A hoist system that includes a hook; a cable connected to the hook; a motor configured to move the hook and the cable; and an overload protection device (OLPD) configured to limit loads imparted on one or more of the hook, the cable, and the motor. The hoist system further includes an overload protection device (OLPD) slip detection system configured to detect activation of the overload protection device (OLPD).

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.

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.

Methods and systems are provided for a fairlead with an illumination module. In one example, a fairlead includes an illumination module seated against a recessed mounting surface. The illumination module is housed within a body of the fairlead and configured to illuminate a main opening of the fairlead.

A payload control apparatus includes a spring-line a spring line actuating mechanism, a spring line flying sheave over which a load line can pass, and a spring line, wherein the spring line flying sheave can move into a position either where the flying sheave is spaced from and in non-contact with or contacting but non-path-altering in relation to the load line, further wherein the spring-line flying sheave can be moved into another position such that the flying sheave engages the load-line and alters its path length. Thus, when a marine surface vessel falls in a heave event that would otherwise cause the payload at the end of the load line to fall as well, the flying sheave will move to increase the path length causing a shortening of the path length, thereby preventing the payload from falling.

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 lifting apparatus for a highly-mounted device includes a main body installed at a predetermined height so that a drum for winding a wire rope and a first driving motor for giving a rotating force to the drum are installed thereto; a lifting body suspended from the wire rope and having a device coupling portion provided at a lower end thereof; an accommodation structure located at a lower portion of the main body and having an open lower portion so as to be coupled with the lifting body; a stopper installed at the accommodation structure and caught by a suspending protrusion provided to the lifting body to give an anti-falling function for the lifting body; and an upper contact point and a lower contact point respectively installed at the main body and the lifting body to make contact with each other when the lifting body is moved up.

A lifting apparatus for a highly-mounted device includes a main body installed at a predetermined height so that a drum for winding a wire rope and a first driving motor for giving a rotating force to the drum are installed thereto; a lifting body suspended from the wire rope and having a device coupling portion provided at a lower end thereof; an accommodation structure located at a lower portion of the main body and having an open lower portion so as to be coupled with the lifting body; a stopper installed at the accommodation structure and caught by a suspending protrusion provided to the lifting body to give an anti-falling function for the lifting body; and an upper contact point and a lower contact point respectively installed at the main body and the lifting body to make contact with each other when the lifting body is moved up.

Monitoring the temperature of the brush of the motor on an electric winch during operation and restricting the operation of the motor within a cooling range in order to minimize downtime and maximize runtime.

An unmanned aerial vehicle according to certain embodiments generally includes a chassis, a power supply mounted to the chassis, a control system operable to receive power from the power supply, at least one rotor operable to generate lift under control of the control system, and a winch mounted to the chassis. The winch includes a reel and a motor. The reel has a line wound thereon, the line having a free end. The reel includes a circumferential channel in which a wound portion of the line is wound onto the reel. The circumferential channel includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a passage connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The motor is operable to rotate the reel under control of the control system to thereby cause the line to wind onto and off of the reel, thereby causing the free end of the line to raise and lower.