Abstract: A system for stabilizing the vertical motion of an object in a wind power generating tower comprises at least one static guide, and a guide component attached to the object, e.g., an elevator car, constrained to the proximity of the static guide. In addition, at least one further containment, e.g., a wirefix, coupled to the static guide is able to pass through the first containment as the object moves vertically in the tower. Moreover, the further containment is disposed to maintain the static guide in a fixed relationship to a mounting structure, and the further containment is disposed for in-situ attachment.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, system, and method for sensing the current supplied to a motorized hoist for raising a maintenance platform and providing an estimate of the operating status of the motor, for example, as stopped, starting, stalled or operating as expected. In various embodiments, measures of voltage and current may be used to determine the operating condition of the hoist and to estimate the magnitude of the applied load. Unintended modes of operation can then be determined so that the conditions can be indicated to the operator and protective measures taken.

Abstract: An elevator within a tower, such as a wind tower, includes a traction or drum type hoist powered by an electric motor where the hoist provides the mechanism to cause the vertical ascent or descent of the elevator. An aspect of the invention is to allow the descent of the elevator to drive the electric motor arranged to act as a generator and provide regenerative braking as well as power to drive an alarm device or devices.

Abstract: A climb assist system is disclosed that dynamically adjust the rate and level of assist of a climber as the climber needs may change over the period of traverse of the ladder. A sensor detects the state of a person, such as the load exerted by the climber on a ladder exerts on an assist rope, to provide an upward support force on the climber to compensate the climber's weight. Additionally, a sender is provided to transmit the load data to a receiver and a receiver to receive the data from the sender. A controller interprets the received data and thereafter provides control through a controlled motor and drive to provide energy to the assist rope.

Abstract: A restraint device is disclosed that limits the movement of the cable or rope relative to the traction, thus reducing or eliminating the popping noise associated with the cable or rope snapping back against the traction sheave. In one embodiment, the restraint device comprises a molded component that is fitted to encompass the region of the sheave where separation of the wire rope from the sheave is most likely to occur. The restraint device may be mounted so that it is removable and replaceable with minimal dismantling of the hoist containing the sheave. The restraint device may be reversible so that one restraint device may by used for at least two cycles before being replaced. Indication of the need for replacement may be provided by including a second color material at the depth where wear reaches the allowable limit, thereby providing a visual signal to initiate replacement as seen during service.

Abstract: A climb assist system is disclosed that dynamically adjust the rate and level of assist of a climber as the climber needs may change over the period of traverse of the ladder. A sensor detects the state of a person, such as the load exerted by the climber on a ladder exerts on an assist rope, to provide an upward support force on the climber to compensate the climber's weight. Additionally, a sender is provided to transmit the load data to a receiver and a receiver to receive the data from the sender. A controller interprets the received data and thereafter provides control through a controlled motor and drive to provide energy to the assist rope.

Abstract: A climb assist system is disclosed that dynamically adjust the rate and level of assist of a climber as the climber needs may change over the period of traverse of the ladder. A sensor detects the state of a person, such as the load exerted by the climber on a ladder exerts on an assist rope, to provided an upward support force on the climber to compensate the climber's weight. Additionally, a sender is provided to transmit the load data to a receiver and a receiver to receive the data from the sender. A controller interprets the received data and thereafter provides control through a controlled motor and drive to provide energy to the assist rope.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing the vertical motion of an object in a wind power generating tower comprises at least one static guide, and a guide component attached to the object, e.g., an elevator car, constrained to the proximity of the static guide. In addition, at least one further containment, e.g., a wirefix, coupled to the static guide is able to pass through the first containment as the object moves vertically in the tower. Moreover, the further containment is disposed to maintain the static guide in a fixed relationship to a mounting structure, and the further containment is disposed for in-situ attachment.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, system, and method for sensing the current supplied to a motorized hoist for raising a maintenance platform and providing an estimate of the operating status of the motor, for example, as stopped, starting, stalled or operating as expected. In various embodiments, measures of voltage and current may be used to determine the operating condition of the hoist and to estimate the magnitude of the applied load. Unintended modes of operation can then be determined so that the conditions can be indicated to the operator and protective measures taken.

