Automated cable breakout assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9511824-B2
Application number	US-201514942640-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 16, 2015
Priority date	Nov 19, 2014
Publication date	Dec 6, 2016
Grant date	Dec 6, 2016

Abstract

A method of engaging an automated breakout assembly includes receiving, by a tow socket having a rotatable sleeve multiple mating connectors, a cable into the tow socket through a slot. The cable comprises a tow ball. Each mating connector is electrically coupled to an electrical conductor. The method includes receiving, by the rotatable sleeve, the randomly-aligned tow ball through an entrance. The method includes rotating a cam configured to rotate the rotatable sleeve to substantially align the mating connectors of the tow socket with connectors of the tow ball such that each electrical conductor electrically coupled to a mating connector couples to a corresponding connector of the tow ball. The method includes transferring a tow loading force between the cable and the tow socket by moving the cable.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a body comprising a tow socket configured to receive a randomly-aligned tow ball, the tow socket having a rotatable sleeve, a cam, and multiple mating connectors, each mating connector electrically coupled to an electrical conductor; and
a cable configured to be coupled to the body in order to facilitate towing of the body, the cable comprising multiple core connectors and multiple breakout connectors configured to transport signals,
wherein the cable further comprises a tow ball configured to enter the rotatable sleeve of the tow socket, the tow ball comprising connectors configured to couple the breakout connectors of the cable to the mating connectors of the tow socket,
wherein the cam is coupled to the rotatable sleeve and configured to rotate the rotatable sleeve to substantially align the mating connectors of the tow socket with connectors of a tow ball such that each electrical conductor electrically coupled to a mating connector couples to a corresponding connector of the tow ball.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tow socket further includes a fixed sleeve within which the rotatable sleeve is configured to rotate.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the fixed sleeve is configured to fixedly attach to the body.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cam is further configured to rotate according to a force from physical contact between the cam and cam follower of the tow ball.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the connectors of the tow ball are configured to pass through electrical conductors and optical conductors.

6. That system of claim 1 , wherein the cable includes a structural member and electrical conductors arranged concentrically.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tow ball is disposed at a mid-point of the cable.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tow socket further comprises:
a slot configured to receive the cable into the rotatable sleeve, and
an entrance through which the tow ball enters the rotatable sleeve,
wherein the slot is arranged perpendicular to the entrance.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein movement of the cable transfers a tow loading force between the cable and the tow socket.

10. An apparatus comprising:
a tow socket configured to receive a randomly-aligned tow ball, the tow socket having a rotatable sleeve, a cam, and multiple mating connectors, each mating connector electrically coupled to an electrical conductor,
wherein the cam is coupled to the rotatable sleeve and configured to rotate the rotatable sleeve to substantially align the mating connectors of the tow socket with connectors of a tow ball such that each electrical conductor electrically coupled to a mating connector couples to a corresponding connector of the tow ball.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a fixed sleeve within which the rotatable sleeve is configured to rotate.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the fixed sleeve is configured to fixedly attach to a body.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the cam is further configured to rotate according to a force from physical contact between the cam and cam follower of the tow ball.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the rotatable sleeve is configured to receive the tow ball through an entrance.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the apparatus is fixedly attached to a body to be towed, and
wherein the tow ball is a component of a cable that is configured to be coupled to the body in order to facilitate towing of the body, the cable comprising multiple core connectors and multiple breakout connectors configured to transport power and signals.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein movement of the cable transfers a tow loading force between the cable and the tow socket.

17. A method comprising:
receiving, by a tow socket having a rotatable sleeve and multiple mating connectors, a cable into the tow socket through a slot, wherein the cable comprises a tow ball, and wherein each mating connector is electrically coupled to an electrical conductor;
receiving, by the rotatable sleeve, the tow ball through an entrance;
rotating a cam to rotate the rotatable sleeve to substantially align the mating connectors of the tow socket with connectors of the tow ball such that each electrical conductor electrically coupled to a mating connector couples to a corresponding connector of the tow ball; and
transferring a tow loading force between the cable and the tow socket by moving the cable.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the cam is further configured to rotate according to a force from physical contact between the cam and cam follower of the tow ball.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising coupling the connectors of the tow ball with the mating connectors of the tow socket.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the slot is arranged perpendicular to the entrance.

Assignees

• Raytheon Co

Inventors

• Sturges James R
• Hartwell Haywood
• Sharp David A
• Blake Christopher
• Ricci Jr Joseph

Classifications

• B63B21/66

  Equipment specially adapted for towing underwater objects or vessels, e.g. fairings for tow-cables ({paravanes for dragging fishing nets A01K73/02; } salvaging underwater vessels or objects B63C7/00; towed underwater vessels B63G8/42) · CPC title

• B63G8/42

  Towed underwater vessels · CPC title

• H01R39/643 Primary

  through ball or roller bearing · CPC title

• B63B21/04

  Fastening or guiding equipment for chains, ropes, hawsers, or the like {(means for fastening cables or ropes in general F16G11/00)} · CPC title

• B63B21/56 Primary

  Towing or pushing equipment (tugs B63B35/66; towing arrangements for water sports use B63B34/60) · CPC title