Plural Drums Or Drum With Plural Distinct Sections Patents (Class 254/278)
  • Patent number: 11155449
    Abstract: A drone loading/unloading device includes an electric reel selectively movable for releasing/winding a cable adapted to be wound around the electric reel. A driver is operably connected to the electric reel to selectively drive the electric reel to reciprocally move from a locked position and an unlocked position and a buffer is mounted between the driver and the electric reel such that buffering effect is provided to the electric reel when moved from an unlocked position to a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventor: Aaron Zhang
  • Patent number: 10549963
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an automatic clutch winch comprising a motor, a gear reduction unit actuated by the motor, and a winding drum drivably coupled with the gear reduction unit. The gear reduction unit comprises a planetary gear assembly drivably coupled with the winding drum, a movable ring gear engaging with the planetary gear assembly, a DC gear motor, a cam driven by the DC gear motor to rotate, and a pull rod driven by the cam. The pull rod is driven by the cam on a first end to enter or exit a notch of a plurality of notches in the movable ring gear. The disclosed automatic clutch winch can provide protection for the internal components during an emergent situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Inventor: Xiaojun Cui
  • Patent number: 10424287
    Abstract: Disclosed is an active-noise control device including two passive attenuation earphones each provided with an external microphone, an internal microphone and a loudspeaker. The control device includes a first processing chain having a feedforward filter, a feedback filter and a reconstruction module. The control device includes a second processing chain having a sound source identification module, said second processing chain being implemented in parallel with the first processing chain, and being suitable for parameterizing the first processing chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: OROSOUND
    Inventors: Pierre Guiu, Eric Benhaim
  • Patent number: 10219919
    Abstract: The present invention provides a prosthetic hand capable of multiple grasp types. The prosthetic finger units are underactuated both within and between the finger units using a differential mechanism arrangement. The locking movement of the prosthetic thumb unit is coupled to the differential mechanism. As the user repositions the prosthetic thumb unit, the differential mechanism is effected as to alter both the initial positions and force distribution of the prosthetic finger units. The present invention further provides an additive manufacturing molding method for making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: YALE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Belter, Aaron Michael Dollar, Michael Leddy, Kevin Dale Gemmell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9394886
    Abstract: A method and system for re-indexing a pitch bearing of a wind turbine includes: installing a plurality of first mounts to the fixed outer race of the pitch bearing; positioning the rotor blade to a downwardly-oriented; installing a hydraulic system; pressurizing the hydraulic system so as to support the weight of the rotor blade with the hydraulic system; detaching the rotor blade from the pitch bearing; lowering the rotor blade a predetermined vertical distance from the hub; installing a plurality of second mounts to the rotor blade; attaching a plurality of supports between the first mounts and the second mounts; transferring the weight of the rotor blade from the hydraulic system to the plurality of supports; disengaging the hydraulic system; and re-indexing the pitch bearing so as to engage a new set of pitch bearing teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Esat Sadi Yenigun, Vishan Rashmi Kulasekera, Bradley Graham Moore, Ulrich Neumann
  • Publication number: 20150144851
    Abstract: A lift assembly that includes a base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The base defines an outlet positioned closer to the first side than to the second side. The lift assembly further includes a take-up mechanism mounted to the base, and a cable having a stored portion on the take-up mechanism and a free portion extending from the take-up mechanism through the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, III
  • Patent number: 9010733
    Abstract: A three dimensional wire flying system includes a plurality of winches collectively hanging an object and a control unit for controlling the plurality of winches and the main safety device. Each of the plurality of winches includes a drum unit, a wire wound on the drum unit, a motor unit which provides power to the drum unit, a brake module which stops rotation of the drum unit, a limit switch which operates upon detecting a hardware limit state, and a servo-system. Each of the plurality of winches operates to move the object in a three dimensional space in three directions, including an up-down direction, a left-right direction and a forward-backward direction, and each winch provides a multi-level safety protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
    Inventors: O-Hung Kwon, Dae-Hee Won, Sang-Won Lee, Kwan-Young Joung, Dong-Wook Lee
  • Patent number: 8973901
