阅读说明：本技术 救援绞车缆绳角度超出检测布置 (Rescue winch cable angle exceeding detection arrangement ) 是由 D.R.洛佩斯 B.玛格索迪 Z.利马斯 S.D.马克恩 于 2019-07-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种缆绳角度超出检测布置。所述缆绳角度超出检测布置可包括壳体,其具有在其中延伸且限定轴线的孔,所述孔被配置成允许缆绳从所述壳体的第一端延伸通过所述壳体,其中所述缆绳与所述轴线对齐,延伸到所述壳体的第二端。所述缆绳角度超出检测布置可包括检测构件,其耦接到所述壳体并且被配置成在所述壳体的所述第二端处在所述轴线与所述缆绳之间限定的偏离角超出选定值时被所述缆绳接触。(A cable angle out-of-detection arrangement is provided. The cable angle excess detection arrangement may include a housing having an aperture extending therein and defining an axis, the aperture configured to allow a cable to extend through the housing from a first end of the housing, wherein the cable is aligned with the axis, extending to a second end of the housing. The cable angle excess detection arrangement may include a detection member coupled to the housing and configured to be contacted by the cable when an angle of deviation defined between the axis and the cable at the second end of the housing exceeds a selected value.)

1. A cable angle excess detection arrangement comprising:

a housing having a bore extending therein and defining an axis, the bore configured to allow a cable to extend through the housing from a first end of the housing, wherein the cable is aligned with the axis, extending to a second end of the housing; and

a detection member coupled to the housing and configured to be contacted by the cable when an offset angle defined between the axis and the cable at the second end of the housing exceeds a selected value.

2. The cable angle excess detection arrangement of claim 1, wherein said detection member comprises an electrically conductive material.

3. The cable angle excess detection arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a shroud located downstream of at least a portion of the detection member.

4. The cable angle excess detection arrangement of claim 3, further comprising an insulator disposed between said detection member and said cover.

5. The cable angle excess detection arrangement of claim 1, further comprising an anti-rotation feature coupled to said detection member, wherein said anti-rotation feature comprises a first tab and a second tab, wherein said first tab and said second tab are coupled to said detection member.

6. The cable angular override detection arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a wiring assembly coupled to the detection member and disposed between the detection member and a display assembly, wherein contact between the cable and the detection member initiates a signal sent from the wiring assembly to the display assembly.

7. A winch system, comprising:

a fuselage mechanically coupled to the winch assembly;

a cable disposed between the winch assembly and the hook assembly;

a cable angle excess detection arrangement, wherein the cable angle excess detection arrangement comprises:

a housing comprising a first end and a second end;

a payout disposed within the housing and including apertures within an inner surface and disposed at first and second ends of the payout;

a detection member coupled to the housing;

a wiring assembly coupled to and disposed between the detection member and the controller, wherein the controller is coupled with a display assembly via a communication assembly.

8. The winch system of claim 7, wherein the detection member comprises an electrically conductive material.

9. The winch system of claim 7, wherein the cable angle excess detection arrangement further comprises a shroud located downstream of at least a portion of the detection member.

10. The winch system of claim 9, wherein the cable angle excess detection arrangement further comprises an insulator disposed between the detection member and the cover.

11. The winch system of claim 7, wherein the cable angle excess detection arrangement further comprises an anti-rotation feature coupled to the detection member, wherein the anti-rotation feature comprises a first tab and a second tab, wherein the first tab and the second tab are coupled to the detection member.

12. The winch system of claim 7, wherein contact between the cable and the detection member initiates a signal sent from the wiring assembly to the display assembly.

13. The winch system of claim 7, wherein a diameter of a first end of the payout is smaller than a diameter of a second end of the payout.

14. A method of detecting when a slip angle of a drawworks system exceeds a selected value, comprising:

aligning a portion of the load-carrying cable with an axis of the bore in the housing;

moving the cable to create an angle of departure defined by the cable and the axis; and

contacting a detection member with the cable when the deviation angle exceeds a selected value.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising detecting the contact via the wiring assembly; in response to the wiring assembly detecting the contact, sending a signal from the wiring assembly to a display assembly; displaying an override indicator on the display component in response to the display component detecting the signal.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to cable winches and, more particularly, to a rescue winch assembly having a cable angle out detection arrangement.

