US Patent 11987479 Cable tensioning capstan assembly with independently rotatable flange

A cable tensioning capstan assembly comprises a capstan drum and at least a first traction flange. The capstan drum may be configured to support a cable (e.g., a cable is configured to wrap around the capstan drum), and the capstan drum may be configured to rotate about an output axis. The first traction flange may be disposed adjacent the first axial end of the capstan drum and configured to rotate about the output axis. In various embodiments, the first traction flange is independently rotatable relative to the capstan drum. A clutch assembly between an input shaft and the first traction flange may facilitate the independent rotatability of the first traction flange.