Patent Application
20140264212
The disclosure is generally related to a motorized winch apparatus for positioning a load. More particularly, the disclosure includes a motorized winch apparatus capable of variable torque/speed configurations for manipulating staging equipment.
At events such as concerts or theatre productions, winches are commonly used for support, movement and manipulation of performers and various equipment, such as, lighting, sound, scenery and props. Winches are selected based on specifications such as the weight of a load to be moved and the speed at which the load must be moved. Winches with higher torque are needed for heavier loads; however, higher torque winches have lower speeds at which the load may be moved in order to provide the higher torque. Winches with higher speeds are needed for loads which must be moved quickly; however, high speed winches sacrifice torque in order to provide the higher speed. Winches are generally only suitable to provide a particular combination of torque and speed (high torque/low speed, intermediate torque/intermediate speed, or high speed/low torque). As such, additional winches must be kept on hand in the event that a different torque/speed profile is needed. Keeping additional winches on hand is an expensive proposition, as the cost of the spare winches must be considered as well as the cost of maintenance of the spare winches.
What is needed is a winch apparatus and method of adjusting a winch apparatus that do not suffer from one or more of the above drawbacks in the art.
An aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure includes a system that provides a winch apparatus for manipulating loads associated with public performances, such as performers and staging equipment.
In an exemplary embodiment, a winch apparatus is provided. The winch apparatus includes a gear set and a motor. The gear set includes a first gear having a first diameter and a second gear having a second diameter. The first diameter and the second diameter have a ratio. The motor is operative through a drive belt to provide a torque that translates a length of at least one flexible line at a linear speed. The torque and the linear speed are adjustable by altering the ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter.
In a further exemplary embodiment, a method for adjusting torque and speed of a winch apparatus is provided. The method includes providing the winch apparatus, removing at least one of the first gear and the second gear from the winch, and replacing the removed first or second gear with a replacement gear. The winch apparatus includes a gear set and a motor. The gear set includes a first gear having a first diameter and a second gear having a second diameter, the first diameter and the second diameter having a ratio and a motor. The motor is operative through a drive belt to provide a torque that translates a length of at least one flexible line at a linear speed. The torque and the linear speed are adjustable by altering the ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter removing at least one of the first gear and the second gear from the winch. The step of replacing the removed first or second gear with the replacement gear alters the ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter.
Further aspects of the method and system are disclosed herein. The features as discussed above, as well as other features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.
Winches are used to create a variety of effects in the entertainment industry, such as, but not limited to, flying cameras, flying people or objects, lifting people or objects, suspending and moving lighting or other staging equipment.
When first gear 402 and second gear 410 are selected such that first diameter 416 and second diameter 418 are about the same (i.e., the ratio of first diameter 416 to second diameter 418 is about 1:1) (see
When first gear 402 and second gear 410 are selected such that first diameter 416 is about one-half of second diameter 418 (i.e., the ratio of first diameter 416 to second diameter 418 is about 1:2) (see
When first gear 402 and second gear 410 are selected such that first diameter 416 is about double second diameter 418 (i.e., the ratio of first diameter 416 to second diameter 418 is about 2:1) (see
The foregoing embodiments and preferred embodiments present load weights and linear speeds based on motor 104 operating at 100% rated current and speed as well as a safety factor for flexible line 108. Greater load weights and linear speeds are enabled by improving the material characteristics of flexible line 108 and rated power of motor 104, as well as by providing greater than 100% of the rated current for motor 104 or exceeding 100% of the rated speed, which is possible for some periods of time. However, exceeding normal operating parameters must be at the discretion of the operator with a view to governing safety regulations.
By selecting first gear 402 and second gear 410 to result in different ratios of first diameter 416 to second diameter 418, the torque/speed profile is adjustable to fine-tune winch apparatus 100 for a wide variety of specific needs, including ensuring that the maximum speed is available for moving a particular load with a particular weight. Ratio of diameters between first gear 402 and second gear 410 is varied by substituting either first gear 402 or second gear 410 with a replacement gear having a predetermined diameter. The predetermined diameter is greater than or less than that of the removed first gear 402 or second gear 410, depending on the desired torque/speed profile.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the present application, as shown in the various exemplary embodiments, is illustrative only. Only certain features and embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in the application and many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters (e.g., temperatures, pressures, etc.), mounting arrangements, use of materials, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described (i.e., those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out the invention, or those unrelated to enabling the claimed invention). It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.
