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Hybrid winch with controlled release and torque impulse generation control for anchor handling offshore

  • US 9,365,265 B2
  • Filed: 12/02/2014
  • Issued: 06/14/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A hybrid winch system for use with an anchor handling vessel, the system comprising:

  • an electric winch mountable on the anchor handling vessel;

    an electric generator for providing generated power to the electric winch;

    a battery for providing stored power to the electric winch;

    an anchor cable wound around the electric winch and passing over a roller drum for guiding the anchor cable;

    an anchor attached to a distal end of the anchor cable; and

    a winch controller for selectively applying the generated power and the stored power to the electric winch, whereby the winch controller being configured to provide the stored power to the electric winch for controlled release of the anchor cable in case of loss of the generated power;

    a torque control processor;

    an input/output port for connecting the electric winch to the winch controller; and

    a non-transitory computer readable medium in data communication with the torque control processor and comprising a computer program having executable instructions to;

    determine if the electric generator power failed;

    measure tension on the anchor cable attached to the electric winch and the anchor when the electric generator power has failed; and

    adjust torque of the electric winch pulling the anchor cable for controlled release thereof by providing stored power from the battery.

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