A control system and method for tensioning an active tether for a multirotor unmanned aerial system is provided. The control system includes a tensioning pulley and a tensioning spring. The tensioning spring is arranged to generate a variable tension force on the active tether. A transducer is connected adjacent to the tensioning spring to sense a linear displacement position of the tensioning pulley and to transmit a position signal to a controller. The position signal is proportional to the linear displacement position. A servomotor in communication with the controller receives a control signal from the controller in response to the position signal. The servomotor drives a cable reel. The cable reel is rotatably mounted in the frame for spooling the tether in response to rotation of the servomotor. The cable reel is rotated by the servomotor to maintain a predetermined tension on the tensioning spring.

Described are various embodiments of capstan drive transmission self-tensioning apparatus and method. In one embodiment, the capstan drive transmission self-tensioning apparatus comprises a body coupled to the capstan drive drum comprising a force providing member coupled to the cable and configured to displace the cable along a path increasing an effective distance between said first end and said second end of the cable thereby increasing a tension within said cable; a jamming assembly directly or indirectly coupled to said cable and configured to: allow motion of said cable along said path upon said tension being below a lower designated level; and prevent motion of said cable along an opposite path upon said tension being above an upper designated level. In some embodiments, the jamming assembly may comprise a spring-loaded rocker mechanism, a ratcheting mechanism or a directional frictional material to provide the jamming effect.

Described are various embodiments of capstan drive transmission self-tensioning apparatus and method. In one embodiment, the capstan drive transmission self-tensioning apparatus comprises a body coupled to the capstan drive drum comprising a force providing member coupled to the cable and configured to displace the cable along a path increasing an effective distance between said first end and said second end of the cable thereby increasing a tension within said cable; a jamming assembly directly or indirectly coupled to said cable and configured to: allow motion of said cable along said path upon said tension being below a lower designated level; and prevent motion of said cable along an opposite path upon said tension being above an upper designated level. In some embodiments, the jamming assembly may comprise a spring-loaded rocker mechanism, a ratcheting mechanism or a directional frictional material to provide the jamming effect.

A hoist brake system is disclosed. The brake system incorporates an electro-mechanical device that acts as a fail-safe stopping mechanism for a hoist and has a default engaged. This allows the brake system to quickly and safely stop a device when power is lost, an emergency signal is provided or any other fault condition and be completely self-contained within the hoist itself.

A cable drive unit (1) for use with a free stall cleaning system (101). The cable drive unit (1) includes a base frame (3), a support frame (5) being displaceable with respect to the base frame (3) via a corresponding displacement assembly (7), and a drum (9) pivotably mountable about the support frame (5) and displaceable therewith for receiving a cable (11) to be wound about said drum (9). Also described is a kit for assembling a cable drive unit (1) and a free stall cleaning system (101). Also described is a method of winding a cable (11) of a free stall cleaning system (101) about a drum (9) via the present cable drive unit (1).

The present invention is directed to a self-locking non-backdrivable gear system. The gear system may comprise a primary motor input and self-lubricating gear box. The primary motor input is for rotation of the gearbox about the axis of a drive shaft. The gearbox may comprise an input ring gear, one or more planet locking gears, fixed spur gear, and output spur gear. In operation, rotation of the primary motor input causes rotation of the ring gear which causes rotation of the planet locking gear which causes rotation of the output spur gear which causes rotation of the drive shaft. However, in the absence of rotation of the ring gear, a rotational force applied to the output spur gear causes the gear teeth on the fixed and output spur gears to lock the planet gear in place.

The present invention is directed to a self-locking non-backdrivable gear system. The gear system may comprise a primary motor input and self-lubricating gear box. The primary motor input is for rotation of the gearbox about the axis of a drive shaft. The gearbox may comprise an input ring gear, one or more planet locking gears, fixed spur gear, and output spur gear. In operation, rotation of the primary motor input causes rotation of the ring gear which causes rotation of the planet locking gear which causes rotation of the output spur gear which causes rotation of the drive shaft. However, in the absence of rotation of the ring gear, a rotational force applied to the output spur gear causes the gear teeth on the fixed and output spur gears to lock the planet gear in place.

A lifting cabinet, comprises a cabinet body, wherein the cabinet body comprises a side plate in which at least two wire through-holes are configured, a trunking which is configured in the side plate for communicating with the two wire through-holes, and wires which are placed in the trunking and are respectively connected to electric parts in different spaces within the cabinet body through the two wire through-holes. The cabinet solves the problem of messy and unsightly appearance caused by unreasonable wire arrangement.

A lifting cabinet, comprises a cabinet body, wherein the cabinet body comprises a side plate in which at least two wire through-holes are configured, a trunking which is configured in the side plate for communicating with the two wire through-holes, and wires which are placed in the trunking and are respectively connected to electric parts in different spaces within the cabinet body through the two wire through-holes. The cabinet solves the problem of messy and unsightly appearance caused by unreasonable wire arrangement.

This invention relates to a cable drive unit (1) for use with a free stall cleaning system (101). The cable drive unit (1) includes a base frame (3), a support frame (5) being displaceable with respect to the base frame (3) via a corresponding displacement assembly (7), and a drum (9) pivotably mountable about the support frame (5) and displaceable therewith for receiving a cable (11) to be wound about said drum (9). Also described is a kit for assembling a cable drive unit (1) and a free stall cleaning system (101). The invention further includes a method of winding a cable (11) of a free stall cleaning system (101) about a drum (9) via the present cable drive unit (1).