Winches (was Aerotow with Diesel engine?

"André Somers" wrote in message
...
Phoebus N196J wrote:

Hey Guys:
Check out this site........http://www.permiansoaring.us/ They have
built their own state of the art winch and it sounds like they did it
on a shoe string.

On this page
(http://www.zweefvlieg.net/index.cfm?....pagina&id=279) you
can
find some information on the winch the Aeroclub Salland took into service
this season. The site in in Dutch, but here are some key features:
-6 drums
-diesel motor driving an hydrolic pump
-drums driven by an hydrolic motor
-automatic adjustment of speed and force (launch is practicly automatic,
but
manual override is possible).
-dynema cable (lighter and stronger than steel)

This is what I considder 'state of the art'...

André

WOW! State of the art indeed!

I'd sure like to get more details on this winch in English.

Bill Daniels

Geez Todd, why not hook up a laser to cut the line. I bet there a few left
over from the Star Wars initiative that Reagan proposed. I might have some old
connections at Martin Marietta that could get one for you ;-)


Actually it struck me that it would be great for cutting
"piano wire" type cable provided you use a long lever, but I
would worry that Spectra might be thin and strong enough to
jam inside between the two cylinder and block. You've only
got one chance to cut it. Your starter motor idea, however,
makes me think it might be great for cutting Spectra if you
modify it like this:

Remove the center cylinder from the center cylinder hole,
leaving the block and the Spectra passing through the block
as before. Use the starter motor to (a) spin a cylindrical
blade that's axially removed from but axially aligned with
the center cylinder hole and (b) the spinning blade could
then be extended by starter motor axially into the center
cylinder hole. As the rotating blade entered the center
cylinder hole perpendicular to the Spectra, it would cut it
at the two points where the Spectra enters and crosses the
center cylinder hole. The blade would look like a hole saw
with a smooth sharp edge. Starter motors are already
designed with the extending action needed.



Jim Vincent
N483SZ
illspam