A tether line is mounted in a retriever and, when a water vessel is launched into the water, the retriever applies a tension force to the tether line. After the water vessel is launched, the tension on the tether line pulls the water vessel from its launched floating position towards the stationary object. The retriever is rotatably mounted on the water vessel or the stationary object such that it will pivot around a vertical axis and point in a direction towards and along the tether line. A spool mounted on the structural unit holds the tether line, and an electrical or mechanical motor, such as a spring B-motor, places a torque on the spool and a tension on the tether line. After the water vessel is launched, the tension force from the motor pulls the water vessel from a launched position to the stationary object. A self-governing control mechanism in the retriever senses at least one operating parameter of the retriever and limits the retrieval of the tether line to within predetermined operating conditions. The self-governing control mechanism may sense the tension on the tether line and stop retrieval of the tether line when the tension on the tether line drops below a predetermined tension. The self-governing control mechanism may also (or alternatively) sense the speed of the spool and apply a brake force proportional to the spool's rotational speed.
Retriever device and method
2020-03-17
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B65H HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES , Handhaben von dünnem oder fadenförmigem Gut, z.B. Folien, Bahnen, Kabeln / B60P Fahrzeuge zum Transport von Lasten oder zum Befördern, Tragen oder Aufnehmen besonderer Lasten oder Gegenstände , VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS |
NTIS | 1954
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