Crane Slew Ring Rotation Sensor with Reduction Gearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating machinery safety systems lack effective monitoring and control mechanisms to ensure operations remain within a defined safe work area, particularly for machines like cranes, which can lead to accidents due to inadequate visual confirmation and operator oversight.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a bevel pinion meshed with a bevel ring, a rotation sensor, and a reduction gearing system that provides a reduction ratio to determine the rotational position of a slew ring, allowing for precise monitoring and reporting of the rotational position of a crane boom within a predetermined limit, thereby ensuring safe operation within a defined work area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotation sensor is directly connected to the slew ring, then the rotational position can be monitored, but the sensor would be exposed to harsh environmental conditions and mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
A bevel pinion gear acts as an intermediary between the slew ring and the rotation sensor. The bevel pinion is directly connected to the slew ring, while the rotation sensor is connected to the bevel pinion through a reduction gear set. This intermediary gearing system transmits rotational position information to the sensor while protecting it from harsh environmental conditions and mechanical stresses on the slew ring.
2Measurement precision
If the rotation sensor monitors the slew ring directly, then the system remains simple, but the sensor cannot accurately track multiple rotations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical coupling with a reduction gear set that provides mechanical advantage. The bevel pinion gear set with reduction ratio converts multiple rotations of the slew ring into a smaller number of rotations of the input gear, enabling the rotation sensor to accurately track multiple rotations while maintaining measurement precision.
3Reliability
If visual confirmation is relied upon for safety, then the system remains simple, but operator oversight can lead to accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation sensor provides continuous feedback about the rotational position of the slew ring and crane boom. This feedback is processed to determine whether the crane boom is within the safe work area, providing automated safety monitoring that supplements or replaces visual confirmation by the operator.
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a bevel pinion meshed to a bevel ring in rigid fixation with a pinion gear engaged with a slew ring to control rotation of the slew ring. A rotation sensor provides an electrical output corresponding to a rotational position of an input gear of the rotation sensor. A reduction gearing system interposes the bevel ring and the input gear of the rotation sensor. The gearing reduction system provides a reduction ratio enabling the rotation sensor to determine rotational position of the slew ring.