    Abstract: A double drum traction winch supporting a first and second rotatable drum is provided. The circumferential surface of each drum is provided with circumferential grooves perpendicular to the rotational axis of the drum. The grooves of each drum are subdivided in a first set of grooves for guiding a first wire and a second set of grooves for guiding a second wire. The grooves of the first set alternate with grooves of the second set such that the circumferential surface of each drum is provided with multiple grooves of the first group, each interpositioned between two grooves of the second group. Therefore the traction winch is capable of cooperating with a first wire in the first set of grooves or with a second wire in the second set of grooves, wherein both wires differ in type of material and/or cross section and/or maximum tensile strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Joost Sanderse
  • Patent number: 8919737
    Abstract: A traction device for paying out and retrieving a flexible line including a line mover, wherein the line mover includes at least one movable friction surface, the friction surface in total defines at least two arc sections configured to move the line along with the arc sections, in use the line is wound around the friction surface such that the line has a first contact area being in contact with the first arc section and a second contact area being in contact with the second arc section, and the traction device includes a line controller coupled to the line between the first contact area and the second contact area and configured to control the velocity with which the line in use is fed to the second arc section, and also a method and use of the traction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Balder, Cornelis Van Zandwijk, Cornelis Benard
  • Patent number: 8915332
    Abstract: A mechanical device for reducing the energy absorbed by an electric motor of a handling plant. The device includes a first rotating member moved by the motor of the handling plant. The device also includes a second rotating member connected to the first member through a first transmission apparatus. A third rotating member is connected to the second rotating member through a second transmission apparatus, which develops a transmission ratio equal to unity. The device further includes a fourth rotating member operatively connected to the rotor of the electric motor. The fourth rotating member and the third rotating member are connected through a third transmission apparatus, which develops a transmission ratio equal to unity. The device includes a sixth rotating member connected to a fifth rotating member through a fifth transmission apparatus. The sixth rotating member and the first rotating member are connected through a sixth transmission apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Giorgio Jezek
  • Patent number: 8905380
    Abstract: A control system is provided for one or more chain drives. The control system includes a automation control system or control device in communication with a control board installed on one or more chain drives. The control board can include a microprocessor and a memory device. The memory device stores one or more computer programs or algorithms executable by the microprocessor to generate a plurality of commands to control the operation of a component, e.g., a motor, of the chain drive in response to receiving an operational command from the automation control system or control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Tait Towers Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Adam Davis
  • Patent number: 8851238
    Abstract: Apparatus for raising and lowering objects. In accordance with some embodiments, a winch motor is adapted to rotate a winch member in opposing first and second directions to wrap/unwrap a portion of a cable on/from the winch member to raise and lower a lifting platform assembly, respectively. A tension detection switch assembly includes an on/off switch connected to the winch motor and a biasing member which exerts a bias force upon the winch member to nominally deflect the winch member to a first position which sets the switch to deactivate the winch motor in an absence of tension in the cable from the lifting platform assembly. A presence of tension in the cable from the lifting platform assembly deflects the winch member to a second position which sets the switch to facilitate activation of the winch motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas L. Byers
  • Publication number: 20140260070
    Abstract: A long travel lift system, apparatus, and method enables users to raise a structural cap from a structural bottom for creating a fillable space between the structural cap and structural bottom for receiving a second, cap-supporting construction intermediate the structural cap and structural bottom. The long travel lift system incorporates a series lift apparatuses, each of which include a telescopic tube construction and winch assembly for imparting a lift force to an inner tube of the telescopic tube construction for extending the inner tube relative to an outer tube. The load lifting force is transmitted to the inner tube from the winch assembly via a pulley assembly and lengthwise slot formed in the outer tube of the tube construction. The outer tube is reinforced with various structures in view of the slot formation. The winch assembly is outfitted with a transmission for enhancing rotational speed of the winch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Victor N. Barcroft
  • Patent number: 8814143
    Abstract: A winch apparatus (10) comprises first and second drum assemblies (12, 14) each defining a discontinuous drum contact surface for engaging a common spoolable medium (50), wherein the first and second drum assemblies (12, 14) are configured to rotate about respective first and second axes of rotation (24, 26) which are inclined relative to each other. In one disclosed embodiment the drum assemblies (12, 14) are intermeshed in a general axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Parkburn Precision Handling Systems Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Lawson, Campbell McFall, Dennis O'Hara
