Abstract: A method for attaching an anchor to an end of a tensile member by inverting the assembly of anchor and tensile member and injecting pressurized potting compound. A length of filaments of the tensile member are placed within a cavity through the anchor. The anchor and filaments are placed in an inverted position, with the distal end of the anchor facing downward and the cable extending upward out of the anchor. If the anchor has an open distal end this is sealed. Liquid potting compound is injected into the anchor cavity and allowed to solidify. During the solidification process, a controlled translation (pulling) of the cable is preferably introduced.

Abstract: An assembly and method for using a flexible tensile member as part of the rigging for a dragline bucket. The tensile member includes a stranded core surrounded by a separate armor layer. The armor layer assumes the form of a hollow cylinder having a substantial wall thickness. A significant gap is provided between the outward-facing surface of the stranded core and the inward-facing surface of the armor layer. This gap minimizes wear between the two elements during the normal bending and flexing of the tensile member. A first anchor is attached to a first end of the stranded core and a second anchor is attached to a second end of the stranded core. These anchors serve to transmit tension carried by the stranded core. A first end of the armor layer is also attached to the first anchor and a second end of the armor layer is attached to the second anchor.

Abstract: Devices and methods for loading a cable in order to create a desired distribution of the load among the cable's constituent strands. Strand terminations are applied to many—and possibly all of—the cable's strands. The ultimate goal is to connect the strand terminations to a collector in order to create an overall cable termination. The relationship between each strand termination and the collector is allowed to “float” using the inventive process while the cable is tensioned and an appropriate spatial relationship between each strand tensioner and the collector is determined. Once the appropriate relationship is found, it is configured to be repeatable (such as by recording its position for later application to the same or similar collector).

Abstract: A method for creating a composite cable having at least one high-performance termination on at least one end. A high-performance termination is added to an end of a short synthetic tensile strength member. The strength of the tensile strength member and termination is then tested. Once tested satisfactorily, the short cable is spiced onto a long cable of the same type using prior art splicing techniques. The union of the short cable and the long cable creates a “composite” cable having a high-performance termination on at least one end. In most applications it is preferable to set the length of the short cable so that the interwoven splice will exist at a desired location.

Abstract: A method for creating a termination by attaching some kind of fitting to the end of a tensile member such as a cable. The end fitting is provided with an internal cavity. The cavity has a proximal portion that is adjacent the area where the tensile member exits the fitting and a distal portion on its opposite end. A length of the tensile member's filaments is placed within this expanding cavity and infused with liquid potting compound. The method exploits the characteristic of a liquid potting compound as it transitions to a solid. The potting compound in one portion of the cavity is typically transitioned to a solid at a more rapid rate than other portions. Once the potting compound in one portion of the cavity has transitioned sufficiently to hold the filaments at the desired level, tension is placed on the tensile member and a small linear displacement may be imposed on the tensile member.

Abstract: A novel cable construction provided an armored covering over a cable containing high-strength synthetic filaments. The synthetic cable is provided with a strong and tough termination where it attaches to the prior art dragline or power shovel digging equipment. An external armoring is then provided from the termination for a specified distance up the cable. The armoring ceases prior to the point where the cable passes over a pulley. At that point the cable just carries a conventional encapsulating jacket. A collar is preferably provided to seal the end of the armoring portion to the jacket.

Abstract: A method for creating a composite cable having at least one high-performance termination on at least one end. A high-performance termination is added to an end of a short synthetic tensile strength member. The strength of the tensile strength member and termination is then tested. Once tested satisfactorily, the short cable is spiced onto a long cable of the same type using prior art splicing techniques. The union of the short cable and the long cable creates a “composite” cable having a high-performance termination on at least one end. In most applications it is preferable to set the length of the short cable so that the interwoven splice will exist at a desired location.

Abstract: A structure for a semi-static tensile member and a method for producing the semi-static tensile member. A tensile member is prepared by attaching terminations to an assembly of synthetic filaments. The tensile member is then attached to a loading apparatus that subjects the tensile member to a pre-defined loading process. The tensile member is thereby conditioned to a stable length. A bend restricting device is attached to the cable assembly proximate the point where the synthetic strands exit the termination and enter the freely-flexing portion of the cable. The bend restricting device is configured to permit periodic inspection of the cable in the region it covers.

Abstract: A method for producing a synthetic tensile member having a precisely known and stable length. The invention, also comprises equipment configured to carry out the method. A tensile member is prepared by attaching terminations to an assembly of synthetic filaments. The tensile member is then attached to a loading apparatus that subjects the tensile member to a pre-defined loading process. The tensile member is thereby conditioned to a stable length. The length is then measured and a length adjusting component is incorporated into the tensile member to create a precise and stabilized length that is configured for the tensile member's particular application.

Abstract: A method for creating a termination by attaching some kind of fitting to the end of a tensile member such as a cable. The end fitting is provided with an internal cavity. The cavity has a proximal portion that is adjacent to the area where the tensile member exits the fitting and a distal portion on its opposite end. A length of the tensile member's filaments is placed within this expanding cavity and infused with liquid potting compound. The method exploits the characteristic of a liquid potting compound as it transitions to a solid. The potting compound in one portion of the cavity is typically transitioned to a solid at a more rapid rate than other portions. Once the potting compound in one portion of the cavity has transitioned sufficiently to hold the filaments at the desired level, tension is placed on the tensile member and a small linear displacement may be imposed on the tensile member.

