Patent Description:
Cables, chains, cords, fiber, ropes, and/or other types of extendible, flexible, and/or retractable lines (collectively referred to herein generally as a cable or wire-rope) can be wound onto and/or off a cable drum (also referred to herein as a drum or a take-up drum) by action of a motor and drive assembly that rotates the drum in connection with hoisting, winching, and/or other cable-reeling applications. During winding and/or unwinding, the cable can become mis-wrapped on the drum and/or otherwise fouled/strained, thereby causing equipment damage, operational delays, etc. For example, a cable can come out of alignment and risk being mis-wrapped during a winding operation due to, for example, an excessive amount of slack in a standing portion of the cable (also referred to as a payout), the cable becoming loose on the drum, a failure of a level-winding mechanism on the hoist or load, etc. In addition, a cable can also become otherwise fouled and/or strained due to, for example, binding, damage, defects, fraying, kinking, over-extending, pinching, splaying, splintering, splitting, stretching, tampering, vibrating, etc., and/or including as a result of a broken strand of a wire of the cable that can cause successive layers of wound cable to become misaligned and/or unbundled. <CIT> relates to a winch apparatus according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The present disclosure provides a cable tensioning capstan assembly comprising a capstan drum and a first traction flange. The capstan drum is configured to support a cable (e.g., a cable is configured to wrap around the capstan drum). The capstan drum is configured to rotate about an output axis. The capstan drum has a first axial end and a second axial end. The first traction flange is disposed adjacent the first axial end of the capstan drum and configured to rotate about the output axis. According to the invention, the first traction flange is independently rotatable relative to the capstan drum.

In various embodiments, the cable tensioning capstan assembly further includes an input shaft comprising a pinion configured to be rotated about an input axis. The capstan drum may include a capstan drum gear track circumferentially extending around a radially inward surface of the capstan drum that engages the pinion, wherein the pinion is configured to drive rotation of the capstan drum about the input axis. The cable tensioning capstan assembly may further include a first clutch gear configured to be rotated about the input axis, wherein the first traction flange comprises a first gear track circumferentially extending around a radially inward surface of the first traction flange that engages the first clutch gear. In various embodiments, the first clutch gear is configured to drive rotation of the first traction flange about the output axis in response to rotation of the first clutch gear in a first direction.

In various embodiments, a first gear ratio between the first clutch gear and the first traction flange is different than a capstan drum gear ratio between the pinion and the capstan drum. In various embodiments, the input shaft comprises a first shaft portion and the cable tensioning capstan assembly further comprises a first one-way roller bearing disposed between the first shaft portion and the first clutch gear. The first one-way roller bearing may be configured to transfer rotation from the first shaft portion of the input shaft to the first clutch gear in response to rotation of the input shaft in the first direction and is configured to allow free rotation of the first clutch gear relative to the first shaft portion of the input shaft in response to rotation of the input shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction.

In various embodiments, the cable tensioning capstan assembly further includes a second clutch gear configured to be rotated about the input axis, wherein the first traction flange comprises a second gear track circumferentially extending around the radially inward surface of the first traction flange that engages the second clutch gear. The second clutch gear may be configured to drive rotation of the first traction flange about the output axis in response to rotation of the second clutch gear in the second direction. In various embodiments, a second gear ratio between the second clutch gear and the first traction flange is different than the capstan drum gear ratio between the pinion and the capstan drum. In various embodiments, a second gear ratio between the second clutch gear and the first traction flange is different than the first gear ratio.

In various embodiments, the cable tensioning capstan assembly further includes a second one-way roller bearing disposed between the first shaft portion and the second clutch gear. In various embodiments, the second one-way roller bearing is configured to transfer rotation from the first shaft portion of the input shaft to the second clutch gear in response to rotation of the input shaft in the second direction and is configured to allow free rotation of the second clutch gear relative to the first shaft portion of the input shaft in response to rotation of the input shaft in the first direction.

