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Patent Number: |
7913944 |
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Case ID: |
0 |
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Patent Title:
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Cable brake for sea deployments of light cable
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Status: |
ACTIVE |
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Status Date: |
11/30/2011 11:07:54 AM |
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Issue Date:
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3/29/2011 |
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Filed Date:
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6/3/2008 |
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Serial #:
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2/132,091 |
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Assignee Name:
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The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
(Washington,
DC)
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Inventor(s):
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Lombardi, Tammy , GilChrist, Jeff , Bratten, Aaron , Collins, Lynn , Whiteside, Steve , Gonzales, Frank , Smith, Kristin |
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BACKGROUND
There are several challenges associated with the deployment of fiber-optic cable in water. To prevent wasteful, unrestrained payout of the cable, especially in deep water, tension is typically applied to the cable by way of capstans or hand
tension. These previous techniques have draw-backs, however, such as cable damage in the event of a cable snag, limited sequential in-line sensor deployment capability, and lack of precision/control. A need exists for a system with improved functional
capability and greater control of optical-cable deployment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1a shows a schematic of a ship equipped with the presently disclosed system.
FIG. 1b shows a side view of a cable brake system.
FIG. 2 shows an actuator/brake-hub sub-assembly.
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a sensor assembly.
FIG. 4 shows a sensor for counting revolutions of a drum; and
FIG. 5 shows perspective view . . . . More |
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A cable brake system for deployments of cable comprising: a frame
configured to be mounted on a ship; a repeater supporting track mounted
longitudinally to the frame, the supporting track being configured for
slidingly supporting a plurality of repeaters; a spool positioned
exterior to the frame, the spool having the cable wrapped therearound and
being capable of supplying the cable to an interior of the frame; at
least one planar surface on an interior of the frame, the planar surface
being positioned approximately parallel to the repeater supporting track;
and a plurality of brake sub-assemblies being supported by the planar
surface in a manner so as to establish a serpentine path for the cable
and to impart variable frictional resistance to the cable.
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We claim:
1. A cable brake system for deployments of cable comprising: a frame configured to be mounted on a ship; a repeater supporting track mounted longitudinally to said frame, said
supporting track being configured for slidingly supporting a plurality of repeaters; a spool positioned exterior to said frame, said spool having the cable wrapped therearound and being capable of supplying said cable to an interior of said frame; at
least one planar surface on an interior of said frame, said planar surface being positioned approximately parallel to said repeater supporting track; and a plurality of brake sub-assemblies being supported by said planar surface in a manner so as to
establish a serpentine path for the cable and to impart variable frictional resistance to the cable.
2. The cable brake system for deployments of light cable of claim 1, further comprising a counter, wherein said counter comprises a light reflective surface on said spool and a light emitti . . . . More |
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