  • Patent number: 8800968
    Abstract: Synchronization assembly and plant for laying cables such as electric conductors, optical fibers, ropes or suchlike. The machines of the assembly and plant are distinct and independent with respect to each other and each includes unwinding members having at least a pair of capstans to unwind the cables, and corresponding traction/collection members having at least a pair of capstans to wind the cables fed from the relative unwinding members. The synchronization assembly and plant includes automatic adjustment members that adjust the speed of rotation of the capstans of at least two unwinding members or two traction/collection members of the laying machines, so as to maintain the winding/unwinding speed of the cables stretched by each machine substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Tesmec Spa
    Inventor: Alberto Oscar
  • Patent number: 8789274
    Abstract: A method and system for attaching a service device to a wind turbine of a wind power unit, using the wind turbine to rotate the service device into one or more service positions, and using the service device to perform servicing on the wind power unit. In some embodiments, a blade of the wind turbine is removed and the service device is mounted in its place. In other embodiments, the service device is mounted to a device mount approximately in a saddle region between adjacent blades. In one example, the service device is a crane. In another example, the service device is a stator module installation/removal tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Northern Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett L. Bywaters, Trevor H. Cole, Adam R. Olsen
  • Patent number: 8757397
    Abstract: A storage system for elevating objects from a surface, such as storing a bicycle off the ground, the storage system including a first mounting plate coupled to a wheel; a second mounting plate spaced from the first mounting plate and coupled to a plurality of wheels; a first wheel assembly spaced from the first mounting plate; a second wheel assembly spaced from the second mounting plate; a cable operatively engaging each of the wheels; and a coupler extending from the first wheel assembly and a second coupler extending from the second wheel assembly. Each of the mounting plates may be made from a unitary piece of material, and each plate may include a plurality of arched channels for rotatably adjusting the mounting plates, e.g., to provide for generally linear alignment of pulley wheels when installing the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Bruce Shaha, Marcus Bosch
  • Publication number: 20140117296
    Abstract: A system is mounted onto a forklift truck for covering and/or uncovering a cargo with a tarpaulin. The system comprises a tube frame assembly having a telescoping frame slidably attached to it. The telescoping frame is configured to be capable of being extendable and/or retractable within the tube frame assembly. The telescoping frame comprises a plurality of rollers configured to be capable of rotating when engaged with the plurality of flexible members and the flexible cover. A powertrain device is installed onto the tube frame assembly for causing to retract and/or to extend the telescoping frame within the tube frame assembly. A winch assembly is configured to be coupled to the tube frame assembly and having a plurality of straps engaged with the tarpaulin to cover and/or uncover the cargo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
    Inventors: Gaylon Bruce Shrader, Richard L. Spinks, Willie R. Hooper, James R. O'Neal
  • Patent number: 8702067
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axial displacement device (3) to be used in conjunction with a rotary winch (2), said winch comprising a drum (7) being rotatable about an axis of rotation (a-a), said axial displacement device to be arranged stationary with respect to said winch and comprising one or more guiding elements (23), said one or more guiding elements being configured to displace a winding of said line in an axial direction parallel to said axis of rotation with at least the diameter of said line, so that a part of said winding being in contact with said drum runs in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland SE
    Inventor: Peter Marius Meijer
  • Publication number: 20140086719
    Abstract: A hoist system and a method for lifting and lowering an object such as a boat include a support structure, a support member supported by the support structure and a hoisting assembly. The hoisting assembly includes an attachment assembly and a set of at least three flexible members operably coupled to the support member and the attachment assembly to retract and extend the attachment assembly vertically relative to a reference axis. The hoisting assembly is supported by the support structure and configured with the support member so as to space apart the flexible members from each other, and wherein each flexible member defines an oblique angle with the reference axis parallel to the vertical reference axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Par Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Gerard
  • Patent number: 8651462
