Abstract: A method for installing a rotor blade on a wind turbine, the rotor blade comprising a blade root for fastening the rotor blade to a hub, a blade tip facing away from the blade root, and a longitudinal axis running from the blade root to the blade tip, and the method comprising the steps of: hoisting the rotor blade using a crane, recording measurement data relating to the position and/or orientation of the rotor blade using at least one measuring means during the hoisting, and transmitting the measurement data to at least one monitoring station for monitoring the hoisting and/or to at least one control facility for controlling the position and/or orientation of the rotor blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering a carrier for supporting clothes hangers or other hanging articles within a wardrobe closet that includes a tube, brackets for rotatable mounting of the tube, a tubular motor coupled to the tube for rotating the tube, and a base that attaches to a side panel of the wardrobe closet. Two arms each lie on a plane parallel to the base and to the side panel, attach at their ends to the carrier, and are mounted on the base so that they may oscillate and pivot in the plane between two positions, raising and lowering the carrier. At the lowest position the carrier releases from the arms and drop further. Fabric straps are wound onto and unwound from the tube to raise and lower the arms as the tube is rotated. A remote control receiver or programmable device may be used to control operation of the motor.

Abstract: Diverting pulley arrangement of an elevator, which includes an axle, at least one diverting pulley that rotates while supported on the axle, a faceplate structure, in relation to which and supported by which the diverting pulley is arranged to rotate on the first side of the faceplate structure, which axle is locked so that it does not rotate in relation to the faceplate structure by the aid of a locking element, which locking element is on the second side of the faceplate structure and supported so that it does not move in relation to the faceplate structure. The locking element is placed against the locking surface included in the axle so that the contact point of the locking element and the locking surface of the axle is at least partly visible.

Abstract: A control system for a capstan assembly for use with a winch during wire rope payout. The control system comprises a sensor that detects the rope when it is in a predetermined position indicative of tension placed on the rope by an operator. The control system further comprises an actuator for rotating the capstans such that the wire rope is paid out from the winch when the actuator is in a first position. The control system causes the capstans to rotate and the wire rope to pay out when the rope is in the predetermined position and the actuator is in the first position. The control system ceases rotation when the actuator is removed from the first position or the rope is no longer in the predetermined location.

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).

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.

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.

Abstract: A multidimensional positioning system including a first block assembly including a fixed first block portion and a moveable second block portion. A first travel cable is arranged on pulleys operatively connected to the first block portion, the second block portion and a predetermined location. The first travel cable is affixed to a base supporting a load. A first travel drive is operatively connected to the first travel cable to facilitate movement of the base in a second travel direction. A first lift drive is arranged and disposed to provide movement of the second block portion relative to the first block portion to selectively alter the length of the first travel cable in a working space and selectively move the base in a first travel direction.

Abstract: A gap protection device for an examining table includes a guide rail, a protecting chain and a rigid rope. The guide rail is fixed onto the non-moving part of the examining table. One end of the protecting chain is fixed onto the body of the examining table and is movable along the guide rail so as to cover the gap between the body and the non-moving part of the examining table. The two ends of the rigid rope are respectively connected to the two ends of the protecting chain. When the examining table is moved, the closed loop formed by the protecting chain and the rigid rope circulates synchronously under the drive of the examining table, such that the protecting chain covers the gap between the body and the non-moving part of the examining table.

Abstract: The present invention is related generally to hoists, and more particularly to a hoist system for safely raising, storing, and lowering loads.

Abstract: A winching apparatus and method for winching a load are disclosed which are particularly suitable for, though not exclusively limited to, use with heave compensated hoists or cranes, for example, on a floating structure such as a vessel. The winching apparatus comprises a first winch, a second winch, a winch line, at least one sheave or guide, a winch line cycling means and a load connection means, wherein the load is connectable to the load connection means, the winch line extends from the first winch round the at least one sheave or guide to the second winch and the winching apparatus is configured to transfer winch line between the first and second winches while the winch line cycling means cycles winch line backwards and forwards round the at least one sheave or guide.

Abstract: A puller is provided with a number of advantages. Pullers are described that have a high power to weight ratio, and a high power to volume ratio. Examples of pullers and pulling systems include harmonic drive gear reduction elements and configurations that provide high cable friction in a small device volume. Examples of pullers and pulling systems also include constant force pulling which is desirable in particular for small diameter pipe replacement. Using pullers and pulling systems as described, minimally invasive pipe replacement operations are possible. Reversible pullers are also provided that decrease the amount of time needed to burst or split multiple segments of pipe.

