Lead wheel steering system for a gantry crane
US6206127A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB66C19/007
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A steering apparatus and method are provided for a gantry crane with four corner-mounted wheel assemblies having steerable wheels. The crane is a type which drivable in either longitudinal or transverse directions, wherein steering control is automatically switched steering control to the "leading" wheels, or more particularly the wheels of the "leading" pair of wheel assemblies. The system detects which two of the wheel assemblies are leading, whether the crane is moving longitudinally frontwardly or rearwardly, or transversly rightward or leftward. The system includes a steering controller which controls steering actuators in such a manner that the wheels of the then-leading wheel assemblies are moved according to steering control input, while the wheels of a remaining pair of then-"trailing" wheel assemblies are moved to and/or held in, a straight alignment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.