The cable angle sensing project aims to develop an advanced method for accurately determining the angle of a crane’s hoisting cable. Understanding this angle is critical in three key scenarios: initial lifting, payload swing, and payload snags. In each of these situations, any deviation in the cable’s angle can increase the risk of the crane operator losing control of the payload.
Currently, the project focuses on the initial lifting scenario, which occurs when the hoisting cable is not properly aligned above the payload. This misalignment causes the payload to swing uncontrollably as it adjusts to the cable’s center during liftoff. Such swinging is beyond the crane operator’s ability to control, significantly increasing the potential for accidents, injuries, or fatalities.
The development of a cable angle sensing system would enable the detection of imminent payload swings caused by centering errors before liftoff begins. This technology could prevent such errors, ensuring safer lifting operations. Ultimately, the project envisions proposing a feedback control system capable of automatically aligning the crane’s cable with the payload, further enhancing safety and efficiency.
Key approaches under investigation include trilateration using LiDAR-based sensors and angle detection through potentiometer measurements. To enhance reliability and flexibility, the project will incorporate sensor fusion, integrating these techniques to support both attached and detached sensing methods. Preliminary prototype testing is underway, and the results will be presented in a conference paper this spring.