Abstract: Automatic release system on a supply- or tug-vessel, comprising a rotational towing hook (10) supported on a vertical axel (16), for receipt of a towing hawser (12), and a releasing unit for releasing the towing hawser (12) from the towing hook (10). A registration unit (14) is installed above the towing hook (10) working area, said registration unit (14) being a tiltable or liftable hoop plate, where the registration unit (14), under influence of vertical angular movement in the towing hawser's (12) horizontal direction in relation to the towing hook (10), is arranged to trigger release of the releasing unit.

Abstract: A swivel/quick release device having a shaft adapted to receive a load at one end operated associated with a bearing means at its other end; a housing in which said shaft is slidably mounted. A release and attachment means is disposed in the housing around the bearing means releasably retaining an attachment for a tow rope. Spring means is present within the housing and engaging the shaft such that as a load is increasingly applied to one end of the shaft, the spring means is compressed within the housing until the attachment for a tow rope is released.

Abstract: A towrope retriever system for a watercraft for simplifying and improving the safety of the towrope handling, storage, reeling out, and reeling in of a towrope, in which the towrope retriever is connected to or integrated into a support unit such as a tower or pylon securely attached to the watercraft, substantially increasing the overall height of the watercraft, and allowing the performer to jump higher and perform more challenging aerial maneuvers, is disclosed. The towrope retriever may be rotatable to allow the performer a greater flexibility of movement and may be easily removed for storage.

Abstract: A damper device for mooring watercraft, of the type comprising at least two rigid elements (1, 2), to one end of each of which there can be secured a mooring rope or chain, said elements being able to move coaxially in opposition to each other against the action of an elastic body (3) which comprises at least one member (10) constructed of an elastically deformable material.

Abstract: A device connected to an underwater cable by means of a sacrificial latch mechanism that breaks to protect the housing of the device from irreparable damage due to collisions with jetsam or other objects. The underwater device is connected to a cable having mounting elements disposed along its length. The device includes a housing and a latch body attached to the housing by a retainer, such as a set screw. A locking member extends from the latch body to engage the mounting element. A sacrificial element, such as a thin portion of the latch body or a frangible portion of the retainer, gives way in response to a predetermined force acting to separate the device from the cable before the force can damage the housing.

Abstract: A variable-gap, distributed-capacitance sensor provides an output signal that is a function of its instantaneous elongation. The sensor is integrally associated with a seismic isolator section for measuring the instantaneous stretch thereof.

Abstract: An interface module assembly for disposition between a marine tow cable and n array of acoustic receivers includes a plurality of bodies interconnected in series by flexible tethers. A proximal one of the bodies is adapted for connection to the tow cable and a distal one of the bodies is adapted for connection to the array. An external coaxial cable extends between each two of the bodies and is in communication with other external coaxial cables by way of internal coaxial cables within the bodies.

Abstract: A safety line harness for restraining and arresting the snap-back of a pad line to prevent casualty or injury, the safety line harness having at least one restraining line, with first and second ends, each restraining line attached to an attachment point and comunication with the harnessed line. When a harnessed line parts, the restraining lines of the present invention elongate to absorb the energy of the parted line and the parted line is restrained and arrested by the restraining lines.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aerodynamically braked vehicle deployment device. The deployment device system generally comprises a spool member. A tow line is bifilar wound about the spool member in a manner wherein one end of the tow line is attached to an aircraft while the other end is attached to a towed vehicle. The towed vehicle and the deployment device are deployed simultaneously, and the spool, by nature of its bifilar winding, assumes a position between the aircraft and the towed vehicle. An aerodynamic braking means is interfaced to the spool in a manner operable to provide a braking force during payout of the towed vehicle to control the payout speed of the towed vehicle. At the end of the towed vehicle payout, the deployment device is adapted to disengage itself from the tow line and propel itself away from the tow line and clear of the towed vehicle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanically braked vehicle deployment device. The deployment device comprises a spool member having a guide member rigidly connected thereto. A tow line is bifilar wound about the spool member in a manner wherein one end of the tow line extends through the guide member and is attached to an aircraft while the other end extends from the spool member and is attached to a towed vehicle. The towed vehicle and the deployment device are deployed simultaneously, and the spool, by nature of its bifilar winding, assumes a position between the aircraft and the towed vehicle. A braking assembly is interfaced to the spool member in a manner operable to provide a braking force during payout of the towed vehicle to control the rotational speed of the spool during tow line payout. At the end of the towed vehicle payout, the deployment device is adapted to disengage itself from the tow line and propel itself away from the tow line and clear of the towed vehicle.

Abstract: Presented is a coupling device designed to release two members that are connected together when more than a predetermined force is exerted to separate the two members. The coupling device is adjustable to increase or decrease the amount of force to which it responds. Structurally, the device includes a plug member having a spherical knob seated in a complementary seat formed in a surrounding tube having longitudinal slits. A sleeve surrounding the tube is slidable between maximum and minimum force settings to control the amount of force required to separate a member connected to the plug member from another member connected to the tube.

Abstract: A mine-removing apparatus to be drawn behind a mine-sweeping boat and comprising a pulling cable pulling a sound generator for igniting acoustic mines, and electrode-carrying floating cables or an electrically-conductive floating cable loop for igniting magnetic mines, wherein said pulling cable and said floating cables extend in the region close to the boat as a common strand permitting limited longitudinal displacement of said cables relative to each other, said pulling cable extends beyond the trailing end of said floating cables, and all cables can be wound on and off a single winch on the boat stern.

Abstract: A propulsion system for crafts and ships, notably sailing ships, includes at least one flexible or rigid sail, to which are attached one or several foils, eventually provided with small floats, whereby the foils can be eventually articulated relative to the sail, so that the pair constituted by the sail and the foils forms a unitary block which allows cancelling a capsizing torque acting on the craft.

Abstract: A means for use in providing a connection between a cable and a movable body, more especially for R.A.S. systems, comprises a latching unit having means for attachment to said body and a recess associated with a latch, the arrangement also comprising a terminating member having means for attachment to the cable and being capable of introduction into the recess for engagement by the latch, the latter being associated with locking means for securing it in an operating position in which withdrawal of the terminating member is prevented, and release means for actuating the locking means to permit the latch to move to a release position so as to allow the terminating member to be withdrawn. Means may be provided for preventing inadvertent operation of the latch and accidental release of the member.

Abstract: A towing link consists of spaced-apart head and tailpieces. The headpiece includes a towing eye and a pair of lugs for receiving the stress members of a streamer and a lead-in cable. The tailpiece defines a pair of bores through which the stress member and electrical conductors of the two cables are inserted and sealed. A pair of mating connector plugs are provided to interconnect corresponding conductors of the two cables. The assembly is enclosed in a watertight plastic boot.

Abstract: A hydraulic quick release system for tightening and releasing tug and barge cable connections in the event of a breakage of a cable. The system comprises a novel hydraulic circuit comprising a pair of hydraulic cylinders mounted on the stern of the tug with apparatus for attaching the barge cable connections to the hydraulic cylinders. Each cylinder has an apparatus for actuating the cylinders simultaneously and independent of each other to tighten and loosen the cable connections. There is provided in the system by-passing apparatus whereby each cylinder may be independently actuated as required by conditions. Controlling apparatus permit the cylinders to be quickly actuated to tighten and loosen the barge cable connections as desired with apparatus being provided for increasing the extending speed of the cylinders in order that the cables can be quickly released from the cylinders by a quick extending thereof.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for controlling the relative course of travel between a barge and a push boat wherein the stern of the barge and the bow of the push boat are directly connected together by a connecting mechanism which permits relative freedom of movement of the boat and barge and the rudder angle of the push boat is controlled by the relative drift angle between the barge and boat occurring at the connecting mechanism.

Abstract: This invention provides a system which includes winding apparatus for haug in and paying out a substantially inextensible steel rope tethering a floating vessel to a moorage or towing vessel, and a control system responsive to signals indicative of the tension in the steel rope and of the length of rope paid out for controlling the winding apparatus. There is also provided an energy reservoir for receiving and storing energy from the winding apparatus when the rope is paid out. The control system operates such that the tension in the steel rope does not exceed a predetermined value.

Abstract: Connector for tow cable which carries tow tension and electrical circuits permits release of both the tension and the circuits. Electrical connectors in high current circuits are arranged so that the male connector is pulled out of the female electric socket, and the arc between them is elongated, but the arc chamber is closed until the arc is extinguished.

Abstract: A hydro-pneumatic device secures and releases a mooring or towing hawser to a vessel. A carriage reciprocates on a frame on the vessel and moves a bollard between one position securing a hawser to the towing or moored vessel and another position releasing the hawser. Movement of the carriage on the frame is accompanied by movement of a piston in a cylinder on the frame, the piston being connected to the carriage by a chain trained around a sprocket on the piston rod. A combination of liquid and gaseous fluid systems with various manual and automatic controls is connected to the cylinder and normally allows the piston to oscillate about a chosen average position. The fluid system by manual or automatic control lets the carriage move to a predetermined, extreme position on the frame. In such position the carriage actuates the bollard to release position, freeing the line. The carriage can be locked to the frame in the extreme position.

Abstract: A pusher tug and barge in combination joined rigidly yet separately in tandem to form a single pusher type seagoing unit in which the two vessels are interconnected via hydraulic compression members combined with pressure accumulators.

Abstract: A thrust coupling connects the stern of a pushed vessel with the bow of a pushing vessel, allowing relative movement of the vessels about a vertical axis. A pair of elongated flexible ropes extend between the vessels, one on each side, and they each have one end portion connected to the pushed vessel and another end portion which is connected to one of a pair of coaxial winch drums that are rotatably mounted on the pushing vessel in the region of the stern of the latter. The end portion of one rope is convoluted about one of the drums in one direction and the end portion of the other rope is convoluted about the other drum in the opposite direction. A drive is provided which permits the drums to be jointly rotated, or individually rotated, at the option of a user.

Abstract: An unmanned hydroplaning water surface vehicle having a gondola housing with external midway lift and control foils that allow the unmanned surface vehicle to provide lift and control in water at sufficient speed. A superstructure trimaran hull serves as a stable operation platform during low speed maneuvers or at rest. The superstructure hull encloses command and control systems capable of remote, semi-autonomous or fully autonomous control and navigation and vehicle attitude control. A plurality of mission specific payloads and sensors are positioned within the superstructure hull and gondola housing to allow for various types of missions. A strut connects the gondola housing and the superstructure hull above the waterline, as well as to provide for the passage therebetween of a plurality of transmission and control lines. The strut also mounts a rudder above propeller at the stern end of the gondola housing.