A load transport system having a load carrier and at least one load receiving device which for receiving the load is fastened to the load carrier, and at least three positioning cables and at least three suspension devices, each suspension device has at least one positioning cable winch for winding and unwinding one of the positioning cables. The load carrier is suspended from the suspension devices by the positioning cables. The load carrier and the load receiving device fastened thereto are relocatable by activating the positioning cable winches, and the load carrier has at least one multi-cable suspension to which at least two of the positioning cables are connected via cable connectors. Each of the cable connectors is mounted on the multi-cable suspension to be pivotable about at least two pivot axes aligned to be mutually orthogonal, and all pivot axes of the cable connectors intersect in a common intersection point of this multi-cable suspension.

A load transport system having a load carrier and at least one load receiving device which for receiving the load is fastened to the load carrier, and at least three positioning cables and at least three suspension devices, each suspension device has at least one positioning cable winch for winding and unwinding one of the positioning cables. The load carrier is suspended from the suspension devices by the positioning cables. The load carrier and the load receiving device fastened thereto are relocatable by activating the positioning cable winches, and the load carrier has at least one multi-cable suspension to which at least two of the positioning cables are connected via cable connectors. Each of the cable connectors is mounted on the multi-cable suspension to be pivotable about at least two pivot axes aligned to be mutually orthogonal, and all pivot axes of the cable connectors intersect in a common intersection point of this multi-cable suspension.

A trolley for lifting and/or moving a load on lines and an installation and method using it are disclosed. The trolley includes first and second side plates and sheave assemblies. Each sheave assembly includes a sheave axle with an axle shaft projecting from the first plate, a sheave cartridge on the axle shaft between the plates. Each sheave cartridge includes a pulley wheel rotatable on a bearing around an axis of the axle shaft. The axes of the shafts are parallel to one another. Retention fasteners extend thought the second plate to secure the second and first plates through the axle shafts. An installation includes a trolley and main line extending between two fixed anchorages. In use, the main line passes between the plates of the trolley, the main line contacts a sheave or pulley wheel of the trolley whereby the trolley can travel along the main line.

A trolley for lifting and/or moving a load on lines and an installation and method using it are disclosed. The trolley includes first and second side plates and sheave assemblies. Each sheave assembly includes a sheave axle with an axle shaft projecting from the first plate, a sheave cartridge on the axle shaft between the plates. Each sheave cartridge includes a pulley wheel rotatable on a bearing around an axis of the axle shaft. The axes of the shafts are parallel to one another. Retention fasteners extend thought the second plate to secure the second and first plates through the axle shafts. An installation includes a trolley and main line extending between two fixed anchorages. In use, the main line passes between the plates of the trolley, the main line contacts a sheave or pulley wheel of the trolley whereby the trolley can travel along the main line.

Modular, propelled cable-driven robotic platform systems and methods of operation are disclosed. The system includes a robotic platform suspended by a system of overhead cables, motorized cable reels and pulleys. The robotic platform is configured to be equipped with tool modules for performing respective tasks. Additionally, the tool modules each have a multirotor propulsion system. A master control computer coordinates operation of the motorized cable and propulsion systems as a function of sensor data captured by navigation sensors on-board the platform so as to maneuver the robotic platform inside an industrial plant. The system is configured to maneuver around pipings and avoid obstacles in the plant in order to maximize the effective workspace that the robotic platform can reach to perform operations including inspection or repair.

Modular, propelled cable-driven robotic platform systems and methods of operation are disclosed. The system includes a robotic platform suspended by a system of overhead cables, motorized cable reels and pulleys. The robotic platform is configured to be equipped with tool modules for performing respective tasks. Additionally, the tool modules each have a multirotor propulsion system. A master control computer coordinates operation of the motorized cable and propulsion systems as a function of sensor data captured by navigation sensors on-board the platform so as to maneuver the robotic platform inside an industrial plant. The system is configured to maneuver around pipings and avoid obstacles in the plant in order to maximize the effective workspace that the robotic platform can reach to perform operations including inspection or repair.

A conveying device includes: a main movement body; a main conveying mechanism that conveys the main movement body; and a controlling device that controls operation of the main conveying mechanism including a plurality of winches attached to the main movement body and multiple cables one wound around each winch; each winch includes a cylindrical drum rotatable about an axis line thereof and driving device that rotates the drum, and is wound around corresponding one of the drums of the respective corresponding winches helically in an axis direction of the drums multiple times, and have distal ends supported by supporting bodies corresponding to the respective winches; and the controlling device conveys the main movement body to an arbitrary position on a conveying path between the supporting bodies corresponding to the respective winches by controlling operation of a driving device of each winch disposed on the main movement body.

A conveying device includes: a main movement body; a main conveying mechanism that conveys the main movement body; and a controlling device that controls operation of the main conveying mechanism including a plurality of winches attached to the main movement body and multiple cables one wound around each winch; each winch includes a cylindrical drum rotatable about an axis line thereof and driving device that rotates the drum, and is wound around corresponding one of the drums of the respective corresponding winches helically in an axis direction of the drums multiple times, and have distal ends supported by supporting bodies corresponding to the respective winches; and the controlling device conveys the main movement body to an arbitrary position on a conveying path between the supporting bodies corresponding to the respective winches by controlling operation of a driving device of each winch disposed on the main movement body.

A conveying device includes: a main movement body; a main conveying mechanism that conveys the main movement body; and a controlling device that controls operation of the main conveying mechanism including a plurality of winches attached to the main movement body and multiple cables one wound around each winch; each winch includes a cylindrical drum rotatable about an axis line thereof and driving device that rotates the drum, and is wound around corresponding one of the drums of the respective corresponding winches helically in an axis direction of the drums multiple times, and have distal ends supported by supporting bodies corresponding to the respective winches; and the controlling device conveys the main movement body to an arbitrary position on a conveying path between the supporting bodies corresponding to the respective winches by controlling operation of a driving device of each winch disposed on the main movement body.

A conveying device includes: a main movement body; a main conveying mechanism that conveys the main movement body; and a controlling device that controls operation of the main conveying mechanism including a plurality of winches attached to the main movement body and multiple cables one wound around each winch; each winch includes a cylindrical drum rotatable about an axis line thereof and driving device that rotates the drum, and is wound around corresponding one of the drums of the respective corresponding winches helically in an axis direction of the drums multiple times, and have distal ends supported by supporting bodies corresponding to the respective winches; and the controlling device conveys the main movement body to an arbitrary position on a conveying path between the supporting bodies corresponding to the respective winches by controlling operation of a driving device of each winch disposed on the main movement body.