differential windlass


noun

a pair of hoisting drums of different diameter turning at the same rate, such that a pulley suspended below them on a line wound on the larger drum and unwound from the smaller drum is raised with mechanical advantage.
Also called Chinese windlass.

British Dictionary definitions for differential windlass

differential windlass

noun

a windlass employing the velocity ratio incurred in unwinding from a small drum while winding onto a larger drum rotating at a common speed Also called: Chinese windlass