New kit converts earthmovers to full remote control

July 7, 2006 If you’re a remote control enthusiast seeking the ultimate toy, the birthday present wish list will become frightfully expensive by the end of this paragraph. Defence technology specialist QinetiQ has launched a range of Applique Robotic Kits (ARKs) that convert the current in-service military JCB 4CXM or Caterpillar CAT320B families of vehicles into fully integrated remote controlled units for use by the military in hazardous environments. Operators can be up to a kilometre away and don’t even need to directly see the vehicle they are operating, but still have full control of it. By simply flicking a switch, existing vehicles can change between full remote or manual mode, immediately reducing potential dangers to the operators but still enabling it to be fully used for the tasks for which it was designed.

“Plant operators and drivers have often been placed in real danger when working in hazardous environments – for the first time they have a viable alternative,” explained Fiona Lewinton, MD of QinetiQ’s Land Division. “Activities involving military operations, nuclear waste or chemical management, contaminated other hazardous land clearance or activities on unstable land place significant safety risks and safety management issues on operators and companies. QinetiQ’s Appliqué Robotic Kit, once fully integrated on a vehicle, now means that they can fully operate the vehicle at a safe distance.”

The ARK system is easily transferred between vehicles or simply removed after use, returning the vehicle to its non modified state. Each kit comprises a Portable Command Console (PCC), Vehicle Mounted Control Modules (VCMs) and a host feedback interface and electro-hydraulic system for each specific vehicle. The electro-hydraulic modules are vehicle specific, with all the other components being generic.

Based on QinetiQ’s historical development work for the MOD on vehicles such as the JCB 170, the ARK system provides a robust and reliable solution that meets UK safety critical hardware standards including Safety Integrity Level 2 (SIL2). The remote control capabilities are managed via a COFDM radio solution that provides high quality video and data feedback at relatively low power consumption.

The Portable Command Console (PCC) controls everything from vehicle windscreen wipers to the brakes and bucket but does not impede the driver when the vehicle is operated in manual mode. The PCC operates continuously via an external 24v power supply or for 1.5 hours using batteries. A 128 bit encryption dongle key coupled with a remote e-stop button on the console ensures maximum security and safety to the remote operator.

A 15-inch sunlight readable LCD screen presents a crystal clear display and 20 buttons surround the screen, providing access to the easy to use menu system and its various features. Sensors and auxiliary tools and cameras can also be fitted to provide additional information – dependent on the operational scenario. Selectable camera views, vital vehicle information and vehicle position are all displayed on the console to provide the operator with all the information to run the plant equipment with confidence.

The vehicle control unit acts as the main router of the system on the vehicle and receives feedback from the vehicle hydraulic module, the vehicle electrical module and the camera modules. The vehicle electrical module links to the host vehicle and provides and receives signals for the host vehicle such as the vehicle engine speed and operator warnings. The vehicle hydraulic module provides the control link to the host vehicle hydraulic system.

In addition to the core ARK systems, QinetiQ is also offering potential customers a range of options that include a kit and sensor fitment service, full in life support and training, a range of add-ons like infra-red and pan-n-tilt camera units plus a spooler/fibre cable unit. A bespoke kit design service for other vehicles is also available.

JIB CRANE

Jib crane have the following motions:

1. Hoisting motion
2. Derricking or luffing motion
3. Slewing motion
4. Long travel motion

Hoisting motion:

It is used to lift or lower the load. This is usually achieved by steel wire ropes being affixed to a crane hook or a grab hanging from the outer end of the jib. The rope is applied through some receiving arrangement and controlled and operated by a winch system.

Derricking or Luffing motion:

It is imparted to the inclined member or the jib to move in a vertical plane so that the angle of the jib may be changed in order to bring the load line nearer to or further off from the centre of the crane.

Slewing motion:

It is imparted to the whole super structure of the crane including the jib, so that it can turn about a central pivot shaft w.r.t. the non-revolving parts. This motion enables the crane to shift the load line to revolve round the crane.

Long Travel Motion:

It may be required when the whole crane structure has to be shifted to a distant place along a rail track or along a road.

Jib crane consists of an inclined member supported by a rope or any other type of structural member attached to a vertical mast or frame. Load is usually suspended from the outer end of this inclined mast. The outreach of the jib may be fixed or variable. The cranes as a whole may be either fixed or moveable. Various sub-classification of these cranes are possible.

Lifting capacity of such cranes may vary from 1/2 ton to 200 ton and outreach from a few meter to 50 meter. Such cranes find various applications in port area, construction site, and other outdoor works.

For handling general cargo, lifting capacities are usually 1  1/2 ton to  5 ton with maximum outreach of 30 meter. Jib Cranes provided with grabbing facilities have usually a capacity ranging from 3 to 20 tons operating 50 to 100 cycles per hour. Lifting heights may be 30 meters or more.

Jib crane used in ship yards for lifting heavy machinery and equipment, weighing 100 to 300 tons, are usually mounted on pontoons. Frequently these cranes are provided with two main hoisting winches which can be employed singly or together to lift a load. For handling light loads these cranes may have auxiliary arrangement.

Types Of Jib Crane:

Depending on the use, jib cranes are classified into a number of varieties, primarily on the basis of their mountings.

These are:

1. Hand Operated Scotch Derrick Type
2. Wall Mounted Jib crane
3. Portal / Semi-portal cranes of different varieties-Wharf cranes
4. Mobile jib cranes consisting of truck mounted and crawler mounted cranes

Scotch Derrick Type / Wall Cranes:

Wall cranes are used in ware houses for handling light weight and when there is little or no wharf between them and the water front. Slewing or rotational motion of the crane is possible within restricted angle and the motion is slow. Hoisting and lifting speeds are comparable to those of wharf cranes. In some modified version these cranes can have travelling speed along the wall.

Wharf Cranes:

These are used in shipyard and port for handling unit and bulk load. These are usually self propelled balanced level luffing type with full circle slewing motion facility. Wharf cranes may be of different types, depending on the type of structure on which it is mounted.  The choice of structure for mounting depends on site condition.

The principal types of wharf cranes are:

• High pedestal
• Full Portal
• Semi-portal

Portal Cranes:

Portal crane is a fixed or revolving type jib crane mounted on a portal frame fixed in location or arranged to travel along a fixed track of rails at the same level. The portal frame consists essentially of horizontal girders connected at both ends to vertical or inclined member’s having equal lengths.

Semi portal Crane:

Semi portal crane is a fixed or revolving type jib crane mounted on a semi portal frame fixed in location or arranged to travel along a fixed track or rails at different levels. The semi portal frame essentially consists of horizontal girders connected at both ends to vertical or inclined members which constitute a shorter side and a longer side. The shorter members may consist only of the trolley running along the elevated rail.

Mobile crane:

Mobile Crane ( Power Driven ) includes all type of travelling jib cranes, such as truck mounted, crawler mounted, locomotive crane on rails.