US3596070A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Winch control system for constant load depth
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1969-12-08
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1989-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A winch control system for operating a winch stationed on a vessel, and for stabilizing a load, which is connected by a cable to a traction unit driven by a prime mover, at a constant height above the sea floor irrespective of the vertical motion of the vessel due to wave action, thereby controlling the motion of the cable. A cable dynamics sensor, connectable to the cable between the traction unit and the load, generates output signals proportional (1) to its depth, and (2) to its velocity relative to the vessel. A tachometer, connectable to the traction unit, produces a signal which is proportional to the velocity of the cable relative to the vessel. A depth-velocity summing circuit, connected to the cable dynamics sensor, is adapted to be connected to a sensor depth order signal, generated by a control console on the vessel, for summing the sensor depth and depth order signals, and is connected to the cable dynamics sensor and tachometer for summing the sensor velocity signal and the cable velocity signal. The two depth and two velocity signals, after being summed, produce an output control signal. A torque control, adapted to be connected from the output of the depth-velocity summing circuit to the prime mover, develops a torque signal proportional to the control signal, to cause the traction unit to null the control signal, thereby controlling the load position and velocity.
Inventors
- 👤 John M Mccool
- 👤 Shelby F Sullivan
- 👤 Robert H Hearn
- 👤 Michael S Ball
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:55
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C13/00; B66C13/18; B66C13/22; B66C13/23; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S254/00; Y10S254/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A winch control system, for controlling a winch stationed on a vessel, used for stabilizing a load, which is connectable by a cable to a traction unit driven by a prime mover, at a constant depth below the means surface of the sea irrespective of the vertical motion of the vessel due to wave action, comprising: a cable dynamics sensor connectable to the cable between the traction unit and the load, for generating two output signals, one signal being proportional to the depth of the sensor and the other signal being proportional to the velocity of the sensor relative to the vessel; a tachometer, connectable to the traction unit, for producing a signal which is proportional to the velocity of the cable relative to the vessel; a depth-velocity summing circuit connected to the cable dynamics sensor and adapted to be connected to a sensor depth order signal generated by a control console on the vessel, for summing the sensor depth and depth order signals, and connected to the cable dynamics sensor and tachometer for summing the sensor velocity and cable velocity signals, and then summing the two depth and velocity signals to produce an output control signal; and a torque control adapted to be connected from the output of the depth-velocity summing circuit to the prime mover, for developing a torque signal proportional to the control signal, to cause the traction unit to null the control signal, thereby controlling the load position and velocity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
A winch control system, for controlling a winch stationed on a vessel, used for stabilizing a load, which is connectable by a cable to a traction unit driven by a prime mover, at a constant depth below the means surface of the sea irrespective of the vertical motion of the vessel due to wave action, comprising: a cable dynamics sensor connectable to the cable between the traction unit and the load, for generating two output signals, one signal being proportional to the depth of the sensor and the other signal being proportional to the velocity of the sensor relative to the vessel; a tachometer, connectable to the traction unit, for producing a signal which is proportional to the velocity of the cable relative to the vessel; a depth-velocity summing circuit connected to the cable dynamics sensor and adapted to be connected to a sensor depth order signal generated by a control console on the vessel, for summing the sensor depth and depth order signals, and connected to the cable dynamics sensor and tachometer for summing the sensor velocity and cable velocity signals, and then summing the two depth and velocity signals to produce an output control signal; and a torque control adapted to be connected from the output of the depth-velocity summing circuit to the prime mover, for developing a torque signal proportional to the control signal, to cause the traction unit to null the control signal, thereby controlling the load position and velocity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A winch control system according to claim 1, wherein the depth-velocity summing circuit consists of three summers:
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
a velocity summer, whose two inputs are the signal from the tachometer and the sensor velocity signal, for generating an output velocity error signal; and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
a velocity summer, whose two inputs are the signal from the tachometer and the sensor velocity signal, for generating an output velocity error signal; and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
A winch control system according to claim 2, further comprising the following elements mounted on the vessel: a cable tension monitoring system which includes a load cell which makes contact with and senses the tension in the cable; a high-low threshold device, connected to the load cell, which senses when the cable tension is not within a desired range; and a braking device, connected to the cable and connected to and controlled by the high-low threshold device, which brakes the cable when the tension is too low or when the tension is too high, to avoid slack cable and/or broken cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
a depth-velocity summer, having as its two inputs the depth and velocity output error signals, for generating the output control signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
a depth-velocity summer, having as its two inputs the depth and velocity output error signals, for generating the output control signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A winch control system according to claim 2, further comprising: the traction unit, mounted on the vessel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A winch control system according to claim 4, wherein the traction unit further comprises: a pair of capstans grooved for accepting the cable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A winch control system according to claim 5, further comprising: the prime mover, 1 on the vessel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
A winch control system according to claim 6, wherein the prime mover further comprises the following elements mounted on the vessel: a hydraulic motor with proportional torque control, connected to and controlled by the output of the torque control; and a gear reduction box, connected to and driven by the hydraulic motor, whose output is connected to capstans.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |