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.

A modular lift system may include, but is not limited to: one or more lift segments each including: a lift-truss structure; and a drive shaft having at least one end-coupler, at least one lift assembly coupled to the lift-truss structure, and at least one drive segment including: a drive-truss structure; a drive motor coupled to the drive-truss structure; and a drive-coupler attached to the drive motor and configured to engage the end-coupler of the drive shaft.

A winch assembly includes a motor, a drum, and a gearbox. The drum extends from the motor to the gearbox. The winch assembly further includes a housing. The drum extends through the housing. The winch assembly further includes a fairlead. The fairlead is directly coupled to a face of the housing and provides structural support for the winch assembly.

A winch assembly includes a motor, a drum, and a gearbox. The drum extends from the motor to the gearbox. The winch assembly further includes a housing. The drum extends through the housing. The winch assembly further includes a fairlead. The fairlead is directly coupled to a face of the housing and provides structural support for the winch assembly.

A winch hook comprises a hook portion and a loop receiving portion adapted for receiving a loop of a winch line. At least one three-dimensional feature of the winch hook is adapted to engage at least one three-dimensional feature of a fairlead so that the hook engages the fairlead while the hook is in at least four different orientations relative to the fairlead.

A winch includes a first electrically conductive cable for transferring electrical power and/or electrical data signals where the first electrically conductive cable is in the form of a spiral, a fixation unit coupled to a first portion of the first electrically conductive cable and configured to fix in place the first portion of the first electrically conductive cable, and a first support member coupled to a second portion of the first electrically conductive cable where the first portion and the second portion are different from each other, where the first support member is coupleable to a winch drum and is rotatable, together with the second portion of the first electrically conductive cable, with the winch drum in a rotational direction around an axis of rotation of the winch drum while the first portion of the first electrically conductive cable is fixed in place during the rotation of the winch drum.

A winch includes a first electrically conductive cable for transferring electrical power and/or electrical data signals where the first electrically conductive cable is in the form of a spiral, a fixation unit coupled to a first portion of the first electrically conductive cable and configured to fix in place the first portion of the first electrically conductive cable, and a first support member coupled to a second portion of the first electrically conductive cable where the first portion and the second portion are different from each other, where the first support member is coupleable to a winch drum and is rotatable, together with the second portion of the first electrically conductive cable, with the winch drum in a rotational direction around an axis of rotation of the winch drum while the first portion of the first electrically conductive cable is fixed in place during the rotation of the winch drum.

The lifting device includes a first drum around which a wire is wound, a first motor that rotates the first drum, a second drum around which the wire fed from the first drum is wound, and a second motor that rotates the second drum. The first motor is driven to rotate the first drum so as to lift the wire, and the second motor is driven to rotate the second drum to lift the wire fed from the first drum.

The lifting device includes a first drum around which a wire is wound, a first motor that rotates the first drum, a second drum around which the wire fed from the first drum is wound, and a second motor that rotates the second drum. The first motor is driven to rotate the first drum so as to lift the wire, and the second motor is driven to rotate the second drum to lift the wire fed from the first drum.

A forestry winch that has a rope drum driven by a drive motor and an ejector roller driven by an additional drive motor is disclosed. A rope is guided from the rope drum to the ejector roller and is guided over the ejector roller. The additional drive motor is located on the ejector roller and is connected to an energy supply device by means of energy supply lines. Provided on the ejector roller a protective device, which covers the energy supply lines located in the area of the additional drive motor and protects them from mechanical damage.