DEEP WATER CTD HANDLING SYSTEM

THERE IS A LONG OVERDUE NEED FOR BETTER METHODS TO HANDLE CABLE IN A SURGING SEA. PRESENT EQUIPMENT WAS DESIGNED FOR DECK OR SHORE USE AND DOES NOT ADDRESS THE IMPACT OF WAVE FORCE. WHAT IS REQUIRED OF TODAY'S SYSTEM IS A LOW INERTIA,HIGH RESPONSE CAPSTAN TO ISOLATE THE SEA/CTD PACKAGE FROM THE SHIP. LARGE DRUM WINCHES AND TENSION DEVICES USE BRUTE RESTRAINING FORCE WITH THE CABLE ACTING AS THE HIGH SHOCK/TENSION ABSORBING SYSTEM. WHAT IS REQUIRED IS A LOW INERTIA, HIGH RESPONSE CAPSTAN WHICH WILL MAINTAIN CTD FREE FALL FORCE LEVEL WHILE MOVING IN ANY DIRECTION OR SPEED, TO ACCOMMODATE THE SHIP'S MOTION. THIS APPROACH EFFECTIVELY STRESSES THE DESIGNED COMPONENT (CAPSTAN) AND NOT THE CABLE.ONCE THE CABLE IS UNDER A LOW TENSION; TAKE-UP, LEVEL WINDING AND STOWAGE BECOME ELEMENTARY PROBLEMS. PHASE I INVESTIGATION IS TO TEST AND EVALUATE THE NEW CONCEPT INLINECAPSTAN TO EVALUATE ITS HIGH TENSION, LOW INERTIA RESPONSE CHARACTERISTICS. THIS WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY FIRST SIZING CAPSTAN COMPONENTS, THEN COMPARATIVE TESTING THEM FOR LOAD CARRYING CAPABILITY AND RESPONSE. PHASE II ESTABLISHES THE PRODUCT BASELINE OF ALL COMPONENTS AT A SYSTEM LEVEL IN PREPARATION FOR PHASE III MANUFACTURING, TEST AND EVALUATION.