초록 ▼

An apparatus for automatically dispensing and taking-up a flexible communications cable such as an optical fiber includes a motor-driven reel which is mounted on a movable member, such as a vehicle. The fiber passes through a pivotably mounted tension control arm, whose angular position is detected

An apparatus for automatically dispensing and taking-up a flexible communications cable such as an optical fiber includes a motor-driven reel which is mounted on a movable member, such as a vehicle. The fiber passes through a pivotably mounted tension control arm, whose angular position is detected to control the motor. Depending on the position of the tension control arm, the reel may be rotated in one direction to relieve fiber tension, it may be rotated in the opposite direction to take-up slack, or it may remain quiescent. The reel is mounted on a pipe which channels the inner end of the fiber to a rotary optical coupler, thereby permitting the fiber to be used for optical communication as the vehicle moves. The level-winding mechanism similar to that in a fishing reel may be used to control the windings on the reel, and a pivotably mounted plate may be pressed against the upper layer of fiber on the reel in order to keep it from unraveling.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for attachment to a movable member to automatically dispense a flexible communications cable onto a surface or take-up the cable from the surface as the member moves over the surface, comprising: a reel about which the cable can be wound; mounting means for rotatably mounting said reel

An apparatus for attachment to a movable member to automatically dispense a flexible communications cable onto a surface or take-up the cable from the surface as the member moves over the surface, comprising: a reel about which the cable can be wound; mounting means for rotatably mounting said reel on the movable member, said reel being positioned above the surface and a portion of the cable extending between the reel and the surface, said cable portion having a position that is changeable with respect to said reel; a tension control arm having an aperture through which said cable portion passes, said tension control arm being mounted for pivotal motion so that said aperture is movable through an arc having a lowermost position, said aperture being movable in both a clockwise direction from said lowermost position and a counterclockwise direction from said lowermost position, said aperture having an angular position with respect to said lowermost position that is responsive to the position of said cable portion; detecting means for detecting the angular position of said tension control arm; a motor operatively connected to said reel to rotate said reel; and motor control means responsive to said detecting means for controlling said motor to unwind additional cable from said reel when the angular position of said aperture exceeds a first predetermined angle clockwise of said lowermost position, to unwind additional cable from said reel when the angular position of said aperture exceeds a second predetermined angle counterclockwise of said lowermost position, and to wind cable onto said reel when the angular position of said aperture lies in a predetermined take-up region disposed between said first and second predetermined angles.