Abstract: A puller is provided with a number of advantages. Pullers are described that have a high power to weight ratio, and a high power to volume ratio. Examples of pullers and pulling systems include harmonic drive gear reduction elements and configurations that provide high cable friction in a small device volume. Examples of pullers and pulling systems also include constant force pulling which is desirable in particular for small diameter pipe replacement. Using pullers and pulling systems as described, minimally invasive pipe replacement operations are possible. Reversible pullers are also provided that decrease the amount of time needed to burst or split multiple segments of pipe.

Abstract: A drive unit has at least one motor, a motor stand, a bearing block, a drive pulley and a counter-roller attachment. The drive pulley is mounted at the motor stand and at the bearing block by a shaft. A respective brake is arranged at the bearing block at each side. Webs connect the motor stand with the bearing block. The motor stand, the bearing block and the webs form a stable structure without an engine frame carrying the motor stand and the bearing block being necessary. A counter-roller attachment consisting of side plates and a counter-roller is arranged directly at the motor stand and the bearing block.

Abstract: An overhead storage system for efficiently and conveniently stowing items such as bicycles at ceiling level. The overhead storage system includes a motor connected to a spool unit, a frame supporting the motor and attachable to a ceiling, an extended member extending from the frame, a pulley attached to a distal portion of the extended member, a first cable and a second cable attached to the spool unit with the second cable extending through the pulley, and a support member attached to the distal portions of the first cable and the second cable. The support member is comprised of an elongated structure capable of supporting one or more items such as but not limited to bicycles. A control unit controls the operation of the motor and is in communication with a controller operated by a user for raising and lowering the support member.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting and aligning a blade to a support, such as a grader moldboard or a scraper bowl. In one aspect the invention is an apparatus with a frame, flexible hoisting means for holding the blade, a drum to which each flexible hoisting means is attached, a stabilizing means for stabilizing the apparatus, and a drive means for rotating the drums. In another aspect, the invention is a method for lifting a blade to a support, which involves inserting flexible hoisting means through different apertures of a support and the corresponding apertures in the blade, and providing means to controllably reduce the length of the flexible hoisting means while holding the blade. The apparatus and method can be used by one person to lift, line up, and securely bolt a blade to a support.

Abstract: A cable winch hoisting device for theatrical stages, whereby a plurality of elongated, rod-like holding girders are suspended on cables, and these holding girders are adjustable in height by varying the free cable length between the cable suspension and the holding girder, which determines the position of the respective holding girder. The holding girders are adjustable in height between two end positions without any mutual interference in the clearance spaces which do not overlap with one another and are provided for the holding girders. At least two cables which are uniformly adjustable by the same cable-operating device act on the holding girders and are distributed over the length of the girders. The cable-operating devices are each electrically driven cable drums. The cables acting on the same holding girder can be wound up side by side onto the cable drum of the respective cable-operating device with the same change in free cable length, which determines the position of the holding girder.

Abstract: An acceleration system (30) for accelerating a load, for example for launching an aircraft (21), comprises a flywheel (12) driven from a power source (15), the flywheel (22) having a spiral profiled surface (16) for receiving a cable (17) a remote end portion of which is connectable to the aircraft (21). The profiled surface (16) ensures that launching of the aircraft (21) is effected smoothly, initially at low speed and then at progressively increasing speed until the aircraft attains take-off speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for installing successive segments of a segmented dock. A suspension structure is connected to a previously installed segment of dock. The suspension structure includes a frame rotator for rotating a dock frame from an inverted position atop the previously installed dock segment to an extended position substantially parallel to the previously installed dock segment. The suspension structure suspends the frame in place while decking is added to the frame. Once the decking is installed, the person installing the dock may move onto the suspended segment in order to sink support poles from the suspended dock segment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a construction machine in which a plurality of winches are arranged to be overlapped vertically at a rear part of an upper rotating body. Therefore, a space that the winches occupy is reduced, so that the space of the upper rotating body can be utilized effectively, and a radius of rotating rear end can be reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving golf balls from a submerged surface includes a power drive device which is stationed along the shore of the submerged surface of a golf course water hazard and which carries a pair of spools on which flexible line is wound. The flexible line on one spool is connected directly to a golf ball retrieving mechanism, and the line from the other spool is connected around a pulley on a deadman stake on the opposite side of the submerged surface and is then connected to the golf ball retrieving device. Accordingly, the golf ball retriever is moved along the submerged surface toward and away from the opposite shores of the water hazard by alternatively driving one of the spools and permitting the other spool to unwind. The power drive device is moved incrementally along the shore surface after each sweep of the golf ball retriever so that golf balls may be retrieved from all of the submerged surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for taking up and paying out first and second ends of an endless loop of tape that has an intermediate section. A first reel connected to the first end carries a first coil of the tape. The first coil extends from the first reel and is normally self-expanding and unwinding so as to unwind itself from the first reel. A second reel is connected to the second end for carrying a second coil of the tape. The second coil extends from the second reel and is normally self-expanding so as to unwind itself from the second reel. A drum supports both of the first and second reels for rotation in the same direction. Pulleys guide the intermediate section of the tape from the first reel to the second reel for moving a sludge collector. When the drum is rotated in a first rotary direction, the first coil tends to self-unwind from the first reel and the second coil is wound up on the second reel to move the intermediate section of the tape and the sludge collector.

