Traversing hoists – Overhead – Surface vehicle
Patent
1997-04-22
1999-10-19
Brahan, Thomas J.
Traversing hoists
Overhead
Surface vehicle
180264, 414460, B66C 502
Patent
active
059673486
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a method and equipment for turning the wheels of a crane moving on rubber-tired wheels or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In prior art, a sub-chassis of a crane moving on rubber-tired wheels comprises two large wheels one after the other, and the wheels can be turned to be parallel for lateral movement. The turning is conducted by turning the wheels to the same direction with a hydraulic cylinder or aggregate in a place specifically reserved for turning, e.g. on a marble slab. Another possibility is to lift the wheels from the ground for the duration of the turning action. Instead of two large wheels, the sub-chassis may comprise a pair of small wheels, both of which are drive wheels. Power transmission is usually implemented by open gearing with chain gears and transmission chains.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,081,883 discloses a solution in which a sub-chassis of a crane comprises four parallel wheels, the two on the outer edges being drive wheels. The sub-chassis can be turned by operating the chain-geared traversing gears of the drive wheels to different directions.
A disadvantage of the prior art arrangement is that turning is difficult. There are only two operating positions, 0.degree. and 90.degree., and it is extremely difficult, practically impossible, to steer the crane diagonally e.g. for servicing purposes. Also, because of hydraulic equipment, many components are needed, and so there are many points that may leak. Further, in chain gearing there are many points that may need servicing, and in addition chain gearing requires space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to overcome the above disadvantages and to provide a new and advantageous solution for turning a crane moving on rubber-tired wheels or the like.
Embodiments of the invention are characterized by what is set forth in the claims.
An advantage of the invention is that the forces caused by the turning action are reversed and the crane remains stationary during the turning. Another advantage is that the wheels can be turned without any additional apparatus, such as hydraulic equipment, and the turning can be performed anywhere. Yet another advantage is that the wheels can be turned steplessly, so it is possible to move the crane diagonally or in a circle. Also, the turning does not wear the tires notably.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail by means of one embodiment with reference to the drawings, in which
FIG. 1 shows a diagonal top view of a crane,
FIG. 2 shows a shaft arrangement in one pair of wheels on a sub-chassis in the longitudinal direction of the sub-chassis,
FIG. 3 shows a side view of one wheel and traversing gear of the sub-chassis,
FIG. 4 shows as a top view the mutual position of a pair of wheels on a sub-chassis when the crane in steered to the lateral direction,
FIG. 5 shows as a top view the mutual position of a pair of wheels on a sub-chassis when the crane in steered to the longitudinal direction, and
FIG. 6 shows as a top view the mutual position of a pair of wheels on a sub-chassis when the crane in steered in a circle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
To illuminate the method, we shall first describe the structure of traversing and turning gear of the crane. FIG. 1 shows a crane 1 in which the invention is used, four sub-chassis assemblies 3 being fitted on two lower beams 2 of the frame structure at the lower corners of the crane. Each sub-chassis 40 comprises a support beam 41 and two pairs of wheels 4, each of the pairs of wheels being mounted on a horizontally extending shaft 19 (described below with respect to the gearing), each said shaft being interconnected to a vertical pipe 5 located at opposite ends of the sub-chassis such that the wheels pivot about the vertical axis of the vertical pipe. The crane is also provided with a diesel generator 6, which supplies the crane with power, and an electric distribution unit 7. The traversing gear of the crane, which is not shown in FIG
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patent: 4763800 (1988-08-01), Engler et al.
patent: 4880124 (1989-11-01), Feider et al.
patent: 5735416 (1998-04-01), Jussila
Brahan Thomas J.
KCI Konecranes International Corporation
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