System and method for automatically guiding a gantry crane
US7032763B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB66C19/007
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An automatic guidance system and method are provided for a gantry crane to permit accurate tracking along a path, including a curved path. The position of the crane is determined from two spaced apart GPS receivers fixed to the crane. A guidance controller determines a plurality of error measurements from respective front, center and rear points of the crane relative to a current tracking line, which is a line tangent to the path at a current position of crane. In an embodiment, the system includes a base station that can be used to transmit data to the crane to specify a particular destination location of the drive path, or to transmit data representing the drive path itself.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.