Non-rotary joint
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorAnthony A Ruffa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A non-rotary joint for connecting a static component to a rotatable component includes an adapter on a rotatable part. A motor is joined to rotate the rotatable part. A connector is joined to the static component. The connector can be moved by an actuator from a first position joined with the adapter to a second position positioned away from the adapter. A controller is joined to control the motor and the actuator. The controller signals the actuator to move to the second position when the motor is activated and signals the actuator to move to the first position when said motor is deactivated. In a practical embodiment, the non-rotary joint makes a connection between a static signal carrier and a cable on a winch drum.
Claims13
An apparatus for joining a signal conductor from a static component to a rotatable component comprises:
- a rotatable part joined to the rotatable component and capable of rotating about a center of rotation;
- an adapter positioned on said rotatable part and joined to the rotatable component;
- a motor joined to said rotatable part to rotate said rotatable part;
- a connector joined to the static component;
- an actuator joined to said connector to move said connector from a first position joined with said adapter to a second position positioned away from said adapter;
- and
- a controller joined to control said motor and said actuator, said controller signaling said actuator to move to the second position when said motor is activated and signaling said actuator to move to the first position when said motor is deactivated.
A system for deploying, retrieving, and communicating with a fiber optic sensor from a fiber optic cable comprising:
- a winch drum for carrying the fiber optic sensor and capable of deploying the fiber optic sensor by rotating about a central axis;
- an adapter positioned on said winch drum and joinable to the fiber optic sensor;
- a motor joined to said winch drum to rotate said winch drum;
- a connector joinable to the fiber optic cable;
- an actuator joined to said connector to move said connector from a first position joined with said adapter to a second position positioned away from said adapter;
- and
- a controller joined to control said motor and said actuator, said controller signaling said actuator to move to the second position when said motor is activated and signaling said actuator to move to the first position when said motor is deactivated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.