A clutch assembly for a hoist may comprise a first epicyclic gear train and a first set of friction disks rotationally coupled to the first epicyclic gear train. A second set of friction disks may be in operable communication with the first set of friction disks. Torque may be transferred between the first set of friction disks and the second set of friction disks by means of a friction coupling between the first set of friction disks and the second set of friction disks. A pinion may be rotationally coupled to the second set of friction disks. A splined portion of the pinion may form an output of the clutch assembly.

A hoist, in accordance with various embodiments, is disclosed herein. The hoist comprises a cooling apparatus coupled to a motor and disposed within a torque tube. The cooling apparatus may operate with the hoist or independently of the hoist. The cooling apparatus may pull air external to a housing of the hoist through the torque tube and cool the motor and/or a controller of the hoist.

A hoist, in accordance with various embodiments, is disclosed herein. The hoist comprises a cooling apparatus coupled to a motor and disposed within a torque tube. The cooling apparatus may operate with the hoist or independently of the hoist. The cooling apparatus may pull air external to a housing of the hoist through the torque tube and cool the motor and/or a controller of the hoist.

An auxiliary brake assembly for use in a hoist, is disclosed. The auxiliary brake assembly comprises a pinion, a fastener, and a clutch assembly. The pinion may comprise a mesh gear disposed proximate a respective mesh gear of a rotor gear. The clutch assembly may be disposed between the fastener and the mesh gear. The fastener may be configured to compress the clutch assembly in the event a cable drum of the hoist is free spinning. The compression of the clutch may lock the pinion and the rotor gear and stop the cable drum from spinning freely.

An auxiliary brake assembly for use in a hoist, is disclosed. The auxiliary brake assembly comprises a pinion, a fastener, and a clutch assembly. The pinion may comprise a mesh gear disposed proximate a respective mesh gear of a rotor gear. The clutch assembly may be disposed between the fastener and the mesh gear. The fastener may be configured to compress the clutch assembly in the event a cable drum of the hoist is free spinning. The compression of the clutch may lock the pinion and the rotor gear and stop the cable drum from spinning freely.

A hoist, in accordance with various embodiments, is disclosed herein. The hoist comprises a cooling apparatus coupled to a motor and disposed within a torque tube. The cooling apparatus may operate with the hoist or independently of the hoist. The cooling apparatus may pull air external to a housing of the hoist through the torque tube and cool the motor and/or a controller of the hoist.

A hoist, in accordance with various embodiments, is disclosed herein. The hoist comprises a cooling apparatus coupled to a motor and disposed within a torque tube. The cooling apparatus may operate with the hoist or independently of the hoist. The cooling apparatus may pull air external to a housing of the hoist through the torque tube and cool the motor and/or a controller of the hoist.

A redundant multi-point chain hoist apparatus is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides a motor, a first chain path sized and configured for slidably receiving a first chain, a separate, redundant second chain path sized and configured for slidably receiving a second chain, a first brake in mechanical communication with the first chain path, a second brake in mechanical communication with the second chain path, and a gear train. The gear train is configured for enabling the motor to selectively cause the first and second chains to move in unison yet independently via the separate first and second chain paths. In use, with the apparatus engaged with each of an elevated surface and a load, the apparatus is capable of selectively lifting, lowering and sustaining the load relative to the elevated surface via each of the first and second chains, even if one of the first or second chains, chain paths, or brakes should experience a failure.

A redundant multi-point chain hoist apparatus is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides a motor, a first chain path sized and configured for slidably receiving a first chain, a separate, redundant second chain path sized and configured for slidably receiving a second chain, a first brake in mechanical communication with the first chain path, a second brake in mechanical communication with the second chain path, and a gear train. The gear train is configured for enabling the motor to selectively cause the first and second chains to move in unison yet independently via the separate first and second chain paths. In use, with the apparatus engaged with each of an elevated surface and a load, the apparatus is capable of selectively lifting, lowering and sustaining the load relative to the elevated surface via each of the first and second chains, even if one of the first or second chains, chain paths, or brakes should experience a failure.

A clutch assembly for a hoist may comprise a first epicyclic gear train and a first set of friction disks rotationally coupled to the first epicyclic gear train. A second set of friction disks may be in operable communication with the first set of friction disks. Torque may be transferred between the first set of friction disks and the second set of friction disks by means of a friction coupling between the first set of friction disks and the second set of friction disks. A pinion may be rotationally coupled to the second set of friction disks. A splined portion of the pinion may form an output of the clutch assembly.