    Abstract: A lift construction for lifting and lowering a blade of a windmill is described herein. The lift construction for lifting and lowering a blade of a windmill to and from its mounted position at a rotatable cone of the windmill comprises a first yoke mountable at the inside of the blade and a second yoke mountable in the cone of the windmill, wherein the first yoke and the second yoke are arranged to cooperate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dutch Heavy Lift Concepts B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Marianus Maria Van Berlo, Adrianus Gerardus Maria Versteeg
  • Publication number: 20140034333
    Abstract: A lifting device and method comprising a plurality of units removably coupled together. Each unit comprises a housing and a winch. The housing of each unit further comprises forward and rearward housing portions, each of said portions further comprising one or more top, bottom, side, and rear plates. The winch and support members span between and within the forward and rearward housing portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: James Mata
  • Patent number: 8631607
    Abstract: In an aspect, the invention is directed to a combination of a carrier and a pulley assembly. The pulley assembly includes a pulley having an associated pulley rotation axis, a pulley bearing member and a pulley fastener. The pulley fastener connects the pulley assembly to the carrier. The pulley bearing member includes a pulley assembly bending load bearing surface. The carrier is mountable to a vehicle and includes a pulley fastener mount for receiving the pulley fastener. The carrier further includes a carrier bending load bearing surface that engages the pulley bending load bearing surface. The pulley assembly bending load bearing surface is generally conical about the pulley rotation axis and tapers outwardly in a direction axially towards the pulley. The carrier bending load bearing surface is generally inner-conical about the pulley rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Broadhead, Raymond Edward Fortin, Traian Miu, Thomas Mellary, James J. Ferri, Donald Harry Smith
  • Publication number: 20140008592
    Abstract: A wire manipulator capable of accurately transferring an object to a desired position on a plane using a strand of wire is provided. The wire manipulator includes a frame having an inner space formed therein, three or more wire modules spaced apart from and coupled to the frame, a moving object coupled to the wire modules, and a control unit configured to control the wire modules. Here the wire module may include a wire coupled to the moving object, and a motor device configured to be able to wind or unwind the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Guk Jin YANG
  • Patent number: 8616527
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hoist using a friction wheel to maximize horizontal movement of a load to be lifted while preventing a wire from deviating from a winding orbit while being wound on a wire drum, the friction wheel having a simplified configuration and being designed to stably support horizontal and vertical movable guide rollers. The hoist includes a single friction wheel on which a wire at a winding side is wound, a wire drum on which the wire at a drawing side is wound, a driven friction wheel through which the wire is guided from the friction wheel to the wire drum, vertical and horizontal stationary guide rollers and vertical and horizontal movable rollers for guidance of the wire, a movable roller mount to horizontally reciprocate the horizontal and vertical movable guide rollers, and upper and lower sheaves to guide the wire to the friction wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: KG Inc.
    Inventor: Duck-Rae Cho
  • Patent number: 8578742
    Abstract: An automated wrist restraint system providing a safe and simple device to immobilize a suspect. A conformal flexible band is employed in a loop configuration, to allow, in the open position, the entry of the largest sized hand encountered in the field. In the closed position the band conforms to the geometry of the wrist to minimize contact forces and prevent wrist injury. Additionally, a microprocessor, controlled servomechanism opens, closes and slackens the band to further prevent wrist injury. A simply activated, holster worn, radio transmitter allows the operator to remotely activate the system, while maintaining a safe distance from the suspect. Among the many possibilities contemplated, the system may be fitted to a law enforcement vehicle, or a robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Burt H. Shulman
  • Patent number: 8561968
    Abstract: The invention relates to a subsea marine load raising and lowering system (1) for use on a vessel, preferably a vessel for laying an offshore pipeline, which system comprises first and second winches (2, 6) for raising or lowering first and second cable portions (4, 8) connected via an equalizing sheave (11), to the axle (12) of which a load connector (13) is connected. The system comprises operating means to perform synchronous raising or lowering of the cable portions. The system further comprises overload protection systems provided at both winches, and a safety assembly (15) preventing any substantial further movement of the cable portions (4, 8) in case the cable portions do not operate synchronously, comprising a structure (15a) mounted to the axle (12) of the equalizing sheave (11) having passages (15c) for the cable portions and further comprising stops (15b) arranged on each cable portion above and in the vicinity of the structure (15a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Terence Willem August Vehmeijer
  • Patent number: 8550267