Abstract: An elevator within a tower, such as a wind tower, includes a traction or drum type hoist powered by an electric motor where the hoist provides the mechanism to cause the vertical ascent or descent of the elevator. An aspect of the invention is to allow the descent of the elevator to drive the electric motor arranged to act as a generator and provide regenerative braking as well as power to drive an alarm device or devices.

Abstract: A climb assist system is disclosed that adjusts the rate and level of assist of a climber and starts/stops the level of assist as the climber needs may change over the period of traverse of the ladder. A sensor may detect a change in the operating state of a motor in the climb assist system. For example, the change in state may indicate a change in the load exerted by the climber indicating that the climber intends to start or stop an active climb. The climb assist system may then adjust the inputs to the motor to initiate a climb or terminate a climb.

Abstract: A climb assist system is disclosed that dynamically adjust the rate and level of assist of a climber as the climber needs may change over the period of traverse of the ladder. A sensor detects the state of a person, such as the load exerted by the climber on a ladder exerts on an assist rope, to provided an upward support force on the climber to compensate the climber's weight. Additionally, a sender is provided to transmit the load data to a receiver and a receiver to receive the data from the sender. A controller interprets the received data and thereafter provides control through a controlled motor and drive to provide energy to the assist rope.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods repurpose a personnel hoist from a platform whereby at least one person can stand on said platform such that power applied to said hoist lifts the platform and at least one person. The personnel hoist is repurposed for use in material load applications by attaching it to a frame and attaching the frame to a support structure. As a result, applying power to the hoist then causes it to lift a material load. A wire rope from the personnel hoist is fed through a block to redirect the lift direction of the wire rope from the personnel hoist to lift the material load.

Abstract: A restraint device is disclosed that limits the movement of the cable or rope relative to the traction, thus reducing or eliminating the popping noise associated with the cable or rope snapping back against the traction sheave. In one embodiment, the restraint device comprises a molded component that is fitted to encompass the region of the sheave where separation of the wire rope from the sheave is most likely to occur. The restraint device may be mounted so that it is removable and replaceable with minimal dismantling of the hoist containing the sheave. The restraint device may be reversible so that one restraint device may by used for at least two cycles before being replaced. Indication of the need for replacement may be provided by including a second color material at the depth where wear reaches the allowable limit, thereby providing a visual signal to initiate replacement as seen during service.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an image of an object which is illuminated by a pulse of artificial light and by ambient light. That apparatus has a two dimensional array of photodetector elements each of which includes a semiconductor device which responds to impingement of light by producing an electrical signal. A mechanism is provided to remove the effects of the ambient light from the electrical signal to produce a resultant signal at an output terminal that corresponds only to the magnitude of the artificial light striking the semiconductor device. This apparatus is immune from the semiconductor device becoming saturated by intense ambient illumination and can be configured to detect high speed objects.

Abstract: A mechanism for indicating the degree of alignment of a photoelectric sensing system produces a pulse width modulated signal in response to the intensity of light received by the sensing system. That signal has pulses which occur at a fixed frequency, but which vary in duration in response to the received light intensity. The pulse width modulated signal drives an indicator, such as a sound or light emitter. With this technique, the output of the indicator is pulse width modulated to indicate the intensity of the received light and thus the degree of alignment of the sensing system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for addressing a plurality of interconnected electronic modules. One of the modules is initialized as a master module which sets its own internal address and broadcasts address information to each of the other modules during an addressing process. The other modules receive address information from the master module and set their internal addresses accordingly, such that each module has a unique internal address. The other modules also may broadcast information which may be received by the master module.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of an object within a monitor zone includes a sensor (12) operative to sense a condition of the monitored zone (Z) and provide a sensor signal indicative thereof. The sensor signal is processed, preferably according to two different transfer functions, to provide first and second signals that vary based on the sensor signal. A comparator (46) provides a comparator signal that varies as a function of the first and second signals. Additional circuitry (58) is operative to provide an indication of the presence or absence of an object within the monitored zone (Z) as based on the comparator signal.