# US 2018/0022589 A1 · Independent drive motors for machinery positioning apparatus having independent lifting motors

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- Number: US 2018/0022589 A1
- Document ID: US20180022589A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/706,015
- Filed: 2017-09-15
- Published: 2018-01-25
- Earliest claimed: 2014-05-01
- Assignees: Macton Corporation
- Applicants: Macton Corporation
- Inventors: Ryan W. Knapp; Peter McGonagle; Mark O'Donnell
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180022589A1

## CPC

- B66F 7/025: {screw operated}
- B66F 1/06: and the devices being actuated mechanically
- B66F 7/02: with platforms suspended from ropes, cables, or chains {or screws and movable along pillars}
- B66F 7/28: Constructional details, e.g. end stops, pivoting supporting members, sliding runners adjustable to load dimensions
- 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)

## Abstract

A lifting apparatus and controller therefore, where the lifting apparatus includes independently driven lifting columns and independently driven wheels that are controlled by a controller having a number of sensors such as limit sensors, position sensors, rotation sensors, laser sensors, torque sensors and the like. The independent motors for lifting and driving may also be removed easily to provide for improved servicing and maintenance. The various sensor signals are used to calculate, coordinate and calibrate the apparatus for precise and safe movement by the motors in order to perform lifting and positioning operations, for example rail car repair and service.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of removing a part from a rail car positioned on a first track, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a positioning apparatus having at least three columns, each column having a lift motor to move a first support along an axis of the column, the first supports connected to a second support having a track section, the positioning apparatus including a base with a plurality of wheels coupled thereto and a drive motor coupled to each one of the plurality of wheels;
providing a controller in communication with said drive and lift motors;
receiving at least one sensor signal via the controller, at least one of the sensor signals indicative of a position of said base;
transmitting a drive control signal generated by the controller to the drive motors to vertically align the track section with a second track by moving the base along the first track.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
transmitting a lift control signal generated by the controller to the lift motors to move the track section along a vertical axis so that the track section aligns with the second track.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of:
positioning the rail car so the part is disposed on the track section; and
lowering the track section.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3 further comprising:
transmitting a second drive control signal to the drive motors to move the base along the first track.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 wherein a position condition is associated with the positioning apparatus and associated with a first vertical position of the track section, the method further comprising the step of:
restricting via the controller, movement of said drive motors when said position condition indicates that the track section is in a position other than the first vertical position.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 wherein the first vertical position is a bottom position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein a vertical load on the track section is at least partially supported by a rigid support connected to said base.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2 wherein a position condition is associated with the positioning apparatus and associated with a first vertical position of the track section, the method further comprising the step of:
allowing via the controller, movement of said drive motors when said position condition indicates that the track section is in the first position.