Hi Frank, so you have a reel. On the reel is your cable with power and fiber. One end of the cable is attached to the ROV, the other end is attached to ???? One solution would be have an electronic hub in the center of the reel, this handles the optical comms, then feeds the signals threw a high quality (expensive) swivel connector. Since the whole drum is rotating, either the submarine end of the cable gets very twisted up (which very bad for fiber optic), or you must let it rotate. I would prefer to avoid this electro/mechanical joint, also I'm not so into the idea of sending a lot of power over the swivel connector. Also, I would have to have some sort of housing to protect from the pressure. What other options are out there? Keep the drum static and have an arm pull the cable off and feed out (or back in). Cheers, Ian. -----Original Message----- >From: ShellyDalg@aol.com >Sent: Jun 20, 2008 1:19 PM >To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org >Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Sub launched ROV > >Hi Jay. Entanglement would be the main concern for sure. I've often thought >about this, and was wondering how we could make a break-away connection for >this application or other types of entanglement hazards. >I've seen some mechanical arms with cable cutters, and that could work. I >think it was a Nuytco sub that had an array of tools attached to the hull with >magnets, such that the mechanical arm could reach out and change/add a tool. I > know that there are some commercial ROV's that have a cable cutter available >as an option. >A small ROV with a camera and two motors would be pretty easy to build. A >docking "garage" some where on the sub, a means of recording what is seen by the > camera so you could steer it, and maybe a drop weight on the ROV so if you >cut it loose, you may be able to get it back. The control cable would need a >lot of wires, but all low voltage so the cable size could be fairly small and >easy to cut. >As for a reel, that is the easy part. a small reel about the size used for >Marlin fishing connected to a reversible motor powered by either electric, >hydraulic, or even air. >Frank D. > > > > >**************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for >fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007) ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ The personal submersibles mailing list complies with the US Federal CAN-SPAM Act of 2003. Your email address appears in our database because either you, or someone you know, requested you receive messages from our organization. If you want to be removed from this mailing list simply click on the link below or send a blank email message to: removeme-personal_submersibles@psubs.org Removal of your email address from this mailing list occurs by an automated process and should be complete within five minutes of our server receiving your request. PSUBS.ORG PO Box 53 Weare, NH 03281 603-529-1100 ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************ ************************************************************************