Cable handling system
AssigneePGS Americas, Inc.
InventorGary Scott
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system or apparatus and method for retrieving cable from water during marine operations is provided that reduces damage to the cable from pulling forces during the retrieval. A pulling device distributes the forces and stresses all along the cable components. In one embodiment, the pulling drive comprises a pulling drum powered by a clutching system or by a hydraulic torque conversion system set to slip or stall at a selectable force value. The apparatus may use a see-saw action to maintain the forces below damaging levels. The system may be adapted for deploying cable in marine operations as well.
Claims37
A system for retrieving cable from water during marine operations employing a floating vessel, said system comprising a distributor for distributing forces across all components of the cable while pulling said cable and an adjuster for automatically adjusting the pulling forces on the cable caused by movement of said vessel in the water.
A method for retrieving cable from water in marine operations employing a floating vessel, while monitoring and adjusting the pulling forces on said cable during said retrieval to reduce damage to said cable from said forces during said retrieval, said method comprising pulling said cable with a pulling device that distributes pulling forces and stresses among all of the cable components, and that employs a see-saw action for adjusting said pulling forces to maintain said forces below the damage point for said cable.
An apparatus for retrieving and deploying cable in marine operations, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) pulley drum assembly comprising a pulling drum capable of pulling the cable while distributing pulling forces across all components of the cable;
- (b) powered drive motor with regulatable torque drive for operating the pulling drum and adjusting the forces such pulling exerts on the cable;
- (c) front-mounted damper arm with an adjustable tension range positioned prior to the drum pulley assembly to dampen stress on the cable caused by movement of water;
- (d) storage system for said cable;
- and
- (e) means for delivering cable from the pulley drum assembly to the storage system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.