Abstract: A clutch apparatus includes a clutch pack having a plurality of friction disks. The clutch pack will selectively transfer torque from a torque supplying member to a first torque receiving member. The apparatus also includes a first cooling fluid inlet. At least a portion of the fluid is supplied through the first cooling inlet to a first friction surface. The apparatus further includes a second cooling inlet. The fluid is supplied through the second cooling inlet to a second friction surface. The first cooling fluid inlet will selectively supply a greater volumetric flow of the fluid than the volumetric flow of the second cooling inlet.

Abstract: A fluid shear actuated brake mechanism includes an outer hub secured to a hoist frame, a main brake disc stack engaged between the outer hub and a hoist drum shaft, an actuator hub helically engaged with the outer hub, and an actuator disc stack engaged between the actuator hub and the shaft. The main disc stack and the actuator disc stack are immersed in a fluid. Rotation of the shaft in a load lowering direction generates fluid shear in the actuator disc stack which rotates the actuator hub in a lowering direction and advances it toward the main disc stack, compressing it and the actuator disc stack. Rotation of the shaft in an opposite load lift direction retract the actuator hub from the main disc stack.

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: A winch assembly (38) comprising a winch (10) having a winch spool (23), an hydraulic drive motor (15), a clutch (17) for directly coupling the drive motor (15) to the winch spool (23) to effect rotation of the winch spool (23) by the drive motor (15), an hydraulic power pack (39) having an hydraulic pump (40) driven by an electric motor (42) for supplying hydraulic fluid to the winch drive motor (15) via a valve assembly (45) and a controller (43) for controlling operation of the hydraulic power pack (39) and the valve assembly (45) to control the supply of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic power pack (39) to the winch drive motor (15).

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: A winch device, comprising a drum for storing cable and the like, wherein the device disengageably couples the drum to a winch drum shaft driven by a high torque, low speed hydraulic motor or pump. The motor includes a housing suitable for mounting on a frame of a vehicle or other device. The principal components of the motor or pump include a crank shaft mounted in the housing for connection to a winch drum shaft. At least two cylinder and piston assemblies are attached to the crank shaft for rotation of the crank shaft upon movement of the pistons between a minimum and maximum point of travel in the cylinders to thereby impart motion to the crank shaft and, thus, the drum crank shaft. A valve assembly is driven by the crank shaft for providing hydraulic fluid to the cylinders under pressure to sequentially move each the piston between its minimum and maximum points of travel by providing hydraulic fluid under pressure on each face of the piston to move the piston in the desired direction of piston travel.

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: A log skidder winch control system (10) includes a manually actuated master cylinder (22) connected to the winch drum brake release cylinder (18) to allow the winch cable (44) to be winched out gradually independent of the vehicle hydraulic system. The master cylinder is connected in the hydraulic line between the winch control valve (34) and the drum brake release cylinder, and normally serves only as a conduit for oil flow to the brake release cylinder when the control valve is put in a "free spool" condition. With the control valve is neutral the master cylinder can be manually actuated to pressurize the brake release cylinder to provide gradual release of the winch drum brake (26).

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: A hoist drum control includes a drum clutch control pressure graduating valve (15) connected between a pressure air source (14) and a shuttle valve (21), the latter being connected in a line to the drum drive clutch cylinder (25). Quick release valves (22, 24) are disposed closely adjacent the clutch cylinder and the shuttle valve for releasing pressure in the clutch cylinder line. An adjustable drag regulator (16) and air supply poppet valve (17) is connected between the air source and the shuttle valve (21) and is actuatable to supply low pressure to the drum drive clutch cylinder (25) for dragging. A momentary return of the drum from dragging to full speed is accomplished by momentarily shifting the said pressure graduating valve (15) to an out-of-neutral mode to supply high pressure to the drum drive clutch cylinder (25). A normally open relay valve (20) is disposed in the line between the regulator (16) and poppet valve (17) and one side of the shuttle valve (21).