CA1100934A - Automatic inhaul winch system - Google Patents
Automatic inhaul winch systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1100934A CA1100934A CA333,942A CA333942A CA1100934A CA 1100934 A CA1100934 A CA 1100934A CA 333942 A CA333942 A CA 333942A CA 1100934 A CA1100934 A CA 1100934A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- flexible line
- motor
- capstans
- winch system
- retrieve
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 230000009975 flexible effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 50
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 claims description 16
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 241000269627 Amphiuma means Species 0.000 claims 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 19
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- ODINCKMPIJJUCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium oxide Chemical compound [Ca]=O ODINCKMPIJJUCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 101100536354 Drosophila melanogaster tant gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 208000036366 Sensation of pressure Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009189 diving Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66D—CAPSTANS; WINCHES; TACKLES, e.g. PULLEY BLOCKS; HOISTS
- B66D1/00—Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms; Capstans
- B66D1/60—Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms; Capstans adapted for special purposes
- B66D1/74—Capstans
- B66D1/7405—Capstans having two or more drums providing tractive force
- B66D1/741—Capstans having two or more drums providing tractive force and having rope storing means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66D—CAPSTANS; WINCHES; TACKLES, e.g. PULLEY BLOCKS; HOISTS
- B66D1/00—Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms; Capstans
- B66D1/28—Other constructional details
- B66D1/40—Control devices
- B66D1/48—Control devices automatic
- B66D1/50—Control devices automatic for maintaining predetermined rope, cable, or chain tension, e.g. in ropes or cables for towing craft, in chains for anchors; Warping or mooring winch-cable tension control
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Tension Adjustment In Filamentary Materials (AREA)
- Storing, Repeated Paying-Out, And Re-Storing Of Elongated Articles (AREA)
Abstract
AUTOMATIC INHAUL WINCH SYSTEM
Abstract of the Disclosure 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 of the Disclosure 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.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention is directed towards an improved winch system. A winch sys-tem, used to control flexible line, frequently encounters problems when the direction of load move-ment suddenly changes creating slack line. The slack line can become fouled in the winch system or entangled w:ith other objects in the area.
Description of the Prior ~rt Many devices have been clesigned to compensate for slack line in a winch system. U~S. Patents 3,250,490; 3,250,491; and 3,250,492, assigned to Goodman Manufacturing Company, disclose improvements in hydraulic drive and control circuits for cable reels. The above patents do not disclose any device or system to m~nimize slacX line problems in a winch system comprising a traction unit and a stora~e unit.
_UMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an improved winch system for paying out and retrieving a flexible line attached to a load having a traction unit and a spooling unit, wherein the improvement comprises means for operating said spool-ing unit to impose tension on said flexible line, means for driving said traction unit to control the pay out and retrieve said flexible line, and an overrunning clutch means installed within said dri~ing means whereby said storage unit can retrieve said flexible line when said load on said flexible line is less than said tension imposed by said operating means.
One object of the present invention is to provide an improved winch system ~hich can quickly retrieve flexible line when the line becomes slack.
'~
(3934 1 Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved winch system which can automatically retrieve flex-ible line without a complicated control system when the load on the Iine drops below a preselected value.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved winch system having an overrunning clutch means installed in the drive train ~etween the capstan motor and capstan heads.
These and other objects and advantages of this inven-tion will become apparent from the drawings, the claims~ and the detailed description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, like numerals indicate like parts and an illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown.
Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing the improved winch system controlling a balloon attached to a flexible line.
Fig, 2 is a schematic view showing the traction unit of the improved winch system with the reduction gear box part-ially cut away.
Fig. 3 is a schematic vie~r partially in section show-ing the overrunning clutch means installed in the drive train ~etween the capstan motor and the reduction gears.
Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing a partial cross section of one type of overrunning clu~ch means satisfactory for use in the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
.
Referring to the drawings and particularly Figure 1, balloon 10 is shown attached to flexible line 11. Under normal conditions, balloon 10 has positive buoyancy which causes it to rise and to place a load on flexihle line 11. During adverse
Field of the Invention The present invention is directed towards an improved winch system. A winch sys-tem, used to control flexible line, frequently encounters problems when the direction of load move-ment suddenly changes creating slack line. The slack line can become fouled in the winch system or entangled w:ith other objects in the area.
Description of the Prior ~rt Many devices have been clesigned to compensate for slack line in a winch system. U~S. Patents 3,250,490; 3,250,491; and 3,250,492, assigned to Goodman Manufacturing Company, disclose improvements in hydraulic drive and control circuits for cable reels. The above patents do not disclose any device or system to m~nimize slacX line problems in a winch system comprising a traction unit and a stora~e unit.
_UMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an improved winch system for paying out and retrieving a flexible line attached to a load having a traction unit and a spooling unit, wherein the improvement comprises means for operating said spool-ing unit to impose tension on said flexible line, means for driving said traction unit to control the pay out and retrieve said flexible line, and an overrunning clutch means installed within said dri~ing means whereby said storage unit can retrieve said flexible line when said load on said flexible line is less than said tension imposed by said operating means.
One object of the present invention is to provide an improved winch system ~hich can quickly retrieve flexible line when the line becomes slack.
'~
(3934 1 Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved winch system which can automatically retrieve flex-ible line without a complicated control system when the load on the Iine drops below a preselected value.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved winch system having an overrunning clutch means installed in the drive train ~etween the capstan motor and capstan heads.
These and other objects and advantages of this inven-tion will become apparent from the drawings, the claims~ and the detailed description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, like numerals indicate like parts and an illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown.
Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing the improved winch system controlling a balloon attached to a flexible line.
Fig, 2 is a schematic view showing the traction unit of the improved winch system with the reduction gear box part-ially cut away.
Fig. 3 is a schematic vie~r partially in section show-ing the overrunning clutch means installed in the drive train ~etween the capstan motor and the reduction gears.
Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing a partial cross section of one type of overrunning clu~ch means satisfactory for use in the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
.
Referring to the drawings and particularly Figure 1, balloon 10 is shown attached to flexible line 11. Under normal conditions, balloon 10 has positive buoyancy which causes it to rise and to place a load on flexihle line 11. During adverse
-2-
3~
1 weather conditions, such as rain, ~alloon 10 may lose its positive ~uoyancy and descend rapidlyO During this sudden change in load, flexible line 11 will become slack and may become fouled in the winch system 12 or with o-ther o~jec-ts in the vacinity.
The problem of slack line is present in any winch system which controls a load that can suddenly change directions of movemen-t.
Examples of winch sys-tems in which the present invelltion is usable in addition to balloon mooring systems are deep sea diving winches, underway replenishment winches, and winches controlling electrical power ca~les attached to moving vehicles.
Winch system 12 has two major components, traction unit 13 and spooling unit 14. Traction unit 13 is designed to control the pay out and to retrieve flexi~le line 11 when sub-jected to a heavy load. In order to handle the resultiny high torque, the rate of movement of flexi~le line 11 by traction unit 13 is slightly reduced. Spooling unit 14 operates at a lower torque and a slightly higher rate as compared to traction unit 13.
Spooling unit 14 includes a storage drum or reel 15 ~hich stores flexible line 11. Storage drurn 15 is rotatably mcunted on shaft 16. Constant torque motor 17 is rotatably coupled with shaft 16 to rotate storage drum 15 in a direction to retrieve or inhaul line 11. Preferably storage dum 15 will ~e of the type having an internal ~rake which could be set to prevent rotation of drum 15 if desired. As shown in Figure 1, constant tor~ue motor 17 is operated ~y a hydraulic power system al-thou~h an electrical motor could also be used with the present invention, Constan-t torque motor 17 provides a means for operat-ing spooling unit 14 to impose tension on flexi~le line ll. The actual value of the tension imposed on flexible line 11 between 1 spooling unit 14 and traction unit 13 is a function of the torque on shaft 16 divided ~y the moment arm of reel 15. The moment arm varies within limits as flexible line 11 is retrieved and payed out from reel 15. Therefore, constant torque motor 17 can impose tension on flexible line 11 within preselect ~alues The hydraulic power s~stem includes reservoir 20 for providing a source of hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic ~luid is with-drawn from reservoir 20 through suction conduit 21 After leav-ing reservoir 20, the hydraulic fluid flows throu~h filter 22 and then to either pressure compensated pump 23 or constant torque 17, Hydraulic fluid is returned to reservoir 20 by re-turn conduit 24 after passing through heat exchanger 25 Pres- ~ :
sure compensa-ted pump 23 is driven ~y prime mover 26 which could ~e a diesel or gasoline engine, . :
. . Traction unit 13 includes multiple grooved capstan :~
: heads 30 and 31. The present invention can be used with any type o~ capstan having a single or dual capstan heads with or ~ithout grooves. Flexible line 11 is run from storage unit 14 through traction unit 13 ~y wrapping line 11 around capstans 30 : and 31. Under normal loading conditions, capstans 30 and 31 ~.
control the pay out and retrieval of flexi~le line 11~ ~-Capstan heads 30 and 31 are mounted on and rotated by .
shafts 32 and 33 which extend ~rom reduction gears 34 The cap-stan heads are driven by a capstan motor 35. The drive train between motor 35 and the capstan heads 30 and 31 comprises a drive shaft 36 with brake 37 mounted thereon, reduc~ion gears 34, : and an overrunning clutch means 38 between brake 3? and reduction gears 34~ Capstan motor 35 ~an ~e electrical, pneuma~ic, or . 30 hydraulically po~ered. In Figure 1, a reversihle direction '~.
