Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include apparatus for and methods of facilitating transfer of objects using a crane. Disclosed apparatuses include a target tracking device mounted on or near a crane at a first location, and a target located near a landing location for the object. The target tracking device and the target facilitate real time determination of relative motion between the two locations. Methods of using the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas trap system for releasing gas-phase fluids is provided herein. The gas trap system is designed to reside within a return fluids tank, such as at a drill site. The gas trap system first includes a gas trap. The gas trap is configured to agitate drilling fluids in the return tank, and then to release gases during agitation. Liquids are circulated and released through a liquids exhaust port while gases are released through a gas exhaust port near the top of the gas trap. The gas trap system is configured to float along vertical guide rods in response to changes in height, weight and viscosity of the drilling fluids in the return tank. A method of capturing gaseous phase fluids from a fluid return is also provided herein. The fluid return is preferably drilling fluids at a drill site.

Abstract: A hydraulic winch assembly uses a control algorithm that separates brake control from drum rotation to permit fine control of load position. Actuation of an operator interface to a first position displacement threshold will release a drum brake but will not activate a hydraulic pump for operating a hydraulic motor coupled to the drum until the operator interface is moved to a second position displacement threshold. During the operating condition when the brake is released but the pump is not operating, the force of a load applied to a cable coupled to the drum may cause the cable to slowly unwind from and rotate the drum, thereby permitting fine control of drum rotation. Additionally, when the pump is activated upon further movement of the operator interface, a speed of the motor may be modulated, such as by a gear ratio command, to permit precise control over lower drum speeds.

Abstract: A forcible entry tool for gaining access to a secured structure includes a a hollow elongated housing defining an interior chamber therein. The hollow elongated housing has an operative end adapted to manually seat the forcible entry tool. A force arm is disposed substantially within the interior chamber and includes an impact head adapted to impact the secured structure. A force arm drive displaces the force arm at a high velocity to impact the secured structure.

Abstract: A slack puller has symmetrical sheave assemblies on each side of a cable path. The sheave assemblies each include a driven sheave mounted on an arm. When the sheaves are engaged with the cable by an actuator, tension in the cable pulls the sheaves in a way which tends to increase the compressional forces exerted by the sheaves on the cable. The self actuating nature of the slack puller allows compressional forces on the cable to be kept small until the cable comes under tension. The sheaves are driven by positive displacement hydraulic motors connected in series with a hydraulic pump. This permits the sheaves to turn quickly when the cable is not under tension and slows the sheaves as tension in the cable increases. The slack puller operates more quickly and causes less cable damage than conventional slack pullers. The slack puller has particular application in skyline logging operations where its compact size is an additional advantage.

Abstract: The actuating device, in particular for a pipe-laying machine, according to the present invention comprises a first winch (4) and a second winch (5) for respectively operating a movable gripping element along a side arm of said machine and the side arm itself. A main oil-hydraulic circuit (1a) is also provided for actuating a first hydraulic motor (6) and a second hydraulic motor (7) respectively associated with said first winch (4) and with said second winch (5), said first hydraulic motor (6) comprising a friction clutch (14) actuated by a secondary oil-hydraulic circuit (1b) for controlled free descent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating a winch, in which a rope which is wound onto a driven reel is supplied to at least one capstan head and wound around said capstan head, with a capstan drive rotating the capstan head and producing a rope advance due to the rope friction existing between rope and capstan head. Moreover, the present invention relates to a corresponding device. As an improvement of the method and the device, the invention suggests a reel drive which is adjusted separately next to the capstan drive.

Abstract: An electric pump 13 is mounted on a support 24 and can be raised and lowered using chains 25 driven by a motor.Supply cable 14 for the pump is stored on drum 15. Fluid is discharged by the pump through hose 17 stored on drum 18.A spray ring 20 attached to the pump is supplied with water through hose 21 stored on drum 22. The drums are rotated by hydraulic motors 32 and chains eg 36, 37. As the pump is raised at a uniform speed the drums are rotated to take up the slack hose and cable. The height of the pump is sensed from movement of the pump motor and the pressure supplied to the hydraulic motors is changed in discrete steps to maintain the wind up speed on to the drums despite the change in weight of unwound hose or cable.

Abstract: A hydraulically powered, direct drive, quick response, bidirectional rotation, and variable speed and torque wireline multiple reel assembly for winding or unwinding cable under the control of an operator. A frame for rotatably supporting one or more reels. Two hydraulic wheel hubs of different cubic inch displacement are coaxially mounted internally in each reel. Each wheel hub displacement may be individually selected or combined together to give the reel assembly different speed/torque characteristics. An operator panel allows control of the selection, speed and rotational direction of each reel.

Abstract: A power sailboat winch mechanism for the high speed gathering of running rigging line under initial low tension with final slow speed gathering of the same line under final high tension combined with line storage is disclosed. The winch mechanism includes two drums handling the line in series, these drums constituting a winding drum and a high torque drum. The winding drum is provided threaded to the bitter end of the line with a level wind for even distribution of the line along the drum. This winding drum provides initial rapid line take-up, tailing force to a high torque winch drum and line storage for the requisite amount of line used in the particular running rigging handled by the winch. A conventional high torque winch drum is provided between the winding drum and line load. This high torque winch is provided with surfaces to induce line climbing of the drum by conventional crowd climbing over the drum surface.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for counterbalancing a load carried by a crane by a counterweight suspended from the mast of the crane. A counterweight height control system is provided for maintaining the counterweight a few inches above the ground during operation, which system may be manually overridden by operator actuated controls. A pair of spaced counterweight positioning winches on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the crane's upper works move the counterweight toward or away from the vertical axis of rotation of the upper works in response to operator actuated controls and also provides side forces on the counterweight for minimizing swinging of the counterweight.

