Abstract: An apparatus for pulling small-diameter fragile cable without damaging or deforming the cable. The apparatus includes resilient wheels and at least two flexible bar assemblies. The bar assemblies are entrained around the wheels and include a plurality of bars, each having a flat surface. The bars transfer the resilient pressure of the wheels to the cable and distribute normal tension forces over the area defined by the surface of each bar, thus eliminating point-loading.

Abstract: A self-threading capstan drive includes two sheaves mounted in a frame, each having a spiral groove with approximately three turns. The sheaves are slightly misaligned so that an elongated sonar array is directed from one sheave to the next without lateral bending. A pair of containment troughs are aligned with the top and bottoms of the sheaves to direct the sonar array between the sheaves. At least one of the sheaves is motor-driven such that its direction of rotation is reversible, the sonar array being reeled onto and off of a storage reel. Each of the sheaves and the containment troughs includes a groove with an inner channel whose dimensions accommodate the sonar array and an outer channel of larger diameter accommodating an endless tubular belt which recirculates over both sheaves and makes contact throughout most of its length with the sonar array, positively driving and carrying the sonar array in either direction.

Abstract: An improved cable tension machine increases the velocity for hauling in of cable from approximately 100 feet per minute to an excess of 700 feet per minute. The cable tension machine uses a floating, semirigid track suspension to hold the track belts in contact with the cable. The track suspension increases the minor variation tolerance acceptable for the cable tension machine, thereby allowing rapid running of odd shapes through the cable tension machine. A more uniform cable loading force is provided to the cable without excessive force when bodies are encountered and without jamming. Basically, the cable tension machine comprises upper and lower track assemblies positioned atop one another capable of applying a tensioning force to the cable which passes between the track assemblies. A housing holds both track assemblies in spaced relationship, allowing movement of the upper track assembly relative to the lower track assembly through a pivotable lift point on the upper part of the housing.