Snatch Ring Pulley Assembly for Slack Rope Re-Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional snatch rings used in horizontal winching applications experience slack issues, causing the rope to dislodge from the rope saddle, which compromises the effectiveness of the winching process.
Innovation Solution
A snatch ring pulley assembly with a deformable retention feature, such as flexible fingers or continuous annular protrusions, is designed to guide the rope back into the rope saddle when slack is introduced, ensuring the rope remains seated and preventing dislodgment, even at various angles and during rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional snatch ring is used in horizontal rigging applications, then the winching operation can be performed, but slack is introduced into the system causing the rope to dislodge from the rope saddle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the retention feature deformable rather than rigid. The retention feature is configured to deform when the rope enters or exits the pulley assembly, allowing it to adapt to different rope angles and positions. This deformability enables the retention feature to maintain contact with the rope and guide it back into the rope saddle even when slack is introduced, resolving the contradiction between reliable rope retention and ease of operation in horizontal rigging applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by altering the physical state of the retention feature from rigid to flexible/deformable. This change in material property allows the retention feature to dynamically adjust its shape and position in response to rope movement and tension changes, enabling it to effectively retain the rope during horizontal winching operations where slack and varying angles occur
2Reliability
If the retention feature is made rigid to prevent rope dislodgment, then rope retention improves, but the pulley assembly cannot accommodate various rope angles and rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the retention feature deformable rather than rigid. The retention feature is configured to deform when the rope enters or exits the pulley assembly, allowing it to adapt to different rope angles and positions. This deformability enables the retention feature to maintain contact with the rope and guide it back into the rope saddle even when slack is introduced, resolving the contradiction between reliable rope retention and ease of operation in horizontal rigging applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by altering the physical state of the retention feature from rigid to flexible/deformable. This change in material property allows the retention feature to dynamically adjust its shape and position in response to rope movement and tension changes, enabling it to effectively retain the rope during horizontal winching operations where slack and varying angles occur
3Reliability
If a deformable retention feature is added to guide the rope back into the rope saddle, then rope retention improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by integrating the deformable retention feature directly into the pulley wheel structure. Rather than being a separate component, the retention feature is formed as part of the pulley wheel itself, combining the functions of rope guidance, retention, and pulley operation into a single unified structure. This integration minimizes additional complexity while achieving improved rope retention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the deformable retention feature to automatically guide the rope back into the rope saddle without requiring external intervention or additional mechanisms. The deformability of the retention feature enables it to self-adjust and self-correct rope position passively, reducing the need for complex active control systems or additional components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The deformable retention feature effectively retains the rope within the pulley assembly, preventing slippage and damage, and allowing the pulley to function reliably at multiple rope angles without damaging the rope, thus enhancing the mechanical advantage of the winching operation.
Implementation Method 1
The deformable retention feature may be affixed to the first outer wheel portion of the pulley wheel body. The deformable retention feature may extend toward the second outer wheel portion, uniformly around and adjacent to an outer circumference of the first outer wheel portion
Implementation Method 2
A first plurality of resilient fingers may be seated within the plurality of through holes in the first outer wheel portion. The first plurality of resilient fingers may extend from the first outer wheel portion toward the second outer wheel portion
Data Source
AI summary
One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure may include a snatch ring pulley assembly including a pulley wheel body and a deformable retention feature affixed to the pulley wheel body. The pulley wheel body includes a rope saddle portion, a first outer wheel portion, and a second outer wheel portion substantially parallel to the first outer wheel portion. The deformable retention feature is affixed to the first outer wheel portion and extends toward the second outer wheel portion. The deformable retention feature extends uniformly around a circumference of the first outer wheel portion and extends substantially perpendicular to the first outer wheel portion.