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#21
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Bob Johnson wrote in message ...
Eggert -- You've been such a graet help to us I hate to ask one more favor, but could you translate these pages for us poor old igorant cowboys? Computer translations are hilarious. Thanks, Boob Johnson Eggert Ehmke wrote: Craig Freeman wrote: I am looking for a dependable way to cut Plasma rope. A guillotine will be installed as soon as this question is answered. Any ideas would be appreciated. You may want to have a look at http://www.aec-landau.de/projekte/PE-Seil/vortrag.htm They have modified their winch to cut their PE cable. You find the email address of the author at the end of that page. Eggert I very quickly looked for the cutting method: Seems to me they converted their Guilutine to have a Brass Anvil on which a cutting device will cut the Cord/rope, Like an axe or similar. Guess more direct rather than shearing? Dieter |
#22
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soarski wrote:
I very quickly looked for the cutting method: Seems to me they converted their Guilutine to have a Brass Anvil on which a cutting device will cut the Cord/rope, Like an axe or similar. Guess more direct rather than shearing? That's my understanding too. I can try to translate the complete article, but this will take some time. Eggert |
#23
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"Tony Verhulst" wrote in message ... Bob Johnson wrote: Actually, Craig is being too modest. In a few months of spare time work this spring, he single-handedly engineered and built a double drum machine... Whats the point of the second drum? Great pics, BTW). Tony V. (aero tows ~1300, winch tows) http://www.soarcsa.org/pdf/winch_proposal.pdf Have a look at page 10. Look at the number of vertical feet a two drum winch can achieve. No tow plane can match this. Here's a good example http://www.cotswoldgliding.co.uk/ of 200 members using winch launch, but with a tow plane for wave tows. There are also a substantial number of private gliders in the club. Prior to using the winch, they using reverse pulley auto tows. Launch rate is important, given a large number of gliders. Dragging two or more wires to the launch point is the only sensible way to do this. Differential are not really the best solution as they do burn up fairly quickly if one side is locked. Transfer cases and dog clutches are fairly common solutions. Frank Whiteley |
#24
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"Eggert Ehmke" wrote in message ... soarski wrote: I very quickly looked for the cutting method: Seems to me they converted their Guilutine to have a Brass Anvil on which a cutting device will cut the Cord/rope, Like an axe or similar. Guess more direct rather than shearing? That's my understanding too. I can try to translate the complete article, but this will take some time. Eggert During rope break training, has the 'float' of spectra been an issue? In our limited used of 1000ft of spectra on the end of the steel wire, it was seen to float in a large arc after release. This hang time might be problematic in the event of an actual break. Frank Whiteley |
#25
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Most European winches are hydraulic drives.
"Bob Johnson" wrote in message ... Antti -- I really appreciate that photo. It appears to be a twin drum machine with right angle drives to each drum. Do you know how the builders got that power to go around the corner, that is, does it use a conventional automotive-type differential, angle gears, or what? Thanks again, BJ Antti Glad wrote: There are some very nice advantages to a winch (wouldn't think twice about getting a launch even if the weather does not look so great, we had some great fun launching to landing circuit just for the heck of it when it was raining last summer). We've got a package deal in our club, unlimited launches for a reasonable price. It's just very economical (make no mistake though, I do appreciate the convenience of an aerotow as well). Still, a winch launch will teach you how to make the best of the conditions as you don't have much time to find a thermal. We've got a "factory built" winch from Germany a few years back, top of the notch with turbos and whatnot- if you're interested, have a look at http://www.saunalahti.fi/kily/paasivu.htm. Click on "kalusto", the fourth button on the left frame and then "vintturi" on the right frame. Sorry, it's all in Finnish :-) Kind regards, Antti |
#26
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On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 16:10:15 -0600, Bob Johnson
wrote: Antti -- I really appreciate that photo. It appears to be a twin drum machine with right angle drives to each drum. Do you know how the builders got that power to go around the corner, that is, does it use a conventional automotive-type differential, angle gears, or what? Supacats, anyway, have a massive purpose designed gearbox mounted between the twin drums. It is driven via a fluid clutch and drives the two outputs via dog clutches as well as the oscillating pay-on arms. There are three separate brake systems (one on each drum, plus one on the output side of the fluid clutch). The drum brakes have independent hydraulic circuits connected to separate brake levers. The input brake and the output dog clutches are mechanically interconnected on a single lever - it moves sideways to select left, right or no drum and back to apply the brake on the clutch output. In addition there are payout brake levers that apply light pressure to the drum calipers while the cable is being pulled out. The separate throttle connects to the Deutz diesel via a profiled cam that gives a more or less linear power response. By that I mean that more or less equal movements give similar power increments over the whole range. It makes smooth launches a lot easier. Safety: pulling rather than pushing the throttle cuts the motor. Both guillotines are operated simultaneously from an in-cab hydraulic circuit or, if this fails, each can be fired mechanically from outside. A flashing yellow light on top the cap operates when the winch is running and in gear. Nobody touches either cable when its flashing. Climate control: there is a diesel burning heater for winter and the sliding doors open in summer. HTH -- martin@ : Martin Gregorie gregorie : Harlow, UK demon : co : Zappa fan & glider pilot uk : |
#27
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Martin --
