Mechanical tether system for a submersible vehicle

摘要

A flexible lifting tether system for lifting a marine vehicle or object is described which is capable of significantly improving the primary characteristics of an existing cable by enhancing load-carrying capabilities (e.g. in air), modifying the tether to have altered specific gravities in water, and relieving torsional stresses when in operation.

主权项

1. A flexible marine tether comprising:
a segmented line comprising:
a lifting segment adapted to support a marine load in air; anda connecting segment mechanically engaged with the lifting segment; a terminal engagement means proximate a proximal end of the tether and a proximal end of the connecting segment; a marine load engagement means proximate a distal end of the tether; and a winch engagement means proximate a proximal end of the lifting segment, wherein, when the winch engagement means is engaged with a winch and the marine load engagement means engages the lilting segment, the tether is adapted to support the marine load in air.