93~
1 hydraulic punp 39 is shown supplying operating fluid to capstan motox 35. Hydraulic pump 39 and charging pump 40 are both mounted on a common shaft and driven by prime mover 41. Charging pump 40 takes a suc-tion on reservoir 45 and discharges hydraulic fluid through either check valve 46 or 47 to maintai.n loop 48 between pump 3~ and motor 35 ull o~ fluid. I,oop 48 can contain, as desired, standard items Lor a hydraulic fluid system such as an accumulator to dampen pressure surges and isolation valves to allow repair and replacement of major components. PreEer.-ably, pump 40 would h~ve a constant displacement with an internalrelief path back to reservoir 45 Prime mover 41 can b2 either a diesel or gasoline motor. A single prime mover can be used in ~ :
place of prime movers 26 and 41. Reservoir 45 and reservoir 20 can be replaced by a single reservoir~
In Figure 2, overrunning clutch means 38 is shown in-stalled in the drive train exterior to the reduction gears 34.
In some winch systems, it might be desirable to install the over-.
running clutch within the reduction gears such as on the hub of ~ull gear 29. In other winch systems, i-t may be desirable to install the overrunning clutch as part of the shafts for rotat-a~ly mounting the capstans such as shafts 32 and 33.
As ~est shown in Figures 3 and 4, overrunning clutch means 38 can transmit torque from capstan motor 35 to reduction gears 34 in only one direction Clutch 38 is installed so that .the transmitted torque from motor 35 will rotate reduction gears 34 and capstans 30 and 31 in a direction to retrieve flexi~le line ll. Various overrunning clutches are satisfactory for use in the present invention. One such clutch is a FORMSPRAG ~Trade-mark P~egistered~ overrunning clutch as shown in Dana Corporation - 30 Industrial Power Transmission Divisions catalog 2106 published 1~)093~
1 January 1978.
Clutch housing 50 is connected to brake 37 by bolts 51 and to the reduction gear box by bolts 52. Drive shaft 36 has two separate portions 36_ and 36~ which are rotatably coupled within housing 50. Drive shaft 36a is rota-ted by capstan motor 35. Clutch adapter flange 53 is slidably keyed to the end of drive shaft 36a within housing 50, Outer race 56 of clutch means 38 is bolted to adapter flange 53 by bolts 57, Inner race 58 of clutch means 38 is slidably keyed to the end of drive shaft 36b within housing S0, Spring 5~ is installed around drive shaf-t 36a ~etween brake 37 and clutch adaptar flange 53 _ to maintain proper positioning of outer race 56 and inner race 58 within housing 50, Sprags 60 are disposed in the annular .
space ~etween outer race 56 and inner race 58. The shape and spacing of sprags 6a permit torque to ~e transmitted in only one direction from outer race 56 to inner race 58.
Normal Operation . . _ , . ~
With a load such as ~alloon lQ attached, flexible line ~ :
11 is normally in tension, Brake 37 can engage operating shaft 36 to hold the load and to prevent the payout of flexible line 11. When it is desired to pay out flexible line 11, ~rake 37 is :~
raleased and load 1~ will attempt to pull linethrO~sh dual cap-stans 30 and 31. Rotation of the capstans is transmitted through reduction gears 34 and clutch means 38 by operating shaft 36 to capstan motor 35, If capstan motor 35 is not free to rotate, flexihle line 11 cannot pay out, By varying the rate and di-rection of fluid discharged ~y pump 39, the speed of rotation of motor 35 can ~e controlled and thus the rate of paying out flexihle line 11, If hydraulic fluid flow in loop 48 was blocked, ~ 30 motor 35 could not rotate~
93~ ~
1 While paying out flexible line 11, pump 23 in the ~ydraulic.power s~stem supplying operating fluid to spooling unit 14 is idling. Balloon 10 pulls line through traction unit 13 which rotates storage drum 15 and constant torque motor 17 through operating shaft 16. During pay out, motor 17 rotates in the opposite direction from when pump 23 is supplying operat-ing fluid to take up flexible line 11, Reverse rotation o motor 17 causes the motor to act as a pump drawin~ fluid from reservoir 20 through suction aoncluit 21, filter 22 and check valve 70~ During pay out, motor 17 discharges fluid through relie~ valve 71 into heat exchanger 25 and ~ack to reservoir 20 via return conduit 24. The hydraulic fluid discharged ~y motor 17 opposes any Eluid which pump 23 may attempt to discharge..
Therefore~ pump 23 idles during pay out but automatically dis-charges 1uid to impose a tension on flexible line 11 as soon as traction unit 13 stops paying out line 11. Relief valve 71 maintains a constant pressure in the conduit connecting pump 23 and motor 17 when either the pump or the motor is discharging fluid. Check valve 72 blocks floTiJ from relief valve 71 from ~O returning-to constant torque motor 17~
When it is desired to retrieve ~alloon 10 under normal conditions, pump 39 discharges fluid in a direction to rotate capstan motor 35 and drive shaft 36 to inhaul flexible line 11.
