Drive Includes Noncompressible Fluid Motor Or Pump Patents (Class 254/361)
  • Patent number: 11970376
    Abstract: A system for controlling a winch assembly includes a rotatable winch drum with an attached cable. A winch motor is configured to rotate the winch drum. A sensor is configured to generate signals indicative of the number of layers of the winch cable on the winch drum. A winch controller is configured to receive a control input requesting a selected rotation of the winch drum, receive the signals from the sensor, determine a number of layers of the winch cable disposed on the winch drum, and generate control commands to control the winch motor to rotate the winch drum based on the control input and the number of layers of the winch cable. The control command rotates the winch drum to produce a substantially constant line speed based on the selected control input independent of the number of layers determined to be disposed on the winch drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Caldwell, Benjamin Barbier
  • Patent number: 11851306
    Abstract: A zero-gravity hoist system including a chain fall, a motor coupled to the chain fall and configured to drive the chain fall in one or more directions, a power supply configured to provide power to the motor, and a controller having one or more electronic processors. The one or more electronic processors are configured to measure a first force of a load in response to receiving an input, store the measured first force in a memory of the controller, measure a second force of the load, determine a difference between the second measured force and the first measured force, and adjust a height of the load based on determining that the second force differs from the first force by a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Post, Isabel M. Lloyd, Gareth Mueckl, John S. Scott, Matthew N. Thurin, Timothy J. Campbell
  • Patent number: 11686378
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission including a main planetary gear set. A sun gear of the main planetary gear set coupled to an input shaft and a ring gear of the main planetary gear set may be coupled to an output shaft. A continuous range of transmission ratios between the input shaft and the output shaft provided by gradually changing an rpm of a carrier of the main planetary gear set. To this end a vane coupling mechanism may be coupled with the main planetary gear set. The vane coupling mechanism including an inner rotor coupled with the main carrier, where the inner rotor may be rotatably disposed within an outer rotating chamber. The outer rotating chamber coupled with the main sun gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignees: ASAK COMPANY, SHAHID RAJAYI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Seyed Mostafa Mirsalim, Hadi Saburi, Masoud Sobhani, Alireza Yaghubi, Mojtaba Pakbaz Miyab, Mohammad Hasanali, Gholamhasan Payganeh, Mehrdad Nouri Khajavi Tehrani
  • Patent number: 11136940
    Abstract: A hydraulic thrust reverser system (TRAS) including a first return line having a first check valve therein, and a second return line having a second check valve therein, wherein the first return line and the second return line are in fluid communication with each other via a fluid restrictor located upstream of the first and second check valves, wherein the first return line extends from a piston system of the TRAS, the piston system being for moving at least one thrust reverser door, and wherein the second return line extends from a lock system of the TRAS, the lock system being for controlling locks to selectively prevent the movement of the at least one thrust reverser door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Tim Hudson, Brett Wharton
  • Patent number: 11078056
    Abstract: A winch has a supporting frame with a first wall and a second wall. The winch also has a drum interposed between the first and second walls and is supported by them so as to rotate about its longitudinal axis which is transverse to the walls. The winch also has a flexible element for moving a load being wound around the drum. The winch also has a drive structure associated with the first wall and with a transmission structure for rotationally actuating the drum. The winch may also have a reaction element which is associated with the second wall, which supports the drum so as to rotate and which is associated with the transmission structure in order to support them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Dana Motion Systems Italia S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alessandro Vighi, Stefano Lazzaretti, Giovanni Mariech
  • Patent number: 10858225
    Abstract: A track-type machine is disclosed. The track-type machine may comprise an electric drive powertrain including an internal combustion engine, a winch assembly having a drum rotatably supporting a cable so that the cable is reeled in or reeled out at a winch line speed when the drum is rotating, and an implement controller configured to activate the winch assembly for reeling in and reeling out the cable. The track-type machine may further comprise a hydraulic circuit driven by the internal combustion engine and configured to actuate a rotation of the drum when the winch assembly is activated by the implement controller. In addition, the track-type machine may further comprise a control system configured to increase an engine speed of the internal combustion engine when the winch assembly is activated by the implement controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Evan Randall Sanders, Christopher Mark Brian, Thomas Gregory Pusch