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for cable management synchronized with telescopic motion. The apparatus is configured such that cables for transmitting power or signals to a manipulator provided on a lower end of a telescopic tube and for receiving signals therefrom are wound or unwound in response to expansion or contraction of the telescopic tube. Moreover, the apparatus is configured such that the cables are prevented from being displaced from the correct positions, a noise is prevented from being generated, and the tension of each cable is adjusted even when it is in the clamped state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignees: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyo Jik Lee, Kiho Kim, Jong Kwang Lee, Byung-Suk Park, Ho Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 8517345
    Abstract: A shipboard winch having guide vanes includes a first drum and a second drum that are mounted on a frame so that the drums contra-rotate when the winch is activated. A plurality of guide vanes is positioned between the first drum and the second drum. Each guide vane is formed with a base and a distal lip that extends outwardly from the guide vane when the guide vane is oriented horizontally. The guide vanes are further formed with a decreasing taper from a maximum width at the base to a minimum width at the distal lip. For deployment/recovery, the cable is threaded around the first drum, through the guide vanes and around the second drum in a figure eight configuration. A feedback circuit is used to control the rotational torque of the drums to maintain a constant tension on a cable as it is deployed or retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Sal Serra
  • Patent number: 8511645
    Abstract: An anti-kinking transmission and guiding system is described, comprising at least one first and second cable running mutually parallel along an axis (X-X) and subtended between a respective winding and unwinding system and at least one output guiding and transmission assembly of such cables, at least one anti-kinking guiding and transmission assembly of such cables being interposed between the winding and unwinding system and the output guiding and transmission assembly, such anti-kinking guiding and transmission assembly of such cables and such output guiding and transmission assembly being rotating around such rotation axis (X-X), a rotation of such anti-kinking guiding and transmission assembly around such rotation axis (X-X) being adapted to perform a winding shaped as an helical cylinder of such cables along such rotation axis (X-X) without contact or rubbing points between such cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: CE.S.I. Centro Studi Industriali di Taddei Simona Maria & C. S.A.S.
    Inventor: Franco Taddei
  • Publication number: 20130146827
    Abstract: A shipboard winch having guide vanes includes a first drum and a second drum that are mounted on a frame so that the drums contra-rotate when the winch is activated. A plurality of guide vanes is positioned between the first drum and the second drum. Each guide vane is formed with a base and a distal lip that extends outwardly from the guide vane when the guide vane is oriented horizontally. The guide vanes are further formed with a decreasing taper from a maximum width at the base to a minimum width at the distal lip. For deployment/recovery, the cable is threaded around the first drum, through the guide vanes and around the second drum in a figure eight configuration. A feedback circuit is used to control the rotational torque of the drums to maintain a constant tension on a cable as it is deployed or retrieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: Sal Serra
  • Patent number: 8459613
    Abstract: A strap-drive system that provides smooth, reliable potentiometer adjustment, particularly in devices used in conjunction with musical instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel McRae
  • Patent number: 8453855
    Abstract: A turning device for a hoist is disclosed, in which a weight thing with a narrow width can be stably turned with a stable support. A rope end unit or an upper sheave unit is easily installed at a hoist frame. A rope end unit or an upper sheave unit is installed in a hoist frame and is freely movable in opposite positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: KG Inc.
    Inventor: Duck-Rae Cho
  • Publication number: 20130129452
    Abstract: The invention relates to a marine load raising and lowering system for use on a vessel, comprising: i. a first winch comprising first driving means for raising or lowering a first cable from the first winch; ii. a second winch comprising second driving means for raising or lowering a second cable from the second winch; iii. operating means connected to the first and second driving means of respectively the first and second winch for synchronising the driving means so as to perform synchronous raising or lowering of the first and second cable; iv.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Terence Willem August Vehmeijer, Ronny Lambertus Waltherus Nouwens
  • Publication number: 20130001488
    Abstract: A modular lift assembly includes a frame, at least one head block connected to the frame, a drum rotatably connected to the frame about an axis of rotation and having at least one winding section, and a drive mechanism operatively connected to the drum for rotating the drum. In various examples, the lift assembly includes at least one loft block internal or external relative to the frame. The loft block is configured to guide a cable from the at least one head block to a load. The lift assembly can further include a load brake positioned along the axis of drum rotation to reduce risks associated with a drive or motor failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Daktronics Hoist, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald A. Hoffend, JR.
