Patent Application
20190276284
The present invention relates to a device for maintaining tension on a wire rope and, more particularly, to a tension device for maintaining tension on a wire rope or cable that rides a winch drum.
Cable-based systems adapted to move cargo utilizing winches and/or pulley assemblies are susceptible to slack in the wire rope backlashing on the drum, preventing further pay out of the wire rope off the drum. Backlashing is usually caused by the absence of an overhauling load on the wire rope during some phase of winch operation.
Backlashing is a hazard to equipment during all winch-based systems, and is a serious hazard to personnel during replenishment activities at sea when the wire rope is connected between two ships, as any increase in separation distance between the two ships may result in increased tension on the wire rope.
As can be seen, there is a need for an affordable tension device for maintaining tension on a wire rope of a cable-based lifting system.
In one aspect of the present invention, a tension device for maintaining tension of a wire rope of a cable-based lifting system includes an elongated casting weight extending from a first and to a second end, defining an elongated ratio of a length to a width; and a sheave couple to the first end.
In another aspect of the present invention, the tension device for maintaining tension of a wire rope of a cable-based lifting system includes an elongated casting weight extending from a first and to a second end, defining an elongated ratio of a length to a width of approximately 3:1, wherein the length ranges between 13 and 15, and wherein the casting weight has a mass in the range of 13 and 15 inches; a sheave couple to the first end; and a clevis interconnecting the first end and the sheave.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an affordable tension device for maintaining tension on a wire rope of a cable-based lifting system. The tension device has an elongated casting weight adapted to govern the casting weight as it rides along a predetermined wire rope for maintaining tension thereon. The tension device provides a clevis with a sheave for operatively associating with the tension wire rope.
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A method of using the present invention may include the following. The tension device 10 disclosed above may be provided. A user would slack down the wire rope 22 on the winch 16 to operatively associate the tension device 10 via the interconnecting member 33 to the wire rope 22. The elongated ratio of the casting weight 30 facilitates the casting weight 30 travelling in a controlled manner along the wire rope 22 when tensioned. The elongated ratio causes the casting weight 30 to experience drag as it rides the wire rope 22, controlling (slowing) the ride of the tension device 10 along the wire rope 22, thereby preventing the tension device 10 from overshooting the optimal location along the wire rope 22 for maintaining tension thereon.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