  • Patent number: 10174556
    Abstract: A downhole drilling motor comprises a housing located in a drill string. A power sleeve is located inside the housing and is operatively coupled to a drill bit. The power sleeve has a spiral lobed, elastomer covered internal surface. The power sleeve is rotatable with respect to the outer housing. A lobed shaft is located within the power sleeve. The lobed shaft has a spiral lobed outer surface. An anchoring assembly is engaged between the lobed shaft and the outer housing to limit rotation of the lobed shaft with respect to the housing such that a fluid flow through the downhole drilling motor causes the power sleeve to rotate with respect, to the outer housing and the lobed shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Alben D'Silva, Edgar A. Estrada
  • Patent number: 9969322
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vehicle, a winch for a vehicle, and a display control device for a winch of a vehicle. The winch includes a motor for driving an operation of the winch, and the display control device includes a display component and a display control panel. The display control panel is provided with a load detector, a processor and a light controller. The load detector detects a load situation of the motor. The processor is connected with the load detector and the light controller respectively, and outputs a light control signal to the light controller according to the load situation of the motor, and the light controller is connected with the display component and controls the display component to display corresponding light according to the light control signal received from the processor. Thus, the actual load situation of the winch can be obtained in real time during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: T-MAX (HANGZHOU) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hangfei Yu, Xing Fan
  • Patent number: 9636687
    Abstract: A wood chipper comprises a frame, an infeed system, a rotatable cutting system, and at least one feed wheel disposed between the infeed system and the cutting system to feed wood material to the cutting system. The wood chipper also includes a winch comprising a winch line having a first end, and a collar disposed adjacent the first end of the winch line. The wood chipper further includes a detector adapted to detect a first and a second position of the winch line, wherein the detector is adapted to allow operation of the at least one feed wheel and prohibit operation of the winch when the first position of the winch line is detected, and to allow operation of the winch and allow operation of the at least one feed wheel in a predefined manner when the second position is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BANDIT INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard S. Kennedy, Scott R. Parks
  • Patent number: 9073116
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a metal reinforced open cell carbon foam component comprises (a) placing a block of open cell carbon foam in a mold. The block comprise a plurality of interconnected pores distributed throughout the block. In addition, the method comprises (b) pouring a molten metal into the mold. Further, the method comprises (c) infiltrating the interconnected pores in the block during (b). Still further, the method comprises (d) allowing the molten metal to cool after (c) to form a metal reinforced open cell carbon foam casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Adrian Marica, Kenneth S. Kondo
  • Publication number: 20150123056
    Abstract: The disclosed tackle for displacing a load includes a hydraulic motor assembly for displacing a tensile member that is connectable to the load and a hydraulic pump assembly to drive the hydraulic motor, which hydraulic pump assembly is manually operable for driving the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel Andrew HAWKINS
  • Patent number: 8820719
    Abstract: A draw-works (10) is for maneuvering drilling devices that includes a winder (11) for winding at least one rope (12), which is centered on a shaft (13) having one first end and one second end and rotating in one first direction and in one second direction opposite to the first. The winder (11) is at least partially substantially cylindrical in shape. One or more supports (14) rotatably support the shaft (13). Motors (19) are designed to enable rotation in the first direction and in the second direction of the shaft (13) and of the winder (11). The supports (14) and the motors (19) are fixed to a frame base (16). The motors (19) are set on both sides of the winder (11) and connect to them without speed-reducing elements, with direct drive on the shaft (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Drillmec S.p.A.
