A system has a hoist system to lift a payload to a position adjacent to a ceiling of a room Image sensor systems collect visual data and payload depth data within the payload and ambient depth data within the room. A controller is connected to the hoist system and the image sensor systems. The controller is configured to control the motion of the hoist system. The motion of the hoist system is controlled in part by the ambient depth data from the room.

A system has a hoist system to lift a payload to a position adjacent to a ceiling of a room Image sensor systems collect visual data and payload depth data within the payload and ambient depth data within the room. A controller is connected to the hoist system and the image sensor systems. The controller is configured to control the motion of the hoist system. The motion of the hoist system is controlled in part by the ambient depth data from the room.

A winch assembly including a winch control device coupled to an actuator assembly to control a winding and unwinding of a cable and configured to provide a first control signal indicative of a desired pump pressure of the actuator assembly and/or the second control signal indicative of a desired pump displacement of the actuator assembly, and determine the first control signal and/or the second control signal based on: a measured travel speed signal indicating the measured travel speed of a tracked vehicle; a measured pressure signal indicative of a measured pressure in a high pressure branch of a hydraulic circuit of the actuator assembly; and one or more signals of: rope speed signal, wound rope length signal, desired pull force signal manually set by an operator, measured angle signal of an arm of the winch assembly with respect to a travel direction.

Disclosed is a winch with a spool having an axis of rotation and a helical groove formed thereon and a line around the spool in the helical groove. The winch also includes a motor configured to rotate the spool in a first direction to wind the line on the spool and a second direction to unwind the line from the spool. The helical groove includes a line cradle shaped to carry the line with a portion of the line protruding from the helical groove, and a channel extending below the line cradle. A portion of the channel is not occupied by the line. The winch also includes a line guide adjacent to the spool and configured to move axially along the spool. The line guide includes a tab that engages the channel to cause the line guide to move axially along the spool to wind or unwind the line.

Disclosed is a winch with a spool having an axis of rotation and a helical groove formed thereon and a line around the spool in the helical groove. The winch also includes a motor configured to rotate the spool in a first direction to wind the line on the spool and a second direction to unwind the line from the spool. The helical groove includes a line cradle shaped to carry the line with a portion of the line protruding from the helical groove, and a channel extending below the line cradle. A portion of the channel is not occupied by the line. The winch also includes a line guide adjacent to the spool and configured to move axially along the spool. The line guide includes a tab that engages the channel to cause the line guide to move axially along the spool to wind or unwind the line.

A winch is described that includes a motor and a driveshaft coupled to the motor for rotation about its axis. A first and second spool are mounted to the drive shaft so that rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the first and second spool. A first line is attached to the first spool and a second line is attached to the second spool. First and second line guides are configured to wind the lines in a helical path on the respective spools when the driveshaft is rotated in one direction and to unwind the lines from the helical path when the driveshaft is rotated in an opposite direction. Each line guide is further configured to translate axially along the first spool to facilitate winding and unwinding along the respective helical path.

A winch is described that includes a motor and a driveshaft coupled to the motor for rotation about its axis. A first and second spool are mounted to the drive shaft so that rotation of the driveshaft causes rotation of the first and second spool. A first line is attached to the first spool and a second line is attached to the second spool. First and second line guides are configured to wind the lines in a helical path on the respective spools when the driveshaft is rotated in one direction and to unwind the lines from the helical path when the driveshaft is rotated in an opposite direction. Each line guide is further configured to translate axially along the first spool to facilitate winding and unwinding along the respective helical path.

A winch is disclosed having a motor, a spool rotated by the motor, and a line carried by the spool. Rotating the spool in a first, or winding direction causes the line to wind around the spool, and rotating the spool in a second, or unwinding direction causes the line to unwind from the spool. The winch also includes a tensioning device spaced apart from the spool, which tensioning device comprises a tensioning wheel that engages the line and is configured to apply tension to the line as it is being unwound.

An apparatus for controlling tension in a pulling rope that is attached to a flying, unmanned aerial device or drone may utilize a cylinder around which the rope is wound, a shaft that longitudinally passes through the cylinder, a disc brake rotor that is mounted to the shaft, a brake caliper that is mounted circumferentially at a periphery of the disc brake rotor, and a brake lever that tensions a cable that is attached to, and movable to control movement of, the brake caliper, which may be hydraulic, against surfaces the disc brake rotor. The brake lever may be hand actuated and mounted to a handlebar. A frame may be part of the apparatus and support apparatus components and may have a protruding hitch portion that inserts into a vehicle's receiver hitch. An adjustable pulling rope guide support through which the rope is threaded, mounts to the frame.

An apparatus for controlling tension in a pulling rope that is attached to a flying, unmanned aerial device or drone may utilize a cylinder around which the rope is wound, a shaft that longitudinally passes through the cylinder, a disc brake rotor that is mounted to the shaft, a brake caliper that is mounted circumferentially at a periphery of the disc brake rotor, and a brake lever that tensions a cable that is attached to, and movable to control movement of, the brake caliper, which may be hydraulic, against surfaces the disc brake rotor. The brake lever may be hand actuated and mounted to a handlebar. A frame may be part of the apparatus and support apparatus components and may have a protruding hitch portion that inserts into a vehicle's receiver hitch. An adjustable pulling rope guide support through which the rope is threaded, mounts to the frame.