In various embodiments, the cable tensioning capstan assembly further includes a second traction flange disposed adjacent the second axial end of the capstan drum and configured to rotate about the output axis. In various embodiments, the cable tensioning capstan assembly further comprises a third clutch gear and a fourth clutch gear configured to be rotated about the input axis. The second traction flange may comprise a third gear track circumferentially extending around a radially inward surface of the second traction flange that engages the third clutch gear and the second traction flange comprises a fourth gear track circumferentially extending around the radially inward surface of the second traction flange that engages the fourth clutch gear. The third clutch gear may be configured to drive rotation of the second traction flange about the output axis in response to rotation of the third clutch gear in the first direction and the fourth clutch gear may be configured to drive rotation of the second traction flange about the output axis in response to rotation of the fourth clutch gear in the second direction.

In various embodiments, the input shaft comprises a second shaft portion and the cable tensioning capstan assembly further includes a third one-way roller bearing disposed between the second shaft portion and the third clutch gear and a fourth one-way roller bearing disposed between the second shaft portion and the fourth clutch gear. The third one-way roller bearing may be configured to transfer rotation from the second shaft portion of the input shaft to the third clutch gear in response to rotation of the input shaft in the first direction and may be configured to allow free rotation of the third clutch gear relative to the second shaft portion of the input shaft in response to rotation of the input shaft in the second direction. The fourth one-way roller bearing may be configured to transfer rotation from the second shaft portion of the input shaft to the fourth clutch gear in response to rotation of the input shaft in the second direction and may be configured to allow free rotation of the fourth clutch gear relative to the second shaft portion of the input shaft in response to rotation of the input shaft in the first direction. In various embodiments, a third gear ratio between the third clutch gear and the second traction flange is the same as the first gear ratio and a fourth gear ratio between the fourth clutch gear and the second traction flange is the same as the second gear ratio.

Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is a cable tensioning capstan assembly that includes a capstan drum, a first traction flange, a second traction flange, an input shaft, a first clutch gear, a second clutch gear, a third clutch gear, and a fourth clutch gear. The capstan drum comprises a radially outward surface around which a cable is configured to be wrapped, wherein the capstan drum is configured to rotate about an output axis and the capstan drum further comprises a first axial end, a second axial end, and a radially inward surface, according to various embodiments. The capstan drum may comprise a capstan drum gear track circumferentially extending around a radially inward surface of the capstan drum.

In various embodiments, the first traction flange is disposed adjacent the first axial end of the capstan drum and is configured to rotate about the output axis. The first traction flange may comprise a first gear track and a second gear track that circumferentially extend around a radially inward surface of the first traction flange. The second traction flange may be disposed adjacent the second axial end of the capstan drum and configured to rotate about the output axis. The second traction flange may include a third gear track and a fourth gear track that circumferentially extend around a radially inward surface of the second traction flange.

In various embodiments, the input shaft is configured to be rotated about an input axis, wherein the input shaft comprises a pinion, a first shaft portion, and a second shaft portion. The pinion engages the capstan drum gear track to drive rotation of the capstan drum about the input axis, according to various embodiments. The first clutch gear, the second clutch gear, the third clutch gear, and the fourth clutch gear may be configured to engage the respective gear tracks (i.e., the first clutch gear engages the first gear track, the second clutch gear engages the second gear track, the third clutch gear engages the third gear track, and the fourth clutch gear engages the fourth gear track).

In various embodiments, the first traction flange and the second traction flange are each independently rotatable relative to the capstan drum. In various embodiments, the first clutch gear and the third clutch gear are configured to drive rotation of the first traction flange and the second traction flange, respectively, about the output axis in response to rotation of the input shaft in a first direction, with the second clutch gear and the fourth clutch gear configured to freely rotate relative to the input shaft in response to the input shaft rotating in the first direction. In various embodiments, the second clutch gear and the fourth clutch gear are configured to drive rotation of the first traction flange and the fourth traction flange, respectively, about the output axis in response to rotation of the input shaft in a second direction, with the first clutch gear and the third clutch gear configured to freely rotate relative to the input shaft in response to the input shaft rotating in the second direction.

