Methods for non-destructive testing of synthetic ropes is described, where the rope in use is subjected to X-ray, terahertz, permanent magnetic field or electromagnetic analysis to determine a pattern, the results of the analysis are compared with a standard pattern determined by the analysis, and the results of the comparison are used in determining whether the rope is fit for use; where the rope comprises at least two types of fibers, the first fiber type has a density which differs from the density of the second fiber type and the second fiber type is of the same polymer material as the first fiber type, but provided with a high-density or low-density material. Ropes suitable for use in this method are also described.

Disclosed is an improved tension member or slickline used in wellbore intervention operations. One exemplary tension member includes a first portion comprising a metallic material and having a distal end, a second portion comprising a non-metallic material and having a proximal end, and a joint coupling the proximal end of the second portion to the distal end of the first portion.

A thimble assembly that includes an arch portion connecting a first leg portion to a second leg portion. The thimble assembly may also include a peripheral groove extending substantially along an outer surface of the first and second leg portions and the arch portion. The thimble assembly may also include a plurality of connectors extending from a first lip of the peripheral groove and connecting to a second lip of the peripheral groove. The connectors may traverse the peripheral groove across the first and second leg portions and the arch portion. The thimble assembly may include a length of cord with a plurality of strands that traverses the peripheral groove. The strands may enclose the connectors such that the strands are woven around the connectors. In one embodiment, the thimble assembly may include a wireless tension detector connected to the thimble that includes a sensor that senses radial expansion and contraction of the cord under tension. The wireless tension detector may include an alert signal to indicate when expansion and contraction of the cord is not within a predetermined range.

A hybrid strand includes a core and outer wires arranged around the core, wherein at least a part of the outer wires is compressed, wherein the compressed outer wires include a flattened cross-sectional shape, the outer wires are composed of steel, and the core is a fiber core. A corresponding production method produces such a hybrid strand.

A method for attaching an anchor to an end of a tensile member by inverting the assembly of anchor and tensile member and injecting pressurized potting compound. A length of filaments of the tensile member are placed within a cavity through the anchor. The anchor and filaments are placed in an inverted position, with the distal end of the anchor facing downward and the cable extending upward out of the anchor. If the anchor has an open distal end this is sealed. Liquid potting compound is injected into the anchor cavity and allowed to solidify. During the solidification process, a controlled translation (pulling) of the cable is preferably introduced.

A belt-shaped rope of a hoisting device, the rope being substantially larger in its width-direction than thickness-direction, and comprising two or more load bearing members; a coating forming an outer surface of the rope, in which coating the two or more load bearing members are embedded, wherein the two or more load bearing members are oriented to extend parallel with longitudinal direction of the rope adjacent each other in width direction of the rope such that a gap is formed in width direction between load bearing members next to each other, the coating extending into the gap. The coating comprises a first coating portion between load bearing members next to each other, and a second coating portion forming an outer side of the rope facing in thickness direction of the rope, and in that the material of the first coating portion is substantially harder than the material of the second coating portion.

A security device has a flexible strap (26) with a lock unit (28) attached at each end. The strap (26) comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending multi-filament cables or ropes (2) arranged in a substantially planar array embedded in an elastomeric material (4). The cables or ropes (2) have a coating of primer for creating a bond with the elastomeric material (4). The primer may be restricted to the external surface of the cables or ropes (2), or some of the surfaces of the filaments may be free of primer. This facilitates relative movement of the filaments during flexure or compression of the strap (26). Moreover, an extrusion process for manufacturing the strap (26) including a priming station (12) is disclosed.

A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator system component include one or more metallic cord tension elements extending along a length of the belt, and one or more non-metallic tension elements extending along a length of the belt. Each non-metallic tension element is formed from a non-metallic material. The one or more metallic cord tension elements and the one or more non-metallic tension elements are arrayed laterally across a lateral width of the belt. The belt may be used in an elevator system including a hoistway, a drive machine having a traction sheave coupled thereto, an elevator car movable within the hoistway. The belt is operably connected to the elevator car and interactive with the traction sheave to suspend and/or drive the elevator car along the hoistway.

Hybrid rope (20) comprising a core element (22) containing high modulus fibers surrounded by at least one outer layer (24) containing wirelike metallic members (26). The core element (22) is coated (23) with a thermoplastic polyurethane or a copolyester elastomer, preferably the copolyester elastomer containing soft blocks in the range of 10 to 70 wt %. The coated material (23) on the inner core element (22) is inhibited to be pressed out in-between the wirelike members (26) of the hybrid rope (20) and the hybrid rope (20) has decreased elongation and diameter reduction after being in use.

A method for producing a rope, wherein fiber bundles are applied with a liquefied matrix material upstream of and/or at a twisting point to form fiber strands, and are embedded into the liquefied matrix material during stranding, by which fiber strands a fiber core of the rope is formed and wires or wire strands are wound about the fiber core. The matrix material of the fiber strands is hardened after the stranding, and the fiber strands are subsequently stranded directly with one another without further application to form the fiber core. Preferably the fiber strands are heated, during or after the stranding thereof to form the fiber core, so that the matrix material softens at least individual fiber strands, preferably all the fiber strands, another of the fiber strands is connected with the matrix material, and is subsequently hardened, forming an integral bond with one another.