Variable rigidity tow cable
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorBryan Neal FISK
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A variable rigidity tow cable for attaching a first vehicle with a second vehicle. The tow cable includes a tension control cable having a first end and a second end. Tension on at least one of the ends of the tension control cable can be controlled to increase or decrease the length of the tension control cable. A plurality of beads are slidingly disposed on the tension control cable between the first end and the second end. The beads are free to move relative to one another on the tension control cable when the tension control cable is slack, and the beads are engaged with each other to form a rigid structure around the tension control cable when tension is applied to the tension control cable.
Claims19
A variable rigidity tow cable, comprising:
- a tension control cable;
- a tension control device connected to the tension control cable that controls tension in the tension control cable to increase and decrease a length of the tension control cable;
- beads disposed on the tension control cable, the beads including an apex bead with first and second ends, a first plurality of the beads are slidably disposed on the tension control cable between the first end of the apex bead and a first end of the tension control cable, and a second plurality of the beads are slidably disposed on the tension control cable between the second end of the apex bead and a second end of the tension control cable;
- and
- the apex bead, the first plurality of beads and the second plurality of beads defining a rigid shape of the tension control cable upon a predetermined decrease in length of the tension control cable to a tensioned length;
- and the beads in the first plurality of beads and the beads in the second plurality of beads are free to move relative to one another on the tension control cable when the tension control cable has a length greater than the tensioned length.
A tow cable, comprising:
- a tension control cable;
- a tension control device connected to the tension control cable that controls tension in the tension control cable to increase and decrease a length of the tension control cable;
- beads disposed on the tension control cable, the beads defining a rigid shape of the tension control cable upon a predetermined decrease in length of the tension control cable to a tensioned length;
- and the beads are free to move relative to one another on the tension control cable when the tension control cable has a length greater than the tensioned length;
- a sheath that surrounds the beads and the tension control cable;
- and
- the beads are positively or neutrally buoyant in water.
A tow vehicle, comprising:
- a vehicle body;
- a tension control cable having a first end and a second end, each of the first end and the second end are attached to the vehicle body;
- a first tension control device mounted on the vehicle body and being operatively connected to the first end or to the second end of the tension control cable, the first tension control device controls tension in the tension control cable to increase and decrease a length of the tension control cable;
- beads disposed on the tension control cable, the beads defining a rigid shape of the tension control cable upon a predetermined decrease in length of the tension control cable to a tensioned length by the first tension control device;
- and the beads are free to move relative to one another on the tension control cable when the tension control cable has a length greater than the tensioned length;
- a sheath that surrounds the beads and the tension control cable;
- and
- the beads are positively or neutrally buoyant in water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.