Winch 261538 225761452 2008-07-15T07:55:26Z Sephiroth BCR 621952 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/121.54.25.62|121.54.25.62]] to last version by Fabartus (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) [[Image:Winch.PNG|thumb|Modern self-tailing winch on a sailing boat. Here, the line winched is a [[jib]] or [[spinnaker]] [[Sheet (sailing)|sheet]] which runs from the sail (upper left, not shown) to a [[Block (sailing)|block]] (lower right,not shown) and from there to the lower part of the winch. The handle is detachable to facilitate handling of the line.]] A '''winch''' is a mechanical device that is used to pull in (wind up) or let out (wind out) or otherwise adjust the "[[tension]]" of a [[rope]] or [[wire rope]] (also called "cable" or "wire cable"). In its simplest form it consists of a spool and attached hand [[crank (mechanism)|crank]]. In larger forms, winches stand at the heart of machines as diverse as [[tow truck]]s, [[steam shovel]]s and [[elevator]]s. The spool can also be called the winch drum. More elaborate designs have [[gear]] assemblies and can be powered by electric, [[hydraulic]], [[pneumatic]] or [[internal combustion]] drives. Some may include a [[solenoid brake]] and/or a mechanical brake or [[ratchet (device)|ratchet and pawl]] device that prevents it from unwinding unless the pawl is retracted. == Applications == Besides industrial applications (e.g. in [[Crane (machine)|cranes]]), winches are used for towing cars, boats, or [[glider]]s. There are several winches on almost every boat or ship where they are used to pull [[anchor]] or mooring lines, [[halyard]]s, and sheets. The rope is usually stored on the winch, but a similar machine that does not store the rope is called a [[Capstan (nautical)|capstan]]. When trimming a line on a sailboat, the crew member turns the winch handle with one hand, while tailing (pulling on the loose tail end) with the other to maintain tension on the turns. Some winches have a "stripper" or cleat to maintain tension. These are known as "self-tailing" winches <ref>Mark Smith. The Annapolis Book of Seamanship. 1999 Simon & Schuster</ref>. Winches are frequently used as elements of backstage mechanics to move [[scenery]] in large theatrical productions. Winches are often embedded in the stage floor and used to move large set pieces on and off. ==History== The earliest literary reference to a winch can be found in the account of [[Herodotus of Halicarnassus]] on the [[Greco-Persian Wars|Persian Wars]] (''Histories'' 7.36), where he describes how wooden winches were used to tighten the cables for a pontoon bridge across the Hellespont in 480 B.C. Winches may have been employed even earlier in [[Assyria]]. By the 4th century BC, winch and pulley hoists were regarded by [[Aristotle]] as common for architectural use (''Mech''. 18; 853b10-13).<ref>J. J. Coulton, “Lifting in Early Greek Architecture,” The Journal of Hellenic Studies, Vol. 94. (1974), pp. 1-19 (12)</ref> The largest electric drive winch in the world is placed on the ''[[DCV Balder|Balder]]'', a construction ship.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} It is used as a Mooring Line Deployment Winch with a diameter of 10.5 meter and an SWL (Safe Working Load) of 275 MT. ==See also== * [[Steam donkey]] ==References== {{reflist}} {{Sailing ship elements}} [[Category:Mechanisms]] [[Category:Sailing ship elements]] [[es:Cabestrante]] [[cs:Navíjecí buben]] [[de:Seilwinde]] [[eo:Vinĉo]] [[fr:Winch]] [[he:כננת]] [[it:Verricello]] [[ja:ウインチ]] [[nl:Lier (hijs- of trekwerktuig)]] [[no:Vinsj]] [[ru:Лебёдка]] [[fi:Vinssi]] [[sv:vinsch]] [[uk:Лебідка]]