Abstract: A hoist system may include an airframe, a cable disposed between the hoist assembly and a hook assembly, and a cable angle exceedance detection arrangement. The cable angle exceedance detection arrangement may include a housing comprising a first end and a second end, a payout disposed within the housing and comprising an aperture within an interior surface and disposed a first end and a second end of the payout, a detection member coupled to the housing, and a wiring assembly coupled to and disposed between the detection member and a controller, wherein the controller is coupled with a display assembly via a communication assembly.

Abstract: A cable follower is disclosed herein. The cable follower includes a lever having a first end and a second end, a pivot point disposed at the first end of the lever, the lever configured to rotate about the pivot point, a spring housing disposed at the second end of the lever, a spring disposed in the spring housing, a button disposed in the spring housing and adjacent the spring, and a crowder coupled to the lever at a pivot point between the first end and the second of the lever, the crowder including a wheel.

Abstract: A cable tensioning capstan assembly comprises a capstan drum and at least a first traction flange. The capstan drum may be configured to support a cable (e.g., a cable is configured to wrap around the capstan drum), and the capstan drum may be configured to rotate about an output axis. The first traction flange may be disposed adjacent the first axial end of the capstan drum and configured to rotate about the output axis. In various embodiments, the first traction flange is independently rotatable relative to the capstan drum. A clutch assembly between an input shaft and the first traction flange may facilitate the independent rotatability of the first traction flange.

Abstract: A damping mechanism may comprise a housing, a shaft, a spring arm assembly including a first spring arm, wherein the spring arm assembly is coupled to the shaft and configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the shaft, wherein the first spring arm extends relatively radially outward of the spring arm assembly toward the housing in response to the rotation of the shaft, and wherein the rotation of the shaft is damped in response to extending the first spring arm.

Abstract: A cable tensioning capstan assembly comprises a capstan drum and at least a first traction flange. The capstan drum may be configured to support a cable (e.g., a cable is configured to wrap around the capstan drum), and the capstan drum may be configured to rotate about an output axis. The first traction flange may be disposed adjacent the first axial end of the capstan drum and configured to rotate about the output axis. In various embodiments, the first traction flange is independently rotatable relative to the capstan drum. A clutch assembly between an input shaft and the first traction flange may facilitate the independent rotatability of the first traction flange.

Abstract: A hoist system may include an airframe, a cable disposed between the hoist assembly and a hook assembly, and a cable angle exceedance detection arrangement. The cable angle exceedance detection arrangement may include a housing comprising a first end and a second end, a payout disposed within the housing and comprising an aperture within an interior surface and disposed a first end and a second end of the payout, a detection member coupled to the housing, and a wiring assembly coupled to and disposed between the detection member and a controller, wherein the controller is coupled with a display assembly via a communication assembly.

Abstract: A cable angle exceedance detection arrangement is provided. The cable angle exceedance detection arrangement may include a housing having an aperture extending therethrough defining an axis, the aperture being configured to allow a cable to extend through the housing from a first end of the housing, wherein the cable is aligned with the axis, to a second end of the housing. The cable angle exceedance detection arrangement may include a detection member coupled to the housing and configured to be contacted by the cable when a fleet angle defined between the axis and the cable at the second end of the housing exceeds a selected value.

Abstract: An automatic load brake having a wear-induced locking mechanism for a hoist is disclosed. In various embodiments, the load brake includes a first shaft defining an annular hollow portion and a radially outer surface; a second shaft defining an engagement portion and a radially inner surface, the radially inner surface configured to engage the radially outer surface; a first reaction plate coupled to the first shaft; a second reaction plate coupled to the second shaft; and a plurality of friction discs, with at least one of the plurality of friction discs coupled to a cup and disposed between the first reaction plate and the second reaction plate, the annular hollow portion of the first shaft being configured to lock to the engagement portion of the second shaft upon thinning of the plurality of friction discs.

Abstract: A hoist is disclosed. In various embodiments, the hoist includes a torque tube defining a longitudinal axis and having a radially outer surface; a cable drum having a radially inner surface; and a bar spline disposed radially outward of the torque tube and radially inward of the cable drum and configured to transfer a torque from the torque tube to the cable drum.