Overrunning clutch means 38 is installed to transmit torque in this.direction from capstan motor 35. Clutch means 38 is oriented ` to allo~ capstan motor 35 and/or brake 37 to resist the load .~ placed on flexible line 11 by- balloon 10. This orientation per-mits traction unit 13 to inhaul flexible line 11 when suhjected to normal loading. The direction of torque transmission is the ;.. 30 same ~hen fluid flow through motor 35 is being throttled by pump 3~
1 39 to corltrol pay out o~ line 11 or when pump 39 is discharginy fluid to retrieve line 11.
Pressure compensated pump 23 discharges fluid from reservoir 2~ to constant ~orque motor 17 to rotate storage drum 15 in a direction to take up flexi~le line 11 as it is retrieved by traction unit 13~ Check valve 70 prevents ~luid exiting from motor 17 from returning to pump 23 without ~lowing through heat exchanger 25, reservoir 20 and filter 22. Also, relief valve 71 prevents the discharge pressure from pump 23from exceeding a preselected value.
By maintaining an essentially constant discharge pres-sure from pump 23, motor 17 produces an essentially constant torque on shaft 16. As previously stated, hydraulic motor 17 could ~e replaced ~y an electric motor designed to produce a con~tant torque output. ~
Automatic or Emergency Inhaul ~-During aaverse weather conditions, balloon 10 may suddenly start to descent crea-ting an excessive mount of slack in flexi~le line 11~ When the tension on flexi~le line 11 created ~y balloon 10 drops ~elow the tension imposed on flexible line 11 ~y cons-tant torque motor 17, overrunning clutch means 38 will - slip and isolate capstan heads 30 and 31 from brake 37 and cap-stan motor 35. Spooling unit 14 can thus inhaul flexible line 11 ~ithout the assistance of traction unit 13. Constant torque motor 17 provides a means to retrieve flexi~le line 11 at a high rate and low torque as compared to capstan motor 35~
With the combination of overrunning clutch means 38 ~nd constant torque motor 17, personnel assigned to winch system 12 do not have to be constantly alert for changes in the direc-tion OI load movement. Clutch means 38 provides means for the 93~
1 au~omatic inhaul of ~lexi~le line 11 without an elaborate con-trol system built into traction unit 13, Automatic inhaul starts, accelerates, and decelerates, and stops as required to maintain tension on flexible line 11 between traction uni-t 13 and spool-ing unit 14 within preselected ~alues.
The present invention can ~e readily adapted to con-trol ~lexible line attached to any load which can suddenly change direction of movement. The previous description is illustrative of only one embodiment oE the present inven-tion.
Changes and modiications may he made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
2~
1 weather conditions, such as rain, ~alloon 10 may lose its positive ~uoyancy and descend rapidlyO During this sudden change in load, flexible line 11 will become slack and may become fouled in the winch system 12 or with o-ther o~jec-ts in the vacinity.
The problem of slack line is present in any winch system which controls a load that can suddenly change directions of movemen-t.
Examples of winch sys-tems in which the present invelltion is usable in addition to balloon mooring systems are deep sea diving winches, underway replenishment winches, and winches controlling electrical power ca~les attached to moving vehicles.
Winch system 12 has two major components, traction unit 13 and spooling unit 14. Traction unit 13 is designed to control the pay out and to retrieve flexi~le line 11 when sub-jected to a heavy load. In order to handle the resultiny high torque, the rate of movement of flexi~le line 11 by traction unit 13 is slightly reduced. Spooling unit 14 operates at a lower torque and a slightly higher rate as compared to traction unit 13.
Spooling unit 14 includes a storage drum or reel 15 ~hich stores flexible line 11. Storage drurn 15 is rotatably mcunted on shaft 16. Constant torque motor 17 is rotatably coupled with shaft 16 to rotate storage drum 15 in a direction to retrieve or inhaul line 11. Preferably storage dum 15 will ~e of the type having an internal ~rake which could be set to prevent rotation of drum 15 if desired. As shown in Figure 1, constant tor~ue motor 17 is operated ~y a hydraulic power system al-thou~h an electrical motor could also be used with the present invention, Constan-t torque motor 17 provides a means for operat-ing spooling unit 14 to impose tension on flexi~le line ll. The actual value of the tension imposed on flexible line 11 between 1 spooling unit 14 and traction unit 13 is a function of the torque on shaft 16 divided ~y the moment arm of reel 15. The moment arm varies within limits as flexible line 11 is retrieved and payed out from reel 15. Therefore, constant torque motor 17 can impose tension on flexible line 11 within preselect ~alues The hydraulic power s~stem includes reservoir 20 for providing a source of hydraulic fluid. Hydraulic ~luid is with-drawn from reservoir 20 through suction conduit 21 After leav-ing reservoir 20, the hydraulic fluid flows throu~h filter 22 and then to either pressure compensated pump 23 or constant torque 17, Hydraulic fluid is returned to reservoir 20 by re-turn conduit 24 after passing through heat exchanger 25 Pres- ~ :
sure compensa-ted pump 23 is driven ~y prime mover 26 which could ~e a diesel or gasoline engine, . :
. . Traction unit 13 includes multiple grooved capstan :~
: heads 30 and 31. The present invention can be used with any type o~ capstan having a single or dual capstan heads with or ~ithout grooves. Flexible line 11 is run from storage unit 14 through traction unit 13 ~y wrapping line 11 around capstans 30 : and 31. Under normal loading conditions, capstans 30 and 31 ~.
