B66F7/20

Controlling load transporting devices
10895882 · 2021-01-19 · ·

A control system may control multiple devices, such as jacks. The control system may adjust the speeds of the devices based on their distances from associated targets. The control system improves overall walking system performance by more efficiently directing more of the limited resources, such as hydraulic fluid, to the furthest back jacks.

Controlling load transporting devices
10895882 · 2021-01-19 · ·

A control system may control multiple devices, such as jacks. The control system may adjust the speeds of the devices based on their distances from associated targets. The control system improves overall walking system performance by more efficiently directing more of the limited resources, such as hydraulic fluid, to the furthest back jacks.

Hydraulic lifting column

A hydraulic lifting column comprising a base structure, a head structure and a lifting structure. The lifting structure comprising a hydraulic power unit and hydraulic linear actuators extending between the base structure and the head structure, the hydraulic power unit acting on the hydraulic linear actuators. The lifting structure comprising four linear actuator units with a mutually parallel, vertically oriented working direction. Each linear actuator unit comprising a double cylinder having two-cylinder bores arranged next to one another and two piston structures with piston rods oriented parallel to one another and extendable in opposite directions from the double cylinder. The four lower piston rods are connected to the base structure at the corners of a first quadrilateral and the four upper piston rods are connected to the head structure at the corners of a second quadrilateral.

Hydraulic lifting column

A hydraulic lifting column comprising a base structure, a head structure and a lifting structure. The lifting structure comprising a hydraulic power unit and hydraulic linear actuators extending between the base structure and the head structure, the hydraulic power unit acting on the hydraulic linear actuators. The lifting structure comprising four linear actuator units with a mutually parallel, vertically oriented working direction. Each linear actuator unit comprising a double cylinder having two-cylinder bores arranged next to one another and two piston structures with piston rods oriented parallel to one another and extendable in opposite directions from the double cylinder. The four lower piston rods are connected to the base structure at the corners of a first quadrilateral and the four upper piston rods are connected to the head structure at the corners of a second quadrilateral.

Automatic walking for a load transporting apparatus
10889961 · 2021-01-12 · ·

A control system retracts lifting devices to a stored reset height during a reset operation to raise support feet off of a base surface. The control device raises a load to a stored moving height above the base surface during a moving operation. The control system automatically repeats the reset and moving operations using the stored reset and stored moving heights. The control device may receive an adjustment signal identifying anew height of the support feet or load bearing frame above the base surface and uses the new height during subsequent reset or moving operations. The control device may default to a minimum reset height or a minimum moving height when the new height would cause the support feet or load bearing frame to drag on the base surface.

Automatic walking for a load transporting apparatus
10889961 · 2021-01-12 · ·

A control system retracts lifting devices to a stored reset height during a reset operation to raise support feet off of a base surface. The control device raises a load to a stored moving height above the base surface during a moving operation. The control system automatically repeats the reset and moving operations using the stored reset and stored moving heights. The control device may receive an adjustment signal identifying anew height of the support feet or load bearing frame above the base surface and uses the new height during subsequent reset or moving operations. The control device may default to a minimum reset height or a minimum moving height when the new height would cause the support feet or load bearing frame to drag on the base surface.

DROP TABLE WITH SHEARING DRIVE COUPLING
20210002109 · 2021-01-07 ·

A drop table can employ one or more shearing drive couplings to optimize lifting operations. The drop table can have a motor physically attached to a first lifting column via a first rotating input shaft and to a second lifting column via a second rotating input shaft. Each rotating input shaft is connected to the motor by a drive coupling having a shearing insert positioned between a drive shaft and a collar.

DROP TABLE WITH MOTOR FEEDBACK
20210002108 · 2021-01-07 ·

A drop table can provide optimized lifting operations by employing motor feedback to generate and adapt a lifting strategy that controls lifting parameters. A lifting module may be connected to a first motor and consist of a lifting controller. The first motor can be mechanically coupled to a first lifting column by a first transmission and to a second lifting column by a second transmission. A service component can be lowered with the first and second lifting columns by activating the first motor that provides motor feedback. A lifting strategy can be generated in response to the motor feedback and subsequently executed to move the service component to a servicing position.

NUT GAP MONITORING SYSTEM
20210002110 · 2021-01-07 ·

A lifting column can provide optimized performance with a nut gap system that efficiently and precisely measures a nut gap during lifting operations. The nut gap system can have a rotating core onto which a nut and traveler are positioned. The nut can be separated from the traveler by a nut gap that is monitored by at least one sensor that continuously extends through the nut to access the nut gap.

Autonomous Lift System

A lift for raising or moving loads is disclosed. The lift is autonomous and comprises several parts for sensing and communicating as well as actuating a displacement. In some instances, the lift is moveable and includes optical and other sensors and can furthermore determine one or more vehicle wheel locations to position itself and raise a vehicle up off of the ground.