A rope hoist includes a rope drum mechanism easy to attach to a frame structure and clarified positioning reference. The rope drum is rotatably supported by a first support part on one end side and a second support part on another end side of the rope drum. A pair of supporting ribs having clearances with respect to a first drum support frame is provided with the first support part. A first connection member penetrates the supporting ribs and the first drum support frame in a state of both-end support. A second connection member penetrates a frame attachment portion and a second drum support frame in a state of cantilever. A support shaft couples the first support part and the second support part and is arranged on an axis passing through a position different from positions of the first connection member and the second connection member.

A drawworks system for a mineral extraction system includes a drum mounted on a drum shaft and configured to support a cable. The system also includes a gearbox assembly having a gearbox housing, a gearbox supported by the gearbox housing and having a gearbox input shaft and a gearbox output shaft, wherein the gearbox input shaft is configured to be coupled to at least one motor and the gearbox output shaft is coupled to the drum shaft to drive rotation of the drum shaft and the drum, and a brake supported by the gearbox housing and coupled to the drum shaft to block rotation of the drum shaft and the drum, wherein the gearbox and the brake are positioned on one side of the drum along an axial axis of the drawworks system.

A drawworks system for a mineral extraction system includes a drum mounted on a drum shaft and configured to support a cable. The system also includes a gearbox assembly having a gearbox housing, a gearbox supported by the gearbox housing and having a gearbox input shaft and a gearbox output shaft, wherein the gearbox input shaft is configured to be coupled to at least one motor and the gearbox output shaft is coupled to the drum shaft to drive rotation of the drum shaft and the drum, and a brake supported by the gearbox housing and coupled to the drum shaft to block rotation of the drum shaft and the drum, wherein the gearbox and the brake are positioned on one side of the drum along an axial axis of the drawworks system.

In at least one illustrative embodiment, a winch may include first and second end frames, a drum coupled between the first and second end frames and configured to rotate to wind or unwind a cable, a brake configured to resist rotation of the drum when engaged, a switch configured to cause the brake to engage the drum when the switch is activated, a slack arm frame having a first end engaged with the cable and a second end pivotally coupled between the first and second end frames, where the slack arm frame is configured to pivot between a first position when the cable is taut and a second position when the cable is slack, and a cam coupled to the slack arm frame and configured to rotate with the slack arm frame to activate the switch when the slack arm frame is in the second position.

In at least one illustrative embodiment, a winch may include first and second end frames, a drum coupled between the first and second end frames and configured to rotate to wind or unwind a cable, a brake configured to resist rotation of the drum when engaged, a switch configured to cause the brake to engage the drum when the switch is activated, a slack arm frame having a first end engaged with the cable and a second end pivotally coupled between the first and second end frames, where the slack arm frame is configured to pivot between a first position when the cable is taut and a second position when the cable is slack, and a cam coupled to the slack arm frame and configured to rotate with the slack arm frame to activate the switch when the slack arm frame is in the second position.

A lift system comprises a drum that rotates about an axis, an elongate member that winds around the drum when the drum rotates in a first direction and that unwinds from the drum when the drum rotates in a second direction, a drive mechanism operable to rotate the drum, and a braking mechanism adapted to inhibit rotation of the drum. The braking mechanism includes a brake disk rotatable with the drum, a movable brake pad, and a ramp that guides movement of the movable brake pad. A method of operating the lift system comprises rotating the drum in a first direction to wind the elongate member onto the drum, rotating the drum in a second direction to unwind the elongate member from the drum, and moving the brake shoe along the ramp to thereby cause the movable brake pad to be compressed against the brake disk.

A lift system comprises a drum that rotates about an axis, an elongate member that winds around the drum when the drum rotates in a first direction and that unwinds from the drum when the drum rotates in a second direction, a drive mechanism operable to rotate the drum, and a braking mechanism adapted to inhibit rotation of the drum. The braking mechanism includes a brake disk rotatable with the drum, a movable brake pad, and a ramp that guides movement of the movable brake pad. A method of operating the lift system comprises rotating the drum in a first direction to wind the elongate member onto the drum, rotating the drum in a second direction to unwind the elongate member from the drum, and moving the brake shoe along the ramp to thereby cause the movable brake pad to be compressed against the brake disk.

The invention relates to a winch system intended, in particular, for water sports, comprising at least one frame, at least one motor, a brake system, and a main tension cable wound around two spools, each spool being actuated by a motor such that when one of the spools unwinds the main cable, the other spool winds up the cable such as to maintain both the unwinding speed and the tension required for the main cable.

The invention relates to a winch system intended, in particular, for water sports, comprising at least one frame, at least one motor, a brake system, and a main tension cable wound around two spools, each spool being actuated by a motor such that when one of the spools unwinds the main cable, the other spool winds up the cable such as to maintain both the unwinding speed and the tension required for the main cable.

Described herein are apparatuses that provided various features related to unmanned aerial vehicles. An example apparatus may include, (i) a support structure, (ii) at least one shaft coupled to the support structure via at least one swing arm, wherein the swing arm allows upward movement, and restricts downward movement of, the at least one shaft from a resting position, (iii) a spool, wherein in the spool is shaped so as to rest on the at least one shaft when the at least one shaft is in the resting position, and wherein the spool is operable to unwind a tether coupled to a payload, and (iv) at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, wherein rotation of the spool when unwinding the tether also causes rotation of the at least one fan coupled to the at least one shaft, thereby controlling a descent rate of the payload.