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US 2015/0307328 A1Published application
Self-balancing spreader beam
AssigneeNational Oilwell Varco, L.P.
InventorJohn E. Hey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lifting device may include a level setting portion and an adjustable beam assembly pivotally secured to the level setting portion and including a structural beam portion and an adjustment portion configured for translating along the structural beam portion, where the adjustable beam assembly includes a sensor for sensing when the structural beam portion is unbalanced and an actuation system for translating the adjustment portion to bring the structural beam portion into a balanced condition.
Claims20
A lifting device, comprising:
- a level setting portion;
- and
- an adjustable beam assembly pivotally secured to the level setting portion, comprising:
- a structural beam portion;
- and
- an adjustment portion configured for translating along the structural beam portion;
- wherein the adjustable beam assembly includes a sensor for sensing when the structural beam portion is unbalanced and an actuation system for translating the adjustment portion to bring the structural beam portion into a balanced condition.
4 more elements
A lifting device, comprising:
- a spreader beam configured for picking broad objects with a plurality of slings, the spreader beam comprising:
- a means for defining a level condition;
- a means for adjusting the beam to bring the beam into a balanced condition when the beam is determined to not be level.
A method of balancing a spreader beam, comprising:
- sensing a non-level condition of the spreader beam;
- and
- translating a portion of the spreader beam to bring the beam into a condition of balance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.