Abstract: A machine for laying a catenary cable or a trolley wire of an overhead line extending above a track comprises a machine frame supported on undercarriages for mobility along the track, a storage drum mounted on the machine frame and carrying a reel of the catenary cable or trolley wire to be paid out from the storage drum, a guide device for the paid-out catenary cable or trolley wire comprising a guide roller arranged to be engaged by the paid-out catenary cable or trolley wire and a drive for vertically adjusting the guide device. The guide device is pivotal about a horizontal axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine frame, and a drive is arranged for pivoting the guide device about the horizontal axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for prestressing concrete structures or the like by wrapping tensioned wire around the peripheral walls of the same includes a carriage which travels about the periphery of the structure, a device mounted on said carriage for paying off wire from a wire supply, a wire tensioning mechanism which includes at least one pair of stress wheels which the wire at least partially encircles, a tensiometer, a tensioned wire payout device which is adjustable to pay out wire at selectable heights relative to the carriage, a slip clutch linked to at least one of the stress wheels and being adjusted to slip when torque transferred from the tension in the wire is applied to the clutch and exceeds a predetermined torque value thereby allowing the tension in the wire to be controlled, and a driving motor mounted to the carriage to propel the carriage about the periphery of the structure.

Abstract: A winch is disclosed which includes at least one rope drum about which a rope is slung as well as a transmission which is disposed between the rope drum and a drive motor. The transmission includes a drive shaft, an output shaft and a gear shifting device for different rope speeds. A stop brake is provided for the output shaft of the transmission. The gear shifting device is mounted between the drive shaft and the stop brake and is configured with respect to the output shaft so that it can be shifted from the second gear down to the first gear via a coupling disc which is actuated by a switching piston.

Abstract: Apparatus for prestressing a concrete structure or the like by wrapping tensioned wire around the peripheral wall of the same includes a carriage which travels about the periphery of the structure, a device mounted on the carriage for paying off wire from a wire supply, a wire tensioning mechanism which includes at least one pair of stress wheels each of which the wire at least partially encircles, a tensiometer, a tensioned wire payout device which is adjustable to pay out wire at selectable heights relative to the carriage, a slip clutch linked to at least one of the stress wheels and being adjusted to slip when torque transferred from the tension in the wire is applied to the clutch and exceeds a predetermined torque value thereby allowing the tension in the wire to be controlled, and a driving motor mounted to the carriage to propel the carriage about the periphery of the structure.

Abstract: An improved cable paying out and taking up device particularly for use in underground or overhead cable pulling environments which includes a novel winch assembly disposed on a vehicle, a swivel fairlead disposed on a trailing portion of the vehicle bed adapted for facile removal and redeployment, the swivel fairlead provided with instrumentalities for operatively orienting a pulley sheave associated with the fairlead in 360.degree. of direction and allowing disassociation of the pulley sheave from its associated support drum so that cable including an enlarged end unable to fit within clearances about the pulley sheave can be threaded through the swivel fairlead without disassociation of the cable from the enlarged end.

Abstract: A self-threading capstan drive includes two sheaves mounted in a frame, each having a spiral groove with approximately three turns. The sheaves are slightly misaligned so that an elongated sonar array is directed from one sheave to the next without lateral bending. A pair of containment troughs are aligned with the top and bottoms of the sheaves to direct the sonar array between the sheaves. At least one of the sheaves is motor-driven such that its direction of rotation is reversible, the sonar array being reeled onto and off of a storage reel. Each of the sheaves and the containment troughs includes a groove with an inner channel whose dimensions accommodate the sonar array and an outer channel of larger diameter accommodating an endless tubular belt which recirculates over both sheaves and makes contact throughout most of its length with the sonar array, positively driving and carrying the sonar array in either direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus used to apply tension to heavy distribution wire or cable that is preferably made of rolling two cables in a wrapped form and is used when pulling the wire onto existing structures, and the method of accomplishing such with the apparatus. The apparatus has a frame with a pair of wheels; a guide for guiding the wire; lower and upper bull wheels; a brake connects to the frame and operatively communicates with the lower and upper bull wheels to maintain tension on the wire; and an adjustable tension swagger roller attached to the frame and positioned between the guide and the lower bull wheels.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying tension to a wire rod while wrapping the rod on a pipe for prestressing the pipe. The tension device includes a frame movable lengthwise of the pipe, the frame having a shaft parallel to the pipe on which is rotatably mounted a bull wheel around which a single turn of the wire rod is wrapped. A hydraulic pump is supported on a torque frame which in turn is rotatably supported on the shaft. The pump is driven in response to rotation of the bull wheel. A load-sensing element is mounted on the frame and engages the torque frame at a radial distance from the axis of the shaft that is substantially equal to the radius of the bull wheel. The hydraulic load on the pump controls the torque load on the bull wheel and hence the tension in the rod as it is withdrawn tangentially from the bull wheel. The reaction torque on the torque frame is measured by the load sensing element, the sensing element thus giving a direct measure of rod tension.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism for temporarily clamping cables and the like for the purpose of tensioning or stressing such cables comprising a clamping wheel rotatably mounted at a carriage. A plurality of guide elements for the cable to be tensioned arranged about the periphery of the clamping wheel. These guide elements each comprise two clamping jaws. The clamping jaws of each pair can be pressed against one another by the force of spring means in order to fixedly clamp a section of cable disposed therebetween. Means controlled by the rotating clamping wheel are provided in order to release or eliminate the clamping action of the cooperating pairs of jaws for selectively receiving and releasing the cable at predetermined portions of the revolving path of travel of the clamping wheel. As control element there is employed a single large roller which is eccentrically mounted with regard to the axis of the clamping wheel.

Abstract: An elevator system including an elevator car, a counterweight, metallic ropes or cables interconnecting the elevator car and counterweight, and a traction drive which includes a drive sheave. The drive sheave includes metallic cable groove members secured to its periphery which support and guide the cables in an axially compliant arrangement which increases the traction efficiency and reduces cable and groove wear.

Abstract: An elevator system including an elevator car, a counterweight, cables interconnecting the elevator car and counterweight, and a traction drive which includes a drive sheave over which the cables pass. The drive sheave has rigid but circumferentially compliant grooves for the cables. The cable grooves are defined by a plurality of circumferentially spaced sector or segment members. The sector members are connected to the hub portion of the drive sheave with a compliant arrangement which permits a predetermined independent circumferential deflection of each sector member in response to friction forces between the cables and groove surfaces produced by changes in the length of the cables as they pass over the drive sheave.

Abstract: A cable stringing device having a rotating bull wheel operative to take up and payout cable is disclosed. The bull wheel is pivotally operated by a hydraulic cylinder. A level wind control system includes limit sensing pilot valves which are actuated by adjustable cams to actuate a control valve to cause the cylinder to oscillate to level wind cable on the reel during take up and to cause the bull wheel to track the cable during payout.