Abstract: The invention refers to a drive system of the servo-pneumatic type for activating/deactivating motion transmissions in sailing boats. The drive system of the invention is adapted to activate/deactivate motion transmission operating configurations, or for shifting from one motion transmission operating configuration to another one, when a drive is given by a crew member, much more rapidly than with the mechanical drive systems known in the art. The drive system of the invention can be used, for example, for activating/deactivating the motion transmission between pedestals and/or between pedestals and winches, or for driving the shift from one winch speed to another one, or to prevent the deactivation of a first winch speed when shifting from a first speed to a second speed, or also for driving any speed multiplier connected to the winches.

Abstract: Apparatus for the selective engagement and disengagement of a ring gear of a gear set in which an actuator can be displaced between a first position engaging the ring gear and a second position disengaged from the ring gear selectively by a manually operable mechanical arrangement or a fluid pressure arrangement without altering or adding to the housing or control device of the gear set. The mechanical arrangement and the fluid pressure arrangements are integrated so that the operation of the actuator can be selectively achieved either by the mechanical or fluid arrangement.

Abstract: A winch comprises a drum rotatably mounted on a housing for winding a cable thereupon. A motor is attached to the housing, the motor supplying torque through a motor shaft. A special stage of planetary gears is mounted to the housing for transmitting torque between the motor shaft and the drum. The special stage of planetary gears includes a sun gear for receiving torque, a carrier/clutch unit and an annular ring gear encircling the carrier/clutch unit. The carrier/clutch unit includes a frame rotatably mounted to the housing and having walls defining a cavity therein, at least one circumferentially-spaced planet gear rotatably mounted on the frame for simultaneously engaging the sun gear and the ring gear, a selectively engagable clutch mounted within the cavity of the frame, and an output member which, when the clutch is engaged, can receive useful torque from the frame and, when the clutch is disengaged, cannot receive useful torque from the frame.

Abstract: A winch assembly (10) includes a first transmission assembly rotatably connecting a motor (11) to a winch drum (20) comprising clutches (12, 16) adapted to rotatably engage an output shaft (13) of the motor (11) to a winch drum shaft (19) of the winch drum (20) to wind in cable (22) onto the winch drum (20) and to payout cable (22) from the winch drum (20) by disengagement of motor drive shaft (13) from winch drum shaft (19).The winch assembly (10) further includes a second transmission assembly comprising an overrun clutch (23) rotatably connecting winch drum shaft (19) to motor drive shaft (13) if and when the payout speed of cable (22) from drum (20) exceeds a predetermined value.The winch assembly (10) is particularly suited to control conveyor belt tension in relatively large conveyor belts by simple on/off control of the clutches (12, 16) in response to sensed conveyor belt tension.

Abstract: In order to overcome the disadvantage of overspinning of a winch drum when a disconnect device adjacent the drum is disengaged, a drag brake apparatus is provided for limitedly restricting the rotation of the drum when an actuator having a braking element is continually urged against the drum by a spring. A control mechanism includes a control lever assembly movable to operate a hydraulic valve assembly for the primary control of the winch drum, and movable to operate an associated valve for controllably directing pressurized fluid to the actuator for supplementing the spring force. Thus, a first drag brake mode can be attained for substantially freespool operation of the drum, and a second drag brake mode can be attained for controlled load dropping operation of the drum.

Abstract: A drive train for a winch from a continuously rotating input source to an intermittently rotated drum in which the drive train is through a clutch, then to a shaft, then through a continuously driven internal brake which forms a part of the drive train from the shaft, then to the drive train to the drum, with the shaft being provided with a one-way clutch so that the brake automatically is engaged for lowering the load by reversing the drum. A free-spool circuit is provided which can be operated only in the brake release position for safety and is operated off the brake release hydraulic control fluid pressure. A static or manual pump control fluid circuit is provided for operating the clutch, brake and/or free spool. A combination driving clutch and drag clutch are energized by opposite directional movement of a single piston for coupling an input to an output or stopping movement of the output.