US 8,770,129 B2 · Dual mode fiber optic cable system for underwater remotely operated vehicle

Abstract

A cable containing an optical fiber is used to transmit data between an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a support vessel floating on the surface of the water. The ROV pulls the cable through the water and as the ROV dives away from the support vessel, the optical fiber is released from the support vessel. Excess tension in the cable can damage the optical fiber and the tension can be highest close to the ROV. To prevent potential damage to the optical fiber, the ROV can store a portion of the cable and release the cable if the detected tension approaches the maximum working load. When the tension drops to a lower safe level, the release mechanism can stop releasing the cable.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A cable tension control apparatus comprising:

a cable that includes an optical fiber for transmitting data between a controller on a surface vessel and a remotely operated underwater vehicle;
a first storage device coupled to the surface vessel for storing a first portion of the cable;
a spool mounted on the remotely operated underwater vehicle for storing a second portion of the cable;
a release mechanism which controls the removal of the second portion of the cable from the spool;
and
a tension sensor for detecting the tension in the cable;
wherein the first portion of the cable is released from the first storage device when the tension in the cable is lower than a predetermined value and the second portion of the cable is released from the spool by the release mechanism when the tension sensor detects that the tension in the cable is greater than the predetermined value.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

13/531,112Filed 22 Jun 2012 · us provisional application

Priority

23 Jun 2011

Published

US 2012/0328372 A127 Dec 2012

Granted

8 Jul 2014

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

B63C 11/34
Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects: diving chambers with mechanical link, e.g. cable, to a base
B63C 11/42
Of closed type: with independent propulsion or direction control
B65H 75/425
Attached to, or forming part of, mobile tools, machines or vehicles: attached to, or forming part of a vehicle, e.g. truck, trailer, vessel
B65H 75/4484
Arrangements or adaptations for driving the reel or the material: electronic arrangements or adaptations for controlling the winding or unwinding…

Dual mode fiber optic cable system for underwater remotely operated vehicle

Life of this patent

Dual mode fiber optic cable system for underwater remotely operated vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20