The present invention relates to a free-fall winch comprising a drum which can be rotatorily driven by a winch drive via a transmission and can be retained by a holding brake, wherein in addition to the holding brake a free-fall brake is provided for slowing down the drum in free-fall operation. According to the invention, the free-fall brake is arranged between winch drive and holding brake on the one hand and drum on the other hand such that when the free-fall brake is open, the drum is decoupled from the winch drive and from the holding brake and can be rotated at idle with respect to the winch drive and the holding brake.

The present invention relates to a free-fall winch comprising a drum which can be rotatorily driven by a winch drive via a transmission and can be retained by a holding brake, wherein in addition to the holding brake a free-fall brake is provided for slowing down the drum in free-fall operation. According to the invention, the free-fall brake is arranged between winch drive and holding brake on the one hand and drum on the other hand such that when the free-fall brake is open, the drum is decoupled from the winch drive and from the holding brake and can be rotated at idle with respect to the winch drive and the holding brake.

A drive train for a rescue hoist includes a first stage, a second stage, and a third stage. The first stage receives an input from a motor and the third stage provides rotational power to a cable drum. The first stage, second stage, and third stage are disposed coaxially within a common housing. The first stage provides a first speed reduction, the second stage provides a second speed reduction, and the third stage provides a third speed reduction between the motor and the cable drum. The common housing includes a mounting flange for mounting the drive train to the rescue hoist.

A drive train for a rescue hoist includes a first stage, a second stage, and a third stage. The first stage receives an input from a motor and the third stage provides rotational power to a cable drum. The first stage, second stage, and third stage are disposed coaxially within a common housing. The first stage provides a first speed reduction, the second stage provides a second speed reduction, and the third stage provides a third speed reduction between the motor and the cable drum. The common housing includes a mounting flange for mounting the drive train to the rescue hoist.

Auto-engaging winch clutches, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum, a drive motor supported by the frame, a gear train, and an auto-engaging clutch mechanism. The gear train can include a ring gear and a gear set engaged with the ring gear, the drive motor, and the drum. The auto-engaging clutch mechanism can include a locking element movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position, wherein in the engaged position the ring gear is grounded to the frame, and the gear set is coupled to transfer torque between the drive motor and the cable drum. An engagement mechanism can be coupled between the locking element and the drive motor to automatically move the locking element from the disengaged position to the engaged position and to automatically decouple the locking element from the drive motor when the motor is rotated.

Auto-engaging winch clutches, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative winch can include a frame, a cable drum, a drive motor supported by the frame, a gear train, and an auto-engaging clutch mechanism. The gear train can include a ring gear and a gear set engaged with the ring gear, the drive motor, and the drum. The auto-engaging clutch mechanism can include a locking element movable from a disengaged position to an engaged position, wherein in the engaged position the ring gear is grounded to the frame, and the gear set is coupled to transfer torque between the drive motor and the cable drum. An engagement mechanism can be coupled between the locking element and the drive motor to automatically move the locking element from the disengaged position to the engaged position and to automatically decouple the locking element from the drive motor when the motor is rotated.

An improved self-engaging clutch having a carrier plate with one or more clutch actuator fingers formed into the carrier plate.

An improved self-engaging clutch having a carrier plate with one or more clutch actuator fingers formed into the carrier plate.

The invention relates to a free fall winch comprising a drum, which can be rotationally driven by a winch drive, wherein a free fall brake is provided for braking the drum in free fall operation. According to the invention, a torque acting on the free fall winch, which depends on the free fall braking torque, is detected by means of a detection device, and a brake actuation force with which the free fall brake is actuated is controlled or adjusted by a control device according to the detected torque.

A drive train for a rescue hoist includes a mounting portion for mounting the drive train within the rescue hoist. A load pin extends through the mounting portion and into a static structure of the rescue hoist to secure the drive train to the rescue hoist. The load pin is configured to sense the strain generated when the drive train imparts torque to the cable drum to rotate the cable drum. The sensed strain is communicated to a computer configured to calculate a torque generated by the drive train based on the sensed strain and further configured to calculate the load on the cable based on the sensed strain.