Failure Proof Gantry Crane and Chain Jack Hoist Assembly

Abstract

This patent discloses embodiments of a crane system that provide for high-capacity failure proof operation. For example, an overheard crane system may include a trolley configured to translate between a first position and a second position. The crane system may further include a lift mechanism carried by the trolley or a support span portion of the trolley and be configured to releasably translate a chain between a support position and a lift position. The lift mechanism, in turn, could include a fixed latch configured to engage a first link of the chain, the fixed latch having an open position and a closed position, and a traveling latch movably aligned relative to the fixed latch and configured to engage a second link of the chain, the traveling latch having an open position and a closed position.

1 . An overhead crane system comprising:
 a trolley, the trolley comprising:
 a support span; 
 a drive system carried by the support span and configured to translate at least the support span between a first position and a second position; and 
   a lift mechanism carried by the support span and configured to releasably translate a chain between a support position and a lift position, the lift mechanism comprising:
 a fixed latch configured to engage a first link of the chain, the fixed latch having an open position and a closed position; and 
 a traveling latch movably aligned relative to the fixed latch and configured to engage a second link of the chain, the traveling latch having an open position and a closed position; 
   wherein the fixed latch is in the open position and the traveling latch is in the closed position as the lift mechanism translates between the support position and the lift position, and wherein the fixed latch is in the closed position and the traveling latch is in the open position as the lift mechanism translates between the lift position and the support position.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a gantry configured to support the trolley. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the gantry includes:
 a transverse beam;   a first leg coupled to a first end of the transverse beam; and   a second leg space apart from the first leg and coupled to a second end of the transverse beam distal to the first leg;   wherein the transverse beam is configured to support the trolley.   
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a hydraulic system carried by the trolley, wherein the hydraulic system is fluidly coupled to the lift mechanism. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the lift mechanism includes at least one hydraulic cylinder, the at least one hydraulic cylinder fluidly coupled to hydraulic system and configured to translate between the support position and the lift position. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the lift mechanism is configured to releasably translate the chain in a lift direction, and wherein the translation of the traveling latch in the closed position and the second link of the chain causes the fixed latch to release the first link of the chain and shift to the open position. 
   
   
       7 . A crane system comprising:
 a trolley carrying a drive system, wherein the trolley is translatable between a first position and a second position in response to the carried drive system; and   a hydraulic lift mechanism carried by the trolley and configured to releasably translate a chain between a support position and a lift position, the lift mechanism comprising:
 a fixed latch configured to engage a first link of the chain, the fixed latch having an open position and a closed position; and 
 a traveling latch movably aligned relative to the fixed latch and configured to engage a second link of the chain, the traveling latch having an open position and a closed position; 
   wherein the fixed and traveling latches alternately and cooperatively secure the chains during the translation between the lift position and the support position.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising a gantry configured to support the trolley. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the gantry includes:
 a transverse beam;   a first leg coupled to a first end of the transverse beam; and   a second leg space apart from the first leg and coupled to a second end of the transverse beam distal to the first leg;   wherein the transverse beam is configured to support the trolley.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising:
 a first leg; and   a second leg space apart from the first leg;   wherein the first and second legs are configured to support the trolley.   
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising a hydraulic system carried by the trolley, wherein the hydraulic system is fluidly coupled to the hydraulic lift mechanism. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the hydraulic lift mechanism includes at least one cylinder, the at least one cylinder fluidly coupled to hydraulic system and configured to translate between the support position and the lift position. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the lift mechanism is configured to releasably translate the chain in a lift direction, and wherein the translation of the traveling latch in the closed position and the second link of the chain causes the fixed latch to release the first link of the chain and shift to the open position. 
   
   
       14 . A crane system comprising:
 a trolley carrying a drive system, the trolley aligned in a substantially horizontal manner and translatable via the drive system between a first position and a second position;   a power generation system carried by the trolley, wherein the power generation system includes:   a hydraulic drive motor: and   a hydraulic power unit coupled to the hydraulic drive motor, wherein the hydraulic power unit is configured to generate hydraulic pressure:   a lift mechanism carried by the trolley and including at least one cylinder fluidly coupled to the hydraulic power unit and wherein the lift mechanism and at least one cylinder are configured to translate in response to the generated hydraulic pressure, and wherein the lift mechanism is aligned substantially perpendicular to the trolley in a first direction, and configured to releasably translate a chain in the first direction, the lift mechanism including:
 a fixed latch configured to engage the chain; and 
 a traveling latch carried by the at least one cylinder and movably aligned relative to the fixed latch and configured, with respect to the fixed latch, to alternately engage the chain; 
   wherein the fixed and traveling latches alternately and cooperatively secure the chains during the translation in the first direction.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising a gantry configured to support the trolley. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the gantry includes:
 a transverse beam;   a first leg coupled to a first end of the transverse beam; and   a second leg space apart from the first leg and coupled to a second end of the transverse beam distal to the first leg;   wherein the transverse beam is configured to support the trolley.   
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . (canceled) 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the lift mechanism is configured to releasably translate the chain in a lift direction, and wherein the translation of the traveling latch and the second link of the chain causes the fixed latch to release the first link of the chain.