Systems and methods can be used in connection with a wellbore environment for automatically controlling wire being spooled around a drum. A system comprising a spooler, a sensor assembly, and a communication link can be used to adjust the position of wire being spooled around a drum. A first motor can control the spooler and a second motor can control the sensor assembly. The spooler can be positioned to control spooling of wire around the drum as the drum rotates to reel in wire. The sensor assembly can be configured to detect a distance between the sensor assembly and the wire being spooled. A communication link can communicatively couple the sensor assembly with the first motor and the second motor to control movement of the spooler and the sensor assembly relative to the drum based on the distance detected by the sensor assembly.

Systems and methods can be used in connection with a wellbore environment for automatically controlling wire being spooled around a drum. A system comprising a spooler, a sensor assembly, and a communication link can be used to adjust the position of wire being spooled around a drum. A first motor can control the spooler and a second motor can control the sensor assembly. The spooler can be positioned to control spooling of wire around the drum as the drum rotates to reel in wire. The sensor assembly can be configured to detect a distance between the sensor assembly and the wire being spooled. A communication link can communicatively couple the sensor assembly with the first motor and the second motor to control movement of the spooler and the sensor assembly relative to the drum based on the distance detected by the sensor assembly.

Systems and methods for operating a hoist and hook assembly may determine a position of a target using a position sensor. A hook assembly may be positioned in response to the position of the target as detected by the position sensor. Positioning the hook assembly may include articulating a boom coupled to a hoist, using one or more local thrust sources on the hook assembly, and/or moving an airframe relative to the position of the target.

Systems and methods for operating a hoist and hook assembly may determine a position of a target using a position sensor. A hook assembly may be positioned in response to the position of the target as detected by the position sensor. Positioning the hook assembly may include articulating a boom coupled to a hoist, using one or more local thrust sources on the hook assembly, and/or moving an airframe relative to the position of the target.

A hoist system for hoisting an object onto an all-terrain vehicle having a first vehicle end and a second vehicle end includes a winch configured for mounting on the vehicle at the first vehicle end. A cable may be engaged by the winch. The cable may have sufficient length to extend from the winch over the vehicle beyond the second vehicle end. At least one overhead cable guide assembly may be configured for mounting in upward-standing relationship on the vehicle between the first vehicle end and the second vehicle end. The at least one overhead cable guide assembly may support the cable. An all-terrain vehicle having a hoist system is also disclosed.

A hoist system for hoisting an object onto an all-terrain vehicle having a first vehicle end and a second vehicle end includes a winch configured for mounting on the vehicle at the first vehicle end. A cable may be engaged by the winch. The cable may have sufficient length to extend from the winch over the vehicle beyond the second vehicle end. At least one overhead cable guide assembly may be configured for mounting in upward-standing relationship on the vehicle between the first vehicle end and the second vehicle end. The at least one overhead cable guide assembly may support the cable. An all-terrain vehicle having a hoist system is also disclosed.

A winch mounting system includes a truck that has a bed. A mounting unit is removably coupled to the bed. The mounting unit has a slidably adjustable width such that the mounting unit accommodates a variety of widths of the bed. A winch is selectively coupled to the mounting unit such that the winch is positioned in the bed. A button is coupled to the mounting member and the button may be manipulated. The button is electrically coupled to the truck. The button is electrically coupled to the winch such that the button turns the winch on and off.

A line guidance device (40) is provided for use with a confined space entry/retrieval hoist and fall protection anchorage system (10) and includes a line guide (46) that guides a line from an extend/retract line device (22) past another extend/retract line device (20) with both devices (20, 22) mounted on a backside (24) of a mast (12) of the system (10).

A line guidance device (40) is provided for use with a confined space entry/retrieval hoist and fall protection anchorage system (10) and includes a line guide (46) that guides a line from an extend/retract line device (22) past another extend/retract line device (20) with both devices (20, 22) mounted on a backside (24) of a mast (12) of the system (10).

A helicopter-hoist system is described. The system may include: hoist equipment, illumination systems, range-measuring equipment, camera(s), communication systems, display devices, processing/control systems including image-processing systems, and power-management systems. The system may also include a smart-hook for measuring a load on the hook. Based on the measured load on the cable, the lighting may be illuminated in different manners. In another aspect, the system may communicate with display devices, which render images of a mission to helicopter crew members or other observers. Measured parameters appurtenant to the mission—such as the weight of the load, height of the smart-hook above a surface, altitude of the aircraft, distance between the aircraft and end of the hook, location of the hook in three-dimensional space, forces on the hook and cable, and other mission-critical information—may be overlaid, or rendered proximate to the real images to provide crew members with a full understanding of a mission.