In various embodiments, the cable tensioning capstan assembly further includes a first one-way roller bearing, a second one-way roller bearing, a third one-way roller bearing, and a fourth one-way roller bearing disposed between the input shaft and the first clutch gear, the second clutch gear, the third clutch gear, and the fourth clutch gear, respectively. In various embodiments, a first gear ratio between the first clutch gear and the first traction flange is lower than a capstan drum gear ratio between the pinion and the capstan drum, a second gear ratio between the second clutch gear and the first traction flange is higher than the capstan drum gear ratio, a third gear ratio between the third clutch gear and the second traction flange is the same as the first gear ratio, and a fourth gear ration between the fourth clutch gear and the second traction flange is the same as the second gear ratio.

Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is a cable tensioning capstan assembly that includes a capstan drum around which a cable is configured to be wrapped, wherein the capstan drum is configured to rotate about an output axis and wherein the capstan drum comprises a first axial end and a second axial end. The cable tensioning capstan assembly may also include a first traction flange disposed adjacent the first axial end of the capstan drum and configured to rotate about the output axis and an input shaft comprising a pinion and a first shaft portion. The pinion may engage the capstan drum and the first shaft portion may support a first friction clutch assembly that is coupled to the first traction flange. The first traction flange may be independently rotatable relative to the capstan drum. In various embodiments, the cable tensioning capstan assembly further includes a second traction flange disposed adjacent the second axial end of the capstan drum and configured to rotate about the output axis. In various embodiments, the input shaft comprises a second shaft portion and wherein the second shaft portion supports a second friction clutch assembly that is coupled to the second traction flange.

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures.

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with this disclosure and the teachings herein without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims.

Disclosed herein, according to various embodiments and with reference to <FIG>, is cable system <NUM>. The cable system <NUM>, which may also be referred to herein as a cable winding system, a hoist system, and/or a winch system, generally includes components for managing a cable <NUM> (e.g., chain, cord, fiber, rope, and/or other types of extendible, flexible, and/or retractable line). The cable system <NUM> may include a cable take-up drum <NUM> and a cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM>. In various embodiments, and as described in greater detail below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> is configured to address at least some of the aforementioned shortcomings and/or challenges of conventional cable systems. For example, the system <NUM> and the disclosed cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> may reduce the potential of the cable <NUM> becoming mis-wrapped on the drum and/or may otherwise prevent or at least reduce the likelihood of the cable <NUM> becoming fouled, tangled, overly strained, and/or damaged.

The cable system <NUM> may be utilized for retracting and/or cable-reeling applications, and a load <NUM> may be attached at one of the cable <NUM>. In various embodiments, also as described in greater detail below, the cable system <NUM> may include a motor <NUM> (e.g., may be a motor-driven system) and/or a controller <NUM>. The motor <NUM> and/or controller <NUM> may be coupled in electric control communication with one or both of the cable take-up drum <NUM> and the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM>. For example, the cable <NUM> may be wound onto and/or off the take-up drum <NUM> by action of the motor <NUM>. The system <NUM> may also include a drive train or drive assembly that drives rotation of the drum(s) in connection with hoisting, winching, and/or other cable-reeling applications.

Referring generally, the system <NUM> may be a hoist system configured to mechanically lift and/or lower loads <NUM> oftentimes by a motor-driven drum or lift-wheel around which a cable <NUM> winds and/or unwinds, in various embodiments. In various embodiments, hoists are operated electrically, hydraulically, manually, and/or pneumatically. Still referring generally, hoists apply a pulling force to the load <NUM> through the cable <NUM> in order to control and/or move the load <NUM> from one physical location to another physical location. In various embodiments, hoist assemblies have a lifting harness, hook, hoop, loop and/or other suitable attachment end (collectively referred to herein generally as a hook) at a distal end of the cable <NUM>, which can be affixed and/or secured to the load <NUM>. In various embodiments, the cable take-up drum <NUM> at the cable end is the fixed end, and the hook end of the cable <NUM> is the opposing free end. In various embodiments, the load <NUM> is referred to as cargo, a payload, target, etc. In various embodiments, hoists couple the cable <NUM> to the load <NUM> using the hook. In various embodiments, an effective radius of the take-up drum <NUM> or lift wheel increases as the cable <NUM> is pulled in, and it decreases as the cable <NUM> is let out, due to the physically changing, radially successive layers of cable <NUM> laid thereon.

