Crane Arm Mass Sensing Using Hydraulic Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to accurately determine the mass carried by a crane arm in real-time to ensure safe and efficient operation, particularly in situations where the load is difficult to see or to comply with manufacturer-specified operation limits.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize processing circuitry to continuously determine the mass of a crane arm based on sensor measurements of its positioning and hydraulic cylinder pressures, with user input triggering live mass calculations and display on a remote control interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real-time mass determination is implemented using sensor measurements and hydraulic pressure data, then measurement precision and operational safety are improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and processing circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic pressure as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure the mass carried by the crane arm. Instead of directly measuring mass with complex sensors on the load, the system measures hydraulic pressure in the cylinders that move the crane arm, which correlates to the load mass. This intermediary measurement approach simplifies the overall system while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical mass measurement systems with a combination of hydraulic pressure sensing and computational processing. The processing circuitry calculates mass based on hydraulic pressure data and crane arm positioning, substituting complex mechanical measurement devices with electronic sensing and calculation systems.
2Productivity
If continuous mass monitoring is implemented for successive time instants, then productivity and operational efficiency are improved, but use of energy increases due to continuous processing and display updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous mass determination for successive time instants, allowing the crane operator to monitor load mass in real-time throughout the operation. This continuous monitoring provides up-to-date information for safe and efficient crane operations, enabling immediate response to changing load conditions while maintaining productivity.
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
Enables real-time mass determination for the crane arm, providing live information for safe operation and compliance with operational limits, and allowing for accurate tracking of load changes.
Implementation Method 1
receive second sensor measurement values indicating a respective pressure in one or more hydraulic cylinders of the crane for moving the crane arm or a segment of the crane arm
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an apparatus for determining a mass carried by a crane arm (140) of a crane (100, 140). The apparatus includes processing circuitry (100, 110) configured to receive first sensor measurement values (101) indicating a positioning of the crane arm (140). The processing circuitry (100, 110) is further configured to receive second sensor measurement values (102) indicating a respective pressure in one or more hydraulic cylinders (145) of the crane (100, 140) for moving the crane arm (140) or a segment (141, 142) of the crane arm (140). In addition, the processing circuitry (100, 110) is configured to receive user input data indicating a predefined user input. In response to the predefined user input, the processing circuitry (100, 110) is configured to continuously determining (808) the mass for successive time instants based on the first and second sensor measurement values (101, 102) for a time instant or time frame related to the predefined user input and based on the first and second sensor measurement values (101, 102) for the respective time instant of the successive time instants.