A winch system for controlling the elevation of an aerostats restrained by a cable is provided. The system includes a capstan arrangement configured for reducing the tension in a segment of a cable extending between an aerostats side and a drum side thereof; a spool drum configured for wrapping therearound a segment of the cable extending from the drum side of the capstan arrangement; a first drive mechanism configured to selectively activate the capstan arrangement in a released mode, in which the cable is let out towards the aerostats, and a pulling mode in which the cable is pulled in towards the spool drum; and a second drive mechanism configured to rotate the spool drum in the released mode and in the pulling mode such that the segment of the cable extending from the drum side of the capstan arrangement is pulled in a counter direction to the direction of the tension exerted on the cable.

A winch assembly may include a frame including a first plate and a second plate separated from the first plate. The frame may have a set of stepped bores including a first bore in the first plate and a second bore, co-axial with the first bore, in the second plate. The first bore may be larger than the second bore. The winch assembly may include a winch disposed in the frame through the first bore and the second bore. The winch may include a first housing with a first flange extending from the first housing, the first flange connected at an outward surface of the first plate. The winch may include a second housing with a second flange extending from the second housing, the second flange connected at an inward surface of the second plate. The winch may include a drum between the first housing and the second housing.

A winch assembly may include a frame including a first plate and a second plate separated from the first plate. The frame may have a set of stepped bores including a first bore in the first plate and a second bore, co-axial with the first bore, in the second plate. The first bore may be larger than the second bore. The winch assembly may include a winch disposed in the frame through the first bore and the second bore. The winch may include a first housing with a first flange extending from the first housing, the first flange connected at an outward surface of the first plate. The winch may include a second housing with a second flange extending from the second housing, the second flange connected at an inward surface of the second plate. The winch may include a drum between the first housing and the second housing.

The invention relates to a plugging device for releasably connecting the drum wheel (2) of the at least one loose drum rotatably mounted on the main shaft of a winding engine, said drum wheel being rigidly connected to the loose drum, to the shaft wheel (4) which is rigidly connected to the main shaft. The releasable connection of the drum wheel (2) to the shaft wheel (4) is carried out in a formfitting manner by means of an engageable and disengageable sliding wheel (6) which is guided on a shaft wheel (4). Actuations (10) are carried out in points in a distributed manner over the circumference of the sliding wheel, said actuations acting directly on the sliding wheel (6), in order to engage and disengage the sliding wheel (6).

The invention relates to a plugging device for releasably connecting the drum wheel (2) of the at least one loose drum rotatably mounted on the main shaft of a winding engine, said drum wheel being rigidly connected to the loose drum, to the shaft wheel (4) which is rigidly connected to the main shaft. The releasable connection of the drum wheel (2) to the shaft wheel (4) is carried out in a formfitting manner by means of an engageable and disengageable sliding wheel (6) which is guided on a shaft wheel (4). Actuations (10) are carried out in points in a distributed manner over the circumference of the sliding wheel, said actuations acting directly on the sliding wheel (6), in order to engage and disengage the sliding wheel (6).

A garage lift system which aids in lifting and storing various objects such as ATV's within an enclosed area. The garage lift system generally includes a frame adapted to be secured between a floor and a ceiling utilizing upper mounts and lower footings. The frame includes a guide rail extending horizontally between two or more vertical supports. A drive assembly is provided which includes a motor driving a pair of reels. The reels are wound with cables, with a first cable extending downwardly to connect to a first end of a lift member and a second cable extending along the guide rail and through a pulley wheel prior to extending downwardly to connect to a second end of the lift member. Various objects such as vehicles may be positioned on the lift member and the drive assembly utilized to raise or lower the lift member.

A garage lift system which aids in lifting and storing various objects such as ATV's within an enclosed area. The garage lift system generally includes a frame adapted to be secured between a floor and a ceiling utilizing upper mounts and lower footings. The frame includes a guide rail extending horizontally between two or more vertical supports. A drive assembly is provided which includes a motor driving a pair of reels. The reels are wound with cables, with a first cable extending downwardly to connect to a first end of a lift member and a second cable extending along the guide rail and through a pulley wheel prior to extending downwardly to connect to a second end of the lift member. Various objects such as vehicles may be positioned on the lift member and the drive assembly utilized to raise or lower the lift member.

A double drum traction winch of which the rotatable drums are both provided with adjustable grooves is provided. Each drum includes multiple, for example three or more, curved segments, each segment defining a section of a circumferential groove, such that multiple circumferential grooves on the outer surface of the drum are each composed of several curved segments. The curved segments are each movably supported by a core body for movement in a substantial radial direction relative to the rotational axis of the drum. An actuator mechanism for the curved segments is provided, that includes actuators that cause essentially radial displacement of the curved segments, such that the circumference of the grooves can be adjusted.

A double drum traction winch of which the rotatable drums are both provided with adjustable grooves is provided. Each drum includes multiple, for example three or more, curved segments, each segment defining a section of a circumferential groove, such that multiple circumferential grooves on the outer surface of the drum are each composed of several curved segments. The curved segments are each movably supported by a core body for movement in a substantial radial direction relative to the rotational axis of the drum. An actuator mechanism for the curved segments is provided, that includes actuators that cause essentially radial displacement of the curved segments, such that the circumference of the grooves can be adjusted.

A puller is provided with a number of advantages. Pullers are described that have a high power to weight ratio, and a high power to volume ratio. Examples of pullers and pulling systems include configurations that provide high cable friction in a small device volume. Examples of pullers and pulling systems also include constant force pulling which is desirable in particular for small diameter pipe replacement. Using pullers and pulling systems as described, minimally invasive pipe replacement operations are possible. Reversible pullers are also provided that decrease the amount of time needed to burst or split multiple segments of pipe.