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 technology relates to a telescoping support structure which can be suspended between two objects. The telescoping support structure uses projections between adjacent tubular sections in order to prevent the adjacent tubular sections from falling away from one another. Although the telescoping support structure may be utilized in various different environments and circumstances, it may be of particular usefulness in the field of high-altitude ballooning. For instance, when used in a balloon system, the telescoping support structure may be suspended between two objects such as an upper payload structure and a lower payload structure. As another example, the telescoping support structure may be suspended between a balloon envelope and a payload which, in some examples, may include an upper and a lower payload structure.

An 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.

A portable tow system includes a drive system for removable mounting to a first anchor point, a flywheel system for removable mounting to a second anchor point distal from the first anchor point, and a tow strap for connecting a drive wheel of the drive system to a flywheel of the flywheel system. One or more persons or objects can be removably attached or connected to the tow strap. The drive system includes a motor for causing the drive wheel to rotate, which rotation causes the tow strap to rotate, such that the person(s) or object(s) connected thereto may be pulled from the first anchor point to the second anchor point or vice versa.

An electric winch device including an electric motor that rotates a winch drum in a hoisting direction, and generates regenerative electric power when a rotation of the winch drum in a lowering direction is transmitted to the electric motor, a transmission device that transmits the rotation between the electric motor and the winch drum, a power calculating section that calculates power of the target object by freefall, and a control section that controls an operation of the transmission device. When the power calculated by the power calculating section exceeds reference electric power, the control section causes the transmission device to change the transmission rate of the rotation to a transmission rate at which the regenerative electric power generated by the electric motor is equal to or smaller than the reference electric power.

An electric winch device including an electric motor that rotates a winch drum in a hoisting direction, and generates regenerative electric power when a rotation of the winch drum in a lowering direction is transmitted to the electric motor, a transmission device that transmits the rotation between the electric motor and the winch drum, a power calculating section that calculates power of the target object by freefall, and a control section that controls an operation of the transmission device. When the power calculated by the power calculating section exceeds reference electric power, the control section causes the transmission device to change the transmission rate of the rotation to a transmission rate at which the regenerative electric power generated by the electric motor is equal to or smaller than the reference electric power.

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 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.

The invention relates to a load-compensating rope sheave arrangement for drum winders, comprising at least two rope sheaves which are vertically guided in sliding frames and mounted on hydraulically short-circuited cylinders. Multiply redundant monitoring of the different sheave loads acting upon the rope sheaves is carried out via the hydraulic cylinders which are connected to the system control of the drum winder for communication.