Systems and methods are disclosed for package delivery using unmanned aerial vehicles. Example methods may include positioning a first component at a first elevation, and operatively connecting the first component to a winch; positioning a second component at a second elevation higher than the first elevation; and configuring cable of a lifting component to: operatively connect to the first component and the second component, connect to and disconnect from a vehicle, and lift the vehicle from the first component towards the second component using the winch.

A smart lifting device, a system, and a related and method for evaluating a duty cycle status of a lifting device suspendable from a support for lifting loads are disclosed. The subject matter may include attaching a load to a base member; lifting the base member and the load using the support; monitoring parameters related to the lifting step using at least one sensor and a lift monitor attached to the base member, the at least one sensor detecting at least an instance of lifting; and reporting information related to the determined parameters. The device and system may include base members and lift monitors with sensors and/or communications devices, as well as optional computer interfaces.

Provided is an estimation apparatus for estimating a number of wound layers of a wire rope in a crane including a boom, a winch drum, and the wire rope wound around the winch drum, the estimation apparatus being mounted on the crane, the estimation apparatus including: a calculation unit that calculates a delivery length of the wire rope; a detection unit that detects a rotational amount of the winch drum; and a control unit that estimates the number of wound layers, based on a difference in the delivery length of the wire rope and a difference in the rotational amount of the winch drum between a first orientation. and a second orientation of the boom.

Provided is an estimation apparatus for estimating a number of wound layers of a wire rope in a crane including a boom, a winch drum, and the wire rope wound around the winch drum, the estimation apparatus being mounted on the crane, the estimation apparatus including: a calculation unit that calculates a delivery length of the wire rope; a detection unit that detects a rotational amount of the winch drum; and a control unit that estimates the number of wound layers, based on a difference in the delivery length of the wire rope and a difference in the rotational amount of the winch drum between a first orientation. and a second orientation of the boom.

A method and system for controlling an actuator, in particular an actuator of a winch, a hoist or a crane, wherein the actuator is controlled using a fail-safe control unit. In order to improve a corresponding method, according to the invention, set point values are calculated in the fail-safe control unit, on the basis of which values the actuator is controlled.

Disclosed are an online monitoring system for a crack on a hoist spindle and an operation method thereof. The system comprises: a rope power part, a crack detection part, a wireless transmission part, and a computer. The rope power part comprises two traction ropes, two guide wheels, two stepper motors, and two stepper motor drivers. The crack detection part comprises a spiral tube guide rail, a sliding body, and an ultrasonic generator. The wireless transmission part comprises three zigbee wireless sensing modules. The zigbee wireless sensing modules receive instructions from the computer and transmit the instructions to the stepper motor drivers to control the motors to rotate. The stepper motors drive the guide wheels to rotate to realize the winding of the ropes, so as to pull the sliding body to slide on the spiral tube guide rail. The ultrasonic generator clamped on the sliding body monitors the rotating spindle along the spiral tube guide rail. The zigbee wireless sensing modules transmit the detected data to the computer in real time. The present invention can effectively monitor a hoist spindle in time before a failure occurs, thereby avoiding safety accidents.

A hoist, a hoisting apparatus with said hoist and a method for securing a hoist. A hoist body having a drive mechanism for raising or lowering a hoist chain or a hoist cable is suspended from a support device by a hoist support. A safety device having a loosely arranged coupling element and a damping element is mounted between the hoist body and the support device. If the hoist support is released, the hoist body can drop by a drop height until the coupling element becomes taut. The damping element then damps the fall under the load of the hoist body, the hoist chain and whatever load is suspended from it.

A hoist, a hoisting apparatus with said hoist and a method for securing a hoist. A hoist body having a drive mechanism for raising or lowering a hoist chain or a hoist cable is suspended from a support device by a hoist support. A safety device having a loosely arranged coupling element and a damping element is mounted between the hoist body and the support device. If the hoist support is released, the hoist body can drop by a drop height until the coupling element becomes taut. The damping element then damps the fall under the load of the hoist body, the hoist chain and whatever load is suspended from it.

An electric winch control module of this disclosure provides improved means for detecting changes in a current carried by an electric winch motor power lead. The module's housing includes a magnetic flux shield contained within an exposed channel of the housing and located at or toward a vertical centerline of the channel and opposite a magnetic flux sensor of the control module. The magnetic flux shield is made of a ferromagnetic material and includes a bottom wall spanning the width of the open bottom of the channel, an open top arranged opposite the top wall of the channel, and opposing sidewalls opposite a respective sidewall of the channel. The shield surrounds the side and lower portions of the lead below the sensor when in the channel, shielding the wire and sensor from outside interference while at the same time exposing an upper portion of the lead to the sensor.

An electric winch control module of this disclosure provides improved means for detecting changes in a current carried by an electric winch motor power lead. The module's housing includes a magnetic flux shield contained within an exposed channel of the housing and located at or toward a vertical centerline of the channel and opposite a magnetic flux sensor of the control module. The magnetic flux shield is made of a ferromagnetic material and includes a bottom wall spanning the width of the open bottom of the channel, an open top arranged opposite the top wall of the channel, and opposing sidewalls opposite a respective sidewall of the channel. The shield surrounds the side and lower portions of the lead below the sensor when in the channel, shielding the wire and sensor from outside interference while at the same time exposing an upper portion of the lead to the sensor.