Background

Winches and winches are commonly used on aircraft and ships to pull, lift and lower heavy loads. The slip angle is the angle between the alignment center axis (i.e., where the cable hangs in a drawworks when no force other than gravity is acting thereon) and the cable. An aircraft operator may need to accurately determine whether the angle of departure of the cable exceeds a certain value. Maintaining a safe slip angle may prevent excessive loading on the winches and/or the aircraft. After notifying that the slip angle exceeds a certain value, the aircraft operator may adjust the speed or position of the aircraft.

Disclosure of Invention

According to various embodiments, a cable angle excess detection arrangement is provided. The cable angle excess detection arrangement may include a housing having an aperture extending therein and defining an axis, the aperture configured to allow the cable to extend from a first end of the housing through the housing with the cable aligned with the axis extending to a second end of the housing. The cable angle excess detection arrangement may include a detection member coupled to the housing and configured to be contacted by the cable when an angle of departure defined between the axis and the cable at the second end of the housing exceeds a selected value. According to various embodiments, the detection member may comprise an electrically conductive material. According to various embodiments, the cable angle out-of-detection arrangement may comprise a shroud located downstream of at least a portion of the detection member. According to various embodiments, the cable angle out of detection arrangement may comprise an insulator disposed between the detection member and the cover. According to various embodiments, the cable angle out of detection arrangement may include an anti-rotation feature coupled to the detection member. According to various embodiments, the anti-rotation feature comprises a first tab and a second tab, wherein the first tab and the second tab are coupled to the detection member. According to various embodiments, the cable angle excess detection arrangement may include a wiring assembly coupled to the detection member and disposed between the detection member and the display assembly. According to various embodiments, contact between the cable and the detection member may initiate a signal sent from the wiring assembly to the display assembly.

According to various embodiments, a drawworks system is described herein. The winch system may include a fuselage mechanically coupled to a winch assembly. The winch system may include a cable disposed between the winch assembly and the hook assembly. The winch system may include a cable angle out detection arrangement. The cable angle out of detection arrangement may comprise: a housing comprising a first end and a second end; a payout disposed within the housing and including apertures within the inner surface and disposed at the first and second ends of the payout. The cable angle excess detection arrangement may also include a detection member coupled to the housing. The cable angle excess detection arrangement may also include a wiring assembly coupled to and disposed between the detection member and the controller, wherein the controller is coupled with the display assembly via the communication assembly. According to various embodiments, the detection member may comprise an electrically conductive material. According to various embodiments, the cable angle out-of-detection arrangement may comprise a shroud located downstream of at least a portion of the detection member. According to various embodiments, the cable angle out of detection arrangement may comprise an insulator disposed between the detection member and the cover. According to various embodiments, the cable angle out of detection arrangement may include an anti-rotation feature coupled to the detection member. According to various embodiments, the anti-rotation feature comprises a first tab and a second tab, wherein the first tab and the second tab are coupled to the detection member. According to various embodiments, the cable angle out detection arrangement may include a cable positioned between the first end of the housing and the detection member, wherein contact between the cable and the detection member initiates a signal sent from the wiring assembly to the display assembly. According to various embodiments, the diameter of the first end of the payout may be smaller than the diameter of the second end of the payout.

According to various embodiments, a method of detecting when a slip angle of a drawworks system exceeds a selected value is described. In various embodiments, the method may include aligning a portion of the load-bearing cable with an axis of the bore in the housing. In various embodiments, the method may include translating the cable to produce an angle of departure defined by the cable and the axis. In various embodiments, the method may include contacting the detection member with the cable when the deviation angle exceeds a selected value. In various implementations, the method may include sending a signal from the wiring assembly to the display assembly in response to the cable contacting the detection member. In various embodiments, the wiring assembly can be coupled with the detection member. In various embodiments, the method may include detecting a signal on a display component. In various implementations, the method may include displaying an out-of-range indicator on the display component in response to the display component detecting the signal.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusion, unless explicitly stated otherwise. These features and elements and their operation will become more apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the following description and the accompanying drawings are intended to be illustrative in nature, and not restrictive.

