Downrigger cable reel with rotary electrical coupling
AssigneeWalker Downriggers, Inc.
InventorRandolph K. Ford
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A coupling system suitable for use with a transmission cable is described. The system includes a rotary electrical coupling operably connected to a cable reel assembly having a main body and a reel rotatably mounted to the main body for winding the transmission cable. The rotary electrical coupling provides for the transmission of electrical signals and power between the cable on the reel and a vessel. The rotary electrical coupling includes a rolling electrical contact bearing.
Claims19
A coupling system suitable for use with a downrigger cable comprising:
- a cable reel assembly having a main body and a cable reel rotatably mounted on a drive shaft to said main body for winding said downrigger cable, said main body and said cable reel defining a main bore and an axial bore respectively;
- and
- a rotary electrical coupling operably connected to said main body and to said cable reel for transmission of an electrical signal therebetween, said rotary electrical coupling comprising a rolling electrical contact bearing in one of said main bore or said axial bore and surrounding said drive shaft for maintaining an electrical connection between the main body and the reel during relative motion therebetween.
A coupling system suitable for use with a downrigger cable comprising:
- a cable reel assembly having a main body and a cable reel rotatably mounted on a drive shaft to said main body for winding said downrigger cable, said main body and said cable reel defining a main bore and an axial bore respectively for said drive shaft;
- and
- a rotary electrical coupling operably connected to said main body and to said cable reel for transmission of an electrical signal therebetween, said rotary electrical coupling comprising a plurality of rolling electrical contact bearings in said main bore or said axial bore and surrounding said drive shaft and electrically isolated from one another.
A coupling system suitable for use with a downrigger cable comprising:
- a cable reel assembly having a main body and a cable reel rotatably mounted to said main body for winding said downrigger cable, said main body and said cable reel defining a main bore and an axial bore respectively;
- and
- a rotary electrical coupling operably connected to said main body and to said cable reel for transmission of an electrical signal therebetween, said rotary electrical coupling including a drive shaft rotatably mounted to and extending through said main body and said cable reel, and further including a first rolling electrical contact bearing located in said main bore and supporting said drive shaft in said main body and a second rolling electrical contact bearing located in said axial bore and supporting said cable reel on said drive shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.