control the pay out and retrieval of flexi~le line 11~ ~-Capstan heads 30 and 31 are mounted on and rotated by .
shafts 32 and 33 which extend ~rom reduction gears 34 The cap-stan heads are driven by a capstan motor 35. The drive train between motor 35 and the capstan heads 30 and 31 comprises a drive shaft 36 with brake 37 mounted thereon, reduc~ion gears 34, : and an overrunning clutch means 38 between brake 3? and reduction gears 34~ Capstan motor 35 ~an ~e electrical, pneuma~ic, or . 30 hydraulically po~ered. In Figure 1, a reversihle direction '~.
93~
1 hydraulic punp 39 is shown supplying operating fluid to capstan motox 35. Hydraulic pump 39 and charging pump 40 are both mounted on a common shaft and driven by prime mover 41. Charging pump 40 takes a suc-tion on reservoir 45 and discharges hydraulic fluid through either check valve 46 or 47 to maintai.n loop 48 between pump 3~ and motor 35 ull o~ fluid. I,oop 48 can contain, as desired, standard items Lor a hydraulic fluid system such as an accumulator to dampen pressure surges and isolation valves to allow repair and replacement of major components. PreEer.-ably, pump 40 would h~ve a constant displacement with an internalrelief path back to reservoir 45 Prime mover 41 can b2 either a diesel or gasoline motor. A single prime mover can be used in ~ :
place of prime movers 26 and 41. Reservoir 45 and reservoir 20 can be replaced by a single reservoir~
In Figure 2, overrunning clutch means 38 is shown in-stalled in the drive train exterior to the reduction gears 34.
In some winch systems, it might be desirable to install the over-.
running clutch within the reduction gears such as on the hub of ~ull gear 29. In other winch systems, i-t may be desirable to install the overrunning clutch as part of the shafts for rotat-a~ly mounting the capstans such as shafts 32 and 33.
As ~est shown in Figures 3 and 4, overrunning clutch means 38 can transmit torque from capstan motor 35 to reduction gears 34 in only one direction Clutch 38 is installed so that .the transmitted torque from motor 35 will rotate reduction gears 34 and capstans 30 and 31 in a direction to retrieve flexi~le line ll. Various overrunning clutches are satisfactory for use in the present invention. One such clutch is a FORMSPRAG ~Trade-mark P~egistered~ overrunning clutch as shown in Dana Corporation - 30 Industrial Power Transmission Divisions catalog 2106 published 1~)093~
1 January 1978.
Clutch housing 50 is connected to brake 37 by bolts 51 and to the reduction gear box by bolts 52. Drive shaft 36 has two separate portions 36_ and 36~ which are rotatably coupled within housing 50. Drive shaft 36a is rota-ted by capstan motor 35. Clutch adapter flange 53 is slidably keyed to the end of drive shaft 36a within housing 50, Outer race 56 of clutch means 38 is bolted to adapter flange 53 by bolts 57, Inner race 58 of clutch means 38 is slidably keyed to the end of drive shaft 36b within housing S0, Spring 5~ is installed around drive shaf-t 36a ~etween brake 37 and clutch adaptar flange 53 _ to maintain proper positioning of outer race 56 and inner race 58 within housing 50, Sprags 60 are disposed in the annular .
space ~etween outer race 56 and inner race 58. The shape and spacing of sprags 6a permit torque to ~e transmitted in only one direction from outer race 56 to inner race 58.
