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US 11,365,101 B1Granted
Aided freewheel winch assembly
AssigneeAltec Industries, Inc.
InventorsDusty Jazwick, Robert Nichols
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, devices, and assemblies for providing winch freewheel functionality and maintaining tension in a winch line of a winch system. An operator input is detected using at least one sensor. The operator input is associated with an operator pulling on the winch line and a pay-out function of a winch motor of the winch system is controlled based on the operator input.
Claims20
A system for aiding freewheel winch operation, the system comprising:
- a rigid base structure;
- a winch line;
- one or more winch guides secured to the rigid base structure, said one or more winch guides in contact with the winch line configured to reduce friction on the winch line during use;
- at least one contact device in contact with the winch line;
- an arm secured to the rigid base structure for supporting the at least one contact device;
- an actuator coupled to the arm for exerting a force on the at least one contact device,
- wherein the force maintains contact of the at least one contact device with the winch line;
- a winch motor configured for paying in and paying out the winch line;
- and
- a sensor configured to measure a change in a position of the at least one contact device,
- wherein the measured change in the position is indicative of an operator input,
- wherein an operation of the winch motor is controlled based at least in part on said operator input.
9 more elements
A device for aiding winch operation, the device comprising:
- a rigid base structure;
- a winch line;
- one or more winch guides secured to the rigid base structure and in contact with the winch line for reducing friction on the winch line as the winch line is moved;
- a roller in contact with the winch line;
- a winch motor operatively connected to the winch line;
- and
- a sensor disposed on or adjacent to the roller for measuring a change in a position of the roller,
- wherein the measured change in the position is indicative of an operator input,
- wherein operation of the winch motor is controlled based at least in part on the measured change in the position from the sensor, and
- wherein if the change in position is below a predetermined threshold, the change in position is disregarded to prevent unintentional operation of the winch motor.
7 more elements
An aided freewheel winch assembly, the assembly comprising:
- a rigid base structure;
- one or more winch guides secured to the rigid base structure and in contact with a winch line of a winch assembly for reducing friction on the winch line as the winch line is moved;
- and
- at least one sensor disposed adjacent to the winch line for detecting a tension in the winch line indicative of an operator input,
- wherein a pay-out function of the winch assembly is controlled based at least in part on said operator input.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.