US 5,605,306 A · Mechanical tow line regulation system for an airborne towed aerobody

Abstract

A mechanical regulation system for controlling tow line payout between the aerobody and a towing vehicle. The system comprises a housing, a nonrotating spool, and a tow line wound around the spool that is coupled between the aerobody and the vehicle. The regulation portion of the present system comprises a rotatable wedge-shaped tube, having the tow line wrapped around it. A rotatable mechanical regulator is slidably coupled to the wedge-shaped tube. The regulator is adapted to rotate with the tube and move transversely along the length of the tube as the tow line is removed from the spool. A brake mechanism is provided as part of the regulator, and a brake drum is disposed adjacent the periphery of the regulator that is contacted by the brake mechanism.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A mechanical regulation system for use in airborne tow line payout between a towed aerobody and a towing vehicle, said system comprising:

a housing;
a nonrotating member disposed in the housing;
a tow line wound around the nonrotating member and coupled between the towed aerobody and the towing vehicle;
a rotatable wedge-shaped tube disposed in the housing;
a rotatable mechanical regulator slidably coupled to the rotatable wedge-shaped tube that is adapted to rotate with the tube and move transversely along the length of the tube as the tow line is removed from the nonrotating member;
a brake mechanism disposed in the rotatable mechanical regulator;
and
a brake drum disposed around the periphery of the rotatable mechanical regulator that is adapted to be contacted by the brake mechanism.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Mechanical tow line regulation system for an airborne towed aerobody

Life of this patent

Mechanical tow line regulation system for an airborne towed aerobody

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6