The cable system <NUM> may be utilized in many environments, such as air rescues, automobile/car/truck applications, anchor systems, cable cars, cranes, elevators, escalators, mine operations, moving sidewalks, rope tows, ski lifts, tethers, etc. In various embodiments, the cable system <NUM> may be mounted or otherwise implemented with an aircraft, such as a helicopter. Referring generally, a rescue hoist can be used to pull a target towards and/or into a rescue aircraft, such as a rescue helicopter, including by initially lowering a basket, cage, or other device to the target, securing the target, and then pulling back and/or retrieving the target back to the rescue aircraft, in various embodiments.

In various embodiments, and with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> is shown in additional details. The term "cable tensioning capstan assembly" as used herein generally refers to a rotating device that facilitates cable wrapping and/or reeling. The disclosed cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> is not limited to devices having a vertical axis of rotation, but instead may be used for devices having a horizontal axis of rotation (e.g., a windlass). In various embodiments, the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> is implemented as an intermediate component between a load <NUM> and a take-up drum <NUM> that holds the wound cable <NUM>. However, in various embodiments, and depending the length of the cable <NUM> and other conditions, the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> may be implemented without a separate take-up drum.

In various embodiments, the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> includes a capstan drum <NUM> and at least a first traction flange <NUM>. The cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> may also have a second traction flange <NUM>. The capstan drum <NUM> may be configured to hold one or multiple wraps of cable <NUM> (e.g., see <FIG>), and the capstan drum <NUM> may be configured to rotate about an output axis <NUM>. Said differently, the capstan drum <NUM> may have a radially outward surface <NUM> around which a cable <NUM> is configured to be wrapped. The first traction flange <NUM>, according to various embodiments, is disposed adjacent one of the axial ends of the capstan drum <NUM>, and is also configured to rotate about the output axis <NUM>. Generally, the one or more traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> are independently rotatable relative to the capstan drum <NUM> (and independently rotatable relative to one another). Said differently, the one or more traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> are not unitary extensions of the capstan drum, as may be the case with various conventional cable capstans, but instead are separate and distinct components. Accordingly, as shown in the figures, one or more bearings may be disposed between respective facing surfaces of the capstan drum <NUM> and the traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> to facilitate and/or enable the ability of the traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> to be independently rotated.

As explained in more detail below, with one or both of the traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> that define the cable-wrap volume being independently rotatable, the first/last wrap of cable <NUM> that is wrapped around the axially extending portion of these traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> may be differentially tensioned, relative to the wraps of cable <NUM> around the capstan drum <NUM>. Said differently, the traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> may be driven by differential gear-driven clutches that can be independently set for a prescribed torque, thus enabling the first/last wrap (i.e., the edge wraps) of the cable <NUM> that is around the traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> to have a specific tension. For example, the traction flange(s) <NUM>, <NUM> may advance or retard the torque transfer to the cable <NUM> relative to the cable <NUM> wrapped around the capstan drum <NUM>, and this relative advancement or retardation (dependent upon the direction of rotation) of the portion of the cable <NUM> that is engaged against/wrapped around the axially extending sections of the traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> may facilitate clean wrapping or unreeling of the cable <NUM>, may prevent cable slip, and/or may otherwise improve the operational efficiency and effectiveness of a winding/reeling procedure.

