Patent ID: 7246712
Filing Date: 2007-07-24
Classification: A01G,B66C

Abstract:
1. A logging system comprising: a skyline cable for extending between a landing and a securement device at a distance from the landing; a towline cable; a carriage riding on said skyline cable; a grapple suspended from said carriage, wherein said grapple has an opened and a closed position; the towline cable being connected to said grapple, and adapted to move the grapple from said open position to said closed position in addition to being adapted to pull the carriage to the landing; wherein the carriage comprises a hydraulic skyline brake configured to stop movement of the carriage relative to the skyline, a hydraulic towline brake configured to stop movement of the towline relative to the carriage, and a hydraulic fluid system configured to automatically release said skyline brake when said towline brake is applied and to automatically release said towline brake when said skyline brake hydraulic is applied; wherein the skyline brake and the towline brake each comprise a hydraulic ram, and the hydraulic fluid system comprises a double-solenoid valve that directs hydraulic fluid flow to the rams of both the skyline brake and the towline brake to both shorten and length said rams, said double-solenoid valve being controlled by a radio control device comprising a transmitter at said landing and a receiver in the carriage; wherein the carriage further comprises an electronics unit operatively connecting the receiver to said double-solenoid valve to release the skyline brake and apply the towline brake upon a towline-braking-signal from the transmitter to said receiver; wherein the carriage further comprises a bi-directional hydraulic motor, a first motor solenoid valve and a second motor solenoid valve which are both supplied with hydraulic fluid from the lengthening chamber of the towline brake ram when said towline brake is applied in response to said towline-braking signal; and said electronics unit comprises a first relay, a second relay, and a sequence-relay; wherein said first relay is configured to direct current, in response to said towline-braking signal, to the double-solenoid valve to release said skyline brake and apply the towline brake and also to direct current to the sequence relay; wherein said sequence relay is configured to direct current to the first motor solenoid valve in response to a first transmission of the towline-braking signal from the transmitter to the receiver, and to direct current to the second motor solenoid valve upon a second transmission of the towline-braking signal from the transmitter to the receiver; and wherein the first motor solenoid valve is adapted to direct hydraulic fluid to the motor in a first direction to rotate the grapple, and wherein the second motor solenoid valve is adapted to direct hydraulic fluid to the motor in a second direction to rotate the grapple in a reverse direction.