Normal Operation . . _ , . ~
With a load such as ~alloon lQ attached, flexible line ~ :
11 is normally in tension, Brake 37 can engage operating shaft 36 to hold the load and to prevent the payout of flexible line 11. When it is desired to pay out flexible line 11, ~rake 37 is :~
raleased and load 1~ will attempt to pull linethrO~sh dual cap-stans 30 and 31. Rotation of the capstans is transmitted through reduction gears 34 and clutch means 38 by operating shaft 36 to capstan motor 35, If capstan motor 35 is not free to rotate, flexihle line 11 cannot pay out, By varying the rate and di-rection of fluid discharged ~y pump 39, the speed of rotation of motor 35 can ~e controlled and thus the rate of paying out flexihle line 11, If hydraulic fluid flow in loop 48 was blocked, ~ 30 motor 35 could not rotate~
93~ ~
1 While paying out flexible line 11, pump 23 in the ~ydraulic.power s~stem supplying operating fluid to spooling unit 14 is idling. Balloon 10 pulls line through traction unit 13 which rotates storage drum 15 and constant torque motor 17 through operating shaft 16. During pay out, motor 17 rotates in the opposite direction from when pump 23 is supplying operat-ing fluid to take up flexible line 11, Reverse rotation o motor 17 causes the motor to act as a pump drawin~ fluid from reservoir 20 through suction aoncluit 21, filter 22 and check valve 70~ During pay out, motor 17 discharges fluid through relie~ valve 71 into heat exchanger 25 and ~ack to reservoir 20 via return conduit 24. The hydraulic fluid discharged ~y motor 17 opposes any Eluid which pump 23 may attempt to discharge..
Therefore~ pump 23 idles during pay out but automatically dis-charges 1uid to impose a tension on flexible line 11 as soon as traction unit 13 stops paying out line 11. Relief valve 71 maintains a constant pressure in the conduit connecting pump 23 and motor 17 when either the pump or the motor is discharging fluid. Check valve 72 blocks floTiJ from relief valve 71 from ~O returning-to constant torque motor 17~
When it is desired to retrieve ~alloon 10 under normal conditions, pump 39 discharges fluid in a direction to rotate capstan motor 35 and drive shaft 36 to inhaul flexible line 11.
Overrunning clutch means 38 is installed to transmit torque in this.direction from capstan motor 35. Clutch means 38 is oriented ` to allo~ capstan motor 35 and/or brake 37 to resist the load .~ placed on flexible line 11 by- balloon 10. This orientation per-mits traction unit 13 to inhaul flexible line 11 when suhjected to normal loading. The direction of torque transmission is the ;.. 30 same ~hen fluid flow through motor 35 is being throttled by pump 3~
1 39 to corltrol pay out o~ line 11 or when pump 39 is discharginy fluid to retrieve line 11.
Pressure compensated pump 23 discharges fluid from reservoir 2~ to constant ~orque motor 17 to rotate storage drum 15 in a direction to take up flexi~le line 11 as it is retrieved by traction unit 13~ Check valve 70 prevents ~luid exiting from motor 17 from returning to pump 23 without ~lowing through heat exchanger 25, reservoir 20 and filter 22. Also, relief valve 71 prevents the discharge pressure from pump 23from exceeding a preselected value.
By maintaining an essentially constant discharge pres-sure from pump 23, motor 17 produces an essentially constant torque on shaft 16. As previously stated, hydraulic motor 17 could ~e replaced ~y an electric motor designed to produce a con~tant torque output. ~
Automatic or Emergency Inhaul ~-During aaverse weather conditions, balloon 10 may suddenly start to descent crea-ting an excessive mount of slack in flexi~le line 11~ When the tension on flexi~le line 11 created ~y balloon 10 drops ~elow the tension imposed on flexible line 11 ~y cons-tant torque motor 17, overrunning clutch means 38 will - slip and isolate capstan heads 30 and 31 from brake 37 and cap-stan motor 35. Spooling unit 14 can thus inhaul flexible line 11 ~ithout the assistance of traction unit 13. Constant torque motor 17 provides a means to retrieve flexi~le line 11 at a high rate and low torque as compared to capstan motor 35~
With the combination of overrunning clutch means 38 ~nd constant torque motor 17, personnel assigned to winch system 12 do not have to be constantly alert for changes in the direc-tion OI load movement. Clutch means 38 provides means for the 93~
1 au~omatic inhaul of ~lexi~le line 11 without an elaborate con-trol system built into traction unit 13, Automatic inhaul starts, accelerates, and decelerates, and stops as required to maintain tension on flexible line 11 between traction uni-t 13 and spool-ing unit 14 within preselected ~alues.
The present invention can ~e readily adapted to con-trol ~lexible line attached to any load which can suddenly change direction of movement. The previous description is illustrative of only one embodiment oE the present inven-tion.
Changes and modiications may he made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
2~
Claims (8)
1. An improved winch system for paying out and retrieving a flexible line attached to a load having a traction unit and a spooling unit, wherein the improvement comprises:
a. means for operating said spooling unit to impose tension on said flexible line;
b. means for driving said traction unit to control the pay out and retrieve said flexible line; and c. an overrunning clutch means installed within said driving means and transmitting torque from said driving means in only one direction to retrieve said flexible line whereby said spooling unit can retrieve said flexible line when said load on said flexible line is less than said tension imposed by said operating means.
a. means for operating said spooling unit to impose tension on said flexible line;
b. means for driving said traction unit to control the pay out and retrieve said flexible line; and c. an overrunning clutch means installed within said driving means and transmitting torque from said driving means in only one direction to retrieve said flexible line whereby said spooling unit can retrieve said flexible line when said load on said flexible line is less than said tension imposed by said operating means.