    Inventor: Stefano Ferrari
  • Patent number: 8616528
    Abstract: Hydraulic powered assemblies 10 and 110 are disclosed. The assembly 10 includes a support unit 12, a hydraulic motor 14, and a driven member 16 that is integral with the hydraulic motor 14. The hydraulic motor 14 includes a power group 32 that includes six gerotor power units 34a-34f. Each gerotor power unit 34a-34f includes an inner rotor 40 that is fixed to a stationary through-shaft 24 and an outer rotor 42 that is mounted for hypocycloidal movement relative to the inner rotor 40. The driven member 16 includes segments 51 that support the outer rotors 40 within the segments 51. The segments 51 carry a winch cable receiving member 60 when the assembly 10 is used as a winch. The hydraulic powered assembly 110 is an alternative embodiment that includes two power groups 131 and 132. The power groups 131 and 133 may be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Paul Gray, II, Mark Schuster, Richard Hynes, Jason Richardson, Jim McBurnett, Brook Cutshaw
  • Patent number: 8382540
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the motion of a cable-driven autonomous moored profiler. The profiler includes one or more buoyant members for buoying the profiler in the fluid, a winch, and a feedback controller for controlling the winch. The winch includes a spool, a device providing for varying rates of turning of the spool, and a flexible cable for winding onto and unwinding from the spool. A first end of the cable is carried by the profiler. The controller monitors an indication of the tension in the cable and controls the device in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Wet Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew H. Barnard, Bruce K. Rhoades, John N. Koegler, III, Alex R. Derr, Casey Moore, Daniel R. Whiteman, Percy L. Donaghay, James M. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8201349
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piste grooming vehicle with a point of application for cable forces that is associated with a cable winch, the point being at a distance from a yaw axis of the piste grooming machine, at least one control device being provided and being operatively connected to at least one control for automatically compensating at least one cable torque that can be applied by a cable traction force of the cable winch in relation to the yaw axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Kaessbohrer Gelaendefahrzeug AG
    Inventors: Helmut Kanzler, Michael Kuhn
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120091410
    Abstract: In a method of operating a winding drum, in particular of cranes, for a line to be reeled in or paid out, a hydraulic motor is activated by a control block which has a hydraulic valve assembly comprised of two pressure control valves respectively arranged in a feed line and a return flow line, for operating the winding drum. The pressure control valves are provided to set a pressure differential on the hydraulic motor in order to maintain a defined tautness of the line being reeled in or paid out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Stemmann-Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Ludger Bünker, Mario Möbes, Stefan Sommerschuh
  • Publication number: 20110315392
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for remotely running a subsea production tree (12) and desuspending a well is described. The apparatus comprises a tree running tool (16) adapted to be connected to a production tree, at least one downhole tool, at least one of the tools being a plug retrieval tool (22) and a tool deployment device (18) in hydraulic communication with at least the plug retrieval tool to hydraulically operate the plug retrieval tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey Charles Edwards
  • Publication number: 20110264014
    Abstract: A portable load lifting assist system (100) includes a movable support structure including an exoskeleton torso (160) including an exoskeleton trunk (109) that is configured to be coupled to a person's upper body, and a load lifting mechanism (221) secured to the movable support structure including a winch (229) having a motor driven reel mechanism for reeling first and second lifting straps or cables (222) that are secured to first and second end effectors (223). First and second handles (224) are attached to an outside surface of the first and second end effectors, wherein the lifting straps or cables when driven by the winch lift a load contacted by the first and second end effectors. A lower extremity exoskeleton (120) is configured to be coupled to a person's lower limbs. The exoskeleton trunk couples to the person's upper body through an upper body interface device (150) that is coupled to the lower extremity exoskeleton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Russdon Angold
  • Publication number: 20110211937
    Abstract: A manipulator for a load has a stand, an accommodation connected to the stand (2, 8) for the load, wherein the accommodation allows movement of the load with respect to the stand with respect to at least a first axis, a drive having a rope pull or a chain or belt drive which supports the movement of the load along the first axis, and an elasticity means acting along the first axis. The elasticity means has a frame translationally displaceable along the first axis with respect to the stand and elastically retained which supports a guiding element of the drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: ESMO AG
    Inventor: Josef Weinberger
  • Publication number: 20110206488
    Abstract: A portable mechanical lifting and lowering device for mounting in or on a host vehicle with various lifting and lowering configurations that enable the user to lift, lower, move and operate items, equipment and farm style implements using hydraulic, electrical, or other mechanical means of power, including but not limited to a lifting mechanism that mimic's the lifting ability of a farm tractor style three point hitch configuration by attaching to the trailer hitch receiver port of a host vehicle and being operated with an implement attached; and a mechanism that can lift or lower items into the earth, or other surface, in a straight or twisting fashion; and a trailer hitch attachment for a trailer hitch ball that can be easily lifted and lowered; and a crane style mechanism that can lift, lower or move items, all incorporated in this one device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Michael E. Windsor, Morgan T.M. Windsor
