Abstract: A system and method for a winch fairlead pivot are described for reducing friction between a line and the fairlead when letting out or pulling in a line. The winch fairlead pivot includes an upper and a lower pivot that insert into an upper and a lower cavity in the fairlead-frame and upon which the fairlead-frame pivots. The direction of the pivot is dependent upon the direction of a load connected to the line.

Abstract: A system and method for a load-facing winch are described for hauling or lifting loads at least 30° from center of the primary support object. The load-facing winch includes a winch-mount that includes a housing, a center-pivot, a mounting-plate, and a plurality of springs. The mounting-plate is attached to the winch and tilts and/or turns about the center-pivot, which allows the winch to face the load. By directing the winch to face the load, angular resistance against a moving fairlead may be reduced.

Abstract: A vehicle winch mechanism includes a drum, a motor and transmission, at least one drum and motor side support, at least one battery, and a motive trickle charge mechanism. The drum pays out and takes in a line. The motor and transmission drive the drum. The side supports couple the drum, the motor, or both to the vehicle. The battery provides power to the motor. The motive trickle charge mechanism charges the battery. In one embodiment, the motive trickle charge mechanism includes a permanent magnet, an enclosure housing the magnet, and two or more sets of conductive coils wrapped around the enclosure and electrically coupled to the battery. The enclosure houses the magnet such that the magnet freely moves and changes orientation within the enclosure. The coils of an individual set of coils are aligned along parallel planes, and the coils of separate sets are aligned along intersecting planes.

Abstract: A winch mechanism is described that includes a motor, a drum mechanism, a winch line, and a hammer and anvil mechanism. The drum mechanism is connected to the motor, and the winch line is connected to the drum. The hammer and anvil mechanism is connected to the motor and the drum mechanism within the drum mechanism. The motor activates the hammer and anvil mechanism, and the hammer and anvil mechanism applies a percussive force to the drum mechanism as the drum winds up the winch line. In an alternative embodiment, the hammer and anvil mechanism is disposed around at least a portion of the drum mechanism.

Abstract: A winch is described that includes a drum, a motor and transmission, and a tensioner. The motor and transmission apply torque to the drum, thereby enabling the drum to draw in and let out a line. The tensioner is positioned adjacent to the drum, such that when the line passes between the tensioner and drum, the line is in frictional contact with the tensioner and drum. The tensioner rotates with a linear speed exceeding a linear speed of the drum as the line is let out from the drum, and rotates freely as the line is drawn onto the drum. Methods for making and using the winch are also described.

Abstract: A submersible electrical machine includes a first magnetic package spaced axially from a second magnetic package, a first stator displaced axially from the first magnetic package by a first air gap, a second stator displaced axially from the second magnetic package by a second air gap. The electrical machine can be operated as a generator or as a motor. When operating as a generator, a turbine can rotate the magnetic packages relative to the stators in response to fluid flowing axially across the electrical machine.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a drum to draw in or let out a line and a motor and transmission coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. The transmission includes at least one stage of gearing to reduce a gear ratio of the motor relative to the drum. A shaft couples the motor to the transmission and a locking mechanism selectively locks the shaft to prevent rotation of the drum. In certain embodiments, a braking mechanism may be provided in addition to the locking mechanism to slow the motor when the motor is not applying torque to the drum. This may slow the motor sufficiently to enable engagement of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a motor and a drum rotated by the motor to draw in or let out a line from the drum. The drum includes a groove formed in an outer surface thereof to accommodate the line. In certain embodiments, a depth of the groove is equal to or greater than a radius of the line. In the same or other embodiments, a passive guide that physically engages and tracks the groove may be used to guide the line into the groove.

