A method for controlling operation of a winch, which has a capstan drive unit for hauling a cable into the winch and for paying the cable out of the winch, a main drive for driving the capstan drive unit, a cable drum for receiving the cable by winding up and unwinding the cable, a drum drive for driving the cable drum, wherein the drum drive and the main drive are operable independently of one another, and a rotational speed measuring device which is arranged in a cable inlet portion of the winch. The method has a step of reading a first rotational speed from the main drive and a second rotational speed from the rotational speed measuring device. In addition, the method has a step of determining a torque value for setting a torque of the drum drive depending on the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed.

A cable tensioning capstan assembly comprises a capstan drum and at least a first traction flange. The capstan drum may be configured to support a cable (e.g., a cable is configured to wrap around the capstan drum), and the capstan drum may be configured to rotate about an output axis. The first traction flange may be disposed adjacent the first axial end of the capstan drum and configured to rotate about the output axis. In various embodiments, the first traction flange is independently rotatable relative to the capstan drum. A clutch assembly between an input shaft and the first traction flange may facilitate the independent rotatability of the first traction flange.

A winch controller for a hoisting apparatus for a wireline operation operates as a closed loop controller. The winch controller is adapted to control a winch or, if included, a winch and a capstan in a coordinated manner. The winch controller may utilize process variables including the tension of the cable between the winch and the capstan. The controller is coupled to a power pack adapted to power the winch and capstan. The power pack and controller are configured such that the capstan may be selectively removed from the system when it is not needed.

A winch controller for a hoisting apparatus for a wireline operation operates as a closed loop controller. The winch controller is adapted to control a winch or, if included, a winch and a capstan in a coordinated manner. The winch controller may utilize process variables including the tension of the cable between the winch and the capstan. The controller is coupled to a power pack adapted to power the winch and capstan. The power pack and controller are configured such that the capstan may be selectively removed from the system when it is not needed.

A cable winch having a receiving unit for accommodating a cable drum that includes a cable wound about an axis of the cable drum. The receiving unit includes a quick mounting mechanism for attaching the cable drum in a manually detachable manner to the cable winch.

A cable winch having a receiving unit for accommodating a cable drum that includes a cable wound about an axis of the cable drum. The receiving unit includes a quick mounting mechanism for attaching the cable drum in a manually detachable manner to the cable winch.

A method for controlling operation of a winch, which has a capstan drive unit for hauling a cable into the winch and for paying the cable out of the winch, a main drive for driving the capstan drive unit, a cable drum for receiving the cable by winding up and unwinding the cable, a drum drive for driving the cable drum, wherein the drum drive and the main drive are operable independently of one another, and a rotational speed measuring device which is arranged in a cable inlet portion of the winch. The method has a step of reading a first rotational speed from the main drive and a second rotational speed from the rotational speed measuring device. In addition, the method has a step of determining a torque value for setting a torque of the drum drive depending on the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed.

A method for controlling operation of a winch, which has a capstan drive unit for hauling a cable into the winch and for paying the cable out of the winch, a main drive for driving the capstan drive unit, a cable drum for receiving the cable by winding up and unwinding the cable, a drum drive for driving the cable drum, wherein the drum drive and the main drive are operable independently of one another, and a rotational speed measuring device which is arranged in a cable inlet portion of the winch. The method has a step of reading a first rotational speed from the main drive and a second rotational speed from the rotational speed measuring device. In addition, the method has a step of determining a torque value for setting a torque of the drum drive depending on the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed.

A rope drum for drawing and releasing a rope under tensile stress. Support segments are arranged to provide a number of grip sections for supporting the rope through the grip sections as a continuous spiral surrounding the rotated drum part by at least two rounds so that, when the drum part is rotated, a number of grip sections move due to the guidance of the support segments along the drum part depending on the rotation direction of the drum part towards the first end of the drum part or towards the second end. Prevention grooves or ridges together with the support segments restrict the movement of the grip sections supporting the rope on the drum part with regard to the drum part in the direction of the perimeter to a maximum that is defined by the mutual geometry of the prevention grooves and ridges and the support means.

A rope drum for drawing and releasing a rope under tensile stress. Support segments are arranged to provide a number of grip sections for supporting the rope through the grip sections as a continuous spiral surrounding the rotated drum part by at least two rounds so that, when the drum part is rotated, a number of grip sections move due to the guidance of the support segments along the drum part depending on the rotation direction of the drum part towards the first end of the drum part or towards the second end. Prevention grooves or ridges together with the support segments restrict the movement of the grip sections supporting the rope on the drum part with regard to the drum part in the direction of the perimeter to a maximum that is defined by the mutual geometry of the prevention grooves and ridges and the support means.