Patent ID: 7793606

Claim:
Apparatus for positioning a towed underwater cable, the apparatus comprising: an elongated body having an outer surface disposed about a longitudinal axis, the elongated body suitable for being connected axially in line with a towed underwater cable; a first wing swingable outward from the elongated body through a first opening formed in the outer surface; a second wing swingable outward from the elongated body through a second opening formed in the outer surface opposite the first opening; each of the first and second wings extending from a root to a wing tip; a first wing actuator disposed within the body and coupled to the root of the first wing to rotate the first wing on a first axis of rotation between a stowed position within the elongated body to operational positions wherein the wing tip is outside the elongated body and the span of the first wing defines a first sweep angle with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body; a second wing actuator disposed within the body and coupled to the root of the second wing to rotate the second wing on a second axis of rotation between a stowed position within the elongated body to operational positions wherein the wing tip is outside the elongated body and the span of the second wing defines a second sweep angle with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body; wherein the first and second sweep angles are independently adjustable by the first and second actuators.