Winch system for an airborne payload control system
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsMatthew Curran, Dustin E. Gamble, Gordon Jennings, Justin Neel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims20
A winch system for use in an aircraft, the winch system comprising:
- a payload line comprising a sensor, a first end and a second end, wherein:
- the second end is operable to couple to a payload;
- and
- the sensor is operable to detect information about the payload line and transmit the detected information to at least one controller;
- a main reel about which the payload line is wound;
- a first motor operable to turn the main reel in a first and a second direction in response to receiving instructions from the at least one controller, wherein turning the main reel in the first direction feeds the payload line out, and turning the wheel in the second direction reels the payload line in;
- a first pinch roller and a second pinch roller between which the payload line is threaded, wherein the first and the second pinch rollers are configured to maintain tension on the payload line;
- and
- a second motor operable to turn the first and the second pinch rollers in response to receiving instructions from the at least one controller, wherein turning the pinch rollers in the first direction feeds the payload line out, and turning the pinch rollers in the second direction reels the payload line in;
- wherein:
- the first and the second motors cooperate to feed out and reel in the payload line;
- and
- one or more of the main reel or the first and the second pinch rollers is turned based on information detected by the sensor in order to control a position or the second end of the payload line when the aircraft is airborne.
A controller of a winch system for use in an aircraft, the controller operable to:
- receive, from a sensor of the winch system, information about a payload line, the payload line comprising a first end and a second end;
- provide instructions to at least one motor of the winch system based on the information received from the sensor in order to control a position of the second end of the payload line when the aircraft is airborne, wherein the winch system comprises:
- a first motor operable to turn a main reel of the winch system in a first and a second direction, wherein turning the main reel in the first direction feeds the payload line out and turning the main reel in the second direction reels the payload line in;
- and
- a second motor operable to turn a first pinch roller and a second pinch roller of the winch system, wherein turning the pinch rollers in the first direction feeds the payload line out, and turning the pinch rollers in the second direction reels the payload line in;
- wherein the first and the second motors cooperate to feed out and reel in the payload line.
A method for a winch system for use in an aircraft, the method comprising:
- receiving, from a sensor, information about a payload line, wherein the payload line comprises 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;
- receiving, from a controller, instructions to spool the payload line based on the information received from the sensor;
- and
- 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 when the aircraft is airborne.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.