  • Patent number: 7984894
    Abstract: A clutch operable with equipment, including a winch of the type having a planetary gear reduction assembly for driving a cable drum. The planetary gear assembly includes a ring gear which, when allowed to rotate, effectively disconnects the drive motor from the cable drum. When the ring gear is fixed against rotation, the drive motor can drive the cable drum to wind or unwind the cable therefrom. A bistable solenoid is employed so that a plunger thereof is engageable with the ring gear to either allow rotation or prevent rotation, and thus engage or disengage the clutch. The bistable solenoid does not require electrical power when the plunger is in either stable position, thereby conserving electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Inventor: Roger N. Chauza
  • Patent number: 7866630
    Abstract: To provide a winding mechanism and a trawling apparatus capable of eliminating an excessive tension or slack generated in a wire wound around a drum and keeping the tension or wire length of the wire constant. A winding mechanism with tension control function includes a reversibly rotatable liquid-pressure motor rotating a drum having a wire wound therearound, a liquid-pressure pump coupled directly with the liquid-pressure motor and supplying hydraulic oil, and an electric motor rotating to drive the liquid-pressure pump. The winding mechanism further includes a control unit controlling a torque of the electric motor based on a variation in load current of the electric motor and winding off or winding up the wire to keep the tension of the wire at a set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignees: Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Tsurumi Seiki Co., Ltd., Dai-Ichi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Ueki, Hirohumi Doi, Shogo Miyajima, Kenzo Hasegawa, Hiroshi Satoh
  • Patent number: 7828270
    Abstract: A quick attach stabilizing device for skid steer loaders and similar machines for performing off-road recovery, winching, and loading operations. Primarily used by wrecker service and other service companies when 4 wheel drive winch vehicles cannot drive to the off-road location due to the extremely bad ground surface conditions caused by excessive rain, snow, or ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Carnel C. Duvall
  • Patent number: 7789374
    Abstract: A control arrangement is provided for an integrated compressor and winch assembly. The integrated assembly includes: a clutch mechanically coupled to an electric motor and selectively engageable with at least one of a compressor or a winch mechanism; an electrical control circuit having an operational mode for controlling the compressor and another operational mode for controlling the winch mechanism; and a mode selector in communication with the clutch and the electrical control circuit, whereby actuating the mode selector actuates the clutch and selects an operational mode for the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Averill, Richard J. Geisler, Steven W. Shuyler, Oliver Heravi
  • Publication number: 20100176358
    Abstract: Hydraulic powered assemblies 10 and 110 are disclosed. The assembly 10 includes a support unit 12, a hydraulic motor 14, and a driven member 16 that is integral with the hydraulic motor 14. The hydraulic motor 14 includes a power group 32 that includes six gerotor power units 34a-34f. Each gerotor power unit 34a-34f includes an inner rotor 40 that is fixed to a stationary through-shaft 24 and an outer rotor 42 that is mounted for hypocycloidal movement relative to the inner rotor 40. The driven member 16 includes segments 51 that support the outer rotors 40 within the segments 51. The segments 51 carry a winch cable receiving member 60 when the assembly 10 is used as a winch. The hydraulic powered assembly 110 is an alternative embodiment that includes two power groups 131 and 132. The power groups 131 and 133 may be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Roger Paul Gray, II, Mark Schuster, Richard Hynes, Jason Richardson, Jim McBurnett, Brook Cutshaw
  • Publication number: 20090309082
    Abstract: A winch may include a drum, a winch motor adapted to rotatably drive the drum in a first direction and a second direction, a cable adapted to be wound off of and onto the drum, and a fan including an impeller selectively driven by a fan motor. The fan is adapted to cool the winch motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Webb, Bryan M. Averill, Bryon M. Borntrager, Steven W. Shuyler
  • Patent number: 7559534
    Abstract: An integrated air compressor and winch is provided that utilizes a single source of rotary motive power for driving both a winch drum and compressor mechanism. The integrated air compressor and winch is preferably provided with a gear case that is operable to provide an appropriate gear reduction for driving the winch drum while providing an appropriate drive speed for operating the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Giacomini, Bryan M. Averill, Richard J. Geisler, Steven W. Shuyler, Oliver Heravi
  • Publication number: 20090134373
    Abstract: The invention relates to a winch comprising a drum, a rotary drum bearing, on which the drum is supported in a rotating manner, a supporting device, on which the rotary drum bearing is supported in a pivotable manner by means of at least one pivot joint, and an actuating drive for the active pivoting of the drum. The pivot axis extends inside the drum and the actuating drive is arranged at least partially inside the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Maximilian Arzberger, Christian Herrmann
  • Patent number: 7461831
