Guide tube bend fluid bearing

摘要

Disclosed is an apparatus for deploying and retrieving a towed array from a vehicle. This apparatus includes a cable storage device positioned inside the vehicle hull. A winch is positioned adjacent this cable storage device for paying out the array and retrieving the array from and to the cable storage device. The array extends in a first length from the cable storage device to the winch to a hull exit point. A fluid bearing is positioned between the first and second length of the array. This fluid bearing comprises an internal arcuate cable conveying passageway and a fluid inlet for introducing a fluid to said internal cable conveying passageway so as to reduce stress and friction on the array.