Cv camera cable wrap sensor
AssigneeTAIT Global LLC
InventorJames D. LOVE
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A computer vision camera sensor apparatus for motorized winches capable of monitoring multiple conditions relating to the cable and drum and a processing system capable of analyzing the camera sensor output to identify multiple conditions relating to the winch cable and drum and initiate appropriate control signals to the winch to protect the equipment and loads supported by the hoist.
Claims19
A system for monitoring cable winding and unwinding on a winch drum of a winch assembly, the winch assembly being one of a plurality of winch assemblies operably connected to a motion control system for suspending a load and animating flight thereof in a three-dimensional space, the system comprising:
- a computer vision sensor having a field of view in which the winch drum is positioned, the computer vision sensor configured to capture an image of the winch drum and to output a digitized signal representative of the image;
- a processing system configured to receive the digitized signal, analyze the digitized signal and compare an image represented by the digitized signal to one or more image parameters indicative of one or more winch operation conditions;
- and
- wherein the motion control system is configured to receive a winch operation output signal from the processing system and to initiate a motor control output signal responsive to the one or more winch operation conditions, the motor control output signal comprising a plurality of coordinated motor control output signals each directed to a respective winch assembly in the plurality of winch assemblies.
A system comprising:
- a plurality of winch assemblies being configured to suspend a load;
- a motion control system operably connected to the plurality of winch assemblies;
- and
- a processing system in communication with a computer vision sensor configured to detect an abnormal winch operation condition for a first winch assembly of the plurality of winch assemblies and to cause the motion control system to initiate a plurality of coordinated motor control output signals, one for each winch assembly of the plurality of winch assemblies, to control motion of the load with the plurality of winch assemblies.
A method for monitoring cable winding and unwinding on a winch drum of a winch assembly, the method comprising:
- capturing, with a computer vision sensor, an image of the winch drum of the winch assembly, the winch assembly being one of a plurality of winch assemblies operably connected to a motion control system;
- generating a digitized signal representative of the image;
- comparing, by a processing system, the image to one or more image parameters indicative of one or more winch operation conditions;
- generating a winch operation output signal responsive to the one or more winch operation conditions;
- and
- initiating, by the motion control system, a plurality of coordinated motor control output signals to respective winch assemblies in the plurality of winch assemblies to control motion of a supported load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.