A remote controlled lift assembly includes a pair of supports is each mountable to a respective outrigger of scaffolding. A winch unit is positionable on the supports when the supports are mounted on the scaffolding and the winch unit has a cable extending downwardly therefrom. The cable is lowered or lifted when the winch is actuated. A receiver is coupled to the winch unit and the receiver is in electrical communication with the winch unit. A remote control is provided that is carried by a user and the remote control is in wireless electrical communication with the receiver. In this way the user can remotely lift and lower the cable for lifting and lowering cargo.

The invention relates to a tug controller and a tug for maneuvering a towed vessel, comprising a dynamic positioning system, and a tow equipment comprising a towline connected to the towed vessel, wherein the tow equipment is automatically controlled by the dynamic positioning system based on a plurality of input parameters.

The three operations of hoisting, hoisting, and stopping are automatically performed by using the pulley and the position sensor, so that the general-purpose winch can be easily provided with the auto-tension function. The present invention provides the winch that is inexpensive and has the short delivery time. The three operations of hoisting, hoisting, and stopping are automatically performed by using the pulley and the position sensor, so that the general-purpose winch can be easily provided with the auto-tension function. In two pulleys where wire rope is suspended, the distance between the pulleys can be to changed according to the tension of the wire rope; if the tension increases, the distance between the pulleys decreases and the position sensor operates. As the result, the winch turns to a lowering motion, and the distance between the pulleys increases due to the action of the force of the rodless cylinder; if the tension decreases, the distance between the pulleys increases and another position sensor operates. Therefore, the winch turns into the winding operation and the distance between the pulleys is reduced; the wire rope returning operation and the wire rope pulling operation described above are repeatedly performed due to the operation of the two position sensors, so that the wire rope controls the tension of the constant tension.

A fairlead for use with a winch is disclosed. The fairlead includes: a device for detecting a speed at which a line is being spooled or unspooled from the winch, a first and second roller adapted to aid in spooling or unspooling a line, a fairlead motor for driving at least the first roller, and a controller connected to the fairlead motor. The controller is in communication with the device for detecting the speed. The controller is configured to direct the fairlead motor to drive at least the first roller at a speed that maintains tension on the line as it is unspooling or spooling. Alternatively, the device measures current drawn by the fairlead motor and the controller directs the fairlead motor to drive the rollers at a speed that maintains a target current draw.

The method of providing a necessary preload for a rope or cable on a dual drum traction winch without reducing the capacity of the winch or requiring a second piece of capital equipment to provide the preload force by using a freely rotating wheel to load the rope or cable against at least one of the drums and cause a frictional traction on the winch drum.

A winch is described that includes a drum, a motor and transmission, and a tensioner. The motor and transmission apply torque to the drum, thereby enabling the drum to draw in and let out a line. The tensioner is positioned adjacent to the drum, such that when the line passes between the tensioner and drum, the line is in frictional contact with the tensioner and drum. The tensioner rotates with a linear speed exceeding a linear speed of the drum as the line is let out from the drum, and rotates freely as the line is drawn onto the drum. Methods for making and using the winch are also described.

A method for a winch system includes receiving, from a controller, instructions to spool a payload line, the payload line comprising a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to a main reel of the winch system and the second end configured to couple to a payload. The method further includes operating, based on the instructions, one or more of a first motor of the winch system and a second motor of the winch system, wherein the one or more of the first motor and the second motor are operated in order to control a position of the second end of the payload line.

A method for an operation of a forestry winch, which has a rope drum driven by a drive motor and on which a rope is wound up, and has a rope ejector roller for the rope driven by an additional drive motor, whereby the rope is guided from the rope drum to the rope ejector roller and is deflected on the rope ejector roller. The drive motor of the rope drum and the additional drive motor of the rope ejector roller are operated so that when the rope is unspooled from the rope drum, and when the rope is wound up onto the rope drum, a minimum rope pre-tension, in particular a constant minimum rope pre-tension, is generated in the segment of the rope between the rope drum and the rope ejector roller.

The invention relates to a tug controller and a tug for maneuvering a towed vessel, comprising a dynamic positioning system, and a tow equipment comprising a towline connected to the towed vessel, wherein the tow equipment is automatically controlled by the dynamic positioning system based on a plurality of input parameters.

The method of providing a necessary preload for a rope or cable on a dual drum traction winch without reducing the capacity of the winch or requiring a second piece of capital equipment to provide the preload force by using a freely rotating wheel to load the rope or cable against at least one of the drums and cause a frictional traction on the winch drum.