Abstract: A system for servicing a pulverizer includes a pulverizer having a housing, a journal assembly pivotally connected to the housing, a grinding mechanism operatively connected to the journal assembly, and an opening within the housing adjacent to the journal assembly and providing an access point to an interior of the housing, and a hoist apparatus mounted to the housing. The hoist apparatus includes a frame assembly received about the opening in the housing, a sheave assembly including a plurality of sheaves supported by the frame assembly, a motor operatively connected to one of the plurality of sheaves, and a cable received by the sheave assembly. The motor is operable to at least one of retract the cable through the sheave assembly to rotate a component out of the pulverizer through the opening and controllably let out the cable to rotate the component into the pulverizer through the opening.

Abstract: A winch for a power generating system using a tethered airborne device, the winch comprising a drum rotatable about its main axis a guiding apparatus arranged to guide an airborne device tether to wind and unwind around the drum; wherein the drum is rotatable relative to a pivot point to move in a first plane and the guiding apparatus is disposed relative to the drum to move along part of an orbital path around the drum in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the drum, thereby allowing alignment of the winch with respect to an unwound length of the tether.

Abstract: A lift assembly comprises a base, a drive mechanism, first and second flexible drive elements driven by the drive mechanism, first and second sheaves directing the first and second drive elements in different directions, and first and second load cells sensing load on the first and second sheaves. The sheaves can be mounted to first and second sheave mounts, and the load cells can sense load on the first and second sheave mounts. The sheave mounts can be provided on first and second sheave plates, and bearings can be positioned under the first and second sheave plates. The lift assembly can further comprise first and second sheave brackets for coupling the first and second sheaves to the first and second sheave mounts. The first sheave plate can further include an opening, and at least a portion of the second sheave bracket can be positioned in the opening.

Abstract: A system may include an aerial vehicle, a perch platform configured to receive the aerial vehicle, and a ground station coupled to the aerial vehicle via a tether. The ground station may include a winch including a winch drum configured to move laterally and spin in a manner such that the tether is wound onto on the winch drum in a repeating pattern, possibly utilizing a fixed position levelwind. The system may additionally include a tower around which the winch and the perch platform can rotate about a vertical axis relative to the tower. The system may further utilize the tether forces on the levelwind to help move the perch platform around the vertical axis or be driven actively by a motor.

Abstract: A line body take-up device takes up the line body around an outer circumferential surface of a winding body of the bobbin at a predetermined take-up pitch with aligned winding while moving the bobbin to traverse. A winding position of the line body is sequentially changed in the axial direction, to form a wound line body layer; inverting the direction of traverse when the line body is wound up to an inner edge of the flange of the bobbin; and winding the line body around an outer circumferential surface of the previous wound line body layer, formed by winding the line body so far, in an aligned manner at the take-up pitch to form a subsequent wound line body layer, by use of a line body turn part by which the previous wound line body layer is transferred to the subsequent wound line body layer; the line body take-up device.

Abstract: A lashing assembly lashes together two or more fiber optic telecommunications cables. The lashing assembly comprises at least a first and a second bobbin. As the cables are passed through the first bobbin, twine pays off from the first bobbin and wraps around the cables in a clockwise helix. As the cables are passed through the second bobbin, twine pays off from the second bobbin and wraps around the cables in a counterclockwise helix. In this way, the twine from the first and second bobbins lash the cables together as the cables are passed through the first and second bobbins.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing strands from wires is disclosed. The machine comprises a first support for supporting a bobbin, wherein a rotor can rotate around a main axis for stranding wires and winding or unwinding around the main axis a strand or the like comprising these wires, while the first support can move along the main axis, which rotor is provided with a second support which rotates with the rotor around the main axis and can move along the main axis for supporting the bobbin, wherein the first support and/or the second support rotate the bobbin around the main axis when the rotor rotates around the main axis.

Abstract: A line body take-up device takes up the line body around an outer circumferential surface of a winding body of the bobbin at a predetermined take-up pitch with aligned winding while moving the bobbin to traverse. A winding position of the line body is sequentially changed in the axial direction, to form a wound line body layer; inverting the direction of traverse when the line body is wound up to an inner edge of the flange of the bobbin; and winding the line body around an outer circumferential surface of the previous wound line body layer, formed by winding the line body so far, in an aligned manner at the take-up pitch to form a subsequent wound line body layer, by use of a line body turn part by which the previous wound line body layer is transferred to the subsequent wound line body layer; the line body take-up device.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a towline connecting a mooring craft to an ejected object comprising the steps of monitoring velocity to determine when a point for optimum braking has been achieved and then engaging a brake system to retard deployment of the towline, a DC motor augments and controls the brake system. The DC motor further controls the retrieval of the object. A cutter mechanism uses a first blade to grip the towing cable to maintain tension thereon as a second blade cuts the cable. A spring biased boom in combination with spring biased fins on the ejected object rapidly deploys the object from its storage housing. A locking mechanism secures the deployment mechanism in a stable locked position upon the object reaching its fully extended position.