    Abstract: A telescoping workover rig is characterized by a derrick having a bottom mast section mounted on a base or carrier and a top mast section telescopically fitted in the bottom mast section. In functional configuration a system of tram sheaves mounted on movable trams and connected to opposite fixed stationary sheaves by a continuous cable, serve to raise and lower a travelling block suspended by the cable from travelling block sheaves and crown sheaves in the extended top mast section. The trams that mount the tram sheaves are fitted to the ends of one or a pair of cylinder rods extending from a corresponding tram drive cylinder or cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Inventor: Robert E. Mosley
  • Patent number: 7389972
    Abstract: A pneumatically operated hoist system including a load support is disclosed, wherein the system is capable of sensing an overload and preventing the raising of the load support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Concept 2 Market, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew J. Mathias
  • Patent number: 7311298
    Abstract: An integrated air compressor and winch is provided that utilizes a single source of rotary motive power for driving both a winch drum and compressor mechanism. The integrated air compressor and winch is preferably provided with a gear case that is operable to provide an appropriate gear reduction for driving the winch drum while providing an appropriate drive speed for operating the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Giacomini
  • Patent number: 7201366
    Abstract: An electronic winch monitoring system for a winch having a fixed-ratio gearbox with input and output shafts, a winch drum connected to the output shaft, and an auxiliary brake connected to the output shaft activated by reducing the pressure in a brake release hydraulic circuit. The system comprises an input shaft speed sensor, an output shaft speed sensor, and an electronic control unit having a monitoring section and a brake control section. The monitoring section receives the speed signals, processes them to produce a calculated ratio of actual input to output shaft speeds, and produces a fault indication signal when the value of the difference between the calculated speed ratio and the fixed ratio exceeds a predetermined value. The brake control section, upon receiving the fault signal, reduces the hydraulic pressure in the brake circuit using a nonlinear pressure-time profile to engage the auxiliary brake and stop the winch drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Paccar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Sanders, David E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7192010
    Abstract: A winch system, typically used in a roller coaster system, includes a hydraulic pump, a variable speed motor connected to the hydraulic pump, a first pipe connected to the hydraulic pump; a second pipe connected to the hydraulic pump comprising a second pressurized fluid; an accumulator system connected the pipes; a motor connected to the accumulator system; and a winch drum connected to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Vekoma Rides Engineering B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Peter De Vin
  • Patent number: 7166061
    Abstract: According to a control device for a hydraulic winch, a regulator controls a motor capacity of a hydraulic motor having variable capacity functioning as a driving source of the hydraulic winch in response to a load pressure, a negative brake stops and retains the hydraulic motor at an automatic shutoff for prevention of overloading, and a controller sends signals to the regulator via a regulator-controlling valve at the automatic shutoff to set the motor capacity at a large value. Thus, the delay to recover the motor capacity at the time of returning from the automatic shutoff that is activated during winding-up of a load does not occur, and a control response is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Kobelco Cranes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Shimomura, Masaaki Ehara
  • Patent number: 7137618
    Abstract: The invention involves a hand held, power-assisted cable-pulling apparatus. The hand held, power-assisted cable-pulling apparatus has a housing, a take-up wheel, a drive transfer coupling, at least one dog pawl, a line, and a ground fixation mechanism. The housing has a hollow handle body within which is a fluid-powered actuator, a fluid control valve, for controlling fluid pressure supply to the actuator, and an operating trigger for the control valve. The wheel has a circumferential line-engaging portion and a concentric ratchet portion. The take-up wheel rotates about a take-up wheel shaft, which extends through the center of the take-up wheel. The take-up wheel shaft is attached with respect to the housing. Further, there is at least one dog pawl pivotally attached with respect to the housing. There is also a line having a cable attachment mechanism. The take-up wheel may be selectively rotated in a clockwise take-up direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Inventor: Robert F. Koenecke
  • Patent number: 7119295
    Abstract: The invention refers to a hanging control device connected to a unit to be managed, specifically control switches or hanging control panels in order to control hoisting gear, by means of a control line, whereby the control line contains electrical lines (2) to transmit control signals and strain relief, which is supported at the top of the unit to absorb weight and traction forces. In order to create a hanging control device for which the length of the control line can be easily changed, we suggest that strain relief be created by means of hose (6), which can be folded flat and has the design of a type of textile hose, and that electrical lines (2) run through the inside of the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Demag Cranes & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Röhr, Anton Münzebrock, Wolfgang Krebs, Giuliano Persico, Rüdiger Ostholt
  • Patent number: 7063306