Abstract: For use in service and maintenance of oil and gas (or water) wells, a system for operating a truck mounted direct drive dual drum winch. Each drum is independently driven by a direct coupled radial piston hydraulic motor. The system includes an improved source of hydraulic power connected to the drum motors through improved piping and valving for selection of drum functions (raise or hoist, lower or drop, or free fall). The system also includes an improved control panel, movable and positionable by the operator for precise and safe control of selected drum functions using pneumatic power.

Abstract: A pneumatic winch apparatus applies a constant and non-jerking pull to a cable. The amount of pull or load applied to the cable is determined by the air pressure supplied to an air motor and the radius of a drive wheel connected thereto. A maximum cable-pull load can thus be applied with an automatic non-mechanical cutoff so that a load sensitive cable, such as a fiber optics cable, is not damaged during installation thereof. Moreover, the maximum load is maintained once it has been reached.

Abstract: For use in service and maintenance of oil and gas (or water) wells, a truck mounted line and cable winch. A winch has dual drums each of which is independently driven by a direct coupled radial piston hydraulic motor. An improved flexible coupling connects aligned motor and drum shafts.

Abstract: One or more freefall systems for a crane or the like is disclosed, which system includes a protective circuit that includes three separate switches that must be closed before the winch can be placed in its freefall mode. A mode switch in the cab must first be closed, a brake pedal must be depressed to close a second switch, and a third switch must be held closed by the operator during freefall.

Abstract: This movement compensation arrangement in one aspect comprises a hydraulic main motor group driven by the pressure difference between two hydropneumatic pressure containers and a hydraulic auxiliary motor group driven by a pump with an effect which can be regulated, and adapted to provide for dynamic compensation. The hydraulic main motor group is adapted to substantially take up the static load. The two motor groups are rotationally coupled to moving means. A control unit in response to input signals controls both motor groups, of which the main motor group has a stepwise and/or continuously variable displacement (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A trailer van is adapted to load compressible materials in sequential steps resulting in a compressed product load. The product is compressed by a bulkhead which in turn is moved by a pair of wheeled trolleys. A separate pair of cables is associated with each trolly for stabilizing the trolleys in a vertical disposition. A chain tensioner sprocket is used in conjunction with each loop arrangement and trolley. A direction reversing control valve and handle are located in the trailer floor adjacent the rear opening.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for handling a submerged load from a s. The submerged load is held by a cable which is attached to a cable recovery drum mounted in an anti-rolling cradle located on a turret affixed to the ship's surface. The device includes a straight beam which carries an appliance for straight-line haulage, for example, pairs of wheels equipped with resilient tires, the device being hinged about a transverse axis.

Abstract: A hydraulic yarding system in which the haulback and main drum are coupled to a primary drive motor and provided with a hydraulic interlock motor coupled to a planetary set in the haulback drive in an open loop hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic fluid from the interlock motor can be diverted to the hydraulic circuit for the primary drive motor through a pressure sequence valve and a directional valve. In this manner, regenerative driving of the interlock motor by the load pumps fluid from the interlock circuit selectively in the desired direction to the primary drive motor and supplements the power available to the primary drive motor. A preferred embodiment utilizes two pressure sequence valves in circuits to either the in-haul or out-haul fluid flow directions for the primary drive motor so that a diversion of fluid from the interlock circuit can occur at a lower pressure valve during out-haul.

Abstract: Method of controlling two separately operable hydraulic circuits involving monitoring the pressure conditions in one of the circuits, comparing this pressure with a reference pressure which is established in the control system to produce a first error signal which is used to correct if necessary the pressure within the one circuit. Performing the same operation in the case of the second circuit using the same reference pressure. In particular the system and apparatus of the invention is used for controlling the tensions in the warps of a trawl automatically throughout the shooting, trawling and hauling-in of a trawl.

Abstract: Control means for two trawl winches having separate motors and supply systems, each motor having a shunt line which is connected to the shunt line of the other motor by a pressure operated value for opening of either one of the shunt lines.

Abstract: An improved winch system to automatically inhaul or retrieve flexible line during a slack line condition. The winch system utilizes a traction unit to control the pay out and retrieve the flexible line when the flexible line is subject to normal loading. When the load on the flexible line drops below a preselected value, a spooling unit can retrieve the flexible line through the traction unit at an accelerated rate to prevent fouling of the flexible line.

Abstract: A winch mechanism of the surface compensating type for lifting objects from the surface of the sea comprises two or more variable pressure constant displacement hydraulic pump/motors coupled to drive a rope haulage mechanism; a pump connected for pumping operating fluid to the hydraulic pump/motors; a fluid accumulator branched from the high pressure fluid supply line from the pump to the pump/motors; and first and second non-return valves. The first non-return valve is in the high pressure fluid supply line between the fluid accumulator and the pump/motors to limit the flow of fluid from the accumulator to one only of the pump/motors, and the second non-return valve is between the high pressure fluid line and a low pressure fluid return line to permit the other pump/motor(s) to act as a pump.