Abstract: A winding machine for winding thread-shaped winding material has a winding motor, a positioning drive and a control device. The winding motor has a motor housing and a motor shaft, wherein the motor shaft can rotate about a rotation axis. The motor shaft is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to a spool holder, on which at least one reel is arranged. The winding machine has at least one thread-feeding means per reel, by means of which thread-feeding means the thread-shaped winding material can be fed to the respective reel. During the rotation of the motor shaft about its shaft axis, the spool holder can be position axially along the shaft axis relative to the motor housing by means of the positioning drive. The winding motor and the positioning drive can be actuated in a coordinated manner by means of the control device.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a towline connecting a mooring craft to an ejected object comprising the steps of monitoring velocity to determine when a point for optimum braking has been achieved and then engaging a brake system to retard deployment of the towline, a DC motor augments and controls the brake system. The DC motor further controls the retrieval of the object. A cutter mechanism uses a first blade to grip the towing cable to maintain tension thereon as a second blade cuts the cable. A spring biased boom in combination with spring biased fins on the ejected object rapidly deploys the object from its storage housing. A locking mechanism secures the deployment mechanism in a stable locked position upon the object reaching its fully extended position.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly strain relief may be used to provide management of the power cord of a power tool. The power cord extends through the gimbal assembly to permit rotation of the tool about first and second axes while providing strain relief.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a towline connecting a mooring craft to an ejected object comprising the steps of monitoring velocity to determine when a point for optimum braking has been achieved and then engaging a brake system to retard deployment of the towline, a DC motor augments and controls the brake system. The DC motor further controls the retrieval of the object. A cutter mechanism uses a first blade to grip the towing cable to maintain tension thereon as a second blade cuts the cable. A spring biased boom in combination with spring biased fins on the ejected object rapidly deploys the object from its storage housing. A locking mechanism secures the deployment mechanism in a stable locked position upon the object reaching its fully extended position.

Abstract: A support assembly is provided for suspending lightweight tools or other objects, such as hairdryers and the like. The assembly provides support and in particular embodiments, electrical power to the object suspended. In addition, the assembly provides management of the power cord. Embodiments of the assembly include a quick release electrical connector deployed between and configured to selectively electrically connect and disconnect the tool from a power supply and/or a gimbal assembly configured to permit rotation of the tool about first and second axes, the cord extending through the gimbal assembly.

Abstract: A support assembly and method is provided for suspending lightweight tools or other objects, such as hairdryers and the like. The assembly provides support and in particular embodiments, electrical power to the object suspended. In addition, the assembly provides management of the cord. Elevation of the object may be adjusted within a predetermined range of motion. The assembly exerts an upward force on the object that varies depending upon the elevation. This variable force is calibrated to provide the object with a uniformly weightless or virtually weightless “feel” nominally throughout the range of movement. The assembly is provided with low friction and low inertia, so that an object may be rapidly and easily moved between various elevations with little effort and little drag. The amount of force exerted on the object by the assembly may be adjusted.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of twisted wire from two or more feed wires, whereby the twisted wire is taken up onto a take up spool, the take up spool being axially reciprocatingly displaceable along its longitudinal axis and wherein the take up spool is not rotatably driven about its longitudinal axis. The feed wires are advanced through the apparatus by a capstan configured and disposed to be axially aligned with the twisting means of the apparatus.

Abstract: A device and method for unwinding or winding a sawing wire from a reel or to a reel which rotates. The sawing wire runs from the reel or toward the reel over a pulley and in so doing, assumes a defined axial position on the reel. In the method, the reel is moved along its rotational shaft while the sawing wire is unwound or wound up. The sawing wire however remains aligned perpendicular to the rotational shaft of the reel in the region between the reel and the pulley. There is a pivot arm which is moved concomitantly by a carriage system. The pivot arm has an end piece connected to one of the clamping elements. Thus it is possible to move the pivot arm from a reel-holding position into a reel-release position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for making an elastomeric web. Generally stated, the process includes moving a first web (26) along an appointed machine-direction (28) of the process, and delivering a plurality of elastomeric strands (30) moving along the machine-direction. The elastomeric strands (30) have been elastomerically stretch to an elongation of at least about 50 percent, and the plurality of elastomeric strands (30) have been laterally distributed along an appointed cross-direction (32) of the process. The elastomeric strands (30) are positioned at a spaced distance (34) from the first web (26), and an adhesive is applied to the elastomeric strands (30) and the first web (26) while the elastomeric strands are at the spaced distance (34) from the first web (26). A second web (36) is laminated to the first web (26) with the elastomeric strands (30) sandwiched between the first and second webs to provide an elastomeric laminate, composite web (24) attached together with the adhesive.