As used herein, the term "independently rotatable" when referred to the traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> relative to the capstan drum <NUM> does not necessarily mean that said components are actually rotating separately at different speeds during operation, but instead is meant to convey the concept that the traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> and the capstan drum <NUM> are separate components that are separately coupled to an input shaft <NUM>. That is, the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> may include an input shaft <NUM>, which may be a final stage of gear train or a gear assembly for conveying rotational power from a motor. Generally, the input shaft <NUM> may be configured to directly drive (via direct engagement or via one or more intermediate idler gears) rotation of the capstan drum <NUM>, while the input shaft <NUM> may be coupled to the one or more traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> via one or more clutch assemblies (e.g., a friction clutch assembly) to selectively drive and/or selectively provide torque transfer to the one or more traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM>.

As used herein, the terms "radial" and "axial" and similar phrasing are defined relative to the axes of rotation of the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM>. That is, and with reference to <FIG>, the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> generally includes an input axis <NUM> and an output axis <NUM>. The input shaft <NUM>, which includes pinion <NUM> and multiple clutch gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> as described below, rotate around the input axis <NUM> while the capstan drum <NUM>, the first traction flange <NUM>, and the second traction flange <NUM> generally rotate about the output axis <NUM>. Thus, a first component (e.g., surface or feature, etc.) that is "radially outward" of a second component is closer to the associated axis of rotation than the second component. Similarly, an axially extending feature is a feature that generally extends parallel to one/both of the axes of rotation and a radially extending feature is one that generally extends in a direction radially away from or towards the pertinent axis of rotation. Further, a component that is axially outward of another component is further away from a longitudinal center point.

In various embodiments, and with continued reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the input shaft <NUM> comprises a pinion <NUM>. A radially inward surface of the capstan drum <NUM> may have a capstan drum gear track <NUM> that circumferentially extends around the radially inward surface of the capstan drum <NUM>. This capstan drum gear track <NUM> engages the pinion <NUM> such that the pinion <NUM> is configured to drive rotation of the capstan drum <NUM> about the input axis <NUM>, according to various embodiments.

In various embodiments, the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> further includes a first clutch gear <NUM> configured to be rotated about the input axis <NUM>. The first traction flange <NUM> may include a first gear track <NUM> circumferentially extending around a radially inward surface of the first traction flange <NUM>. This first gear track <NUM> engages the first clutch gear <NUM> and the first clutch gear <NUM> is configured to drive rotation of the first traction flange <NUM> about the output axis <NUM> in response to rotation of the first clutch gear <NUM> in a first direction. Said differently, the input shaft <NUM> may have a first shaft portion <NUM>, and the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> may include a first one-way roller bearing <NUM> disposed radially between the first shaft portion <NUM> and the first clutch gear <NUM>. The first one-way roller bearing <NUM> may be configured to transfer rotation from the first shaft portion <NUM> of the input shaft <NUM> to the first clutch gear <NUM> in response to rotation of the input shaft <NUM> in a first direction while allowing free rotation of the first clutch gear <NUM> relative to the input shaft <NUM> in response to rotation of the input shaft <NUM> in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Correspondingly, the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> may further include a second clutch gear <NUM> configured to be rotated about the input axis <NUM>, with the first traction flange <NUM> also comprising a second gear track <NUM> circumferentially extending around the radially inward surface of the first traction flange <NUM> that engages the second clutch gear <NUM>. This second gear track <NUM> engages the second clutch gear <NUM> and the second clutch gear <NUM> is configured to drive rotation of the first traction flange <NUM> about the output axis <NUM> in response to rotation of the second clutch gear <NUM> in a second direction. Said differently, the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> may further include a second one-way roller bearing <NUM> disposed radially between the first shaft portion <NUM> and the second clutch gear <NUM>. The second one-way roller bearing <NUM> may be configured to transfer rotation from the first shaft portion <NUM> of the input shaft <NUM> to the second clutch gear <NUM> in response to rotation of the input shaft <NUM> in the second direction while allowing free rotation of the second clutch gear <NUM> relative to the input shaft <NUM> in response to rotation of the input shaft <NUM> in the first direction.

