THE WINDLASS

Sketch and describes a windlass driving two de-clutchable cable lifters and war ing dru!s "ur ose of a windlass The duty of the windlass is to lift the anchors and assist in warping the ship and therefore its size and power depend upon the masses of the anchors and cable, and full load hauling, which is governed by the size of the ship. It may be powered by a steam engine or electric motors. E# lain the gearing necessar$ between the ri!e !over and cable lifters The design and performance of anchor windlasses is subject to approval by a classification society. The basic design is that of a double-purchase lifting machine consisting of a primary shaft, intermediate shaft, and two main halfshafts, with corresponding inions and gear wheels as shown diagrammatically in figure below. In the electrically driven windlass, the primary shaft is driven by wor! and wor!wheel through a worm shaft, from the electric or hydraulic motors. Due to the low speed of rotation required of the cable lifter whilst heaving anchor !-" rev#min$ a high gear reduction is needed when a high-speed electric or hydraulic motor drives the windlass. This is generally obtained by using a high ratio worm gear followed by a single step of spur gears between the warpend shaft and cable lifters The primary shaft carries a pinion which meshes with a gear wheel on the intermediate shaft, and two pinions on the intermediate shaft mesh with two main gear wheels, one on each main half shaft. %ach main half shaft carries a cable-lifter which has snugs around its circumference of the size and pitch to suit the lin&s of the cable.

The cable-lifters are not fi'ed on the shafts but are mounted freely to allow them to rotate independent of the shafts. ( screw-operated steel band brake is fitted around a bra&e drum on the outer edge of the rim of the cable-lifter for controlling the speed of the cable when )paying out) and for loc&ing it stationary when required.

The power for hoisting is transmitted through a clutch for!ed b$ %aws on the side of the main gear wheel which fit a corresponding set of jaws on the side of the cable-lifter. The main gear wheel may be a sliding fit and &eyed to its half shaft to allow it to be moved laterally into and out of gear, alternatively the gear wheel may be fi'ed on the shaft and the cable-lifter moved laterally to engage gear. ( screwed control rod attached to a cod-piece riding in a groove in the boss of either the main gear wheel or the cable-lifter operates the clutch. Thus the two cable-lifters are entirely independent, the anchors may be lifted both at once, or separately, or one may be lifted while the other is being )let go.) %ach end of the intermediate shaft is e'tended through a dog clutch to carry a warping drum. Anchor handling The efficient wor&ing of the anchor windlass is essential to the safety of the ship. (n anchor windlass can e'pect to fulfil the following* The windlass cable lifter bra&es must be able to control the running anchor and cable when the cable lifter is disconnected from the gearing when +letting go+. (verage cable speeds vary between " and , m#s during this operation. The windlass must be able to heave a certain weight of cable at a specified speed. This full load duty of the windlass varies and may be as high as ,- tonne. figures between /- and 0- tonne are not unusual. 1ommonly the load is between 0 and 2 times the weight of one anchor. The speed of haul is at least 3 m#min and up to 4" m#min. The bra&ing effort obtained at the cable lifter must be at least equal to 0-5 of the brea&ing strength of the cable. 6ost anchor handling equipment incorporates war ends for mooring purposes and light line speeds of up to -.," to 4.- m#s are required. The conventional types of equipment in use are as follows. &aintenance Windlass brakes must be &ept in satisfactory condition if they are to function properly. 7ear and compression of bra&e linings increases the clearance between the bra&e drum and band after a windlass has been in operation. Inspect bra&e linings and clearances frequently. 6a&e adjustments according to the manufacturer+s instructions. Lubrication instructions furnished by the manufacturer should be followed. If a windlass has been idle for some time, lubricate it. This protects finished surfaces from corrosion and prevents seizure of moving parts.