane having one or more sensors disposed on a hook of the overhead crane. The sensors provide a signal indicative of whether the hook is secured to an object to be lifted by the overhead crane. The reel hoist interlock system also includes transmitters in communication with the sensors. The transmitters receive and transmit the signal provided by the sensors. The reel hoist interlock system further includes a controller configured to operate the overhead crane based on an input signal received from a remote and based on the signals received from the transmitters and indicators operated by the controller based on the signals received from at least one of the transmitters and the remote.

Embodiments of the disclosure include a reel hoist interlock system for an overhead crane having one or more sensors disposed on a hook of the overhead crane. The sensors provide a signal indicative of whether the hook is secured to an object to be lifted by the overhead crane. The reel hoist interlock system also includes transmitters in communication with the sensors. The transmitters receive and transmit the signal provided by the sensors. The reel hoist interlock system further includes a controller configured to operate the overhead crane based on an input signal received from a remote and based on the signals received from the transmitters and indicators operated by the controller based on the signals received from at least one of the transmitters and the remote.

A grappler overload protection system uses a load-measuring device to provide a first load indication for preventing the grappler from bearing an unsafe load when the first load indication exceeds a first limit. A grappler overload protection method determines a spread of grappler arms based on information from a first sensor, determines an expected weight of the load based on the spread of the grappler arms, and compares the expected weight to a first limit for preventing the grappler from bearing an unsafe load. The method may optionally determine an angle of a boom supporting the grappler for determining an expected torque on the boom based on the boom angle and the expected weight of the load. The method may take preventative measures to prevent the grappler from bearing the load when the expected weight exceeds the first limit or when the expected torque exceeds a second limit.

A grappler overload protection system uses a load-measuring device to provide a first load indication for preventing the grappler from bearing an unsafe load when the first load indication exceeds a first limit. A grappler overload protection method determines a spread of grappler arms based on information from a first sensor, determines an expected weight of the load based on the spread of the grappler arms, and compares the expected weight to a first limit for preventing the grappler from bearing an unsafe load. The method may optionally determine an angle of a boom supporting the grappler for determining an expected torque on the boom based on the boom angle and the expected weight of the load. The method may take preventative measures to prevent the grappler from bearing the load when the expected weight exceeds the first limit or when the expected torque exceeds a second limit.

An article transport facility includes an article transport vehicle which is suspended from and supported by one or more travel rails supported by a ceiling, and is configured to suspend and support an article, and to transport the article from a support platform that serves as a transport origin to another support platform that serves as a transport destination. This article transport facility has an adjusting-purpose support platform which includes an adjusting-purpose support surface on which an adjusting-purpose device, which is used for a purpose of adjusting transporting-purpose profile information, can be placed in the same manner in which an article is placed on a support platform. The adjusting-purpose support surface is capable of being moved such that a height thereof can be varied continuously between an upper limit height and a lower limit height specified in advance.

The present invention relates to a crane, having a jib rotatable about an upright axis, at which jib a trolley is movably arranged, from which trolley a hoist rope connected to a load hook runs off, as well as a load hook position determining device for determining the position of the load hook. The load hook position may be determined optically by means of one camera only, which camera is mounted on the trolley of the crane and views from the trolley in a predetermined and thus known viewing direction downwards onto the load hook. In doing so, the position of the load hook in the camera image is determined by an image evaluator. To simplify detection of the load hook in the camera image, the image evaluator may include rope run determining means for determining the rope run of the hoist rope running off from the trolley.

The present invention relates to a crane, having a jib rotatable about an upright axis, at which jib a trolley is movably arranged, from which trolley a hoist rope connected to a load hook runs off, as well as a load hook position determining device for determining the position of the load hook. The load hook position may be determined optically by means of one camera only, which camera is mounted on the trolley of the crane and views from the trolley in a predetermined and thus known viewing direction downwards onto the load hook. In doing so, the position of the load hook in the camera image is determined by an image evaluator. To simplify detection of the load hook in the camera image, the image evaluator may include rope run determining means for determining the rope run of the hoist rope running off from the trolley.

Provided is a monitoring device for a winch drum of a crane, the device including: a monitoring unit that monitors whether or not an abrasion generation condition is satisfied for the winch drum; and a notification unit that performs notification based on satisfaction of the abrasion generation condition.

Provided is a monitoring device for a winch drum of a crane, the device including: a monitoring unit that monitors whether or not an abrasion generation condition is satisfied for the winch drum; and a notification unit that performs notification based on satisfaction of the abrasion generation condition.

A lift system for a rotor blade of a wind turbine includes a lifting device having a structural frame body having a root end and a tip end. The root end supports a root cradle and the tip end supports a tip cradle. The root and tip cradles each have a profile that corresponds to at least one exterior surface of the rotor blade so as to receive and support at least a portion of the rotor blade. Due to a shape of the rotor blade, when the rotor blade is installed in the lifting device and lifted uptower, the rotor blade can experience an asymmetric loading. Accordingly, the lift system also includes a variable airflow assembly coupled to tip end of the lifting device. The variable airflow assembly includes at least one surface moveable between a plurality of positions having varying resistances so as to counteract the asymmetric loading.