Method for retrieving storage racks from a tank freezer using a retrieval crane, and related combinations
Inventors
Meslovich, Susan Murphy • Mandaci, Erman
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9745176-B2
Publication Date
2017-08-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for retrieving storage racks in a tank freezer includes positioning a retrieval crane adjacent to the tank freezer such that a base of the retrieval crane is positionable underneath a bottom wall of a tank body. The retrieval crane includes a boom extending upwardly and laterally outwardly over the base so that a retention hook at a free end of a cable associated with the boom may be extended or retracted relative to the tank freezer. More specifically, the cable may be moved to extend the hook through the opening of the tank freezer into a storage space, and then retract the hook to lift and then hold a selected storage rack in a hoisted position. The method avoids the use of manual hoisting of storage racks, and the retrieval crane may be used with any of a plurality of similar tank freezers located in a larger facility.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an automated portable retrieval crane system for tank freezers, configured to retrieve storage racks from within a tank body. The tank body defines a storage space with a bottom wall spaced from a floor surface by at least one support, sidewall, and a top wall defining an opening into the storage space. A retrieval crane is positioned adjacent to a tank freezer such that a base of the retrieval crane is located on the floor surface and extends at least partially underneath the bottom wall of the tank body.
A boom extends upwardly and laterally over the base to an upper terminal end, and a cable runs along at least a portion of the boom. The cable is extendible or retractable to move a retention hook at a free end of the cable relative to the upper terminal end of the boom. The method includes extending the cable to lower the retention hook through the opening into the storage space, attaching the retention hook to a selected one of the storage racks, and retracting the cable to lift the retention hook and the selected storage rack through the opening to a hoisted position at least partially out of the tank freezer.
The invention further enables operation across multiple tank freezers using a single retrieval crane. After retrieving a storage rack, the method extends the cable to lower the retention hook and the selected storage rack back into the storage space, detaches the retention hook from the selected storage rack, and moves the retrieval crane away from the first tank freezer. The method then positions the retrieval crane adjacent to a second tank freezer and inserts the free end of the cable and the retention hook into the storage space of the second tank freezer to prepare a second selected storage rack for hoisting.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001 and clm-00002. Together they cover a method for retrieving storage racks using a portable retrieval crane with a cable and retention hook positioned to work through a tank opening, including hoisting and detaching, and in one case reusing a single crane across multiple tank freezers; the claim set includes additional inventive refinements via dependent claims for stabilization, cable locking, manual or electric actuation, and crane alignment mechanisms.
Retrieval crane base positioned underneath the tank bottom wall using recessed wheels
Position a retrieval crane adjacent to the tank freezer so the base is on the floor surface and extends at least partially underneath the bottom wall, with wheels operatively connected to the base and at least partially recessed in the base such that the base fits underneath the bottom wall.
Cable and retention hook for lowering through the tank opening and hoisting the selected storage rack
Use a boom over the base with a cable extendible or retractable to move a retention hook at a free end relative to an upper terminal end, extend the cable to lower the retention hook through the opening into the storage space, attach the retention hook to a selected storage rack, and retract the cable to lift the retention hook and the selected storage rack through the opening to a hoisted position.
Reusing a single retrieval crane across multiple tank freezers
Lower the retention hook and the selected storage rack back into the storage space, detach the retention hook from the selected storage rack, move the retrieval crane to a second tank freezer containing a second selected storage rack, and insert the free end of the cable and the retention hook into the second tank freezer so a single retrieval crane may retrieve and hoist storage racks in any number of a plurality of tank freezers.
Maintaining hoisted rack and crane positioning via locking
Lock the wheels with locking brakes after rolling the crane base between the bottom wall and the floor surface to maintain the crane position relative to the tank freezer, and lock the cable to keep the selected storage rack held in its hoisted position while samples are retrieved from or placed into the rack.
Cable actuation using manual winch and hand crank with locking mechanism
Wound the cable on a reel and perform extending or retracting by rotating a hand crank coupled to the reel to wind or unwind the cable, with an engaging locking mechanism with the hand crank to prevent further hand-crank rotation and to prevent relative movement of a cable free end with respect to the boom.
Cable actuation using electric winch for extending and retracting
Use an electric winch to wind up or unwind the cable wound on a reel, whereby extending or retracting the cable moves the free end of the cable relative to the boom’s upper terminal end.
Crane alignment using a ratcheting pivoting joint
Use a generally vertical frame member and a pivoting joint between the vertical frame member and the boom, wherein positioning includes ratcheting the pivoting joint to rotate the boom relative to the base to adjust how far the base has to be inserted so the boom’s upper terminal end is directly over the tank freezer opening.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is a method that positions a portable retrieval crane so its base fits underneath the tank bottom wall, uses a cable and retention hook lowered through a tank opening to attach to a selected storage rack and hoist it out, and in one independent claim extends this to detaching and repositioning the same crane to prepare a selected storage rack in another tank freezer for hoisting; dependent claims further specify locking for stability and hoisted retention, manual or electric cable actuation, and alignment mechanisms including a ratcheting pivoting joint.
Stated Advantages
Enables one crane to service multiple tank freezers by moving the retrieval crane and preparing storage racks in different tank freezers.
Allows hoisting of selected storage racks to a hoisted position at least partially out of the tank freezer using a portable retrieval crane with a retention hook.
Maintains the crane position relative to the tank freezer using locking brakes.
Maintains a selected storage rack in the hoisted position by locking the cable while samples are retrieved from or placed into the rack.
Documented Applications
Retrieving storage racks within a tank freezer by hoisting the selected storage rack through the tank opening for sample retrieval or placement.
Using the retrieval crane to retrieve and hoist storage racks in a facility with multiple tank freezers using a single retrieval crane.
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