Lightweight Man-Portable Winch

Urban warfare tactics call for clearing buildings from the top down. Roof access is greatly improved by a lightweight, efficient winch as a personal lifting device. The devise generates 1-2 hp, lifting soldiers with fighting load (~100 kg) at a rate of1-meter-per-second. Radiated noise is less than 50 db. It will be as efficient as possible to minimize the fuel consumption and thermal signature. In Phase I Quoin conducted an engineering feasibility investigation for the lifting system with the use ofcomputer analysis of system elements and designed and demonstrated a working system. Phase II will optimize the current design and evaluate three power supply options including liquid and solid propellant cartridges and Quoin?s PowerQuickTMfree-piston-based micro-engine; currently under development as a primary power source for DARPA. The high-pressure gas from the power source drives a small turbine internal to a winch. Each power supply option will be designed, built and tested, with thebest performing power supply integrated with the winch to produce a fieldable unit. The system will be demonstrated with Special Forces, FBI and commercial users.