A rope structure defining first and second ends and comprising first and second directional strands defining a first and second characteristics, respectively, and at least one additional strand. The second directional strand is distinguishable from the first directional strand and the at least one additional strand is distinguishable from the first and second directional strands based on the first and second characteristics. A first adjacent portion defined by the first directional strand and a second adjacent portion defined by the second directional strand are arranged within intermediate sections of the rope structure such that the first adjacent portion(s) of the first directional strand is(are) closer to the first end of the rope than the second adjacent portion(s) of the second directional strand and the second adjacent portion is(are) closer to the second end of the rope than the first adjacent portion.
A non-destructive evaluation method for fiber rope comprises the following steps. A rope construction type is identified. An expected life of the rope construction type is determined. At least two characteristics of the rope construction types are identified. A characteristic adjustment factor is stored for at least one of the at least two characteristics. At least one rope characteristic interaction between at least two of the identified rope characteristics is identified. An interaction adjustment factor is stored for the at least one identified rope characteristic interaction. An adjusted remaining life is calculated based the expected life, the at least one characteristic adjustment factor, and the at least one interaction adjustment factor.
An RFID rope structure comprises an RFID thread and a plurality of rope elements. The RFID thread comprises a carrying structure and a plurality of RFID systems supported by the carrying structure. The plurality of rope elements are combined to define a reference axis. The RFID thread is supported by the rope elements such that each of the RFID systems is arranged at a predetermined location along the rope reference axis.
A hook assembly comprises a hook member and a pin assembly. The hook member defines a base portion, a hook, and first and second pin arms. The hook extends from the base portion and defines a first, second, third, and fourth hook portions and a hook opening. First and second lock projections extend from the second hook portion and fourth hook portions to define a lock gap. The hook opening has a first hook opening dimension extending between the second hook portion and the fourth hook portion and a second opening dimension extending between the third hook portion and the lock gap. The first and second pin arms extend from the base portion. The pin assembly engages the first and second pin arms. The first rope segment engages the pin assembly and the second rope segment engages the third hook portion to place the hook assembly under tension.
A hook assembly comprises a hook member and a pin assembly. The hook member defines a base portion, a hook, and first and second pin arms. The hook extends from the base portion and defines a first, second, third, and fourth hook portions and a hook opening. First and second lock projections extend from the second hook portion and fourth hook portions to define a lock gap. The hook opening has a first hook opening dimension extending between the second hook portion and the fourth hook portion and a second opening dimension extending between the third hook portion and the lock gap. The first and second pin arms extend from the base portion. The pin assembly engages the first and second pin arms. The first rope segment engages the pin assembly and the second rope segment engages the third hook portion to place the hook assembly under tension.
A round sling system comprises a bearing structure, a cover, and at least one organizer secured to the cover. The bearing structure is arranged to define a plurality of loop portions and to define at least one bearing structure end portion. The cover defines a cover chamber. The at least one organizer is configured to engage the bearing structure such that the at least one organizer maintains a position of the bearing structure relative to the cover and the at least one organizer maintains a spatial relationship of the loop portions at least within the at least one bearing structure end portion.
A method for non-destructively estimating a current physical condition of a cordage product in-service is described. The method involves obtaining sensor data associated with the cordage product while in-service handling a load. The sensor data includes any combination of cordage product elongation data, applied load data, and diametric data. The method further includes determining an axial stiffness value associated with the cordage product based on the sensor data and estimating a health state of the cordage product based on die determined axial stillness value, The estimated health state is indicative of the current physical condition of the cordage product.
A method for non-destructively estimating a current physical condition of a cordage product in-service is described. The method involves obtaining sensor data associated with the cordage product while in-service handling a load. The sensor data includes any combination of cordage product elongation data, applied load data, and diametric data. The method further includes determining an axial stiffness value associated with the cordage product based on the sensor data and estimating a health state of the cordage product based on the determined axial stiffness value. The estimated health state is indicative of the current physical condition of the cordage product.
A rope system adapted to be connected between first and second structures comprises a rope recoil system comprising first and second rope recoil assemblies. The first rope recoil assembly defines a first length and a first predetermined rope recoil maximum limit at which the first rope recoil assembly fails when under tension. The second rope recoil assembly defines a second length, where the second length is longer than the first length. The rope recoil assembly is arranged between the first and second structures such that the rope recoil system is in a first configuration. When at least one of the first and second structures moves away from another of the first and second structures, the first rope recoil assembly fails and the rope recoil system reconfigures into a second configuration.
A tapered rope structure (20) comprises a first rope region (24), a second rope region (26), and a splice region (22). The splice region (22) is between the first and the second rope regions (24, 26) and comprises a taper portion (32), a finish portion (34), and an overlap portion (30). The finish portion (34) is arranged between the taper portion (32) and the first rope region (24). The overlap portion (30) is arranged between the taper portion (32) and the second rope region (26). A diameter of the first rope region is smaller than a diameter of the second rope region (26). A diameter of the overlap portion (30) is greater than the diameter of the second rope region (26). A diameter of the splice region (22) generally decreases from the overlap portion (30) to the first rope region (24).
