A tagline control system for handling a wind turbine component during an operation on a wind turbine using a lifting apparatus. The tagline control system includes a tagline control module (74, 164) having a housing (80), at least two winches (126,128) disposed within the housing and each having a tagline cable (130, 132), a controller (146) disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the at least two winches, and a power source (148) disposed within the housing (80) and operatively coupled to the at least two winches. A method of handling a wind turbine component during an operation on a wind turbine using the lifting apparatus includes coupling the tagline control module to the lifting apparatus and to a wind turbine component, and operating the tagline control system to effectuate the position of the wind turbine component.

A system for ascending and descending a balloon. The system includes a first car, a first winch, a first cable, a second car, a second winch, a second cable, a memory, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to perform a method, the method comprising ascending and descending the balloon by control movements of the first car, the first winch, the first cable, the second car, and the second winch.

Certain embodiments of the present application relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising a chassis, a control system mounted to the chassis, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, a spool having a wound portion of a line wound thereon, the line including a free portion, an attachment device secured to the free portion of the line and configured to facilitate attachment of a parcel to the line, a motor operable to rotate the spool under control of the control system such that the control system is operable to raise the attachment device to a raised position and lower the attachment device from the raised position, and a spring positioned between the chassis and the attachment device such that the spring is engaged between the chassis and the attachment device when the attachment device is in the raised position.

Certain embodiments of the present application relate to an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising a chassis, a control system mounted to the chassis, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, a spool having a wound portion of a line wound thereon, the line including a free portion, an attachment device secured to the free portion of the line and configured to facilitate attachment of a parcel to the line, a motor operable to rotate the spool under control of the control system such that the control system is operable to raise the attachment device to a raised position and lower the attachment device from the raised position, and a spring positioned between the chassis and the attachment device such that the spring is engaged between the chassis and the attachment device when the attachment device is in the raised position.

UAV tether systems are provided that reliably deploy and retract cables capable of high-power and high-bandwidth data transmission. The tether system spools cables in a single layer to promote heat dissipation thereby allowing the use of lower-diameter cables. The tether systems further utilize a lightweight converter that achieves a high-voltage power transmission across a cable that is stepped down to a plurality of lower-voltage outputs usable by a UAV and accompanying payloads. The converter is constructed in a manner that promotes heat dissipation through the use of multi-layer PCBs and separate power modules PCBs mounted above main PCBs to create a cavity where forced air can reach heat sinks affixed to the power modules that extend into the cavity.

UAV tether systems are provided that reliably deploy and retract cables capable of high-power and high-bandwidth data transmission. The tether system spools cables in a single layer to promote heat dissipation thereby allowing the use of lower-diameter cables. The tether systems further utilize a lightweight converter that achieves a high-voltage power transmission across a cable that is stepped down to a plurality of lower-voltage outputs usable by a UAV and accompanying payloads. The converter is constructed in a manner that promotes heat dissipation through the use of multi-layer PCBs and separate power modules PCBs mounted above main PCBs to create a cavity where forced air can reach heat sinks affixed to the power modules that extend into the cavity.

Described herein are methods and systems for picking up, transporting, and lowering a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For example, the winch system may include a motor for winding and unwinding the tether from a spool, and the UAV's control system may operate the motor to lower the tether toward the ground so a payload may be attached to the tether. The control system may monitor an electric current supplied to the motor to determine whether the payload has been attached to the tether. In another example, when lowering a payload, the control system may monitor the motor current to determine that the payload has reached the ground and responsively operate the motor to detach the payload from the tether. The control system may then monitor the motor current to determine whether the payload has detached from the tether.

Described herein are methods and systems for picking up, transporting, and lowering a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For example, the winch system may include a motor for winding and unwinding the tether from a spool, and the UAV's control system may operate the motor to lower the tether toward the ground so a payload may be attached to the tether. The control system may monitor an electric current supplied to the motor to determine whether the payload has been attached to the tether. In another example, when lowering a payload, the control system may monitor the motor current to determine that the payload has reached the ground and responsively operate the motor to detach the payload from the tether. The control system may then monitor the motor current to determine whether the payload has detached from the tether.

A wire pulling assembly for pulling a wire carrying tooling through an underground environment. The pulling assembly includes a cyclical vise carried by one or more hydraulic cylinders attached to a frame. The cylinders have a pulling stroke and a retraction stroke. A powered reel is used to store the wire as it is removed from the ground. During a pulling stroke, the reel is hydraulically isolated such that cable is stripped from the reel with tension maintained in the cable. During a retraction stroke, a motor turns the reel to load excess cable onto the reel.

Described herein is a storage system for installation onto a surface, such as a horizontal or vertical wall, such as an interior garage ceiling, floor, or wall. The system can be used to move, lift, and/or store articles, such as bicycles, skis, storage containers, and the like. The system generally comprises a track defining a longitudinally extending path and a trolley assembly coupled to the track. The trolley assembly generally comprises a trolley body, a pair of opposing sidewalls extending from the trolley body, and a roller assembly positioned between the pair of opposing sidewalls. The trolley assembly may further comprise a carrier attachment to secure an article thereto. A drive member and drive unit can be used for effecting movement so as to shift the trolley assembly from one position to another. The system generally comprises simple and easy-to-install components, thereby providing advantages over prior storage systems.