Abstract: A system includes two or more lifting devices attached to a structure each lifting device having a drum rotated by a motor to draw in or let out a line from the drum. The drum includes a groove formed in an outer surface thereof to accommodate the line. In certain embodiments, each of the lifting devices are quickly and easily detachable from the structure by way of a flange and mounting bracket. The flange and mounting bracket have holes which are coaxially aligned. A pin or other fastener is used to join the flange and mounting bracket together. Two or more lifting devices may be connected to and moved along a mounting bracket.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a motor and a drum rotated by the motor to draw in or let out a line from the drum. The drum includes a groove formed in an outer surface thereof to accommodate the line. In certain embodiments, the motor and drum are quickly and easily detachable from a structure by way of a flange and mounting bracket. The flange and mounting bracket have holes which are coaxially aligned. A pin or other fastener is used to join the flange and mounting bracket together.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a drum to draw in or let out a line and a motor coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. The drum includes a groove formed in an outer surface thereof to accommodate the line. A roller is provided that tracks the groove and extends into the groove. The roller pushes the line into the groove. In certain embodiments, the roller pushes the line to a bottom of the groove to ensure that the line is properly seated therein.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a motor and a drum rotated by the motor to draw in or let out a line from the drum. The drum includes a groove formed in an outer surface thereof to accommodate the line. In certain embodiments, a depth of the groove is equal to or greater than a radius of the line. In the same or other embodiments, a passive guide that physically engages and tracks the groove may be used to guide the line into the groove.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a drum to draw in or let out a line, and a motor and transmission coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. In certain embodiments, the motor and transmission are substantially entirely contained within the drum. In the same or other embodiments, a bearing may provide support for both the transmission and the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a drum to draw in or let out a line and a motor coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. The drum includes a groove formed in an outer surface thereof to accommodate the line. A roller is provided that tracks the groove and extends into the groove. The roller pushes the line into the groove. In certain embodiments, the roller pushes the line to a bottom of the groove to ensure that the line is properly seated therein.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a drum to draw in or let out a line and a motor and transmission coupled to the drum to apply a torque thereto. The transmission includes at least one stage of gearing to reduce a gear ratio of the motor relative to the drum. A shaft couples the motor to the transmission and a locking mechanism selectively locks the shaft to prevent rotation of the drum. In certain embodiments, a braking mechanism may be provided in addition to the locking mechanism to slow the motor when the motor is not applying torque to the drum. This may slow the motor sufficiently to enable engagement of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: Downhole drilling often requires passing drilling fluid containing water mixed with mud through a downhole drill pipe. Such drill pipe may comprise cavities therein for working units such as motors, generators, solenoids and the like. It may be desirable to lubricate and cool such working units with water from the drilling fluid, however, mud particulate may damage such devices. The present invention comprises various embodiments of a dynamic seal assembly designed to allow fluid communication between a cavity and a fluid flow while blocking certain particulate matter within the fluid flow from entering the cavity. The fluid communication may occur through and the particulate matter may be blocked by a defined clearance between two complementary surfaces that are movable relative to each other.

Abstract: A submersible electrical machine includes a first magnetic package spaced axially from a second magnetic package, a first stator displaced axially from the first magnetic package by a first air gap, a second stator displaced axially from the second magnetic package by a second air gap. The electrical machine can be operated as a generator or as a motor. When operating as a generator, a turbine can rotate the magnetic packages relative to the stators in response to fluid flowing axially across the electrical machine.

Abstract: A communications system obtains verification of an expected identity of a party from a remote centralized biometric system over a communications network. A forwarder forwards, over the communications network to the remote centralized biometric system when the party attempts to obtain a service using the communications system, a biometric sample from the party and information characterizing the expected identity of the party. A receiver receives, over the communications network from the remote centralized biometric system, verification that the biometric sample matches biometric information obtained by the remote centralized biometric system from a storage such that the expected identity of the party is verified as the identity of the party. The service is provided contingent on verification of the expected identity of the party as the identity of the party.

Abstract: An individual's identity is verifiable using voice biometrics. A voice biometric system includes a receiver configured to receive, from a remote communications device, a voice biometric sample of a party attempting to obtain a service from a remote system. The service is provided contingent on authentication of the party as the individual. The voice biometric system also includes a processor configured to compare the voice biometric sample received by the receiver to voice biometric information obtained from a storage to authenticate the identity of the party as the individual. The receiver and processor are provided within a communications network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to certify digital signatures are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a request to certify a digital signature from a user, receiving information about a physical characteristic of the user, comparing the information about the physical characteristic to stored physical characteristic information, and based on the comparison, at least one of certifying the digital signature based on the comparison or requesting certification of the digital signature based on the comparison.