Abstract: An inside fiber optic payout system uses winding and packaging techniques th an inner stabilizing tube to ensure reliable cable payout. Stiff, elastic cable is rapidly non-precision wound onto a collapsible core spool at a preferred winding pitch. Stand-off attachments are installed over the outer cable layer between opposed spool flanges to support the cable pack when the collapsible core is removed. Duct tape is wrapped around the stand-offs and the outer cable layers to assist in keeping the cable pack stable (without collapsing) even up to its last few layers. The stand-offs also prevent the tape from being drawn out as the final layers of cable are dispensed. A shroud is installed over the tape and stand-offs. Payout preparation includes removing the spool's collapsible core leaving a central aperture in at least one flange of the spool. A circular payout guide is placed over this aperture and a rubber diaphragm is attached to the guide to provide friction for payout back tension.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a wound cable pack having uniform pitch and inporating a twist per turn in a cable. A drum is constrained to rotational movement around an axis of rotation. A non-rotating spool, sized to fit within the drum and having a central longitudinal axis coaxial with the drum's axis of rotation, is constrained to linear movement along the axis of rotation within the drum. A cable feeding assembly is mounted to the drum for rotation therewith. The cable feeding assembly leads the cable over one end of the spool prior to being fed onto the spool from a feed point. In this way, a twist is induced in the cable as the cable feeding assembly orbits about the spool. An electromechanical system is operatively connected to the drum and the spool to synchronize the rotational movement of the drum with the linear movement of the spool.

Abstract: A system which limits the intensity of a snap load imposed in a tether or cable, used, for example, in the recovery of an object at sea, includes a floating plate for connection to the cable and a support housing for connection to the object being recovered. The system also includes an actuatable mechanism extending between and connected to the plate and housing. The actuatable mechanism is movable from an initial position toward a deflected position in response to the introduction of a snap load in the cable caused by the occurrence of the sudden removal of a slack condition in the cable.

Abstract: A submersible load cell for measuring gas buoyancy which includes a shell which has an open bottom so that gas can be introduced to make the shell positively buoyant. A framework may be provided for supporting the shell for vertical movement so that a change in buoyancy results in the shell exerting a corresponding upward force. At least one hydraulic actuator is mounted between the framework and the shell for registering a pressure which corresponds to the degree of upward force or positive buoyancy of the shell. An indicator device can be connected to the hydraulic actuator for indicating the change in buoyancy of the shell as gas is introduced therein.