The directional specific configuration of the first and second one-way roller bearings <NUM>, <NUM> enable a first desired torque/tension to be transferred to the edge cable <NUM> that is wrapped around the first traction flange <NUM> when the input shaft <NUM> is rotating in a first direction (via the first clutch gear <NUM>) while allowing/enabling a different, second desired torque/tension to be transferred to the edge cable <NUM> when input shaft <NUM> is rotating in a second direction (via the second clutch gear <NUM>). This differential tensioning of the edge cable <NUM> based on the direction of rotation of the input shaft <NUM> is accomplished by sizing the first clutch gear <NUM> and the second clutch gear <NUM> differently. That is, the radii of the respective clutch gears <NUM>, <NUM>, and thus the corresponding number of teeth, are different, thus enabling different gear ratios based on the direction of rotation of the input shaft <NUM>. For example, a first gear ratio between the first clutch gear <NUM> and the first traction flange <NUM> is different than a second gear ratio between the second clutch gear <NUM> and the first traction flange <NUM>, according to various embodiments. In various embodiments, the first and second gear ratio are different than a capstan drum gear ratio between the pinion <NUM> and the capstan drum <NUM>. For example, the first gear ratio may be smaller than the capstan drum gear ratio, and the capstan drum gear ratio may be smaller than the second gear ratio. Said differently, the radius of the first clutch gear <NUM>, as measured relative to the input axis <NUM>, may be larger than the radius of the pinion <NUM>, and the radius of the pinion <NUM> may be larger than the radius of the second clutch gear <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> may have a corresponding structure for the second traction flange <NUM>. That is, the first traction flange <NUM> described above may be disposed adjacent a first axial end <NUM> of the capstan drum <NUM>, and the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> may further include a second traction flange <NUM> disposed adjacent a second axial end <NUM> of the capstan drum <NUM>. In various embodiments, cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> further comprises a third clutch gear <NUM> and a fourth clutch gear <NUM> configured to be rotated about the input axis <NUM>. Correspondingly, the second traction flange <NUM> comprises a third gear track <NUM> circumferentially extending around a radially inward surface of the second traction flange <NUM> that engages the third clutch gear <NUM> and the second traction flange <NUM> also has a fourth gear track <NUM> circumferentially extending around the radially inward surface of the second traction flange <NUM> that engages the fourth clutch gear <NUM>. The third clutch gear <NUM> may be configured to drive rotation of the second traction flange <NUM> about the output axis <NUM> in response to rotation of the input shaft <NUM> and third clutch gear <NUM> in the first direction while the fourth clutch gear <NUM> is configured to drive rotation of the second traction flange <NUM> about the output axis <NUM> in response to rotation of the input shaft <NUM> and the fourth clutch gear <NUM> in the second direction.

Similar to the arrangement of the first traction flange <NUM>, the input shaft <NUM> may comprise a second shaft portion <NUM>, and the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> may further include a third one-way roller bearing <NUM> disposed radially between the second shaft portion <NUM> and the third clutch gear <NUM> and a fourth one-way roller bearing <NUM> disposed between the second shaft portion <NUM> and the fourth clutch gear <NUM>. The third one-way roller bearing <NUM> is configured to transfer rotation from the second shaft portion <NUM> of the input shaft <NUM> to the third clutch gear <NUM> in response to rotation of the input shaft <NUM> in the first direction while allowing free rotation of the third clutch gear <NUM> relative to the second shaft portion <NUM> of the input shaft <NUM> in response to rotation of the input shaft <NUM> in the second direction, according to various embodiments. The fourth one-way roller bearing <NUM> is configured to transfer rotation from the second shaft portion <NUM> of the input shaft <NUM> to the fourth clutch gear <NUM> in response to rotation of the input shaft <NUM> in the second direction and is configured to allow free rotation of the fourth clutch gear <NUM> relative to the second shaft portion <NUM> of the input shaft <NUM> in response to rotation of the input shaft <NUM> in the first direction. In various embodiments, the third clutch gear <NUM> may be comparable/similar to the first clutch gear <NUM> and the second clutch gear <NUM> may be comparable/similar to the fourth clutch gear <NUM>. In other words, a third gear ratio between the third clutch gear <NUM> and the second traction flange <NUM> may be the same as the first gear ratio while a fourth gear ratio between the fourth clutch gear <NUM> and the second traction flange <NUM> may be the same as the second gear ratio.