Drawings

The subject matter which is regarded as the disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may be best obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a mechanically coupled winch assembly, hook assembly and cable angle out detection arrangement according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cover and a detection member of a cable angle out of detection arrangement according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a cable angle excess detection arrangement, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a cable angle excess detection arrangement, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cable angle out-of-detection arrangement according to various embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a system for signaling contact between a cable and a detection member, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 7A shows a schematic diagram of a circuit used in a cable angle out detection arrangement, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 7B illustrates a schematic diagram of a circuit used in a cable angle out detection arrangement, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of a process for manufacturing a cable angle excess detection assembly in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart of a process for manufacturing a cable angle excess detection assembly in accordance with various embodiments; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow chart of a method of detecting when a slip angle of a drawworks system exceeds a selected value, in accordance with various embodiments.

Detailed Description

The detailed description of various embodiments herein refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of illustration various embodiments. Although these various embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical, chemical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the specific embodiments herein are presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any method or process description may be performed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to a singular includes a plurality of embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Further, any reference to attached, secured, connected, etc., can include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, complete, and/or any other feasible attachment option. In the drawings, surface shading may be used to indicate different parts, but does not necessarily indicate the same or different materials. In some cases, reference coordinates may be specific to each figure.

The winch load sensor and system of the present disclosure can accurately measure the load transmitted into the aircraft fuselage by the winch. The strain sensor measures strain or tension in a guide element in the drawworks. The signal from the strain gauge may then be processed and converted to determine the slip angle of the rescue winch cable.

Referring now to fig. 1, a system 100 is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. The winch system 100 includes a winch assembly 104. The winch assembly 104 may be directly coupled to the fuselage 102 or mechanically coupled to a boom that is mechanically coupled to the fuselage 102. In various embodiments, the winch assembly 104 may include a drum 107 and a cable angle excess detection arrangement (hereinafter "catda") 110.

The cable 106 may be wound on a drum 107 within the winch assembly 104 and released or retracted based on the rotation of the drum 107. The cable 106 may thus be suspended at different distances from the winch assembly 104 and the fuselage 102. The hook assembly 108 may be coupled to the cable 106 at a free end of the cable opposite the winch assembly 104. The hook assembly 108 may be suspended from the winch assembly 104 by the cable 106 and carry a load 109. In various embodiments, the load 109 may be coupled directly to the cable 106.

The cable 106 may extend from the winch assembly 104 along an axis a. Axis a may include where cable 106 is suspended when no force other than gravity acts thereon. The cable 106 and the winch assembly 104 may oscillate and/or translate relative to the axis a. The angle between the cable 106 and the axis a is referred to as the slip angle B. The slip angle B may be caused in part by the tension on the cable 106 caused by the load 109. The load 109 may cause the cable 106 to translate relative to the axis a, thereby causing the slip angle B. The slip angle B may be increased or decreased by changing the position of the load 109 and/or the position, speed, or velocity of the fuselage 102.

In various embodiments and referring to fig. 2-4, a cadaa 110 is shown. The cadout may include a housing 112 and a payout (payout) 120. The housing 112 may include an aperture 114, the aperture 114 being at least partially disposed within an inner wall 116 of the housing and spanning from a first end 118 to a second end 119 of the housing. In other words, the aperture 114 may be disposed within the housing from the first end 118 to the second end 119. The bore 114 may define an axis a. The cable 106 may be aligned with the axis a at the first end 118 of the housing 112.

The payout 120 may include a first end 122 and a second end 124. The payout 120 may include an aperture 126 disposed in an inner surface 128 and spanning from the first end 122 to the second end 124. The diameter D of the hole 126 at the first end 122 may be less than the diameter D' of the hole 126 at the second end 124. The cable 106 may be disposed within the aperture 126 between the drum 107 and the hook assembly 108. The cable 106 may move laterally within the bore 126 depending on various factors, such as movement of the fuselage 102 or the load 109. The cable 106 may contact the inner surface 128.

In various embodiments, the cada 110 may include a detection component 130. The detection member 130 may be disposed radially outward of at least a portion of the second end 124 of the payout 120. Sensing member 130 may be coupled with insulator 140 along upstream surface 132 and downstream surface 134 of sensing member 130. The detection member 130 may be disposed downstream of the second end 124 of the payout 120 and include an aperture 136 disposed within a surface 138 of the detection member 130. The aperture 136 may have a diameter D 'or may have a diameter greater than D'. The sensing member 130 may include a metal or other conductive material.

