RFID for location of the load on a tower crane
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tower crane load locator is disclosed. One example includes at least four RFID components to provide RFID range measurements between the at least four RFID components. In addition, a load position determiner utilizes the RFID range measurements to determine a location of the load. A load information generator provides the location of the load information suitable for subsequent access by a user.
1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tower crane load locator comprising:
an RFID range measurer to provide RFID range measurements between an RFID reader and each of a plurality of RFID tags, wherein
the RFID reader is located at a trolley of the tower crane;
a first of the plurality of RFID tags is located at a cab of the tower crane; and
a second of the plurality of RFID tags is located at a hook block of the tower crane;
a jib direction determiner to determine the direction the jib is facing;
a load position determiner utilizing the range measurements in conjunction with the jib direction to determine a location of the load; and
a user interface module to provide the location of the load results in a user accessible format.
2. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tower crane load locator comprising:
an RFID range measurer to provide RFID range measurements between an RFID reader and each of a plurality of RFID tags, wherein
the RFID reader is located at a cab of the tower crane;
a first of the plurality of RFID tags is located at a trolley of the tower crane; and
a second of the plurality of RFID tags is located at a hook block of the tower crane;
a jib direction determiner to determine the direction the jib is facing;
a load position determiner utilizing the range measurements in conjunction with the jib direction to determine a location of the load; and
a user interface module to provide the location of the load results in a user accessible format.
3. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tower crane load locator comprising:
an RFID range measurer to provide RFID range measurements between an RFID reader and each of a plurality of RFID tags, wherein
the RFID reader is located at a hook block of the tower crane;
a first of the plurality of RFID tags is located at a trolley of the tower crane; and
a second of the plurality of RFID tags is located at a cab of the tower crane;
a jib direction determiner to determine the direction the jib is facing;
a load position determiner utilizing the range measurements in conjunction with the jib direction to determine a location of the load; and
a user interface module to provide the location of the load results in a user accessible format.
4. A method for utilizing radio frequency identification (RFID) for locating the load for a tower crane, the method comprising:
generating range measurements from an RFID reader coupled with the tower crane to at least a first and a second RFID tag coupled with the tower crane;
generating a second set of range measurements from a second RFID reader coupled with the tower crane to at least a first and a second RFID tag coupled with the tower crane;
generating a third set of range measurements from a third RFID reader to at least a first and a second RFID tag coupled with the tower crane, the third RFID reader located separately from the tower crane;
determining a jib direction;
combining the range measurements, the jib direction, the second set of range measurements and the third set of range measurements to determine the location of the load; and
providing the location of the load information on a user interface in a user accessible format.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:
fixedly coupling a sway determiner with a hook block of the tower crane, the sway determiner to provide sway information with respect to the hook block; and
combining the range measurements, the jib direction and the sway information to determine the location of the load.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the jib direction is determined by a device from the group consisting of: a compass, a heading indicator, a satellite navigation position receiver offset from a known position, a satellite navigation position receiver utilizing two antenna located at different points along the jib and at least two satellite navigation position devices located at different points along the jib.