Winch drum tension isolation system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9475647-B2
Application number	US-201414157672-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 17, 2014
Priority date	Mar 13, 2013
Publication date	Oct 25, 2016
Grant date	Oct 25, 2016

Abstract

A winch drum tension isolation system includes a winch drum including an outwardly extending flange, the flange including a plurality of holes spaced along the flange. The winch drum tension isolation system also includes a locking mechanism positioned proximate the winch drum and including a locking member engageable with the flange. The locking member is movable between a first position, in which the locking member is received in one of the plurality of holes to prevent rotation of the winch drum, and a second position, in which the locking member is spaced apart from the flange to permit rotation of the winch drum.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A winch drum tension isolation system comprising:
a winch drum including an outwardly extending flange, the flange including a plurality of holes spaced along the flange;
a locking mechanism positioned proximate the winch drum and including a locking member engageable with the flange, the locking member movable between a first position, in which the locking member is received in one of the plurality of holes to prevent rotation of the winch drum, and a second position, in which the locking member is spaced apart from the flange to permit rotation of the winch drum; and
a motor and gearbox coupled to the winch drum.

2. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 1 , wherein the winch drum includes a central portion having a first diameter, and the flange has a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

3. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 1 , wherein the flange includes an outer radial circumference.

4. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holes are spaced circumferentially about the flange.

5. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holes are spaced evenly apart along the flange.

6. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 1 , wherein the locking member is a spring-loaded pin.

7. The conveyor system of claim 6 , wherein the spring-loaded pin includes a spring that biases a pin into one of the plurality of holes.

8. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a housing and the locking member is slidable through the housing.

9. The conveyor system of claim 8 , wherein the housing is rigidly mounted to a stationary frame.

10. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 1 , further comprising a torque arm coupled to the winch drum, and a winch frame, the winch drum and the locking mechanism both coupled to the winch frame.

11. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 10 , further comprising a ram that drives the torque arm.

12. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 10 , further comprising an anchor point coupled to the winch frame.

13. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 12 , further comprising an anchor pin extending through the anchor point and the torque arm to restrain movement of the torque arm.

14. The winch drum tension isolation system of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a restraining mechanism to restrain movement of the locking member, the restraining mechanism including a flange at an end of the locking member.

15. A conveyor system comprises:
a winch frame;
a conveyor extending through the winch frame;
a winch drum coupled to the winch frame that drives the conveyor, the winch drum including an outwardly extending flange having a plurality of holes spaced along the flange;
a torque arm coupled to both the winch frame and the winch drum;
a motor and gearbox that drives rotation of the winch drum;
a park brake that provides emergency braking force to the motor and gear box; and
a locking mechanism positioned proximate the winch drum and including a locking member engageable with the flange, the locking member movable between a first position, in which the locking member is received in one of the plurality of holes to prevent rotation of the winch drum, and a second position, in which the locking member is spaced apart from the flange to permit rotation of the winch drum.

16. The conveyor system of claim 15 , wherein the winch drum includes a central portion having a first diameter, and the flange has a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

17. The conveyor system of claim 15 , wherein the flange includes an outer radial circumference.

18. The conveyor system of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of holes are spaced circumferentially about the flange.

19. The conveyor system of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of holes are spaced evenly apart along the flange.

20. The conveyor system of claim 15 , wherein the locking member is a spring-loaded pin.

21. The conveyor system of claim 15 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a housing and the locking member is slidable through the housing.

22. A winch drum tension isolation system comprising:
a winch drum including an outwardly extending flange, the flange including a plurality of holes spaced along the flange;
a locking mechanism positioned proximate the winch drum and including a locking member engageable with the flange, the locking member movable between a first position, in which the locking member is received in one of the plurality of holes to prevent rotation of the winch drum, and a second position, in which the locking member is spaced apart from the flange to permit rotation of the winch drum;
a torque arm coupled to the winch drum; and
a winch frame, wherein the winch drum and the locking mechanism are both coupled to the winch frame.

23. A winch drum tension isolation system comprising:
a winch drum including an outwardly extending flange, the flange including a plurality of holes spaced along the flange;
a locking mechanism positioned proximate the winch drum and including a locking member engageable with the flange, the locking member movable between a first position, in which the locking member is received in one of the plurality of holes to prevent rotation of the winch drum, and a second position, in which the locking member is spaced apart from the flange to permit rotation of the winch drum, wherein the locking mechanism further includes a restraining mechanism to restrain movement of the locking member, the restraining mechanism including a flange at an end of the locking member.

Assignees

• Joy Mm Delaware Inc

Inventors

• De Lore Andrew P
• Wood Travers T

Classifications

• E21C29/16 Primary

  Winches or other means for pulling cable or chain (winches in general B66D) · CPC title

• B66D1/30

  Rope, cable, or chain drums or barrels · CPC title

• B65G23/44 Primary

  Belt or chain tensioning arrangements · CPC title

• B66D5/34

  having latches · CPC title

• E21F13/06

  {Transport of mined material} at or adjacent to the working face · CPC title