Patent ID: 7487954
Filing Date: 2009-02-10
Classification: B63B,B66D,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A transmission for coupling a motor to a winch drum, the motor having a primary energy dissipation system configured to dissipate energy from the motor during line payout from the winch drum, the transmission comprising: a clutch for selectively coupling the motor to the winch drum and allowing slip; a supplemental energy dissipation system operably coupled to dissipate energy from the clutch during slip; and a control system for accommodating high-speed dynamic line payout, said control system having a settable transition point and configured to (1) fully engage the clutch unless a payout speed causes the transition point to be exceeded and (2) allow the clutch to slip when the payout speed causes the transition point to be exceeded, the supplemental energy dissipation system supplementing the primary energy dissipation when the clutch is allowed to slip.