US4388710A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Submarine cable tension telemetering system
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1981-07-13
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Granted: 1983-06-14
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Expires: 2001-07-13
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for monitoring cable tension during submarine laying operations is housed in a separable case suitable for nondestructive attachment around the circumference of a cable at any desired location prior to laying. A strain gauge within the housing is positioned in a saddle across which the cable is placed in a bowed state. The electrical output from the strain gauge, which is proportional to tension in the cable, is translated into an acoustical signal transmissible through a submarine environment. The underwater sound can be picked up by the laying vessel or an assist vessel and displayed in real time. A plurality of tension monitors can be interrogated in sequence or at random under the control of transponder signals from the vessel. The monitor is self-powered and requires no metallic electrical connection to the cable or to the laying vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A. Pecon, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:39
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08C; G08C23/00; G08C23/02; H; H02; H02G; H02G1/00; H02G1/06; H02G1/10; H04; H04B; H04B11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
In a submarine cable laying system, apparatus for measuring cable tension during laying operations comprising a separable housing for longitudinal attachment to a submarine cable before laying, a strain gauge within said housing for producing an electric magnitude proportional to tension in said cable, a saddle within said housing for holding said cable in a bowed condition against said strain gauge such than an increase in cable tension tends to reduce the bow in said cable and thereby increases the compressive force on said strain gauge, and control means for translating the electric magnitude caused by compression of said strain gauge into an acoustic signal transmissible through the submarine environment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a submarine cable laying system, apparatus for measuring cable tension during laying operations comprising a separable housing for longitudinal attachment to a submarine cable before laying, a strain gauge within said housing for producing an electric magnitude proportional to tension in said cable, a saddle within said housing for holding said cable in a bowed condition against said strain gauge such than an increase in cable tension tends to reduce the bow in said cable and thereby increases the compressive force on said strain gauge, and control means for translating the electric magnitude caused by compression of said strain gauge into an acoustic signal transmissible through the submarine environment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 in which said housing comprises left- and right-hand quarter housings equipped with recesses for holding said saddle, said control means and said strain gauge in appropriate cooperative juxtapositions when bolted together; and a base housing having a trough for securing a cable whose tension is to be measured against said saddle, said base housing being boltable to said left- and right-hand quarter housings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 in which said control means includes a bilateral acoustic transducer for alternately receiving acoustic interrogation signals and transmitting acoustic response signals which encode tension magnitudes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
A self-powered cable tension and location telemetering apparatus comprising a sectional housing arranged for nondestructive attachment about a cable at an arbitrary location therealong, a strain gauge within said housing, a saddle for positioning said strain gauge to respond to changes in tension in said cable to which said housing is attached, a backing plate holding said strain gauge in a firm reference position, and a transponder including an acoustic transducer for responding to interrogation signals and transmitting reply signals indicative of tension measurements by said strain gauge and of range measurements between an interrogation source and said transponder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
A self-powered cable tension and location telemetering apparatus comprising a sectional housing arranged for nondestructive attachment about a cable at an arbitrary location therealong, a strain gauge within said housing, a saddle for positioning said strain gauge to respond to changes in tension in said cable to which said housing is attached, a backing plate holding said strain gauge in a firm reference position, and a transponder including an acoustic transducer for responding to interrogation signals and transmitting reply signals indicative of tension measurements by said strain gauge and of range measurements between an interrogation source and said transponder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
The self-powered cable tension and location telemetering apparatus set forth in claim 4 in which said housing further comprises identical mating quarter housings adaptable to being bolted together, and a base housing to affix said quarter housings about a cable under measurement, said quarter housings and base housing containing concave recesses therein for accommodating a cable being monitored in a bowed condition therein such that tension in the cable tends to cause a straightening force proportional to such tension.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The self-powered cable tension and location telemetering apparatus set forth in claim 4 in which said transponder further comprises a bilateral acoustic transducer, means for decoding interrogation pulses, means for encoding tension measurements in a dual pulse format such that the time between pulses is proportional to such tension magnitude, and transfer switch means alternately permitting said transducer to receive acoustic interrogation signals and to transmit acoustic reply signals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3512125A
Cited
US4120167A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-13 | 1986-12-13 | 1987-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-13 | 1990-12-13 | 1991-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-13 | 1994-12-13 | 1995-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |