Optical fiber management system and method
AssigneeBluefin Robotics Corporation
InventorsGraham Hawkes, Charles S Chiau, Adam Wright
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical fiber management system for a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) includes a spool containing a length of optical cable, a motor coupled to the spool, a motor controller, a speed sensor and a feed mechanism. The motor controller can detect the speed of the ROV through water and control the rotational speed of the motor so that the optical cable is removed from the spool at a speed that is equal to or greater than the speed of the ROV. A feed mechanism is used to apply a tension to the optical cable so that it is removed from the spool and emitted from the ROV without becoming tangled.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a spool for storing an optical fiber;
- a motor for rotating the spool;
- a speed transducer for detecting a rate of movement of the apparatus through the water;
- and
- a controller coupled to the motor for controlling the removal of the optical fiber from the spool at a rate that is equal to or greater than a detected rate of movement of the apparatus through the water;
- wherein the spool, the motor, the speed transducer and the controller move with the apparatus at the detected rate of movement through the water.
An apparatus comprising:
- a spool for storing an optical fiber;
- a motor for rotating the spool;
- a receiver coupled to the optical fiber for receiving apparatus velocity signals;
- and
- a controller coupled to the motor for controlling the removal of the optical fiber from the spool at a rate that is equal to or greater than the apparatus velocity signals;
- wherein the spool, the motor, the receiver and the controller move with the apparatus at the detected rate of movement through a body of water.
A method comprising:
- detecting a movement of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a speed transducer;
- transmitting a speed signal from the speed transducer to a motor;
- rotating a spool storing an optical fiber with the motor at a rate that is equal to or greater than a rate of movement of the ROV;
- removing the optical fiber from the spool and the ROV;
- and
- transmitting control signals through the optical fiber on the spool on the ROV.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.