    Abstract: An electronic winch monitoring system for a winch having a fixed-ratio gearbox with input and output shafts, a winch drum connected to the output shaft, and an auxiliary brake connected to the output shaft activated by reducing the pressure in a brake release hydraulic circuit. The system comprises an input shaft speed sensor, an output shaft speed sensor, and an electronic control unit having a monitoring section and a brake control section. The monitoring section receives the speed signals, processes them to produce a calculated ratio of actual input to output shaft speeds, and produces a fault indication signal when the value of the difference between the calculated speed ratio and the fixed ratio exceeds a predetermined value. The brake control section, upon receiving the fault signal, reduces the hydraulic pressure in the brake circuit using a nonlinear pressure-time profile to engage the auxiliary brake and stop the winch drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Mark E. Sanders, David E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7032887
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable winch arrangement with a cable winch, a winch drive and a control device, as well as to a method for the operation thereof. The control device makes it possible to connect in a first operating mode for raising and lowering and a second operating mode in which it is possible to set a superimposed load on a cable of the winch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Bauer Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Mert, Lothar Herbert Schirmel
  • Patent number: 6830235
    Abstract: A hydraulic capstan to pull electric or communication wire through conduit or open trenches over long distances from a stationary position. The capstan is powered by a hydraulic motor. An operator can activate the motor from inside the cab of a vehicle to turn the capstan. The rope attached to the wire is wrapped around the capstan. When the rope is pulled tight on the turning capstan, the rope comes on one side and off the other side, pulling the wire load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Clark P. Stafford
  • Patent number: 6648303
    Abstract: A winding-down side pilot port of a control valve is of a 2-port construction comprising a normal winding-down side port having a large pressure receiving area and a free fall side port having a small pressure receiving area, wherein in the free fall operation carried out by setting a motor to a small capacity, a pilot pressure of a winding-down side remote control valve is supplied to the free fall side port through a mode switching valve. Thereby, a stroke of the control valve can be suppressed so that a speed of a motor does not exceed an allowable speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kolbelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Nishimoto, Takahiro Kobayashi, Taisuke Tsunoo, Etsujiro Imanishi, Satoshi Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 6644629
    Abstract: A winch over-winding prevention apparatus includes: a winch drum that is driven for up/down hoist in response to a command issued through an operating lever; a stop switch that is activated when a suspended object raised or lowered as a hoisting cable wound around the winch drum is further taken up or fed out is hoisted up to a predetermined stop position; and a stop device that stops drive of the winch drum when the stop switch is activated, and further includes: a speed detection device that detects a hoist speed of the suspended object; a speed reduction device that reduces a drive speed of the winch drum once the suspended object reaches a predetermined speed reduction start position; and a speed reduction control device that calculates a deceleration rate of the winch drum in correspondence to the hoist speed of the suspended object detected by the speed detection device and controls drive of the speed reduction device in response to a speed reduction command corresponding to the deceleration rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinobu Higashi, Kazuhisa Ishida, Kouji Funato, Toshimi Sakai, Masami Ochiai, Teruo Igarashi, Akira Nakayama, Tsutomu Udagawa
  • Patent number: 6619626
    Abstract: A method for pressure compensation in reversible motors used to drive hoisting cables and closing cables of a cable operated crane is provided. The method includes connecting a hydraulic motor to hoisting cables, connecting another hydraulic motor to closing cables, connecting the hydraulic motors to a common pressure medium source via delivery lines, performing a closing operation of a grab of the crane while simultaneously detecting working pressures in working circuits of the hydraulic motors, adjusting the working pressures during the closing operation using a control so that during the grab the working pressures are substantially equal to one another. The present invention also provides a device for pressure compensation in reversible motors for driving hoisting cables and closing cables of a cable operated crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Gottwald Port Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Kruschinski
  • Patent number: 6585232
    Abstract: Device for setting and automatic adjustment of the tractive forces of the cable of an overhead winch for a ski slope preparation and maintenance machine, comprises an adjustment control unit connected to a controllable winch drive; and a processing device connected to sensors and to the adjustment control unit. The sensors are pressure sensors which detect pressure applied to a selection valve with maximum value, the selection valve being connected between delivery ducts of hydraulic drives on the right-and left-hand sides of the ski slope preparation and maintenance machine in a first travel direction or a travel direction opposite thereto. The processing device includes an algorithm which calculates a nominal value based on the pressure taken by the pressure sensors and which controls the winch operation through the adjustment control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Leitner S.p.A.