  • Patent number: 8322692
    Abstract: An apparatus positions a boat having a clip attached to a bow onto a boat trailer. The apparatus is used with a winch and two guides mounted on the boat trailer. The two guides are positioned a selected distance from the winch toward the rear of the boat trailer and spaced apart from each other. The apparatus includes three line sections windable about a reel of the winch with two of the line sections being windable about the reel in one direction and the third line being wound in an opposite direction. The two lines that are wound on the reel in the same direction extend around the guides while the third line extends between the guides and all of the lines being connected to each other at their distal ends. Forward movement of the boat engages the clip with the lines such that the boat can be winched onto the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Mark Ebbenga
  • Patent number: 8322691
    Abstract: A winch (1) for pulling a cable (C) for maneuvering a load is composed of two motorized drums (3) each including an active cylindrical peripheral surface (5) equipped with several annular grooves (6), the cable intended to be wound around the two drums (3) according to a helical arrangement. The motorized drums are each formed from at least three pulleys (11), that can each be rotated around a common central axis (10), cooperating with their own dedicated motor element (4) and including a cylindrical peripheral surface equipped with at least one of the grooves: two pulleys known as outer pulleys (11a, 11d), positioned between which is at least one pulley known as a central pulley (11b, 11c). The central pulleys include at least one axial cylindrical extension, the cylindrical peripheral surface of which constitutes a rotation bearing for the central cylindrical surface of at least one of the other pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: IMECA
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Boussaton, Karamoko Konate
  • Patent number: 8292268
    Abstract: A zero fleet winch that has a hollow drum and a motor and gear assembly mounted inside the drum. A roller assembly moves with the rotation to keep constant the angle where the cable goes on and off the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: James Kempf
  • Patent number: 8251351
    Abstract: A traction winch for a cable or the like includes a winch frame, at least two sheave assemblies each having at least a first sheave and a second sheave, each sheave having a single circumferential friction surface for the cable. The winch further includes at least two rotatable driveshafts, journalled in the winch frame in a side-by-side arrangement, each drive shaft being associated with a sheave assembly, and at least one motor for driving the driveshafts. The winch includes a differential assembly being provided between each driveshaft and sheave assembly so as to allow for different rotational speeds of the sheaves during operation of the traction winch due to cable elongation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Itrec B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Pieter Dirk Melis Van Duivendijk
  • Patent number: 8246010
    Abstract: A fluid shear actuated brake mechanism includes an outer hub secured to a hoist frame, a main brake disc stack engaged between the outer hub and a hoist drum shaft, an actuator hub helically engaged with the outer hub, and an actuator disc stack engaged between the actuator hub and the shaft. The main disc stack and the actuator disc stack are immersed in a fluid. Rotation of the shaft in a load lowering direction generates fluid shear in the actuator disc stack which rotates the actuator hub in a lowering direction and advances it toward the main disc stack, compressing it and the actuator disc stack. Rotation of the shaft in an opposite load lift direction retract the actuator hub from the main disc stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel L. Hess
  • Patent number: 8215618
    Abstract: A winch system with a force cable that transmits electrical current and/or digital data to the load. For example, the force cable, including a power line and/or a signal line and includes at least: (i) a first portion extending from the load to the drum; and (ii) a second portion that is wound around the drum. If there is a power line in the force cable it is electrically connected to an electrical commutator by a rotating current path. If there is a signal line in the force cable it is connected in data communication to a data signal commutator by a rotating communication path. The commutator also has an input for receiving electrical current and/or digital data, as appropriate. The commutator transmits the electrical current and/or digital data from its input to the rotating current path and/or communication path. The drum defines an axial channel extending from at least one end of the drum along its axial direction, and current path(s) and/or communication path(s) are routed through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: J.R. Clancy, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Kochan, Michael S. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8167273
    Abstract: A winch is provided for taking or winding ropes, cables, and the like. The winch has a drum, a lower crown, a rope groove and an upper crown having a socket which has a fluted cavity. The fluted cavity is configured to cooperate with a pin of a winch handle, which when turned rotates the drum. In an embodiment, the fluted cavity has a groove having a canted coil spring positioned therein. The pin on the winch handle has a groove placed to correspond with the depth of the groove when placed into the socket. The combination allows the winch handle to latch to the winch and to resist unintended separation between the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Rob Sjostedt
  • Patent number: 8162291