In various embodiments, another benefit contemplated and provided by the disclosed cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> is preventing cable slippage at the interface of the cable <NUM> with the capstan drum <NUM>. That is, the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> may generally include a clutch assembly configured to control the tension of the cable while the cable is being wrapped or let-out from the take-up drum. The clutch assembly, as described in greater detail below, may be an adjustable clutch that limits the available torque that can be transferred to underdrive or overdrive one of the capstan flanges. In various embodiments, and with reference to <FIG>, the cable tensioning capstan assembly <NUM> includes a friction clutch assembly generally coupled between the directional, one-way roller bearings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the respective clutch gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the clutch gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be respectively retained/secured to the roller bearings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> via friction disks <NUM>. In various embodiments, a shoulder bracket <NUM> or other component may be mounted between the one-way roller bearings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the clutch gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and an axial spring assembly may be disposed radially outward of the shoulder bracket <NUM>. Said differently, torque may be transferred to the clutch gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> from the input shaft <NUM> via a clamping force exerted on opposing axial sides of each of the clutch gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> by friction disks <NUM>. The clamping force may be provided by one or more springs <NUM> that exert an axial force on one or more friction disks <NUM> to retain the clutch gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> co-rotating with the input shaft <NUM> until a predetermined torque is achieved (e.g., until a desired tension is transferred to the edge cable wrap), at which point clutch gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> slip. Such a configuration may prevent excessive tension being transferred to the cable <NUM>. Further, by using a friction engagement between the clutch gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the input shaft <NUM>, the threshold at which the clutch gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> slip may be tailored to be below the slippage threshold of the cable <NUM> around the capstan drum <NUM>, thus preventing cable slippage, which could damage the cable <NUM>. That is, instead of allowing the cable <NUM> to slip, the slippage is moved to the friction disks <NUM> of the clutch gears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Depending on the use situation and/or the cable properties, the friction disks <NUM> (e.g., the axial tension properties of the spring <NUM>) may be customized to limit torque transfer to the cable. In various embodiments, the traction flange(s) are not configured to slip relative to the capstan drum, but instead the traction flanges are configured to apply torque to the first/last layer of cable wrapped around the capstan drum, pulling it off/on the capstan and/or creating tension.

In various embodiments, as mentioned above the traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> generally have a radially extending section that forms sidewall(s) of a wrapped cable volume. In various embodiments, the traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> also include an axially extending section having a radially outward surface that is generally aligned (radially) with radially outward surface <NUM> of the capstan drum <NUM>. In various embodiments, the axially extending section of the traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> is sized for a specific cable. That is, the axial span of the axially extending section of the traction flanges <NUM>, <NUM> may be comparable to the diameter of the cable <NUM>, thus allowing for a single wrap of cable to be wrapped around the axially extending section of the flanges. In various embodiments, this radially outward surface of the axially extending section of the flanges <NUM>, <NUM> is rounded/curved to receive the edge cable wrap.

Moreover, where a phrase similar to "at least one of A, B, or C" is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

In the detailed description 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.

Claim 1:
A cable tensioning capstan assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a capstan drum (<NUM>) around which a cable is configured to be wrapped, wherein the capstan drum is configured to rotate about an output axis (<NUM>) and wherein the capstan drum comprises a first axial end (<NUM>) and a second axial end (<NUM>); and
a first traction flange (<NUM>) disposed adjacent the first axial end of the capstan drum;
characterised in that the first traction flange is configured to rotate about the output axis (<NUM>);
wherein the first traction flange is independently rotatable relative to the capstan drum.