US 9,110,189 B2 · Towing warp

Abstract

A production method for a headline sonar cable (20, 120) that exhibits a high breaking-strength and lighter weight than a conventional steel headline sonar cable. Producing the headline sonar cable (20, 120) is characterized by the steps of: a. providing an elongatable internally-located conductive structure (34, 134) that is adapted for data signal transmission; and b. braiding a strength-member jacket layer (52) of polymeric material around the structure (34, 134) while ensuring that the structure (34, 134) is slack when surrounded by the jacket layer (52). The structure (34, 134) of the cable (20, 120) retains conductivity upon stretching of the jacket layer (52) surrounding the structure (34, 134) that lengthens the cable (20, 120). For one embodiment of the method a conductor (20) wrapped around a rod (24) and enclosed within a sheath layer (32) forms the structure (34, 134). For another embodiment of the method a braided conductor (122) enclosed within a braided sheath (124) and a polymeric layer (132) forms the structure (34, 134).

Claims27

Dependent claims

A method for producing a towing warp (20, 120) having a high breaking-strength and lighter weight in water than a conventional towing warp having a strength member formed exclusively of steel wire, the method for producing the towing warp (20, 120) comprising steps of:

a. providing a conductor (22, 122) that is formed so as to be capable of undergoing permanent elongation and that also is adapted for at least electrical energy and/or current transmission;
b. forming a strength-member jacket layer (52) of polymeric material around at least a portion of the conductor (22, 122) while simultaneously ensuring that the at least a portion of the conductor (22, 122) remains elongatable when enclosed within the strength-member jacket layer (52);
and
c. stretching the strength-member jacket layer (52) so as to permanently elongate both the strength member jacket layer (52) and the at least a portion of the conductor (22, 122) while simultaneously not breaking the at least a portion of the conductor.

1 more element

A towing warp (20, 120) capable of transmitting at least data signals, the towing warp having a strength member and having a conductor, the towing warp having a high breaking-strength and lighter weight in water than a conventional towing warp having a strength member formed exclusively of steel wire, the towing warp produced by a method, the method for producing the towing warp (20, 120) comprising steps of:

a. providing a conductor (22, 122) that is formed so as to be capable of undergoing permanent elongation and that also is adapted for at least electrical energy and/or current transmission;
b. forming a strength-member jacket layer (52) of polymeric material around at least a portion of the conductor (22, 122) while simultaneously ensuring that the at least a portion of the conductor (22, 122) remains elongatable when enclosed within the strength-member jacket layer (52);
and
c. stretching the strength-member jacket layer (52) so as to permanently elongate both the strength member jacket layer (52) and the at least a portion, of the conductor (22, 122) while simultaneously not breaking the at least a portion of the conductor.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Towing warp

Life of this patent

Towing warp

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27