Apparatus and method for managing flexible elongate elements
US7769265B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4457
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for managing lengths of flexible elongate elements between two fixed points has a single spool with a track of predetermined width sufficient for winding alternate turns of the elongate element about opposite side regions of the track in a folded figure eight pattern. A first turn of the elongate element is wound about a first side region of the track, then the element is crossed over to the second side region of the track and a second turn is wound about the second side region of the track. The elongate element is crossed back over to the first side region and a third turn is wound about the first side region. The process is repeated until at least the majority of the slack between the fixed points on the element has been taken up.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.