# US 10,246,309 B2 · Optical measurement device, load handling apparatus, method for protecting optical measurement device and method for updating load handling apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,309 B2 - Document ID: US10246309B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/128,600 - Filed: 2015-03-26 - Published: 2018-02-15 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2014-03-28 - Assignees: Konecranes Global Corporation - Applicants: Konecranes Global Corporation - Inventors: Ari Nieminen; Jorma Merimaa; Hannu Jyväsjärvi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246309B2 ## CPC - B66C 13/46: Position indicators for suspended loads or for crane elements - B66F 9/0755: {Position control; Position detectors} - G01S 7/4813: {Housing arrangements} - G01S 17/42: Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates (indirect measurement G01S17/46) - B66C: CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES ({specially adapted for lifting invalids A61G7/10;} rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms, braking or detent devices therefor B66D; specially adapted for nuclear reactors G21) - B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00) - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES ## Abstract There is provided an optical measurement device, a load handling apparatus, a method for protecting an optical measurement device and a method for updating a load handling apparatus, where the optical measurement device comprises a permeable surface for communicating light to and from the optical measurement device. A hydrophilic coating is arranged on the permeable surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A load handling apparatus comprising: an optical measurement device comprising: a permeable surface configured to communicate light to and from the optical measurement device; and a hydrophilic coating arranged on the permeable surface, wherein the coating is a nanotechnical product comprising nanostructured TiO2 in anatase form, wherein the optical measurement device is configured to transmit light through the permeable surface and receive reflections of the transmitted light through the permeable surface, a drive system; and a controller operatively connected to the drive system and the optical measurement device, and configured to: obtain measurement information from the optical measurement device; and drive the load handling apparatus on the basis of the measurement information. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The load handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic coating is arranged to decompose organic molecules using photocatalysis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The load handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical measurement device is a laser scanner configured to measure distances in directions of the light communicated through the permeable surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The load handling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the optical measurement device is a laser scanner configured to measure distances in directions of the light communicated through the permeable surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The load handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in at least one position of the load handling apparatus, the permeable surface of the optical measurement device is exposed to rain from the sky and rain spatter from a load handled by the load handling apparatus or rain spatter from a loading member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The load handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical measurement device is installed to a loading member of the load handling apparatus. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The load handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the load handling apparatus is a gantry crane, bridge crane, straddle carrier, fork lift or a reach stacker. ### Claim 8 A method for protecting an optical measurement device in a load handling apparatus comprising a permeable surface for communicating light to and from the optical measurement device, the method comprising: applying a hydrophilic coating to the permeable surface of the optical measurement device, wherein the coating is a nanotechnical product comprising nanostructured TiO2 in anatase form; transmitting light via the optical measurement device through the permeable surface; and receiving reflections of the transmitted light at the optical measurement device through the permeable surface, wherein the hydrophilic coating is arranged to decompose organic molecules using photocatalysis, wherein the nanostructured TiO2 includes nanotubes and nanoribbons, wherein the load handling apparatus further includes: a drive system; and a controller operatively connected to the drive system and the optical measurement device, and wherein the controller obtains measurement information from the optical measurement device and drives the load handling apparatus on the basis of the measurement information. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the hydrophilic coating is arranged to decompose organic molecules using photocatalysis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the optical measurement device is a laser scanner configured to measure distances in directions of the light communicated through the permeable surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the optical measurement device is installed to measure distances upwards, downwards and/or in a horizontal direction, from the optical measurement device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the optical measurement device is installed to measure distances upwards, downwards and/or in a horizontal direction, from the optical measurement device.