A fiber structure for forming a rope structure has a base matrix of base fiber material and at least one lubricity portion of lubricity material. The lubricity material determines a lubricity of at least a portion of a surface of the fiber structure.
A rope structure is formed by forming a sub-rope structure comprising a core and a jacket, twisting the sub-rope structure to form a twisted sub-rope structure, and forming the rope structure by braiding together a plurality of lengths of the twisted sub-rope structure.
D07B 1/04 - Ropes built-up from fibrous or filamentary material, e.g. of vegetable origin, of animal origin, regenerated cellulose, plastics with a core of fibres or filaments arranged parallel to the centre line
D07B 5/00 - Making ropes or cables from special materials or of particular form
A rope structure or method of forming a rope structure comprises a rope comprising a plurality of strands. The rope comprises first and second splice locations, an eye region between the first and second splice locations, and a main region. The main region of the rope is located adjacent to the first splice location and in an opposite direction along the rope from the eye region. At least one of the strands is a selected strand. An extracted portion of the at least one selected strand is extracted from the rope and inserted into the rope such that a bridge portion of the at least one selected strand extends between the first and second splice locations and a diameter of the rope is substantially consistent in the main region.
D07B 9/00 - Binding or sealing ends, e.g. to prevent unravelling
D07B 3/12 - General-purpose machines or apparatus for producing twisted ropes or cables from component strands of the same or different material operating with rotating loops of filaments
14.
SEGMENTED SYNTHETIC ROPE STRUCTURES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS
A rope structure comprises a plurality of link structures each defining first and second ends. Each link structure is formed of synthetic fibers. Each first end comprises at least first and second bend portions. Each second end comprises at least third and fourth bend portions. The first end of a first one of the plurality of link structures engages the second end of a second one of the plurality of link structures such that the first and second bend portions of the first end of the first one of the plurality of link structures are substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the third and fourth bend portions of the second end of the second one of the plurality of link structures.
A rope assembly that is adapted to extend between first and second attachment points comprises a line arranged to define a plurality of loops and at least one pair of organizers. The at least one pair of organizers is configured to engage the line such that line segments of the line between the at least one pair of organizers are maintained in a desired relationship with each other and such that the desired relationship facilitates transfer of loads through the rope assembly between the first and second attachment points.
A chafe jacket is used with a line extending around a structure comprising a tube structure defining an inner surface and a jacket axis. The tube structure comprises fibers each defining a fiber axis. The fiber axes defined by portions of the fibers defining the interior surface of the tube structure extend at an interior fiber angle of less than approximately 50 degrees relative to the jacket axis. The chafe jacket extends around at least a portion of the line adjacent to the structure to reduce wear on the line.
A dragline excavator system has a support assembly, a hoist coupler assembly suspended from the support assembly, a bucket assembly suspended from the hoist coupler assembly, a sheave assembly supported by the hoist coupler assembly, a drag coupler assembly, and at least one dump rope operatively connected to the drag coupler assembly and the bucket assembly. The at least one dump rope extends through the sheave assembly. The at least one dump rope is formed of at least one fiber made from at least one of high modulus polyethylene (HMPE), poly-p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole (PBO), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), aromatic polyamide (Aramid), polyester, nylon, polyolefin, polypropylene (PP), carbon, and glass.
A rope structure comprising a core component comprising core fibers combine to form a first rope structure and a first cover component comprising first cover strands comprising first cover fibers within a first matrix material. The first cover strands are arranged around at least a portion of the core component.
A termination assembly for a composite rope structure comprising an end comprises a distal connection member and a proximal connection member. The distal connection member defines a first threaded surface and a working portion, where the working portion is adapted to be connected to a structure. The proximal connection member defines a second threaded surface, an internal surface, and a proximal opening. The first and second threaded surfaces are configured to engage each other to detachably attach the distal connection member and the proximal connection member. The internal surface of the proximal connection member is configured to engage the end of the composite rope structure to secure the composite rope structure relative to the proximal connection member.
F16G 11/05 - Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objectsCaps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes with wedging action, e.g. friction clamps of grommet-thimble type by using conical plugs insertable between the strands
D07B 1/00 - Constructional features of ropes or cables
A method of fabricating a composite rope structure comprising the following steps. Impregnated yarns comprising fibers within a resin matrix are fabricated at a first location. The impregnated yarns are transported from the first location to a second location. The impregnated yarns are dispensed at the second location. The resin matrix of the dispensed impregnated yarns is cured at the second location to obtain the composite rope structure.
A rope structure comprising a plurality of formed composite strands. Each of the formed composite strands comprises fiber material and matrix material. The fiber material within the matrix material is twisted. The shapes of the plurality of formed composite strands are predetermined to facilitate combination of the plurality of composite strands into the rope structure.
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