Abstract: A self-adjusting automatic load brake for a hoist is disclosed. In various embodiments, the load brake includes a first shaft defining an annular hollow portion; a second shaft defining an engagement portion, the engagement portion configured for sliding disposition within the annular hollow portion; a first reaction plate coupled to the first shaft; a second reaction plate coupled to the second shaft; and a plurality of friction discs, with at least one of the plurality of friction discs coupled to a cup and disposed between the first reaction plate and the second reaction plate, the annular hollow portion of the first shaft and the engagement portion of the second shaft being sized and configured to accommodate thinning of the plurality of friction discs.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for a hoist may comprise a first epicyclic gear train and a first set of friction disks rotationally coupled to the first epicyclic gear train. A second set of friction disks may be in operable communication with the first set of friction disks. Torque may be transferred between the first set of friction disks and the second set of friction disks by means of a friction coupling between the first set of friction disks and the second set of friction disks. A pinion may be rotationally coupled to the second set of friction disks. A splined portion of the pinion may form an output of the clutch assembly.

Abstract: A damping mechanism may comprise a housing, a shaft, a spring arm assembly including a first spring arm, wherein the spring arm assembly is coupled to the shaft and configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the shaft, wherein the first spring arm extends relatively radially outward of the spring arm assembly toward the housing in response to the rotation of the shaft, and wherein the rotation of the shaft is damped in response to extending the first spring arm.

Abstract: A hoist, in accordance with various embodiments, is disclosed herein. The hoist comprises a cooling apparatus coupled to a motor and disposed within a torque tube. The cooling apparatus may operate with the hoist or independently of the hoist. The cooling apparatus may pull air external to a housing of the hoist through the torque tube and cool the motor and/or a controller of the hoist.

Abstract: An auxiliary brake assembly for use in a hoist, is disclosed. The auxiliary brake assembly comprises a pinion, a fastener, and a clutch assembly. The pinion may comprise a mesh gear disposed proximate a respective mesh gear of a rotor gear. The clutch assembly may be disposed between the fastener and the mesh gear. The fastener may be configured to compress the clutch assembly in the event a cable drum of the hoist is free spinning. The compression of the clutch may lock the pinion and the rotor gear and stop the cable drum from spinning freely.

Abstract: A clutch having two stages for applying varied torque between an input shaft and an output shaft includes a clutchpack having input friction plates and output friction plates. The clutch further includes a first spring configured to apply a first pressure to the clutchpack to compress the clutchpack. The clutch further includes a second spring configured to apply a second pressure to the clutchpack to compress the clutchpack. The clutch further includes an engagement nut configured to move in response to rotation of the output shaft relative to the input shaft to compress the second spring in order to increase an amount of the second pressure applied to the clutchpack.

Abstract: An auxiliary brake assembly for use in a hoist, is disclosed. The auxiliary brake assembly comprises a pinion, a fastener, and a clutch assembly. The pinion may comprise a mesh gear disposed proximate a respective mesh gear of a rotor gear. The clutch assembly may be disposed between the fastener and the mesh gear. The fastener may be configured to compress the clutch assembly in the event a cable drum of the hoist is free spinning. The compression of the clutch may lock the pinion and the rotor gear and stop the cable drum from spinning freely.

Abstract: A hoist, in accordance with various embodiments, is disclosed herein. The hoist comprises a cooling apparatus coupled to a motor and disposed within a torque tube. The cooling apparatus may operate with the hoist or independently of the hoist. The cooling apparatus may pull air external to a housing of the hoist through the torque tube and cool the motor and/or a controller of the hoist.

Abstract: A hoist is disclosed. In various embodiments, the hoist includes a torque tube defining a longitudinal axis and having a radially outer surface; a cable drum having a radially inner surface; and a bar spline disposed radially outward of the torque tube and radially inward of the cable drum and configured to transfer a torque from the torque tube to the cable drum.

Abstract: A clutch having two stages for applying varied torque between an input shaft and an output shaft includes a clutchpack having input friction plates and output friction plates. The clutch further includes a first spring configured to apply a first pressure to the clutchpack to compress the clutchpack. The clutch further includes a second spring configured to apply a second pressure to the clutchpack to compress the clutchpack. The clutch further includes an engagement nut configured to move in response to rotation of the output shaft relative to the input shaft to compress the second spring in order to increase an amount of the second pressure applied to the clutchpack.

Abstract: A cable angle detection assembly is provided. The cable angle detection assembly may include a housing defining an axis configured to allow a cable to pass partially through the housing such that a first portion of the cable is aligned with the axis. The cable angle detection assembly may include a bracket rotatably disposed within the housing. The cable angle detection assembly may include a guide element mounted to the bracket configured to guide the cable, when in tension, to be wrapped partially therearound thereby allowing a fleet angle to be defined between the first portion of the cable and a second portion of the cable that extends tangentially away from the guide element.