Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080246011 | Portable Pulling Tool - A portable pulling tool is provided including an integrally formed one-piece gear case for positioning all of the gear train components. The gear train includes a combination of helical gears and a differential planetary gear unit in a unique configuration. A motor control system is provided to automatically shut off the motor when a predetermined current load is detected. A multi-segment LED is provided to indicate to the user the amount of load that is being applied. | 10-09-2008 |
20090134372 | Integrated Air Compressor and Winch - An integrated air compressor and winch is provided that utilizes a source of rotary motive power for driving both a winch drum and compressor mechanism. The integrated air compressor and winch is preferably provided with a gear case that is operable to provide an appropriate gear reduction for driving the winch drum while providing an appropriate drive speed for operating the compressor. | 05-28-2009 |
20090284877 | Integrated Overload and Low Voltage Interrupt Module - A power management module for a winch system comprises an overload and low voltage interrupt module within a housing. The overload interrupt determines operating current for the winch system and provides an interrupt signal when the current is greater than a threshold. The low voltage interrupt determines voltage of a power source and provides an interrupt signal when the voltage is less than a threshold. A method of operating the power management module comprises determining operating current of the winch system with an overload interrupt module and voltage of a vehicle power source with a low voltage interrupt module. The overload and low voltage interrupt modules are located within a housing. The overload interrupt provides an interrupt signal when the operating current is greater than a threshold. The low voltage interrupt provides an interrupt signal when the voltage is less than a threshold. | 11-19-2009 |
20110180770 | Light Weight Winch - A winch includes a rotatable drum. A cable is wound onto the drum in one rotative direction and off the drum in a second rotative direction. A sealed axial flux permanent magnet drive motor includes a drive shaft selectively rotated by the motor in either direction of rotation. A gear train interconnects the drive shaft and the drum for rotatably driving the drum at a reduced rotative speed relative to the motor shaft. The motor can apply regenerative braking. A spring-applied electric release brake is connected to the drive shaft to apply a braking force to prevent rotation of the drum. A connecting shaft connects the gear train to the rotatable drum. The connecting shaft includes axially spaced splines that reduce the disparity in the gear train and drum centerlines to thereby reduce gyration therebetween. The drum can be made partially from carbon fiber to reduce the weight thereof. | 07-28-2011 |
20140091268 | Constant Pull Winch Controls - A constant pulling force winch control system includes a sensor that senses a degree of winding of a winch cable around a winch drum, and a control system configured to control a winch motor to achieve a constant pulling force on the winch cable based on the degree of winding sensed by the sensor. The sensor may be a position sensor that measures a position of the winch cable relative to a centerline of the winch drum as the degree of winding. The position sensor may sense an angular position of a tension plate relative to a tensioner shaft to measure the degree of winding. The winch motor may be a hydraulic winch motor or an electric motor, and the control system is configured to control the power applied to the hydraulic winch motor to achieve the constant pulling force based on the degree of winding sensed by the sensor. | 04-03-2014 |
20140252286 | Remote Winch Clutch System - A winch is provided including a rotatable drum and a gear train drivingly connecting a motor to the rotatable drum. The gear train includes a clutch that is operable to be disengaged to allow the rotatable drum to free spool. A clutch actuator is provided for disengaging the clutch and the clutch includes a pivoting pawl having a first end that engages a clutch dog of a planetary ring gear and the clutch actuator includes an electro-magnetic solenoid having a plunger that engages a second end of the pivoting pawl. | 09-11-2014 |
20140257631 | Multi-Mode Radio Frequency Winch Controller - A wireless remote forms a two-way radiofrequency (RF) communication network with a winch control module that allows the wireless remote to control both the winch and additional vehicle accessories through the winch control module. Further accessory control modules allow the control of more accessories utilizing the wireless remote by way of RF communication. Feedback from either the winch control module or the accessory control module is sent back to the wireless remote to allow the operator to view the current operating conditions of the winch or accessories. | 09-11-2014 |
20140264210 | Pulling Tool - A pulling tool is provided with a rotatable drum having a cable wound thereon. A motor is drivingly connected to the rotatable drum and the rotatable drum and motor are disposed within a unique housing structure. The rotatable drum is driven by a planetary gear system that is disposed within the rotatable drum to provide a compact assembly. A belt and pulley system is provided for delivering torque from the motor to the planetary gear system. The rotatable drum is provided with a two-piece stepped construction that allows the planetary gear system to be assembled within the drum and allows for the initial wraps of a cable around the smaller diameter portion of the stepped drum. | 09-18-2014 |