Western Gear Corporation

James P Blanchet

Thomas J Reynolds

John M Franchuk

An improved cable tension machine increases the velocity for hauling in of cable from approximately 100 feet per minute to an excess of 700 feet per minute. The cable tension machine uses a floating, semirigid track suspension to hold the track belts in contact with the cable. The track suspension increases the minor variation tolerance acceptable for the cable tension machine, thereby allowing rapid running of odd shapes through the cable tension machine. A more uniform cable loading force is provided to the cable without excessive force when bodies are encountered and without jamming. Basically, the cable tension machine comprises upper and lower track assemblies positioned atop one another capable of applying a tensioning force to the cable which passes between the track assemblies. A housing holds both track assemblies in spaced relationship, allowing movement of the upper track assembly relative to the lower track assembly through a pivotable lift point on the upper part of the housing. The lift point is located to optimize performance. The housing is open on one side to allow threading of a cable between the track belt.

Draw-off and hold-back cable tension machine

A floating barge crane that is provided with a heave compensator package between the traveling block of the crane and the load hook of the crane and with the package containing substantially all of the components of a hauldown system. The hauldown system includes four winches which carry hauldown cables that pass from the package to the load and to the stationary structure at circumferentially spaced points to pull the load toward the stationary structure and control lateral, vertical and rotational movement of the load.

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Arlington, WA, United States of America

James P Blanchet