A very good description, thanks for providing it! As an experiment, we attempted to use the differential that came in the same heavy duty pickup truck that furnished our 454 c.i. engine. This unit was mounted as you would expect between the twin drums and one drum was braked by its respective master cylinder brake lever, leaving the power to be applied to the opposite drum. This arrangement went fine for about an half-dozen launches, when the diff over-heated and eventually gave up the ghost. Thus we learned that the differential feature as we were using it would have to be disabled and a couple of dog clutches would have to be devised in order to turn our winch into a true double-drum unit. BJ Martin Gregorie wrote: On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 16:10:15 -0600, Bob Johnson wrote: Antti -- I really appreciate that photo. It appears to be a twin drum machine with right angle drives to each drum. Do you know how the builders got that power to go around the corner, that is, does it use a conventional automotive-type differential, angle gears, or what? Supacats, anyway, have a massive purpose designed gearbox mounted between the twin drums. It is driven via a fluid clutch and drives the two outputs via dog clutches as well as the oscillating pay-on arms. There are three separate brake systems (one on each drum, plus one on the output side of the fluid clutch). The drum brakes have independent hydraulic circuits connected to separate brake levers. The input brake and the output dog clutches are mechanically interconnected on a single lever - it moves sideways to select left, right or no drum and back to apply the brake on the clutch output. In addition there are payout brake levers that apply light pressure to the drum calipers while the cable is being pulled out. The separate throttle connects to the Deutz diesel via a profiled cam that gives a more or less linear power response. By that I mean that more or less equal movements give similar power increments over the whole range. It makes smooth launches a lot easier. Safety: pulling rather than pushing the throttle cuts the motor. Both guillotines are operated simultaneously from an in-cab hydraulic circuit or, if this fails, each can be fired mechanically from outside. A flashing yellow light on top the cap operates when the winch is running and in gear. Nobody touches either cable when its flashing. Climate control: there is a diesel burning heater for winter and the sliding doors open in summer. HTH -- martin@ : Martin Gregorie gregorie : Harlow, UK demon : co : Zappa fan & glider pilot uk : |
#28
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A winch should never have any doors or windows open while actually
launching. The cab must be fully enclosed, doors and windows shut. The windows must be of laminated glass or similar, with Lexan or something similar on the inside surfaces. Any openings not glazed must be protected with expanded metal sheet, weldmesh or similar. If the cable breaks, and sooner or later it will, it can get inside the winch through any opening with amazing ferocity. One of the Long Mynd amateur winch drivers had the back window slightly open. The cable broke, came in through the window and attacked his clothing. He considered he had a very lucky escape, and has given up driving the winch. At another club one of the most experienced of all winch drivers parked his car directly behind the winch and facing it, what he thought was a safe distance away. This was at a busy club which has done many thousands of winch launches every year for a very long time. The cable broke and flew back, trashing the back of his car and round the car to break one of the front door windows. I saw the car afterwards and asked who had run into him. This sort of thing does not happen very often so it takes people by surprise. It is a completely avoidable risk and is just not worth taking. W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.). Remove "ic" to reply. "Martin Gregorie" wrote in message ... snip Climate control: there is a diesel burning heater for winter and the sliding doors open in summer. Martin Gregorie |
#29
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Hi Bill --
After my limited experience with it, I can't help but think that synthetic is going to be a lot safer and less nasty to work with during breaks or whenever else it has to be dodged or handled. It's light as a feather, soft as a baby's butt and stores absolutely no energy. BJ "W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.)." wrote: A winch should never have any doors or windows open while actually launching. The cab must be fully enclosed, doors and windows shut. The windows must be of laminated glass or similar, with Lexan or something similar on the inside surfaces. Any openings not glazed must be protected with expanded metal sheet, weldmesh or similar. If the cable breaks, and sooner or later it will, it can get inside the winch through any opening with amazing ferocity. One of the Long Mynd amateur winch drivers had the back window slightly open. The cable broke, came in through the window and attacked his clothing. He considered he had a very lucky escape, and has given up driving the winch. At another club one of the most experienced of all winch drivers parked his car directly behind the winch and facing it, what he thought was a safe distance away. This was at a busy club which has done many thousands of winch launches every year for a very long time. The cable broke and flew back, trashing the back of his car and round the car to break one of the front door windows. I saw the car afterwards and asked who had run into him. This sort of thing does not happen very often so it takes people by surprise. It is a completely avoidable risk and is just not worth taking. W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.). Remove "ic" to reply. "Martin Gregorie" wrote in message ... snip Climate control: there is a diesel burning heater for winter and the sliding doors open in summer. Martin Gregorie |
#30
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All the more reasons for getting funding for trails
in the UK! At 05:54 05 November 2003, Bob Johnson wrote: Hi Bill -- After my limited experience with it, I can't help but think that synthetic is going to be a lot safer and less nasty to work with during breaks or whenever else it has to be dodged or handled. It's light as a feather, soft as a baby's butt and stores absolutely no energy. BJ 'W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.).' wrote: A winch should never have any doors or windows open while actually launching. The cab must be fully enclosed, doors and windows shut. The windows must be of laminated glass or similar, with Lexan or something similar on the inside surfaces. Any openings not glazed must be protected with expanded metal sheet, weldmesh or similar. If the cable breaks, and sooner or later it will, it can get inside the winch through any opening with amazing ferocity. One of the Long Mynd amateur winch drivers had the back window slightly open. The cable broke, came in through the window and attacked his clothing. He considered he had a very lucky escape, and has given up driving the winch. At another club one of the most experienced of all winch drivers parked his car directly behind the winch and facing it, what he thought was a safe distance away. This was at a busy club which has done many thousands of winch launches every year for a very long time. The cable broke and flew back, trashing the back of his car and round the car to break one of the front door windows. I saw the car afterwards and asked who had run into him. This sort of thing does not happen very often so it takes people by surprise. It is a completely avoidable risk and is just not worth taking. W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.). Remove 'ic' to reply. 'Martin Gregorie' wrote in message ... Climate control: there is a diesel burning heater for winter and the sliding doors open in summer. Martin Gregorie |
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