Spooling apparatus and methods relating thereto
AssigneeThe University of Sheffield
InventorsChris SCRAGGS, James Edward Ramon LINDSAY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A spooling apparatus is disclosed being arranged to provide one or more services to a remote ground vehicle in a maintenance facility via a multi-line elongate carrier. The spooling apparatus includes a base for receiving services to be provided to the remote ground vehicle through the elongate carrier, and a turntable mounted on the base and arranged to rotate with respect to the base. A spooling drum which houses the elongate carrier is mounted on the turntable and is free to rotate so that as the vehicle moves within the maintenance facility the elongate carrier remains oriented towards the remote ground vehicle.
Claims16
A spooling apparatus for providing services via an elongate carrier to a remote ground vehicle, the services including at least two of data, power, and compressed air, the spooling apparatus comprising:
- a base for receiving services to be provided to the ground vehicle;
- a turntable coupled to the base and arranged to rotate with respect to the base;
- and,
- a spooling drum mounted on the turntable, the spooling drum being arranged for spooling the elongate carrier in a spooling direction,
- a flexible services conduit coupled between the base and the turntable for providing the services therebetween,
- such that rotation of the turntable aligns the spooling direction towards the ground vehicle during movement of the ground vehicle.
A method of providing services to a remote ground vehicle via an elongate carrier, the services including at least two of data, power, and compressed air, the elongate carrier being spooled from a spool in a spooling direction, the method comprising:
- coupling an end of the elongate carrier to the ground vehicle;
- and
- rotating the spool horizontally in dependence upon movement of the ground vehicle, wherein the spooling direction tracks the movement of the ground vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.