2. An improved winch system as recited in claim 1 wherein said operating means further comprises:
a constant torque motor.
a constant torque motor.
3. An improved winch system as recited in claim 1 wherein said traction unit further comprises:
a. multiple grooved capstan heads;
b. a capstan motor; and c. a drive train connecting said capstan motor to said capstan heads and said overrunning clutch forming a portion of said drive train.
a. multiple grooved capstan heads;
b. a capstan motor; and c. a drive train connecting said capstan motor to said capstan heads and said overrunning clutch forming a portion of said drive train.
4. An improved winch system, for paying out and retrieving a flexible line attached to a load, of the type having a storage drum and dual capstans with the flexible line running from the storage drum through the capstans and to the load, wherein the improvement comprises:
a. a constant torque motor coupled to the storage drum to take up line from the capstans;
b. a capstan motor coupled to the capstans to rotate the capstans to control paying out and to retrieve the flexible line;
c. reduction gears rotatably connected to the capstans;
d. a drive train connecting the capstan motor to the reduction gears and an overrunning clutch means installed in the drive train between the capstan motor and the reduction gears; and e. the overrunning clutch means transmitting torque, when the load on the flexible line exceeds a pre-selected value, from the capstan motor to the reduction gears which rotate the capstans whereby the constant torque motor can rotate the storage drum to retrieve the flexible line through the capstans when the load on the flexible line drops below the preselected level.
a. a constant torque motor coupled to the storage drum to take up line from the capstans;
b. a capstan motor coupled to the capstans to rotate the capstans to control paying out and to retrieve the flexible line;
c. reduction gears rotatably connected to the capstans;
d. a drive train connecting the capstan motor to the reduction gears and an overrunning clutch means installed in the drive train between the capstan motor and the reduction gears; and e. the overrunning clutch means transmitting torque, when the load on the flexible line exceeds a pre-selected value, from the capstan motor to the reduction gears which rotate the capstans whereby the constant torque motor can rotate the storage drum to retrieve the flexible line through the capstans when the load on the flexible line drops below the preselected level.
5. An improved winch system as recited in claim 4, further comprising:
hydraulic power systems to operate the capstan motor and the constant torque motor.
hydraulic power systems to operate the capstan motor and the constant torque motor.
6. An improved winch system for paying out and retrieving a flexible line attached to a load, having a traction unit and a spooling unit, wherein the improvement comprises:
a. means for operating said spooling unit to take up said flexible line;
b. means for driving said traction unit to control the pay out and to retrieve said flexible line;
c. an overrunning clutch means installed within said driving means; and d. said overrunning clutch transmitting torque between said drive means and said traction unit only when the tension on said flexible line exceeds a predetermined value.
a. means for operating said spooling unit to take up said flexible line;
b. means for driving said traction unit to control the pay out and to retrieve said flexible line;
c. an overrunning clutch means installed within said driving means; and d. said overrunning clutch transmitting torque between said drive means and said traction unit only when the tension on said flexible line exceeds a predetermined value.
7. An improved winch system as defined in claim 6 wherein said traction unit and the means for driving said traction unit, further comprises:
a. dual capstans;
b. a capstan motor rotatably connected to said dual capstan by a drive train including reduction gears; and c. said overrunning clutch means installed in the drive train between said capstan motor and said reduction gears.
a. dual capstans;
b. a capstan motor rotatably connected to said dual capstan by a drive train including reduction gears; and c. said overrunning clutch means installed in the drive train between said capstan motor and said reduction gears.
