A manually operated counterweight hoist including a batten operable to support a load, an arbor operable to support one or more counterweights, a hand line operable to move the batten or the arbor, a brake operable to prevent movement of the arbor and the batten by constricting movement of the hand line, a brake actuator operable to activate the brake, a sensor that measures a speed of the arbor, and a controller including an electronic processor. The controller is operatively coupled to the sensor and the brake actuator. The controller is configured to receive a measurement signal from the sensor, determine whether the speed of the arbor exceeds a threshold based on the measurement signal, and activate the brake actuator when the speed of the arbor exceeds the threshold.

A manually operated counterweight hoist including a batten operable to support a load, an arbor operable to support one or more counterweights, a hand line operable to move the batten or the arbor, a brake operable to prevent movement of the arbor and the batten by constricting movement of the hand line, a brake actuator operable to activate the brake, a sensor that measures a speed of the arbor, and a controller including an electronic processor. The controller is operatively coupled to the sensor and the brake actuator. The controller is configured to receive a measurement signal from the sensor, determine whether the speed of the arbor exceeds a threshold based on the measurement signal, and activate the brake actuator when the speed of the arbor exceeds the threshold.

Described herein are methods and systems for picking up, transporting, and lowering a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For example, the winch system may include a motor for winding and unwinding the tether from a spool, and the UAV's control system may operate the motor to lower the tether toward the ground so a payload may be attached to the tether. The control system may monitor an electric current supplied to the motor to determine whether the payload has been attached to the tether. In another example, when lowering a payload, the control system may monitor the motor current to determine that the payload has reached the ground and responsively operate the motor to detach the payload from the tether. The control system may then monitor the motor current to determine whether the payload has detached from the tether.

Described herein are methods and systems for picking up, transporting, and lowering a payload coupled to a tether of a winch system arranged on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). For example, the winch system may include a motor for winding and unwinding the tether from a spool, and the UAV's control system may operate the motor to lower the tether toward the ground so a payload may be attached to the tether. The control system may monitor an electric current supplied to the motor to determine whether the payload has been attached to the tether. In another example, when lowering a payload, the control system may monitor the motor current to determine that the payload has reached the ground and responsively operate the motor to detach the payload from the tether. The control system may then monitor the motor current to determine whether the payload has detached from the tether.

The present invention provides a remote-controlled, retractable accessibility device for ceiling and wall fixtures, such as for lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, speakers, mobiles, and the like. The device allows for the raising and lowering of the fixture via a remote wireless or wired control. The device is designed with electrical connectors that automatically disengage and reengage to cut off the flow of electricity when the fixture is lowered so that the fixture can be safely accessed.

The present invention provides a remote-controlled, retractable accessibility device for ceiling and wall fixtures, such as for lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, speakers, mobiles, and the like. The device allows for the raising and lowering of the fixture via a remote wireless or wired control. The device is designed with electrical connectors that automatically disengage and reengage to cut off the flow of electricity when the fixture is lowered so that the fixture can be safely accessed.

Antenna tower construction/deconstruction biasing assemblies are provided. The biasing assemblies can be configured to extend between a standard and an antenna tower. The assemblies can include: an adjustable linear extension extending between a first end configured to couple with the standard and a second end configured to couple with the antenna tower; and a biasing mechanism configured to adjust the length of the linear extension and maintain the rigid engagement during transitioning of the tower from a down/erect position to an erect/down position. Methods for constructing/deconstructing an antenna tower are provided. The methods can include providing a biasing assembly.

Antenna tower construction/deconstruction biasing assemblies are provided. The biasing assemblies can be configured to extend between a standard and an antenna tower. The assemblies can include: an adjustable linear extension extending between a first end configured to couple with the standard and a second end configured to couple with the antenna tower; and a biasing mechanism configured to adjust the length of the linear extension and maintain the rigid engagement during transitioning of the tower from a down/erect position to an erect/down position. Methods for constructing/deconstructing an antenna tower are provided. The methods can include providing a biasing assembly.

A method for controlling a hydraulic winch includes acquiring measurements from sensors coupled to the hydraulic winch. A first control function is computed based on the measurements. The first control function sets pressure across a variable displacement motor that produces motion of the tool string following a desired motion trajectory. A second control function is computed. The second control function sets displacement of a variable displacement pump that causes the pressure across the variable displacement motor to track the first control function. A pump command is selected based on the second control function. The pump command is transmitted to the variable displacement pump. The tool string moves responsive to the pump command.

A winch testing device for testing the winch pulling capacity and brake holding capacity of a forestry winch of forestry equipment, in particular of a mobile forestry machine or an accessory rear shield, wherein the forestry winch has a rope drum that can be driven by a drive motor and braked by means of a brake device and on which a rope is spooled. The winch test device has a hydraulic test cylinder which has a first attachment interface, with which the hydraulic test cylinder can be fastened to an attachment point of the forestry equipment, and a second attachment interface with which the hydraulic test cylinder can be connected with the rope of the forestry winch.