Remote Crane Control System Reducing Operator Travel Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crane operators often experience excessive downtime and travel time due to the intermittent nature of crane operations, leading to inefficient resource allocation and safety risks associated with prolonged travel and potential driving fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operated crane system that allows operators to control cranes from an off-site center using cellular or satellite communication networks, equipped with cameras, audio devices, and proximity sensors for enhanced safety and real-time monitoring, enabling on-demand seat-time without physical presence at the jobsite.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If operators travel to and from the jobsite daily to be on-call for short lift operations, then the crane can be operated when needed, but the operator experiences excessive downtime and travel time leading to inefficient resource allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical presence requirement (operator physically at jobsite) with a remote control system using communication networks. The operator can control the crane remotely via a control device connected to the crane's control system through cellular or satellite networks, eliminating the need for daily travel while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote control system as an intermediary between the operator and the crane. This intermediary includes communication networks (cellular/satellite) and control devices that transmit control signals, allowing the operator to influence crane operations without physical presence at the jobsite.
2Adaptability or versatility
If operators travel extended distances to and from remote jobsites, then the crane can serve remote locations, but safety risks increase due to driving fatigue and vehicle accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical travel requirement by substituting it with remote control capabilities. Operators can control cranes at remote jobsites from safe locations using communication networks, removing the source of safety risks associated with extended driving while maintaining the ability to deploy cranes to remote areas.
3Reliability
If operators are present for complete shifts at the jobsite, then the crane is available for operation, but the operator performs lift operations for relatively short periods only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the operator's presence dynamic rather than static. Instead of requiring continuous physical presence at the jobsite, the operator can be remotely located and connect to the crane as needed. The system allows flexible, on-demand access to control the crane without requiring the operator to be physically present for the entire shift.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a remote control crane system including a remote crane control center (RCCC) having a remote crane controller (RCC), remote crane controls, and a remote crane control activation system that can be activated/deactivated to enable/disable control of a remote controlled crane system by way of the remote crane controls. The RCC operable to receive, by way of the remote crane controls, a remote control command to cause a given operation by the remote controlled crane system, and, in response to determining that the remote controlled crane activation system is activated, send, to the remote controlled crane system, crane remote control data including a command to cause the given operation by the remote controlled crane system.