The sensing member 130 may be coupled with the insulator 140. The insulator 140 may be disposed between the sensing member 130 and the cover 150. As shown in fig. 4, the insulator 140 may be disposed radially outward of the sensing member 130. The insulator 140 may prevent the sensing member 130 from contacting a metal object other than the wiring assembly 180. Referring to fig. 2, the cover 150 may be coupled with the downstream surface 142 of the insulator 140 at the second end 124 of the rope payout 120. The cover 150 may be coupled to the housing 112 to secure the contents of the cada 110 in place. The downstream surface 152 of the shroud 150 may comprise aluminum or other material configured to withstand the impact of the load 109 or the hook assembly 108.

In various implementations, and with reference to fig. 4, the cada 110 may include an anti-rotation feature 145. The anti-rotation feature 145 may be coupled with the detection member 130 to prevent rotation of the detection member 130 relative to the cada 110. In various embodiments, the anti-rotation feature 145 may be coupled with the insulator 140. In various embodiments, the anti-rotation feature 145 may be integral with the insulator 140. In various embodiments, the anti-rotation feature 145 can include a first tab 147 and a second tab 149. The first and second tabs 147, 149 may be coupled with the detection member 130 to prevent rotation of the detection member 130 relative to the cadaa 110. In various embodiments, the cadaa 110 can include a plurality of anti-rotation features 145, a first tab 147, and a second tab 149. For example, the cada 110 may include two of an anti-rotation feature 145, a first tab 147, and a second tab 149 disposed about the cada 110.

In various implementations and referring to fig. 2 and 5, the cadaa 110 includes a spring 165 and a spring 170. The spring 165 may hold the second end 124 of the payout 120 in place. The spring 170 may help to hold the sensing member 130 in place.

In various implementations and referring to fig. 5, the cable 106 can exit the cada 110 along axis a' and contact at least one of the inner surface 128 or the detection member 130. The detection member 130 may be configured to be contacted by the cable 106 when the deviation angle B at the second end 119 of the housing 112 exceeds a selected value. The sensing member 130 may be configured to be contacted by the cable 106 when the load 109 causes the tension in the cable 106 to produce a certain value of the slip angle B. For example, the detection member 130 may be positioned so as to be contacted by the cable 106 when the deviation angle B exceeds thirty degrees. Upon contact with the cable 106, a portion of the detection member 130 may translate upstream such that the distance between the detection member 130 and the shroud 150 may increase by an included distance C. Moving to the distance C may reduce friction and damage to the sensing member 130 due to contact with the cable 106.

In various embodiments, the cada 110 may include a routing component 180. The wiring assembly 180 may supply a voltage to the sensing member 130. The wiring assembly 180 may be coupled with the detection member 130 at the contact feature 185 and transmit a contact signal 184 to the controller 200 if the cable 106 is in contact with the detection member 130. For example, if the hook assembly 108 translates such that the angle B exceeds a selected value, such as 30 degrees, the cable 106 may come into contact with the inner surface 128 and/or the detection member 130.

As further discussed in fig. 6-7, when the cable 106 contacts the detection member 130, a signal 184 may be transmitted from the wiring assembly 180 to the controller 200. Controller 200 may include various circuit configurations, such as circuit 600 and circuit 700. Controller 200 may be coupled with housing 112. Controller 200 may generate output 250 or output 350. Controller 200 may communicate signal output 250 or output 350 with display component 186 via communication component 188. Upon receiving either output 250 or output 350, display component 186 can display an override indicator 190. The communication component 188 may include radio frequency signals or wiring. In various embodiments, the display component 186 may include hardware and/or software configured to display the contact signal 184. Display assembly 186 may be located on body 102 or housing 112.

