Dynamics and swing control of mobile boom cranes subject to wind disturbances

Operating cranes is challenging because payloads can experience large and dangerous oscillations. The oscillations are induced by both intentional motions commanded by the human operator and by external disturbances. Although significant progress has been achieved by using command shaping to reduce operator-induced vibration, less success has been achieved on reducing oscillations induced by external disturbances, such as wind. The disturbance-rejection task is more challenging because it requires accurate sensing of the crane payload. This study presents a combined command shaping and feedback control architecture. The input shaper eliminates the payload oscillation caused by human-operator commands, and the feedback controller reduces the effect of wind gusts. Simulations of a large range of motions are used to analyse the dynamic behaviour of boom cranes using the proposed controller. Experimental results obtained from a small-scale boom crane validate the simulated dynamic behaviour and the effectiveness of the controller.