Winch control arrangement comprising a retaining device for a cable and method for operating such an arrangement

Abstract

Disclosed is a winch control arrangement, including a retaining device for a cable, a rotatable drum having a rotational axis, and a substantially circular, centric storage part with a storage surface containing at least two windings of cable. The distance of the storage surface to the rotational axis is substantially constant. An eccentric holding part with a holding surface contains at least two cable windings. The distance of the holding surface to the rotational axis varies around the circumference of the holding part. A cable guide lies at a perpendicular distance from the rotational axis and the drum itself, and is movable substantially parallel to the rotational axis between a first position allowing cable winding on the centric storage part and a second position allowing cable winding on the eccentric part. The cable guide is connected to automatic movement unit for moving the cable guide between the two positions.

Claims

1. Winch control arrangement, comprising a retaining device (1) for a cable (21), comprising a rotatable drum (2) having a rotational axis (X), comprising a substantially circular, centric storage part (4) with a storage surface for containing at least two windings of cable, wherein the distance of the storage surface to the rotational axis is substantially constant, and an eccentric holding part (3) with a holding surface for containing at least two windings of cable, wherein the distance of the holding surface to the rotational axis varies around the circumference of the holding part, wherein a cable guide (7) is arranged at a perpendicular distance from the rotational axis and the drum itself, the cable guide being movable in a movement direction (18) substantially parallel to the rotational axis between a first position (I) for allowing the cable to be wound up on the centric storage part and a second position (II) for allowing the cable to be wound up on the eccentric part, wherein the cable guide is connected to automatic movement means (8) for moving the cable guide between the first (I) and the second (II) positions, wherein the automatic movement means are configured to be controllable by remote control means (12), and remote control means arranged at a distance from the retaining device, wherein the remote control means are communicatively connected (13) to the retaining device for controlling the operation of the automatic movement means, wherein the remote control means are configured to automatically cause the automatic movement means to move the cable guide from the second position to the first position when a signal is given via the remote control means to start paying in or paying out of the cable and/or to move the cable guide from the first position to the second position when a signal is given via the remote control means to stop paying in or paying out of the cable.

2. Winch control arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the retaining device comprises guide means (9) for guiding the movement of the cable guide between the first and the second positions, wherein the automatic movement means comprise a push-pull device (10) attached to drive means to push or pull the cable guide along the guide means between the first and second positions.

3. Winch control arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the guide means comprise one or more rods (11) extending in the movement direction, wherein the cable guide is slideably arranged on the one or more rods.

4. Winch control arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the remote control means are configured to unwind a predetermined amount of windings from the eccentric holding part prior to moving the cable guide from the second position to the first position and/or to wind a predetermined amount of windings onto the eccentric holding part after moving the cable guide from the first position to the second position.

5. Winch control arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the remote control means comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC).

6. Winch control arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the one or more rods comprise a pair of rods and the push-pull device extends between the pair of rods, in the movement direction (18).

7. Winch control arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the push-pull device comprises a hydraulic actuator.

8. Winch control arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the remote control means are configured to unwind a predetermined amount of windings from the eccentric holding part prior to moving the cable guide from the second position to the first position and/or to wind a predetermined amount of windings onto the eccentric holding part after moving the cable guide from the first position to the second position.

9. Winch control arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the remote control means comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC).

10. Winch control arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the remote control means are configured to unwind a predetermined amount of windings from the eccentric holding part prior to moving the cable guide from the second position to the first position and/or to wind a predetermined amount of windings onto the eccentric holding part after moving the cable guide from the first position to the second position.

11. Winch control arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the remote control means comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC).

12. Winch control arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the remote control means are configured to unwind a predetermined amount of windings from the eccentric holding part prior to moving the cable guide from the second position to the first position and/or to wind a predetermined amount of windings onto the eccentric holding part after moving the cable guide from the first position to the second position.

13. Winch control arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the remote control means comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC).

14. Winch control arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the remote control means are configured to unwind a predetermined amount of windings from the eccentric holding part prior to moving the cable guide from the second position to the first position and/or to wind a predetermined amount of windings onto the eccentric holding part after moving the cable guide from the first position to the second position.

15. Winch control arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the remote control means comprise a programmable logic controller (PLC).

16. Tug (14) comprising a winch control arrangement according to claim 1.

17. Tug according to claim 16, wherein the remote control means are arranged in a pilot house (15) of the tug.

18. Method for operating a winch control arrangement according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: causing the automatic movement means to move the cable guide from the second position to the first position when a signal is given via the remote control means to start paying in or paying out of the cable and/or causing the automatic movement means to move the cable guide from the first position to the second position when a signal is given via the remote control means to stop paying in or paying out of the cable.

19. Method according to claim 18, wherein a predetermined amount of windings are unwound from the eccentric holding part prior to moving the cable guide from the second position to the first position and/or a predetermined amount of windings are wound up onto the eccentric holding part after moving the cable guide from the first position to the second position.

