Telescoping Camera Crane Counterweight and Cable Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera cranes with hydraulic systems experience delays and oscillations due to cable stretching, affecting precise movements and stability, especially when using magnifying lenses or heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a counterweight carrier with rollers and a telescopic system using aluminum tubes and Torlon rollers for smooth movement, along with a drive system with multiple cables and pulleys to reduce strain and enhance stability, and an active stabilizing system for level control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If hydraulic cables are used to drive telescoping sections, then the crane can achieve extended reach and smooth movement, but cable stretching causes initial delay and movement precision loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-tensions the cables before actual movement is required. When the hydraulic system is ready to extend or retract a section, the cables are already under optimal tension, eliminating the initial stretching delay and enabling immediate precise response to movement commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that monitor cable tension and position in real-time, providing feedback to the hydraulic control system. This allows the system to detect and compensate for cable stretching effects, maintaining precise control and eliminating delays by adjusting hydraulic pressure based on actual cable state.
2Weight of moving object
If heavy loads are used on the camera platform, then the crane can support professional equipment, but cable stretching increases causing oscillation and stability loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses counterweights balanced against the camera platform load. These counterweights are positioned to create opposing forces that offset the effects of cable stretching under heavy loads, reducing oscillation and maintaining platform stability even when carrying professional camera equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
Active stabilizing systems with sensors continuously monitor platform position and cable tension. When heavy loads cause stretching-induced oscillation, the feedback system detects these movements and automatically adjusts counterweight positioning or hydraulic pressure to dampen oscillations and maintain stability.
3Length of moving object
If multiple telescoping sections are used to increase reach, then the crane can access distant positions, but the number of cables and potential stretching points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple cable functions into integrated cable assemblies that serve both structural support and actuation functions. By merging the support and driving functions into unified cable systems with centralized tensioning mechanisms, the patent reduces the number of separate cable components while maintaining the capability to control multiple telescoping sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable system is designed with universal components that perform multiple functions. The same cable assembly provides both structural support for the telescoping sections and serves as the actuation mechanism for extension and retraction, eliminating the need for separate support cables and actuation cables for each section.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for precise and stable camera movements with reduced noise and oscillations, enabling longer reaches and improved operational stability, even under heavy loads.
Implementation Method 1
This design uses a hydraulic system including a pair of hydraulic cylinders which alternately pull on cables to extend and retract telescoping crane sections
Implementation Method 2
The cables that are driven directly by the hydraulic system, referred to here as primary cables, carry the highest tensile loads. These primary cables accordingly may tend to slightly stretch momentarily when the hydraulic system initially pulls on the cables
Implementation Method 3
The design incorporates a counterweight carrier with rollers and a telescopic system using aluminum tubes and Torlon rollers for smooth movement
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A camera crane includes a camera platform pivotally attached to the front end of a front section of a telescoping crane arm. A counterweight is movable along the back section. The crane arm can be attached onto an arm support at two or more different positions. Consequently the pivot axis of the arm can be shifted to the front or rear, to change rear clearance requirements, counterweight requirements, and the reach of the arm. The camera platform may be on a nose assembly having a leveling system including an electronic controller linked to a position sensor on the camera platform and to electric leveling motors. When the head moves to an out of level position, the electronic controller energizes the motors which exerts torque to return the platform to level.