Patent ID: 9376185
Filing Date: 2016-06-28
CPC Classification: B63G,B65H

Claim Text:
1. A cable release apparatus comprising: an optical cable for transmitting data between a controller on a surface vessel and a remotely operated underwater vehicle, the cable having a neutral buoyancy that prevents the optical cable from floating or sinking quickly; a spool mounted on the remotely operated underwater vehicle for storing substantially all of the optical cable, the remotely operated underwater vehicle including a propulsion system which produces vertical thrust; a release mechanism that controls the removal of the optical cable from the spool into the ambient water; a cable tension sensor for detecting tension in the optical cable; a speed sensor for detecting speed of the remotely operated underwater vehicle; and a controller in communication with the cable tension sensor and the speed sensor for controlling the release mechanism; wherein the controller controls the release mechanism to adjustably release the optical cable from the spool at a speed that is based on and proportional to a combination of the speed of the remotely operated underwater vehicle and the tension in the optical cable so that the tension in the optical cable is maintained within a predetermined range.