20. Method according to claim 19, wherein the predetermined amount of windings lies between 2-4.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An embodiment of a retaining device according to the invention will by way of non-limiting example be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a retaining device for use with a winch control arrangement according to the invention, at a first angle;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of a retaining device as shown in FIG. 1, but now at a different, second angle; and

(4) FIG. 3 shows a tug comprising a retaining device according to the invention positioned on the deck thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a retaining device 1 for use with a winch control arrangement according to the invention, at a first angle.

(6) The retaining device 1 comprises a drum 2 that is driven by a motor (not shown) and comprises a brake/locking system 5, such as a drum brake. The drum 2 comprises a bearing (not shown) for allowing rotation of the drum 2 around an axis X. Drum 2 is of circular cylindrical construction. Preferably, the axis X runs in a horizontal direction, or when it is mounted on a tug or similar vessel, parallel to the deck. This ensures the cable, when stored, does not uncontrollably sag downwards due to gravity. Also, the drum diameter is preferably chosen such that synthetic cable, such as Dyneema, can be used.

(7) The brake/locking system, as mentioned in the foregoing, can advantageously comprise a drum brake. Most winches in use today with tugboats comprise a band brake, comprising a sort of belt that is tightened around a drum flange in order to keep the drum immobilized. In relation to the diameter of the flange, this type of brake has a relatively large braking capacity. However, with such brakes it is not possible to accurately dose the braking power thereof, i.e. it is not possible to allow the cable to veer with the brake slipping. However, with the proposed drum brake, in combination with the retaining device, i.e. having an eccentric holding part, use can be made of a lighter braking mechanism, in particular the aforementioned drum brake.

(8) On the casing face the drum 2 can be provided with peripheral grooves for accommodating two windings of cable. The drum 2 can be designed to accommodate more windings, such as 2-7 windings, however the limit lies preferably at 8 windings to keep the size of the drum 2 in the direction of the rotational axis X low. The drum 2 comprises a centric storage part 4 and an eccentric holding part 3. The operation of this per se known construction will not be further elucidated here.

(9) A cable guide is indicated by 7 that can be moved in the direction of arrow 18 in order to guide the cable into the groove in the correct manner or to guide the cable from the centric part 4 to the eccentric part 3 and vice versa. To do so, the cable guide 7 is attached to automatic movement means 8. The automatic movement means 8 comprise an actuation mechanism and, in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, a push-pull device 10, such as a hydraulic actuator, to move the cable guide 7. Preferably, the cable guide 7 is slideably arranged on guide means 9, for instance having the form of a pair of rods 11, to facilitate movement of the cable guide 7 in the movement direction 18. The cable guide 7 may have a rectangular shape, as shown, having short sides and long sides, wherein the short sides are slideable over the rods 11 and the long sides thereof extend perpendicular thereto. The long sides may furthermore may be provided on their inside with cable support rollers 16 to facilitate smooth movement of the cable through the cable guide 7.

(10) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the same exemplary embodiment of a retaining device as shown in FIG. 1, but now at a second angle.

(11) FIG. 3 shows a tug 14 having a retaining device 1 positioned on the deck thereof. The retaining device 1 is controlled and operated by a winch control arrangement 20 according to the invention. According to the invention, the winch control arrangement 20 comprises remote control means in the form of a control panel 12 in the pilot house 15 of the tug 14. The control panel 12 is communicatively connected via a communication connection 13 to the retaining device 1, and especially to the automatic movement means 8, in order to provide remote control and operation.

(12) When a signal is given via the control panel 12 to start paying in or paying out of the cable the automatic movement means 8 will cause the cable guide 7 to move from the second position II to the first position I (not shown in FIG. 3, please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2). In contrast, when a signal is given via the control panel 12 to stop paying in or paying out of the cable the automatic movement means 8 will move the cable guide 7 from the first position I to the second position II.

(13) Preferably, a predetermined amount of windings, such as 3, are unwound from the eccentric holding part 3 prior to moving the cable guide 7 from the second position II to the first position I. Analogously, a predetermined amount of windings can be wound up onto the eccentric holding part 3 after moving the cable guide 7 from the first position I to the second position II.

(14) Thus, the invention has been described by reference to the embodiments discussed above. It will be recognized that these embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms well known to those of skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, although specific embodiments have been described, these are examples only and are not limiting upon the scope of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

(15) 1. Retaining device 2. Drum 3. Eccentric holding part 4. Centric storage part 5. Brake/locking system 6. Frame 7. Cable guide 8. Automatic movement means 9. Guide means 10. Push-pull device 11. Rod 12. Control panel 13. Communicative connection 14. Tug 15. Pilot house 16. Cable support roller 17. Auxiliary push-pull rod 18. Movement direction of cable guide 19. 20. Winch control arrangement 21. Cable 22.