    Inventors: Michael Rechenmacher, Joseph Rainer
  • Patent number: 6571553
    Abstract: A hydraulic control arrangement for operating a winch with an adjustable hydraulic motor in the easing, hoisting and mooring modes. The arrangement comprises a pilot controller with a control lever which can be actuated as desired and can be deflected from a neutral position in opposite directions over a specific easing angle range and over a specific hoisting angle range. Previously, for the mooring mode, the control lever was blocked at a desired point in the hoisting angle range. The control lever, as viewed from the neutral position, can be deflected over a mooring angle range on the other side of the hoisting angle range, with increasing deflection of the control lever in the mooring angle range, the hydraulic motor being adjusted in the direction of a greater absorption volume and therefore in the direction of a greater torque and increased tension on the hawser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG
    Inventors: Heinz Habermann, Wilhelm Kastel
  • Patent number: 6543749
    Abstract: A vehicle positioning device that installs onto the side of the frame of a rollback wrecker vehicle and is capable of pulling a wrecked vehicle onto the shoulder of a roadway so that the wrecked vehicle is aligned parallel with the roadway, i.e. the desired position to be safely loaded onto the rollback wrecker vehicle. The device is provided with retractable stabilizing arms capable of stabilizing the rollback wrecker vehicle and with a winch and attached cable for pulling a wrecked vehicle in a direction approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rollback wrecker vehicle. The arms and winch are hydraulically controlled by tapping into the hydraulic system provided on the rollback wrecker vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Carnel C. Duvall
  • Publication number: 20020117654
    Abstract: In order to increase winch safety, power and utility method for using a winch and a method for mounting a winch based on ensuring that the force exerted by the winch cable on the drum rotation axis and the drum rotation axis remains perpendicular throughout winch operation are disclosed. An improved winch mount which allows the user of the winch to ensure that the force exerted by the winch cable on the drum rotation axis and the drum rotation axis remains perpendicular throughout winch operation is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Yair Bartal
  • Patent number: 6382595
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission system for driving a rotatable member includes a differential having an output coupled with the rotatable member, a first hydrostatic drive having an output coupled to a first input of the differential, and a second hydrostatic drive having an output coupled to a second input of the differential. The output of the first hydrostatic drive is rotatable in a first selected direction and at a first selected speed. The output of the second hydrostatic drive is rotatable in a second selected direction and at a second selected speed. A rotational speed and direction of the output of the differential is related to the algebraic sum of the rotational speeds and directions of the outputs of the hydrostatic drives. In one embodiment, the speeds of the first and second drives are maintained above a minimum stable threshold, while operating the rotatable drive at very low or zero speed, by selecting the first direction to be opposite the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond V. Nold, III
  • Patent number: 6371447
    Abstract: According to the present invention, when a winch drum is in the wind-down rotation, operating a control valve is operated to the wind-down side in a state in which capacity of a hydraulic motor is set to small capacity by a free fall valve to thereby rotate the hydraulic motor to the wind-down side at high speeds, and at the same time, motor holding pressure is controlled according to an operating amount of the free fall valve by a holding pressure control valve to thereby regulate rotational speed of the hydraulic motor and stop the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsujiro Imanishi, Satoshi Yonezawa, Takahiro Kobayashi, Yoshio Nishimoto, Taisuke Tsunoo
  • Publication number: 20010017366
    Abstract: A device for setting and automatic adjustment of the tractive forces of the cable of an overhead winch for a ski slope preparation and maintenance machine comprising an adjustment control unit connected to a controllable winch drive and a processing device connected to sensors and to the adjustment control unit is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Leitner S.p.A.,
    Inventor: Michael Rechenmacher