System and method for loading and unloading shipping containers

Abstract

A crane system includes an elevated track spanning a first location to a second location; at least one spreader assembly configured to move along the elevated track using a tram assembly unit, and to move a shipping container from a first storage area to a second storage area, wherein the first storage area and the second storage area are between the first location and the second location; and a controller configured to identify the shipping container and control a movement of the shipping container using the at least one spreader assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A crane system comprising:
 an elevated track spanning a first location to a second location, wherein the elevated track comprises an elevated outer track and a plurality of elevated inner tracks, and wherein the elevated outer track is connected to the plurality of elevated inner tracks by a plurality of track switches;   at least one spreader assembly configured to move along the elevated outer track and the plurality of elevated inner tracks of the elevated track using a tram assembly unit, and to move a shipping container from a first storage area to a second storage area, wherein the first storage area and the second storage area are between the first location and the second location; and   a controller configured to identify the shipping container and control a movement of the shipping container using the at least one spreader assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elevated outer track comprises an oval-shaped track. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first location corresponds to a ship and the second location corresponds to a container surge area. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first storage area comprises a ship. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the second storage area comprises a train. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the second storage area comprises the container surge area. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to identify the shipping container using at least one sensor and automatically place the shipping container on a train or in a container surge area. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one spreader assembly comprises:
 a tram assembly unit comprising:
 a drive unit; 
 at least one drive wheel; 
 and at least one idler; 
   a hoist unit; and   a spreader.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the system further comprises four tram assembly units. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the tram assembly unit further comprises:
 two drive wheels; and   four idlers.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the hoist unit further comprises:
 a hoist motor;   a hoist cable; and   a control cable.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the system further comprises a swivel configured to connect the tram assembly unit to the hoist unit. 
     
     
         13 . A crane system comprising:
 an elevated track spanning a first location to a second location, wherein the elevated track comprises an elevated outer track and a plurality of elevated inner tracks, and wherein the elevated outer track is connected to the plurality of elevated inner tracks by a plurality of track switches;   at least one spreader assembly configured to move along the elevated outer track and the plurality of elevated inner tracks of the elevated track using a tram assembly unit, and to move a shipping container between a first storage area and a second storage area, wherein the first storage area and the second storage area are between the first location and the second location, wherein each of the at least one spreader assembly comprises:
 a tram assembly unit comprising:
 a drive unit; 
 at least one drive wheel; 
 and at least one idler; 
 
 a hoist unit; 
 a swivel configured to connect the tram assembly unit to the hoist unit; 
 a spreader connected to the hoist unit by at least one cable; and 
   a controller configured to identify the shipping container and control a movement of the shipping container using the at least one spreader.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first storage area comprises a ship. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second storage area comprises a train. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the second storage area comprises a container surge area. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one drive wheel is in contract with a bottom of an I-beam of the track. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the idlers are in contact with a center of the I-beam of the track. 
     
     
         19 . A method for loading and unloading a shipping container in a crane system comprising:
 identifying, by a controller, a location of the shipping container at a first storage area;   retrieving, by the controller using a spreader assembly configured to travel along an elevated track, wherein the elevated track comprises an elevated outer track and a plurality of elevated inner tracks, and wherein the elevated outer track is connected to the plurality of elevated inner tracks by a plurality of track switches, the shipping container at the first storage area;   moving, by the controller using the spreader assembly, the shipping container from the first storage area to a second storage area; and   storing, by the controller, the location of the shipping container at the second storage area.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the elevated outer track comprises an oval-shaped track. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first storage area comprises a ship. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the second storage area comprises a train. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the second storage area comprises a container surge area.