US 2026/0249958 A1 · UNDERWATER TOWING SYSTEM

Abstract

An underwater towing system includes: a towing structure sailing on or in water; a towing rope hanging down from the towing structure into the water; and underwater work structures towed by the towing rope. At least one light emitter is attached to the towing rope. The light emitter is controlled by control circuitry included in the towing structure. Each of the underwater work structures includes a light receiver that can receive a light signal from the light emitter. One of the underwater work structures separates from the towing rope when the control circuitry makes the light emitter transmit a separation signal for this underwater work structure, and the light receiver of this underwater work structure receives the separation signal.

Claims5

Dependent claims

An underwater towing system comprising:

a towing structure sailing on or in water and including control circuitry;
a towing rope hanging down from the towing structure into the water;
at least one light emitter attached to the towing rope and controlled by the control circuitry;
and
underwater work structures towed by the towing rope, wherein:
each of the underwater work structures includes a light receiver that receives a light signal from the at least one light emitter;
and
one of the underwater work structures separates from the towing rope when the control circuitry makes the at least one light emitter transmit a separation signal for this underwater work structure, and the light receiver of this underwater work structure receives the separation signal.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

18/861,466Filed 31 May 2023

Priority

JP 2022-09974021 Jun 2022

Published

27 Aug 2026

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B63B 21/66
Towing or pushing equipment: equipment specially adapted for towing underwater objects or vessels, e.g. fairings for tow-cables
B63B 21/20
Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring: adaptations of chains, ropes, hawsers, or the like, or of parts thereof
B63B 45/04
Arrangements or adaptations of signalling or lighting devices: the devices being intended to indicate the vessel or parts thereof
B63B 79/10
Monitoring properties or operating parameters of vessels in operation: using sensors, e.g. pressure sensors, strain gauges or accelerometers

Underwater towing system

Life of this patent

Underwater towing system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims5