Patent ID: 7963242
Filing Date: 2011-06-21
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
1. An anchor, comprising: a frame; a capstan coupled to the frame, wherein the capstan comprises a capstan shaft and a capstan hub coupled to the capstan shaft, wherein the capstan hub is configured to rotate about the capstan shaft; a riser cable in contact with the capstan hub, wherein the capstan is configured to deploy the riser cable from the anchor around the capstan hub; at least one brake coupled to the capstan shaft or to the capstan hub; a processor configured to provide a braking control signal to the at least one brake, wherein the at least one brake is configured, in response to the braking control signal, to retard a speed of rotation of the capstan hub, resulting in at least one of a retardation of a speed of deployment of the riser cable or a retardation of a speed of decent of the anchor; and a float, wherein the anchor is configured to hold the float, wherein the anchor is configured to deploy the float from the anchor.