Levelwind mechanism
US4695010A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 1986 |
| Grant date | Sep 22, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB66D1/38
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A levelwind mechanism (11) for controlling the fleet angle of a cable as the cable (15) is spooled onto a winch drum (13) is disclosed. The levelwind mechanism (11) includes a horizontally oriented square guide bar (21) mounted parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum. Located on the lower surface of the guide bar is an elongate rack (23). Encircling the guide bar is a frame (25) that supports a fleet angle sensor (107), cable guide rollers (97), an air motor (47) and a gear train (49). The gear train (49) couples the air motor (47) to the rack (23) such that energization of the air motor (47) causes the frame (25) to slide along the rack (23). When the fleet angle sensor (107) senses a fleet angle exceeding a predetermined value, the air motor (47) is energized to rotate the gears of the gear train (49) in the direction that reduces the fleet angle to an acceptable value.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.