Abstract: Devices and methods for loading a cable in order to create a desired distribution of the load among the cable's constituent strands. Strand terminations are applied to many—and possibly all of—the cable's strands. The ultimate goal is to connect the strand terminations to a collector in order to create an overall cable termination. The relationship between each strand termination and the collector is allowed to “float” using the inventive process while the cable is tensioned and an appropriate spatial relationship between each strand tensioner and the collector is determined. One the appropriate relationship is found, it is configured to be repeatable (such as by locking the strand termination in place or by recording its position for later application to the same or similar collector).

Abstract: A cable termination including an integral instrument package providing intelligence. The instrument package may assume many forms and may serve many purposes. In a preferred embodiment, the termination includes a position-determining system and an on-board processor. The processor determines a current location in space for the termination based on the information it is receiving. This positional information may then be transmitted to an external receiver. In the scenario where the termination is attached to a payload, the positional information may be used by an external positioning device (such as a crane) to control the motion of the termination and thereby place the payload in a desired position. The termination also preferably includes load-monitoring and recording features. The termination may also carry one or more ROV's/AUV's.

Abstract: A method for creating a composite cable having at least one advanced termination on at least one end. An advanced termination is added to an end of a short synthetic tensile strength member. The strength of the tensile strength member and termination is then tested. Once tested satisfactorily, the short cable is spiced onto a long cable of the same type using prior art splicing techniques. The union of the short cable and the long cable creates a “composite” cable having a advanced termination on at least one end. In most applications it is preferable to set the length of the short cable so that the interwoven splice will exist at a desired location.

Abstract: A method for straightening, constraining, cutting and terminating a multi-stranded, non-parallel cable. The method includes: (1) dividing the cable into smaller components which are in the size range suitable for the prior art termination technology; (2) creating a termination on the end of each of the smaller components; (3) providing a collector which reassembles the individual terminations back into a single unit; and (4) maintaining alignment between the terminations and the smaller components while the terminations and the collector are in a connected state.

Abstract: A method for creating a composite cable having at least one advanced termination on at least one end. An advanced termination is added to an end of a short synthetic tensile strength member. The strength of the tensile strength member and termination is then tested. Once tested satisfactorily, the short cable is spiced onto a long cable of the same type using prior art splicing techniques. The union of the short cable and the long cable creates a “composite” cable having a advanced termination on at least one end. In most applications it is preferable to set the length of the short cable so that the interwoven splice will exist at a desired location.

Abstract: A method for creating a termination by attaching some kind of fitting to the end of a tensile member such as a cable. The end fitting is provided with an internal cavity. The cavity has a proximal portion that is adjacent to the area where the tensile member exits the fitting and a distal portion on its opposite end. A length of the tensile member's filaments is placed within this expanding cavity and infused with liquid potting compound. The method exploits the characteristic of a liquid potting compound as it transitions to a solid. The potting compound in one portion of the cavity is typically transitioned to a solid at a more rapid rate than other portions. Once the potting compound in one portion of the cavity has transitioned sufficiently to hold the filaments at the desired level, tension is placed on the tensile member and a small linear displacement may be imposed on the tensile member.

Abstract: An assembly and method for using a flexible tensile member as part of the rigging for a dragline bucket. The tensile member includes a stranded core surrounded by a separate armor layer. The armor layer assumes the form of a hollow cylinder having a substantial wall thickness. A significant gap is provided between the outward-facing surface of the stranded core and the inward-facing surface of the armor layer. This gap minimizes wear between the two elements during the normal bending and flexing of the tensile member. A first anchor is attached to a first end of the stranded core and a second anchor is attached to a second end of the stranded core. These anchors serve to transmit tension carried by the stranded core. A first end of the armor layer is also attached to the first anchor and a second end of the armor layer is attached to the second anchor.

Abstract: Devices and methods for loading a cable in order to create a desired distribution of the load among the cable's constituent strands. Strand terminations are applied to many—and possibly all of—the cable's strands. The ultimate goal is to connect the strand terminations to a collector in order to create an overall cable termination. The relationship between each strand termination and the collector is allowed to “float” using the inventive process while the cable is tensioned and an appropriate spatial relationship between each strand tensioner and the collector is determined. One the appropriate relationship is found, it is configured to be repeatable (such as by locking the strand termination in place or by recording its position for later application to the same or similar collector).

Abstract: Advanced components that are useful in providing a compact overall cable termination for a multi-stranded cable and in providing for the control and inspection of the individual components of a multi-stranded cable. Multiple individual cable strands are provided with a termination on their free end. These terminations are connected to a collector. An advanced collar is provided that assists in the transition of the strands as they leave the collector and transition to the structure found in the free portion of the cable.

Abstract: A self-retracting extension limiting device. It is designed to be attached between a first object and a second object, where the distance between the first and second objects is variable. The device exerts a restoring force tending to draw the two objects together. A first, relatively weak restoring force is exerted over a range of distance. Then, when the objects have been separated to a defined limit of travel, the device exerts a much greater restoring force. The invention includes overlapping and self-contained elements so that unwanted slack is minimized.