AUTOMATED CABLE BREAKOUT ASSEMBLY

摘要

A method of engaging an automated breakout assembly includes receiving, by a tow socket having a rotatable sleeve multiple mating connectors, a cable into the tow socket through a slot. The cable comprises a tow ball. Each mating connector is electrically coupled to an electrical conductor. The method includes receiving, by the rotatable sleeve, the randomly-aligned tow ball through an entrance. The method includes rotating a cam configured to rotate the rotatable sleeve to substantially align the mating connectors of the tow socket with connectors of the tow ball such that each electrical conductor electrically coupled to a mating connector couples to a corresponding connector of the tow ball. The method includes transferring a tow loading force between the cable and the tow socket by moving the cable.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a body comprising a tow socket configured to receive a randomly-aligned tow ball, the tow socket having a rotatable sleeve, a cam, and multiple mating connectors, each mating connector electrically coupled to an electrical conductor; and a cable configured to be coupled to the body in order to facilitate towing of the body, the cable comprising multiple core connectors and multiple breakout connectors configured to transport signals, wherein the cable further comprises a tow ball configured to enter the rotatable sleeve of the tow socket, the tow ball comprising connectors configured to couple the breakout connectors of the cable to the mating connectors of the tow socket, wherein the cam is coupled to the rotatable sleeve and configured to rotate the rotatable sleeve to substantially align the mating connectors of the tow socket with connectors of a tow ball such that each electrical conductor electrically coupled to a mating connector couples to a corresponding connector of the tow ball.