Abstract: An apparatus for the motorized control of theatrical sets connected to manual lift units each comprising upper and lower pulleys upon which a line runs to raise and lower a counterweight operatively connected to a set on the stage by a plurality of lift lines is comprised of a series of upper and lower sheaves for support of an independent control line connected to the counterweight. The sheaves are positioned as to not interfere with the manually-operated lines. A drive drum and motor drive unit is associated with each upper and lower sheave, and runs the control line. The drive drums and motor drive units are arranged in a spaced array such that the drive units may be connected and discounted to the drive drums as necessary and required by a particular set configuration, thus eliminating the need for all drums of the array to be coupled to drive units at all times.

Abstract: A tensioning device for use with an endless traverse which is longitudinally adjustable in both directions responsive to a rotational drive. The rotational drive includes two driving gears which are each selectively coupled with a drive shaft so that when one of the driving gears is positively driven, the other driving gear is permitted to rotate freely. The traverse changes from one driving gear to the other by passing from between a pair of overlying side walls and over a flange. Elongation resulting from strain of the traverse is continuously led out of the system so that blocking or braking of the traverse is avoided. The tensioning device is especially suitable for the operation of strip curtains or conventional curtains, as well as for curtain systems with large and heavy traverses.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving aircraft on flat surfaces with the aid of cables which, on the one hand, act on the aircraft and, on the other hand, pass to winch drums via guide pulleys which are in part displaceable is characterized in that, for moving aircraft, in particular helicopters, multi-drum winches are provided on a ship's deck with the winch drums being drivable via differential transmissions by two motors which are controllable by means of a joystick operable in the sense of the intended movement of the aircraft.

Abstract: A winch is disclosed and is equipped with two drive shafts and two rope drums corresponding thereto. The rope drums have peripheral grooves in which the rope which is slung over the drums is guided. A slip clutch is provided to compensate for velocity differences in the region where the rope is slung over the rope drums. The slip clutch is associated with at least one of the two drive shafts of the rope drums.

Abstract: A winch is disclosed having at least one rope drum which includes a run-out groove on its periphery in which a rope is guided. The run-out groove is bounded in part by a tightening disc which is pressable against one side of the rope. The run-out groove for the rope is configured on a drive disc which is configured so as to be separate from the rope drum. The drive disc is coupled with the rope drum via a free runner and in such a manner that an operative connection existing when the rope is run out under load is interrupted when the load is removed from the rope.

Abstract: An interference warning device for an oil well drilling rig having a derrick, traveling equipment, a racker arm, and a block retractor. Fluid activated sensors provide electric signals when the traveling equipment is within a selected vertical distance from the racker arm, when the racker arm is within a selected horizontal distance from the vertical axis of the derrick, or when the block retractor has extended the traveling equipment to within a selected distance from the fully extended position. The operator is informed when any one of the sensors is activated, cautioned when any two of the sensors are activated, and warned when all three sensors are activated. The drawworks may be braked when all three sensors are activated.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting logs and the like is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongated track having an upstanding splitting wedge attached thereto and a ram slidingly mounted thereon. The ram includes an upstanding abutment plate and an upstanding drive plate which is spaced from the abutment plate on the opposite side thereof from the wedge. A cable-wound-drum electrical power unit which is operable with advance, hold and release modes is mounted at an intermediate point on the track between the drive and abutment plates with the cable of the power unit extending from the drum to the drive plate. Upon implementation of the advance mode of the power unit, the cable is wound onto the drum to pull the drive plate towards the power unit and thereby advance the abutment plate towards the wedge.

Abstract: An aerial cableway for transferring personnel/goods between a vessel and a fixed installation at sea, consisting of a support cable stretched between the vessel and the fixed installation. A winch provided with a slippage device maintains constant tension in the support cable which, by means of a securing member, is releasably attached to a complementary securing member on the vessel. A gondola is suspended from a trolley on the support cable. A pulling line attached to the trolley controls hauling the gondola up and down the support cable between the vessel and the fixed installation by means of a pulling winch on the fixed installation. The fixed installation is provided with an outrigger at the outer end of which the securing member for the support cable is fastened so as to be able to be raised and lowered by means of a hoisting cable which is maneuverable from the fixed installation.