8. An improved system as recited in claim 6, further comprising hydraulic power systems to operate said traction unit and said spooling unit.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/934,797 US4234167A (en) | 1978-08-18 | 1978-08-18 | Automatic inhaul winch system |
| US934,797 | 1978-08-18 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1100934A true CA1100934A (en) | 1981-05-12 |
Family
ID=25466081
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA333,942A Expired CA1100934A (en) | 1978-08-18 | 1979-08-16 | Automatic inhaul winch system |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4234167A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1100934A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2028250B (en) |
Families Citing this family (23)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2487802B1 (en) * | 1980-08-01 | 1985-08-09 | Retel Jr | WINCH CONTROL DEVICE |
| US4482133A (en) * | 1981-04-16 | 1984-11-13 | Bishop Carl D | Pneumatic winch |
| DE3428876A1 (en) * | 1984-08-04 | 1986-02-13 | Rotzler GmbH + Co Spezialfabrik für Seilwinden und Hebezeuge, 7853 Steinen | CONTINUOUS WINCH |
| US4921219A (en) * | 1988-04-13 | 1990-05-01 | Imi-Barient, Inc. | Powered sailboat winch |
| WO1989009744A1 (en) * | 1988-04-13 | 1989-10-19 | Imi-Barient, Inc. | Powered sailboat winch |
| US4920680A (en) * | 1988-11-03 | 1990-05-01 | Lindgren Peter B | Line setter method and apparatus |
| US5215272A (en) * | 1991-01-30 | 1993-06-01 | Sauber Charles J | Winding device having a tilting table and method |
| US5388781A (en) * | 1991-01-30 | 1995-02-14 | Sauber; Charles J. | Cable pulling and reeling apparatus having anti-spill device and method |
| DE19654547C2 (en) * | 1996-12-27 | 1999-03-18 | Kaessbohrer Gelaendefahrzeug | Method of operating a winch and associated device |
| NO324416B1 (en) * | 1998-04-21 | 2007-10-08 | Odim Asa | Multiple traction winch |
| DE10005411C2 (en) * | 2000-02-10 | 2002-11-28 | Gsa Ges Fuer Sondermaschinen U | Lifting device with collision protection |
| US6830235B2 (en) * | 2002-02-21 | 2004-12-14 | Clark P. Stafford | Hydraulic powered capstan attachment |
| GB2434352B (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2009-08-19 | Lgh Group Plc | Winch |
| US8102083B2 (en) * | 2008-07-14 | 2012-01-24 | Sefe, Inc. | Atmospheric electrical generator with change of state |
| US7855476B2 (en) * | 2008-07-14 | 2010-12-21 | Mark Ellery Ogram | Atmospheric electrical generator |
| CN103373674B (en) * | 2012-04-18 | 2015-08-05 | 浙江诺和机电有限公司 | A kind of multiple-roll constant-speed constant-tension hydraulic winch |
| NO336584B1 (en) * | 2013-06-19 | 2015-09-28 | Macgregor Norway As | LOAD HANDLING DEVICE AND PROCEDURE FOR USING THE SAME |
| CN103601088A (en) * | 2013-11-25 | 2014-02-26 | 江苏科技大学 | Large load sensitive type tension-releasing hydraulic dragging winch |
| US9950915B2 (en) * | 2015-05-27 | 2018-04-24 | Rt Ltd. | Winch system |
| ITUB20154920A1 (en) * | 2015-10-30 | 2017-04-30 | Tesmec Spa | STRUCTURAL STRUCTURE OF CABLES PROVIDED WITH SAFETY SYSTEM AND SAFETY STOP PROCEDURE OF THESE CABLE STRUCTURING EQUIPMENT |
| FR3115531A1 (en) * | 2020-10-26 | 2022-04-29 | Reel | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A CAPSTAN WINCH AND CAPSTAN WINCH IMPLEMENTING SUCH A METHOD |
| FR3143583B1 (en) * | 2022-12-16 | 2025-10-31 | Reel | METHOD FOR PROTECTING A LIFTING DEVICE AGAINST OVERLOAD AND DEVICE IMPLEMENTING THIS METHOD |
| CN117550443B (en) * | 2024-01-11 | 2024-05-14 | 齐鲁空天信息研究院 | Aerostat launching winch cable tension control device and control method |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3020022A (en) * | 1958-08-27 | 1962-02-06 | Braden Winch Company | Cable winch |
| GB1031408A (en) * | 1963-11-07 | 1966-06-02 | Pusnes Mek Verksted | A semi-automatic warping and mooring arrangement |
| US3250490A (en) * | 1964-09-21 | 1966-05-10 | Goodman Mfg Co | Hydraulic cable reel drive circuit |
| US3250491A (en) * | 1964-09-21 | 1966-05-10 | Goodman Mfg Co | Hydraulic cable reel drive circuit |
| US3250492A (en) * | 1964-09-21 | 1966-05-10 | Goodman Mfg Co | Automatic regulator for cable reel |
| US3309064A (en) * | 1964-12-18 | 1967-03-14 | Muller Wolf | Winch mechanism with dual drive |
| US3388890A (en) * | 1967-03-06 | 1968-06-18 | Abex Corp | Winch cable anti-slack unit |
| US3399868A (en) * | 1967-03-31 | 1968-09-03 | Bucyrus Erie Co | Rope pay-out apparatus |
| US3606257A (en) * | 1968-12-31 | 1971-09-20 | Wilson John H | Traction drum winch which exerts a predetermined constant tension on a cable |
| US3738614A (en) * | 1971-05-13 | 1973-06-12 | E Peterson | Hoisting apparatus employing unitary clutch and brake assembly |
-
1978
- 1978-08-18 US US05/934,797 patent/US4234167A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1979
- 1979-08-16 GB GB7928504A patent/GB2028250B/en not_active Expired
- 1979-08-16 CA CA333,942A patent/CA1100934A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4234167A (en) | 1980-11-18 |
| GB2028250B (en) | 1982-08-11 |
| GB2028250A (en) | 1980-03-05 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |