| 摘要 |
A grapple of rugged construction capable of being towed along the ocean bed for recovery of underwater communication cables; having a scoop with suitable inserts to furrow and "scoop up" cable. Guided, cable is forced into a "floating" and "stationary" clamping assembly. Cable tension acts against a spring-loaded trigger releasing liquid/gas actuating a "wedge/block" via a gas cylinder and piston. The "wedge/block" driven between "floating clamps" having interchangeable inserts, firmly clamps the cable. A signal is transmitted. If the cable is to be uncut the CCC&C is hauled aboard tow vessel, cable intact. If desired to cut cable on a particular side of CCC&C before recovery, diagonally-opposed knives and liquid/gas cylinders are pre-set before submergence. Cutting is accomplished by release of liquid/gas to "hydraulic fluid/gas cylinders" with free-floating pistons. Gas pressure on floating pistons forces and displaces hydraulic fluid actuating pistons (within cylinders) of selected knife cylinders with attached cutting knives. The clamped cable is automatically cut as pre-set and a second signal transmitted. The "wedge cylinder" and four "knife cylinders" are water tight using shaft and external seals for double sealing. Once activated, internal pressure counteracts external, maintaining water-tight integrity. The CCC&C may be used with existing monitoring tension equipment and machinery aboard cable (tow) vessels now in operation.
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