Self-tailing winch with a release function, where said winch comprises: a stator body adapted to be fastened on a surface; a drum body arranged concentrically and rotatable around said stator body; a self-tailing device arranged concentrically to said drum body, where said self-tailing device comprises: two self-tailing jaws defining an opening suitable to receive a rope, sheet or halyard; a self-tailing cover which is rotatable relative to the drum body and the self-tailing jaws; a releasable coupling arranged between the self-tailing cover and the self-tailing jaws, said coupling being able to couple the self-tailing jaws to the drum body and by manipulating the self-tailing cover completely releasing the self-tailing jaws from their engagement with the drum body, allowing the self-tailing jaws to rotate relative to the drum.

Methods and apparatus for monitoring windlass rotation are provided to determine the real time rate and length of rode release when anchoring a boat. The rotation can be monitored in real time using directional sound and/or electromagnetic radiation receivers and/or transmitter in a module attached to the windlass. Another windlass module can monitor windlass rotation using micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) components such as accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, and/or inertial measurement units (IMU) to sense motion and/or position.

Novel techniques and equipment for anchoring a boat include sensing and measuring the real time rate and length of rode release based on detecting real time changes in the angular position of a windlass by computer vision using a portable computing device. Rode release is also detected using novel methods based on sensing sound, rode chain movement, and sensing acceleration and/or motion. The apparatus can include software operable to provide safe anchoring based on monitoring real times values of the rate and length of rode release, comparing these values to the speed and position of the boat, and providing local and remote status and alarm information to crew members.

Methods and apparatus for anchoring a boat are described. Novel methods provide means for sensing and measuring the real time rate and length of rode release based on detecting real time changes in the angular position of a windlass by computer vision using a portable computing device. Rode release is also detected using novel methods based on sensing sound, rode chain movement, and sensing acceleration and/or motion. The apparatus can include software operable to provide safe anchoring based on monitoring real times values of the rate and length of rode release, comparing these values to the speed and position of the boat, and providing local and remote status and alarm information to crew members.

Self-tailing winch with a release function, where said winch comprises: a stator body adapted to be fastened on a surface; a drum body arranged concentrically and rotatable around said stator body; a self-tailing device arranged concentrically to said drum body, where said self-tailing device comprises: two self-tailing jaws defining an opening suitable to receive a rope, sheet or halyard; a self-tailing cover which is rotatable relative to the drum body and the self-tailing jaws; a releasable coupling arranged between the self-tailing cover and the self-tailing jaws, said coupling being able to couple the self-tailing jaws to the drum body and by manipulating the self-tailing cover completely releasing the self-tailing jaws from their engagement with the drum body, allowing the self-tailing jaws to rotate relative to the drum.

Methods and apparatus for monitoring windlass rotation are provided to determine the real time rate and length of rode release when anchoring a boat. The rotation can be monitored in real time using directional sound and/or electromagnetic radiation receivers and/or transmitter in a module attached to the windlass. Another windlass module can monitor windlass rotation using micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) components such as accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, and/or inertial measurement units (IMU) to sense motion and/or position.

The invention describes a winch for nautical use or for devices for lifting and lowering on a rope, comprising a fixed stator body and a rotor body fixedly connected to the stator body. The rotor body is able to rotate around a longitudinal axis to wind a rope on its outer surface. The winch is provided with a self-tailing device in turn comprising two half-pulleys, a lower half-pulley and an upper half-pulley, mounted opposite one another and coaxial to the rotor body. The two half-pulleys, at the upper portion of the outer surface of the rotor body, define a circumferential throat intended to at least partially house a winding of the rope. One half-pulley is fixed with respect to the rotor body and the other half-pulley is moveable parallel to the longitudinal axis to vary the dimensions of the circumferential throat. Advantageously, the winch comprises a device for adjusting the position of the mobile half-pulley along the longitudinal axis; the adjustment device is able to be activated by the user in real time and in all conditions of use of the winch.

The invention describes a winch for nautical use or for devices for lifting and lowering on a rope, comprising a fixed stator body and a rotor body fixedly connected to the stator body. The rotor body is able to rotate around a longitudinal axis to wind a rope on its outer surface. The winch is provided with a self-tailing device in turn comprising two half-pulleys, a lower half-pulley and an upper half-pulley, mounted opposite one another and coaxial to the rotor body. The two half-pulleys, at the upper portion of the outer surface of the rotor body, define a circumferential throat intended to at least partially house a winding of the rope. One half-pulley is fixed with respect to the rotor body and the other half-pulley is moveable parallel to the longitudinal axis to vary the dimensions of the circumferential throat. Advantageously, the winch comprises a device for adjusting the position of the mobile half-pulley along the longitudinal axis; the adjustment device is able to be activated by the user in real time and in all conditions of use of the winch.

The invention describes a winch (1) for nautical use or for devices for lifting and lowering on a rope, comprising a fixed stator body (2) and a rotor body (3) fixedly connected to the stator body. The rotor body is able to rotate around a longitudinal axis(a-1) to wind a rope on its outer surface. The winch is provided with a self-tailing device (6) in turn comprising two half-pulleys (61, 62), a lower half-pulley (61) and an upper half-pulley (62), mounted opposite one another and coaxial to the rotor body. The two half-pulleys, at the upper portion of the outer surface of the rotor body, define a circumferential throat (63) intended to at least partially house a winding of the rope. One half-pulley is fixed with respect to the rotor body and the other half-pulley is moveable parallel to the longitudinal axis to vary the dimensions of the circumferential throat. Advantageously, the winch comprises a device (8-11) for adjusting the position of the mobile half-pulley along the longitudinal axis; the adjustment device is able to be activated by the user in real time and in all conditions of use of the winch.

Winch drum (10) for rotation about a rotation axis and comprising a line receiving outer surface (11) with a number of protrusions or ribs (1A1-1A9) extending substantially from an upper end of the winch drum towards a lower end of the winch drum (10). The ribs or protrusions (1A1-1A9) are asymmetrically distributed. The invention also relates to a winch (100) with such a winch drum (10).