# US 10,479,660 B2 · Windlass system and method with attenuated stop function

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- Number: US 10,479,660 B2
- Document ID: US10479660B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/235,141
- Filed: 2018-12-28
- Published: 2019-07-04
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2017-12-28
- Applicants: Frederick L. Smith
- Inventors: Frederick L. Smith
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479660B2

## CPC

- B66D 1/485: {electrical}
- B66D 1/54: Safety gear
- B66D 3/20: with driving motor, e.g. electric motor, and drum or barrel contained in a common housing
- B66D 3/26: Other details, e.g. housings
- B66D 1/38: by means of guides movable relative to drum or barrel
- B66D: CAPSTANS; WINCHES; TACKLES, e.g. PULLEY BLOCKS; HOISTS (winding or unwinding ropes or cables for feeding or storage purposes B65H; rope or cable winding or unwinding mechanisms for lifts B66B)

## Abstract

A windlass system and method in which an inertial force resulting from an abrupt removal of primary operating power from a primary source of power during a lifting operation being carried out by a windlass of the windlass system is attenuated to reduce load forces generated by the inertial force.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A windlass system in which an inertial force resulting from an abrupt removal of primary operating power from a primary source of power during a lifting operation being carried out by a windlass of the windlass system is attenuated to reduce load forces generated by the inertial force, the windlass system comprising:
a drivetrain arranged for rotation within the windlass to move a load during the lifting operation;
at least one safety brake arranged to engage the drivetrain for applying a rotation-retarding torque to the drivetrain;
a power detector for detecting the abrupt removal of primary operating power;
an auxiliary power supply for supplying auxiliary power upon detection by the power detector of the abrupt removal of primary operating power to actuate the safety brake to apply a rotation-retarding torque to the drivetrain in response to:
a brake torque control arranged for operation by auxiliary power from the auxiliary power supply; and
a drive controller for operation by auxiliary power from the auxiliary power supply in response to detection by the power detector of the abrupt removal of primary operating power to extend the rotation-retarding torque applied by the safety brake to the drivetrain over a predetermined interval, after which interval rotation of the drivetrain is discontinued and movement of the load is fully terminated, thereby effecting attenuation of the inertial force resulting from removal of the primary operating power.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The windlass system of claim 1 including a manually operated control for selective removal of the primary operating power.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The windlass system of claim 1 including over travel detectors for effecting removal of the primary operating power upon detecting movement of the load beyond prescribed limits of travel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The windlass system of claim 1 including:
at least two safety brakes arranged to engage the drivetrain for applying a rotation-retarding torque to the drivetrain; and
at least two brake torque controls, each brake torque control being arranged to operate a corresponding safety brake in response to the drive controller upon detection by the power detector of the abrupt removal of primary operating power.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The windlass system of claim 1 wherein the predetermined interval is approximately 115 milliseconds.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The windlass system of claim 1 including:
a plurality of windlasses linked together by automation network communications; and
a dedicated motion controller for operating the windlasses in a selected sequence of lifting operations.