A control system for a rescue hoist attached to an aircraft is disclosed. In various embodiments, the control system includes a first bus extending between a control module of the rescue hoist and a control input device; and a second bus extending between the control module of the rescue hoist and the control input device. The first bus is configured to transmit a first signal from the control input device to the control module and the second bus is configured to transmit a second signal from the control input device to the control module, both the first signal and the second signal being generated by the control input device in response to a manipulation of the control input device.

A winch drum is disclosed. In a first aspect, a first set of teeth are positioned around an outer perimeter of a drum. The first set of teeth taper from a first crown to a first base. A second set of teeth are positioned around the outer perimeter of the drum. The second set of teeth taper from a second crown to a second base. The second set of teeth are offset from the first set of teeth such that a gap between the first bases and the second bases forms a sinusoidal channel for a line to follow the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth becomes a guide for the line so that the line can engage the sinusoidal channel. The line follows the sinusoidal channel and each change of direction along the sinusoidal path causes the line to engage by friction with the first bases and the second bases. In a second aspect, the drum includes a trough that follows a sinusoidal path and wherein the trough is narrower at its bottom than at its top.

This device comprises a drum (42) to be driven in rotation about a central axis (B-B′), wherein the drum (42) defines a circumferential casing (50) for winding the elongate element around the central axis (B-B′), wherein the elongate element is intended to form at least one turn around the central axis (B-B′) on the circumferential casing (50). It comprises a mechanism (44) for driving the turn(s) of the elongate element along the circumferential casing (50). The drive mechanism (44) comprises at least one assembly (80) following movement of the turn in a direction of movement (D) forming a non-zero angle with the local axis of the turn, taken at a contact region of the turn on the movement assembly (80).

A puller in accordance with some example embodiments includes a frame and a capstan rotatably mounted on the frame. The capstan has a body having an angled wall portion and a movable end wall. A boom is mounted to the frame and has a head at an end thereof which can be positioned in a variety of positions.

A cable drive system having a cable drum housing, a cable drum unit mounted therein for rotation by a drive motor, a first control cable and a second control cable. The first and second control cables are each windably held on the cable drum unit for the purpose of driving the protection device. The first control cable is guided out of a first housing part of the cable drum housing along a first direction, and the second control cable is guided out of a separate, second housing part of the cable drum housing along a second direction. Different mounting positions of the first housing part are provided in which the first housing part is in different rotational positions relative to the second housing part, with the result that the first guidance direction has a different orientation than the second guidance direction in the different mounting positions.

A cable puller is provided to pull rope or cable where the cable puller includes a puller frame, a capstan rotatably mounted on the puller frame around a first axis of rotation, an output shaft rotatably mounted to the puller frame and coupled to the capstan, The capstan is configured to rotate when the output shaft is driven. A shift motor is configured to drive a cam to engage gearing coupled to the output shaft to a gear position comprising a low speed position, a medium speed position, and a high-speed position.

Pool protection systems are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, a pool protection system may include a platform fitted in a pool, oriented substantially parallel to a surface of water in the pool, and configured to move vertically in the pool; one or more motors mechanically connected to the platform; and a controller in communication with the one or more motors.

A cable puller is provided to pull rope or cable where the cable puller includes a puller frame, a capstan rotatably mounted on the puller frame around a first axis of rotation, an output shaft rotatably mounted to the puller frame and coupled to the capstan, The capstan is configured to rotate when the output shaft is driven. A shift motor is configured to drive a cam to engage gearing coupled to the output shaft to a gear position comprising a low speed position, a medium speed position, and a high-speed position.

A UAV tether management system comprising: a tether-wound spool rotatably mounted on a base station, a free-pivoting angle arm, and an angle arm encoder, wherein the tether is configured to transfer power from the base station to the UAV while the UAV is in flight, and the angle arm comprises a tether guide mounted to a proximal end of the angle arm such that the tether passes through the tether guide as the tether pays out of, or is taken up by, the spool, wherein the angle arm further comprises a counter weight mounted to a distal end of the angle arm such that a center of mass of the angle arm is aligned with the spool's axis of rotation, and wherein the angle arm encoder is configured to measure an offset angle of the angle arm.

A switching assembly for rope-pulling equipment including mechanisms for holding an electrically-operated power tool for rotating a capstan about an axis and which power tool includes a depressible ON/OFF switch utilizes an actuator having a switch-engaging portion which is mounted for pivotal movement between a first condition at which the switch of the power tool is in an OFF position and a second condition at which the switch of the power tool is depressed by the switch-engaging portion to switch the power tool ON. The actuator further includes a rope-engaging section so that by wrapping a section of rope to be pulled about the capstan, routing an end of the rope about the rope-engaging section and then appropriately pulling upon the end of the rope, the actuator is pivoted from the first to the second condition, and the rope is advanced along the equipment by the rotating capstan.