Winch

More complex designs have gear assemblies and can be powered by electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or internal combustion drives.

By the 4th century BCE, winch and pulley hoists were regarded by Aristotle as common for architectural use (Mech.

[2] The yacht Reliance, American defender of the 1903 America's Cup, was the first racing boat to be fitted with modern winches below decks.

[5] Modern vehicles typically use electric winches running off the car's 12V starter or 24V secondary battery.

The winch is either controlled with a detachable cable, a button inside the car or wireless remote.

The winch pulls in 1,000 to 1,600 m (3,300 to 5,200 ft) of high-tensile steel wire or a synthetic fibre cable, attached at the other end to the glider.

Winches are frequently used as elements of backstage mechanics to move scenery in large theatrical productions.

When the winch is engaged, it pulls the boarder in at a speed ranging from 25 to 40 kilometres per hour (16 to 25 mph).

This is a vertical spool with a ratchet mechanism similar to a conventional winch, but with no crank handle or other form of drive.

The winch takes the load once the pull is stopped with little operator tension needed to hold it.

These also allow controlled release of the tension by the operator using the friction of the line around the ratcheted spool.

They are used on small sailing boats and dinghies to control sheets and other lines, and in larger applications to supplement and relieve tension on the primary winches.