    Abstract: A winch for elevating at a plant, in particular for cranes, cable-operated excavators, and similar construction machinery, has a hoisting drum, an electric motor for the drive of the hoisting drum which is received in the interior of the hoisting drum, and power electronics and/or control electronics for the electric motor including at least one frequency inverter and/or frequency converter. The power electronics and/or control electronics for the electric motor are received at least partly in the interior of the hoisting drum. With the compact construction of the winch, short cabling distances are achieved, interference emissions having negative effects on electromagnetic compatibility are avoided, and voltage overshoots impairing the service life of the inverter and the motor are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Liebherr-Components Biberach GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Graner, Oliver Fenker, Johann Lis, Thomas Muenst
  • Patent number: 8152140
    Abstract: A flat belt clamping pulley securely clamps the end of a flat belt to the pulley without requiring fastener holes being provided through the end of the flat belt. The design of the flat belt clamping pulley enables the pulley to be economically constructed without requiring difficult or troublesome machining steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ouellette Machinery Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Ouellette, Richard J. Ouellette
  • Publication number: 20120061634
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for reeving a hoisting cable of a crane, wherein the load to be transported can be suspended from a lower hook block (3), which is held by the hoisting cable (12), from single-loom to double-loom and from double-loom to triple-loom mode, in which an auxiliary cable and/or a chain are utilized such that the weight of the lower hook block causes the hoisting cable to be pulled around the respective roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ingelfinger, Ulrich Dörzbach
  • Patent number: 8083212
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wind-turbine rotor-blade hoisting apparatus that enables attachment and removal of wind-turbine rotor blades without using a plurality of heavy machines and that enables attachment and removal of wind-turbine rotor blades on a site having a complex land shape with little flat land, a method for attaching a wind-turbine rotor blade, and a method for constructing a wind power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Numajiri, Nobuyasu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8056883
    Abstract: A manual storage lift system for efficiently hoisting articles to a raised position for providing temporary or permanent storage for the articles. The manual storage lift system generally includes a drive unit including a mounting plate mounted on a vertical surface, a shaft rotatably connected to the mounting plate, a spool coaxially positioned along the shaft, wherein the spool rotates independently of the shaft, at least one elongated member wound upon the spool, a hand crank connected to the shaft for winding or unwinding the at least one elongated member upon the spool and a brake assembly mounted to the drive unit, wherein the brake assembly includes a torsion spring. A first force applied with the hand crank in a rotational direction upon the torsion spring lessens a tension of the torsion spring allowing the torsion spring and the spool to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Scott Brockie
  • Publication number: 20110274231
    Abstract: A dual drive winch having a drive assembly having a first shaft that is selectively movable between a first engaged position and a first disengaged position, and a second shaft that is selectively movable between a second engaged position and a second disengaged position. When the first shaft is in the first engaged position and the second shaft is in the second engaged position simultaneously, rotation of either the first shaft or the second shaft will, through a coupling mechanism, cause rotation of the other of the first shaft and the second shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: David P. Ketcham, Stafford L. Turner, Robert T. Fells
  • Patent number: 8052123
    Abstract: A power operated winch mechanism for handling the running rigging lines of a sailing yacht. The winch includes a winding drum, which winds and stores the line during line retrieving operations and controllably releases the line when desired. A pair of the new winches can be controllably operated using a portable or fixed control device, with one winch controlled to retrieve one line while another winch controllably releases line in a coordinated procedure. Among other things, such coordinated operations can be useful in carrying out tacking and gybing maneuvers without crew involvement in line handling operations. Novel level wind features enable the lines to be appropriately tensioned during retrieval, and positively drawn from the drum when the line is not under load. Significant improvement in the safety and convenience of the crew is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Samuel J. Mann
  • Patent number: 8016268
    Abstract: An apparatus used for maintaining a wind tower structure wherein the wind tower structure may have a plurality of legs and may be configured to support a wind turbine above the ground in a better position to interface with winds. The lift structure may be configured for carrying objects and have a guide system and drive system for mechanically communicating with a primary cable, rail or other first elongate member attached to the wind tower structure. The drive system and guide system may transmit forces that move the lift relative to the cable and thereby relative to the wind tower structure. A control interface may be included for controlling the amount and direction of the power into the guide system and drive system thereby causing the guide system and drive system to move the lift relative to said first elongate member such that said lift moves relative to said wind tower structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Wind Tower Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David Oliphant, Jared Quilter, Todd Andersen, Thomas Conroy