A winch system for a vehicle is provided herein. The winch system includes a winch assembly that is coupled to a body. A sensor system is configured to monitor the winch assembly. A controller processes information from the sensor system. The controller is configured to determine a duration of use and service condition of the winch assembly. The controller is also configured to determine an unauthorized condition based on tampering. The controller is further configured to determine an operational condition from at least one of the service condition and the unauthorized condition. A display generates a visual message when the controller determines the operational condition.

A pneumatic and manual clutch of a power winch provides an option of controlling the clutch by a manual or pneumatic method. The pneumatic control method just needs to connect a pump connector of an air pump to a pneumatic connector of the clutch properly to start or stop the air pump even when a user is standing at a position far from the power winch and the clutch can be turned on and off by starting or stopping the air pump. Either a cable or wireless remote control can be used to start or stop the air pump, to provide a very convenient operation.

The invention relates to an abseiling device comprising a bidirectionally rotatable guiding arrangement (25) for guiding a pulling means (26); further comprising a braking mechanism (30) that is coupled to the guiding arrangement (25); a driving means (34; 35) can be connected to the guiding arrangement (25) so as to actuate the guiding arrangement (25). In order to create an abseiling device that prevents an individual from being injured or parts of the abseiling device from being damaged during rescue operations in particular of people, a mechanical torque limiter (33) decouples the driving means (34; 35) and the guiding arrangement (25) or the pulling means (26) when the torque exceeds a certain threshold value.

A pneumatic and manual clutch of a power winch provides an option of controlling the clutch by a manual or pneumatic method, and the pneumatic control method just needs to connect a pump connector of an air pump to a pneumatic connector the clutch properly to start or stop the air pump even when a user is standing at a position far from the power winch and the clutch can be turned on and off by starting or stopping the air pump, and either a cable or wireless remote control can be used to start or stop the air pump, so as to provide a very convenient operation.

Described herein are methods and systems to dampen oscillations of a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For example, the UAV's control system may dampen the oscillations by causing the UAV to switch to a forward flight mode in which movement of the UAV results in drag on the payload, thereby damping the oscillations. In another example, the control system may cause the UAV to reduce an extent flight stabilization along at least one dimension, thereby resulting in damping of the detected oscillations due to energy dissipation during movement of the UAV along the dimension. In this way, the control system could select and carry out one or more such techniques, and could do so during retraction and/or deployment of the tether.

A self-restoring crash cushion including multiple diaphragms spaced along a length direction of the cushion, an elongated track adapted to be anchored to the ground that extends along the length direction under the cushion, the diaphragms being mounted to the track in a manner in which they can slide along the track when impacted by a moving vehicle or when the cushion is being restored, and means for dissipating energy of the moving vehicle.

A chain and cable handling winch system comprising of a winch, the winch having a winch axle, the winch axle having a winch axle end adapted to mount a chain wheel thereon in a working position a cable drum mounted on the winch axle a frame, supporting the winch axle such that the winch axle is supported on opposite sides of the cable drum by a first and second support, the first support being located inbetween the cable drum and the chain wheel end of the winch axle; and a motor drive adapted to drive the winch a chain wheel, the chain wheel having a chain wheel body with a central opening adapted to engage the chain wheel end of the winch axle, the chain wheel being in a working position when mounted on the chain wheel end of the winch axle a chain wheel lock assembly, wherein the assembly is adapted to releasably secure the chain wheel in the working position on the chain wheel end of the winch axle, the chain wheel lock assembly comprising one or more locking members movable between a locking position and an unlocking position; and a chain wheel manipulator adapted to the exchange the chain wheel mounted on the chain wheel end of the winch axle for another chain wheel, the chain wheel manipulator having a chain wheel support adapted to support a chain wheel, the chain wheel support being positionable in a chain wheel exchange position adjacent to the chain wheel end of the winch axle to mount a chain wheel onto the winch axle end and to dismount the chain wheel from the winch axle end.

A chain and cable handling winch system including a winch, a cable drum, a chain wheel, and a chain wheel lock assembly is provided. The chain wheel lock assembly releasable secures the chain wheel in a working position on a winch axle end. An interface body is mounted on the winch axle end such that it rotates with the axle. When the chain wheel is in its working position, slots and/or ribs of the chain wheel interlock with corresponding ribs and/or slots of the interface body, such that a torque load is transferred from the chain wheel to the winch axle via the interface body. The winch system further includes a chain wheel manipulator adapted to the exchange chain wheel mounted on the winch axle for another chain wheel.

In one embodiment, a self-restoring crash cushion including multiple diaphragms spaced along a length direction of the cushion, an elongated track adapted to be anchored to the ground that extends along the length direction under the cushion, the diaphragms being mounted to the track in a manner in which they can slide along the track when impacted by a moving vehicle or when the cushion is being restored, and means for dissipating energy of the moving vehicle.

Described herein are methods and systems to dampen oscillations of a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For example, the UAV's control system may dampen the oscillations by causing the UAV to switch to a forward flight mode in which movement of the UAV results in drag on the payload, thereby damping the oscillations. In another example, the control system may cause the UAV to reduce an extent flight stabilization along at least one dimension, thereby resulting in damping of the detected oscillations due to energy dissipation during movement of the UAV along the dimension. In this way, the control system could select and carry out one or more such techniques, and could do so during retraction and/or deployment of the tether.