A coupling device 30 for use in deploying submerged buoyant equipment 32 passively couples to a support structure 22 during deployment of the equipment 32. The coupling device 30 is attached to a winch tether 25, and the winch is attached to the buoyant equipment 32. After engagement of the coupling device 30 with the support structure 22, the winch is used to pull the equipment down into connection with the support structure 22. The winch tether may then be cut, allowing the connection device to fall into a receiving region of the support structure. The coupling device 40 may comprise a body 54 and a locking portion 50, so that the action of passing the device 40 through an engagement aperture moves the locking members 50 into an in-line position in which the device 40 can pass through the aperture, and the locking members 50 then fall under gravity into a locked position in which they extend laterally from the body 54.
DEPLOYING SUBMERGED EQUIPMENT
EINSATZ EINER UNTERGETAUCHTEN AUSRÜSTUNG
DÉPLOIEMENT D'UN ÉQUIPEMENT IMMERGÉ
2020-04-29
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Deploying and recovering device and navigation equipment
Europäisches Patentamt | 2021
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