Referring to fig. 7A, a schematic diagram of a circuit 600 used in the cable angle detection arrangement 110 is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. The circuit 600 may be coupled to the body 102 or the housing 112. When the cable 106 contacts the sensing member 130, the switch 610 closes, completing an electrical circuit, allowing current to flow through the anode of the opto-isolator 620. The circuit path may be conducted through the anode portion of opto-isolator 620. The current flowing through the opto-isolator will activate the transistors within the opto-isolator to produce a logic level output 250 that can be detected. The output 250 may be used to alert the drawworks logic to exceed a certain slip angle. The output 250 may be communicated to the display component 186 via the communication component 188, which may indicate that the slip angle has been exceeded. In various embodiments, at least two voltage sources are used to keep the drawworks logic circuit independent of the detection circuit and to keep the cable circuit as isolated as possible from the logic circuit. The use of voltage source 640 and voltage source 650 provides high dielectric isolation between the sensing circuit and the logic circuit. The voltage source 640 may comprise a voltage source, such as a DC-to-DC converter, that will provide a high degree of galvanic isolation of the low voltage circuitry for detection. The voltage source 650 may run the logic of the drawworks and use a separate DC to DC converter. The presence of resistor 660 and resistor 670 limits the amount of current that can be pulled through opto-isolator 620.

Referring to fig. 7B, a schematic diagram of a circuit 700 for use in a cable angle detection arrangement is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. The circuit 700 may be located within the body 102. Similar to fig. 6, if the cable 106 is in contact with the detection member 130, the electrically complete circuit allows current to flow from the voltage source 710 through the anode of the optocoupler 720. The current flowing through the optocoupler 720 will enable the output 350, which can be detected by the display component 186. Output 350 may be communicated to display component 186 via communication component 188, which may indicate that the divergence angle is exceeded. In various embodiments, the protection component 740 may clamp excess energy caused by a lightning strike or other event that causes electrostatic discharge or electromagnetic interference. The protection assembly 740 includes a transient absorber assembly 742 between the resistors R1-R4. The transient absorber component 742 clamps the excess voltage and the resistors R1-R4 may limit the amount of current that will flow in the circuit. The protection component 740 may allow current to flow through the circuit to operate the optocoupler 720. Connector 750 may be present to allow connection or disconnection of the system.

Referring to fig. 8-9, a method 800 of manufacturing a cable angle excess detection assembly is shown. In various embodiments, the method may include coupling an insulator to a housing (step 810). In various embodiments, the method can include mounting a detection member to an insulator (step 820). In various embodiments, the method may include mounting a cover to a housing (step 830). In various embodiments, the method can include coupling a wiring assembly to the detection member and the controller (step 840). In various embodiments, the method may include coupling a controller to a display assembly (step 850). In various embodiments, the method may include disposing a cable through the housing structure (step 860).

In various embodiments, a method 900 of manufacturing a cable angle out of detection assembly is shown. In various embodiments, the method may include coupling an anti-rotation feature to the detection member (step 825). In various embodiments, the anti-rotation feature comprises a first tab and a second tab, wherein the first tab and the second tab are coupled to the contact ring. In various embodiments, the anti-rotation feature is integrally formed with the insulator.

Referring to FIG. 10, a method 950 of detecting when the slip angle of the drawworks system exceeds a selected value is shown. In various embodiments, the method may include aligning a portion of a load-bearing cable with an axis of a bore in a housing (step 952). In various embodiments, the method may include translating the cable to produce an angle of departure defined by the cable and the axis (step 954). In various embodiments, the method may include contacting the sensing member with the cable when the slip angle exceeds a selected value (step 956). In various embodiments, the method may include detecting contact via a wiring component (step 958). In various embodiments, the method may include sending a signal from the wiring assembly to the display assembly in response to the wiring assembly detecting the contact (step 960). In various embodiments, the method may include displaying an excess indicator on the display component in response to the display component detecting the signal (step 962).

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent example functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more. Furthermore, where a phrase similar to "A, B or at least one of C" is used in the claims, the phrase is intended to be interpreted to mean that there may be a alone in one embodiment, B alone in one embodiment, C alone in one embodiment, or any combination of elements A, B and C in a single embodiment; for example, a and B, A and C, B and C, or a and B and C. Different hatching is used throughout the figures to indicate different parts, but not necessarily the same or different materials.

Systems, methods, and devices are provided herein. In particular embodiments herein, references to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "various embodiments," etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading this description, it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. Unless the phrase "means for. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.