Abstract: A wheel assembly for large off-road mining vehicles wherein an electric motor and drive system for each wheel is combined with a hydrodynamic retarder. The hydrodynamic retarder is mounted such that a rotor is directly connected to an electric motor shaft where typically a disc-type parking brake is mounted. This arrangement eliminates any possible mechanical failure of a gear train or other power reduction or increasing device which would otherwise result in the loss of braking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, utilizing a computer are utilized to control the placement of an anchor, and its associated anchor line for proper payout, deployment and ultimate placement of the anchor, depending upon the contour of the sea bottom and to maintain a desired catenary curvature that prevents the anchor line from dragging the sea bottom and further prevents undue strain upon the anchor chain beyond its safe tension force.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic action brake for particular use in controlling the speed of a hoisting drum used in the drilling of oil and gas wells. The brake includes dual pocketed stator and rotor assemblies with a cylindrical member movable within the pockets to adjust the flow of the fluid within either the outer and/or inner pockets for varying load and speed conditions.

Abstract: This invention describes an improved type of hydromatic brake in which the stators and rotors are prepared as individual items and the assembly is designed so that one, two, three or more sets of individual stators and rotors can be assembled inside a housing. The housing comprises a pair of end walls. Each stator has an outwardly extending planar annular flange which is clamped between the two end walls at their outer rim to provide a closed housing. When more than one stator is used an additional tubular flanged spacing element is provided, and two stators are clamped, one on each end of the annular tubular spacing element and the end walls are clamped to the stators. A second important feature of this invention lies in the design of the stator which carries an overhanging lip or peripheral rim into which the rotor fits. There is a selected radial clearance between the outer circumference of the rotor and the inner radius of the lip.