Patent US3661090A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3661090A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lateral load transfer
Assignee: Department of National Defence
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Filing: 1970-01-09
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Granted: 1972-05-09
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Expires: 1990-01-09
Abstract
Abstract This application discloses a system for transferring loads laterally between two ships at sea. It makes use of a modification of the known ''''high line'''' wire which carries a traveller supporting the load and is moved to and fro by ''''outhaul'''' and ''''inhaul'''' wires attached to the traveller. In the modification, a single cable is used which acts as the high wire and returns round a pulley as the ''''low wire'''' being anchored at the traveller. The low wire can be divided at the traveller if desired. The ''''loose'''' end of the lower wire is wound on a winch which serves to transfer the load. The geometry of the wires at the traveller tends to keep the load at a constant distance above the water despite relative movements of the two ships.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald Y Martin
- 👤 John Murray Vines
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:45
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B27/00; B63B27/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
382 words
Means for the lateral transfer of bodies from a first station to a second station, comPrising: a. at the first station: i. a first reversible winch; ii. first drive means for the said first winch; iii. a second reversible winch; iv. second drive means, completely independent of the first drive means, for the said second winch; v. a first pulley; b. at the second station: a second pulley; c. a first length of cable extending from the first winch over the first pulley to the second pulley; d. a traveller carriage carried the part of this length of cable which extends between the first pulley and the second pulley; e. a second length of cable extending from the second winch to the traveller carriage; f. at the first station automatic control means associated with the first reversible winch and adapted automatically to maintain a substantially constant tension in the first length of cable; g. at the first station, manually operated control means associated with the second reversible winch, and by operation of which the traveller carriage can be moved between the first station and the second station; h. a cable accumulator effective to absorb snatch loads in the first length of cable comprising: i. first pulley means; ii. second pulley means; iii. a part of the first length of cable between the first winch and the first pulley operatively wrapped around both pulley means; iv. means biassing the two pulley means apart in a manner tensioning the said part of the first length of cable; i. a first transducer associated with a first segment of the first length of cable between the first winch and the cable accumulator arranged to provide as output an indication of the velocity of this segment of the cable; j. a second transducer associated with a second segment of the first length of cable between the cable accumulator and the first pulley arranged to provide as output an indication of the velocity of this segment of the cable; k. comparison means arranged to compare the outputs of the two transducers, the comparison means being arranged to effect a control of the speed and direction of operation of the first winch such as to tend to restore the equality of the velocities of said first and second segments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
382 words
Means for the lateral transfer of bodies from a first station to a second station, comPrising: a. at the first station: i. a first reversible winch; ii. first drive means for the said first winch; iii. a second reversible winch; iv. second drive means, completely independent of the first drive means, for the said second winch; v. a first pulley; b. at the second station: a second pulley; c. a first length of cable extending from the first winch over the first pulley to the second pulley; d. a traveller carriage carried the part of this length of cable which extends between the first pulley and the second pulley; e. a second length of cable extending from the second winch to the traveller carriage; f. at the first station automatic control means associated with the first reversible winch and adapted automatically to maintain a substantially constant tension in the first length of cable; g. at the first station, manually operated control means associated with the second reversible winch, and by operation of which the traveller carriage can be moved between the first station and the second station; h. a cable accumulator effective to absorb snatch loads in the first length of cable comprising: i. first pulley means; ii. second pulley means; iii. a part of the first length of cable between the first winch and the first pulley operatively wrapped around both pulley means; iv. means biassing the two pulley means apart in a manner tensioning the said part of the first length of cable; i. a first transducer associated with a first segment of the first length of cable between the first winch and the cable accumulator arranged to provide as output an indication of the velocity of this segment of the cable; j. a second transducer associated with a second segment of the first length of cable between the cable accumulator and the first pulley arranged to provide as output an indication of the velocity of this segment of the cable; k. comparison means arranged to compare the outputs of the two transducers, the comparison means being arranged to effect a control of the speed and direction of operation of the first winch such as to tend to restore the equality of the velocities of said first and second segments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
Means for the lateral transfer of bodies according to claim 1, and in which: a. a substantially constant speed electric motor is provided; b. a hydraulic pump is arranged to be driven by that motor; c. a hydraulic motor is arranged to be supplied by the hydraulic pump and to drive the first winch; and d. means to vary the flow of hydraulic fluid between the pump and the hydraulic motor automatically in a manner tending to keep the tension in the two lengths of cable constant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The means of claim 2 including means to automatically measure the tension in the first length of the cable and means connecting said tension sensing means to control said flow varying means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
Means for the lateral transfer of bodies according to claim 2, and in which: a. tension measuring means are arranged to provide a signal indicative of the tension in the first length of cable; and b. flow controlling means arranged to control the flow of hydraulic fluid between the pump and the hydraulic motor are operated in accordance with the said signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
Means for the lateral transfer of bodies according to claim 4, and in which: a. supporting means are provided for the first pulley; and b. the tension measuring means includes an electromechanical transducer arranged to measure distortion of the supporting means and thus the tension in the first cable length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The means of claim 1 including: a. means to automatically measure the tension in the first length of cable; b. means to apply said tension measuring means to control the direction and speed of rotation of the first winch so as to keep the cable tension constant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
Means for the lateral transfer of bodies according to claim 1, and including: a. a first set of pulleYs; b. a second set of pulleys; c. a part of the first length of cable between the first winch and the first pulley operatively wrapped round both sets of pulleys; d. means biassing the two sets of pulleys apart in a manner tensioning the said part of the first length cable; the sets of pulleys and the biassing means forming together a cable accumulator effective to absorb snatch loads in the first length of cable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
147 words
Means for the lateral transfer of bodies according to claim 7, and in which: a. a first transducer associated with the part of the first length of cable between the first winch and the cable accumulator is arranged to provide as output an electrical indication of the velocity of this part of the cable; b. a second transducer associated with the part of the first length of cable between the cable accumulator and the first pulley is arranged to provide as output an electrical indication of the velocity of this part of the cable; c. comparison means are arranged to compare the outputs of the two transducers; and d. the comparison means are arranged to effect a control of the speed and direction of operation of the first winch such as to tend to restore the equality of the velocities of these two parts of the cable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-09 | 1975-11-08 | 1976-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-09 | 1979-11-08 | 1980-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-09 | 1983-11-08 | 1984-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |