Capstan (redirected from Capstan effect)

capstan

Mechanical device used chiefly on board ships or in shipyards for moving heavy weights by means of ropes, cables, or chains. A capstan consists of a drum, driven either manually or by steam or electricity, that rotates about a vertical axis to wind in a line wrapped around it. The grip between the line and the drum depends on friction and on the number of times the line is wrapped around the drum. A notched track (ratchet) on the base plate and pawls attached to the drum prevent backward rotation.

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capstan

On magnetic tape drives, a motorized cylinder that traps the tape against a free-wheeling roller and moves it at a regulated speed.

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capstan

1. a machine with a drum that rotates round a vertical spindle and is turned by a motor or lever, used for hauling in heavy ropes, etc.

2. any similar device, such as the rotating shaft in a tape recorder that pulls the tape past the head

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capstan [′kap·stən]

(engineering)

A shaft which pulls magnetic tape through a machine at constant speed.

(naval architecture)

A rotating vertical spindle-mounted drum on which cable is wound for raising an anchor or other heavy weight.

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Capstan 

a ship’s winch with a vertical drum for lowering and hoisting the anchor, taking up the slack in mooring lines, lowering fishnets and trawls, and the like. Capstans may be operated manually or by steam, electric, or hydraulic drives. The drives are usually set below deck.