Abstract: A winch assembly includes a lower body having a base, first and second sides, first and second upper body sides, a spacer positioned between the first and the upper body second sides, a first shaft extending through the upper body sides, the first shaft supporting first and second gears, a winding bar supported and rotated by the first shaft and attached to a first end of a strap, a second shaft extending through the first and second upper body sides and supporting first and second ratchet gears, the first ratchet gear meshing with the first gear and the second ratchet gear meshing with the second gear, a pawl for engaging one of the first and second ratchet gears, and a handle attached to the second shaft for rotating the second shaft, wherein rotation of the second shaft imparts rotation of the first and second ratchet gears and the first and second gears.

Abstract: A winch assembly includes a lower body having a base, first and second sides, first and second upper body sides, a spacer positioned between the first and the upper body second sides, a first shaft extending through the upper body sides, the first shaft supporting first and second gears, a winding bar supported and rotated by the first shaft and attached to a first end of a strap, a second shaft extending through the first and second upper body sides and supporting first and second ratchet gears, the first ratchet gear meshing with the first gear and the second ratchet gear meshing with the second gear, a pawl for engaging one of the first and second ratchet gears, and a handle attached to the second shaft for rotating the second shaft, wherein rotation of the second shaft imparts rotation of the first and second ratchet gears and the first and second gears.

Abstract: A casket transport and lowering device system is presented. The system includes a transportable frame with extendable rails configured to rotate and extend out over a gravesite. The extendable rails may also include an end rail and one or more extendable feet. The transportable frame may also be protected inside an exterior housing. The system also includes a carriage that rolls along the extendable rails into a position directly over the top of the gravesite. The carriage supports a lowering device upon which the casket rests. When the carriage is positioned over the gravesite, the lowering device is also positioned to lower the casket into the grave.

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 system-on-chip semiconductor circuit includes a logic circuit having at least one first transistor with a thin gate dielectric, at least one dynamic random access memory cell coupled with the logic circuit having at least one storage capacitor and at least one thick gate dielectric access transistor, and an analog circuit operable with the logic circuit and the memory cell having at least one thick gate dielectric switched transistor and at least one switched capacitor, wherein the storage capacitors of the memory cell and the switched transistors are of the same type, and wherein the thick gate dielectric switched transistor and the switched capacitor of the analog circuit are made by a process for making the dynamic random access memory cell.

Abstract: A dual drum drive unit, in particular for a ropeway, with at least one motor includes a transmission unit for dividing the motor power to the drums in order to attain a high efficiency. The transmission unit includes a first gearing which is operatively connected to the motor and has an output, and a second gearing which is operatively connected to the first gearing and has two outputs which are respectively connected to the drums, with the output of the first gearing being selectively connectable with the two outputs of the second gearing.

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: There is disclosed herein a brake unit of the oil shear type which is specifically designed for use in controlling the drawworks of drilling rigs or the like. The drawworks brake unit comprises an input shaft driven by the drawworks which operates to drive a gear pump for circulating high volumes of oil under pressure over interposed brake discs and plates and through adjacent restricted orifices during a first direction of rotation such as during lowering of the pipe stands so as to both cool and lubricate the discs and plates. During an opposite rotation of the input shaft, such as during raising of the pipe stands, an alternate flowpath is provided by-passing the restricted orifices so as to reduce the drag placed on the drawworks during raising of the pipe stands. During the first direction of rotation or lowering, the gear pump also operates to provide self-actuating overspeed safety protection as well.

Abstract: A control system for one or more hydraulically driven crane winch drums each having a hydraulically actuated clutch and a brake. Included is a negative braking mechanism having a brake cylinder of the single-acting, spring-return type for normally holding the brake applied by the force of the spring and releasing the brake on fluid pressure actuation. A mode selector valve selectively delivers hydraulic fluid under pressure from two separate sources to the clutch and the brake cylinder in order to condition the winch for a selected one of winching, brake-locking, and free-fall modes. The mode selector valve causes the negative braking mechanism to release the brake in the free-fall mode, so that a positive braking mechanism is also provided to permit the operator to arrest the free fall of the load, or the free running-out of the cable, in an exact position desired.

Abstract: A dual winch for mounting on a tractor comprises a pair of winch drums separately connected via a clutch to a common drive shaft. Each winch drum typically incorporates a planetary gear unit. The cables on the winches are connected to a roller preferably provided with double chevron blades.

Abstract: A pressure modulated hydrodynamic retarder is provided for a power delivery system and speed sensing means is provided for sensing the rotational speed of the output of the retarder for producing a corresponding pressure fluid flow which acts to vary the fluid relief pressure of a pressure control valve for the retarder and consequently varies the torque of the retarder in accordance with its rotor speed. In this manner the retarder is modulated as determined by its output speed and when the invention is used in a hoisting operation, as the lowering speed increases due to the falling load the retarding action of the retarder also increases. A particularly desirable form of sensing means includes a variable flow fluid pump which is driven at a speed proportional to the lowering speed of the load to proportionately vary the retarding ability of the retarder.

Abstract: An oil well service rig having three reels, two of the reels actuated by a hydraulic pump through a gear box which provides for selective engagement or disengagement and a two speed gear ratio change for either reel, the hydraulic pump being driven by a gasoline engine. An independent hydraulically operated brake system is utilized on the reels wherein one side of each reel is provided with a greater diameter than the other side, the larger side having a brake caliper pad assembly in engagement therewith. A smaller reel, also controlled by the hydraulic motor, controls the inclination and disposition of a mast having a double sheave assembly at its top receiving cables from each main reel for raising and lowering tools into the oil well shaft.

Abstract: A double-drum winch having a single power transmission train for both a hook drum and a boom drum.The power transmission train comprises a high speed clutch and a low speed clutch mounted on a single first clutch shaft which is in turn mounted for rotation on a winch frame, a hook lowering clutch and a boom lowering clutch mounted on a single second clutch shaft which is in turn rotatably mounted on the frame, and a hook hoisting clutch and a boom hoisting clutch mounted on a single third clutch shaft which is in turn rotatably mounted on the frame, the second clutch shaft being located between the first and third clutch shafts and engageable with both the clutch shafts. The power transmission train is connected with the hook drum and the boom drum via a hook brake shaft and a boom brake shaft, respectively.