US-12617651-B2 - Line sensor deployment and recovery apparatus and system with integrated level-wind

Abstract

A line sensor deployment and recovery apparatus and system with integrated level-wind. In one embodiment, a line deployment and recovery apparatus with an integrated level-wind, comprising a reel, having an external surface with helical grooves, wherein the grooves facilitate a line; a motor configured to axially rotate the reel; a level-wind shuttle, further comprising: a fairlead configured to selectively feed the line into the helical grooves, or deploy the line from the helical grooves; a shuttle finger configured to align the shuttle with the helical grooves and receive a driving force from the reel's rotations to drive the shuttle; and a shuttle track, oriented parallel to the drum and fixed in a offset position form the helical grooves at an operable track height, configured to facilitate linear traversal of the shuttle along the reel.

Inventors

• Geno Christopher Flores

Assignees

• THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20231218

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A line deployment and recovery apparatus with an integrated level-wind, comprising: a reel, having an external surface with helical grooves, wherein the grooves facilitate a line; a motor configured to axially rotate the reel; a level-wind shuttle, further comprising: a fairlead configured to selectively feed the line into the helical grooves, or deploy the line from the helical grooves; a shuttle finger configured to align the shuttle with the helical grooves and receive a driving force from the reel's rotations to drive the shuttle; and a shuttle track, oriented parallel to the reel fixed in an offset position form the helical grooves at an operable track height, configured to facilitate linear traversal of the shuttle along the reel.
2. 2 . The line deployment and recovery apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the motor is the only motor providing level-wind functionality.
3. 3 . The line deployment and recovery apparatus of claim 1 , the reel further comprising an internal cavity, wherein the motor is fixed the internal cavity.
4. 4 . The line deployment and recovery apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the motor is external to the cavity of the reel.
5. 5 . The line deployment and recovery apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reel, the shuttle track, and the shuttle consist of plastics.
6. 6 . The line deployment and recovery apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the shuttle finger is pitched optimally to interface with the screw.
7. 7 . The line deployment and recovery apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a flotation device coupled to the reel configured to provide buoyancy in submerged applications.
8. 8 . A sensor deployment and recovery apparatus with an integrated level-wind, comprising: a cylindrical drum, having an external surface with helical grooves, wherein the grooves facilitate a linear sensor array; a single motor configured to axially rotate the cylindrical drum, wherein the single motor is the only motor providing level-wind functionality; a level-wind shuttle, further comprising: a fairlead configured to selectively feed the linear sensor array into the helical grooves or deploy the linear sensor array from the helical grooves, a shuttle finger configured to align the shuttle with the helical grooves and receive a driving force from the cylindrical drum's rotations to drive the shuttle; and a shuttle track, oriented parallel to the drum and fixed in an offset position form the helical grooves at an operable track height, configured to facilitate linear traversal of the shuttle along the cylindrical drum.
9. 9 . The sensor deployment and recovery apparatus with an integrated level-wind of claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of sensors coupled to the shuttle, configured to spool around the drum.
10. 10 . The sensor deployment and recovery apparatus with an integrated level-wind of claim 8 , the drum further comprising an internal cavity, wherein the motor is fixed the internal cavity.
11. 11 . The sensor deployment and recovery apparatus with an integrated level-wind of claim 8 , wherein the motor is external to the cavity of the drum.
12. 12 . The sensor deployment and recovery apparatus with an integrated level-wind of claim 8 , wherein the drum, the shuttle track, and the shuttle consist of plastics.
13. 13 . The sensor deployment and recovery apparatus with an integrated level-wind of claim 8 , wherein the shuttle finger is pitched optimally interface with the screw.
14. 14 . The sensor deployment and recovery apparatus with an integrated level-wind of claim 8 , further comprising a flotation device coupled to the cylindrical drum configured to provide buoyancy in submerged applications.
15. 15 . A sensor deployment and recovery system with an integrated level-wind, comprising: a linear sensor array; a cylindrical drum, having an external surface with helical grooves, wherein the grooves facilitate the linear sensor array; a single motor configured to axially rotate the cylindrical drum; a level-wind shuttle, further comprising: a fairlead configured to selectively feed the linear sensor array into the helical grooves or deploy the linear sensor array from the helical grooves, a shuttle finger configured to align the shuttle with the helical grooves and receive a driving force from the cylindrical drum's rotations to drive the shuttle; and a shuttle track, oriented parallel to the drum and fixed in an offset position form the helical grooves at an operable track height, configured to facilitate linear traversal of the shuttle along the cylindrical drum.
16. 16 . The sensor deployment and recovery system with an integrated level-wind of claim 15 , the drum further comprising an internal cavity, wherein the motor is fixed the internal cavity.
17. 17 . The sensor deployment and recovery system with an integrated level-wind of claim 15 , wherein the motor is external to the cavity of the drum.
18. 18 . The sensor deployment and recovery system with an integrated level-wind of claim 15 , wherein the drum, the shuttle track, and the shuttle consist of plastics.
19. 19 . The sensor deployment and recovery system with an integrated level-wind of claim 15 , wherein the shuttle finger is pitched optimally interface with the screw.
20. 20 . The sensor deployment and recovery system with an integrated level-wind of claim 15 , further comprising: a flotation device coupled to the cylindrical drum configured to provide buoyancy in submerged applications.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT The United States Government has ownership rights in this invention. Licensing inquiries may be directed to Office of Research and Technical Applications Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, Code 72120, San Diego, CA, 92152; telephone (619) 553-5118; email: niwe_patent.fct@us.navy.mil, referencing Navy Case No. 114,055. BACKGROUND Level-winds are devices and systems that facilitate the winding of a line evenly onto a cylindrical drum. One example, for illustrative purpose, is a fishing cylindrical drum where the fishing line may be wound and unwound through the level-wind to provide efficient and reliable performance. However, level-winds are often used beyond fishing cylindrical drums for other linear and flexible assemblies. For example, lines or tubes have embedded lights, sensors, or antenna components may also require level-winds for reliable and efficient spooling onto a cylindrical drum. Typically, level-winds utilizes multiple motors or drive systems. One motor is commonly needed to wind the line, tube, or system onto the cylindrical drum. Additionally, a motor is needed to slide the level-wind's feed, which lays the line uniformly on the cylindrical drum, along the length of the cylindrical drum. Accordingly, level-winds utilize multiple, complex drive systems that not only add size, weight, and power requirements to the complete system but also reduce efficiency and reliability. Therefore, a solution is needed that reduces complexity and improves reliability. SUMMARY According to illustrative embodiments, a line deployment and recovery apparatus with an integrated level-wind, comprising a reel, having an external surface with helical grooves, wherein the grooves facilitate a line; a motor configured to axially rotate the reel; a level-wind shuttle, further comprising: a fairlead configured to selectively feed the line into the helical grooves, or deploy the line from the helical grooves; a shuttle finger configured to align the shuttle with the helical grooves and receive a driving force from the reel's rotations to drive the shuttle; and a shuttle track, oriented parallel to the drum and fixed in a offset position form the helical grooves at an operable track height, configured to facilitate linear traversal of the shuttle along the reel. Additionally, a sensor deployment and recovery apparatus with an integrated level-wind, comprising a cylindrical drum, having an external surface with helical grooves, wherein the grooves facilitate a linear sensor array; a single motor configured to axially rotate the cylindrical drum, wherein the single motor is the only motor providing level-wind functionality; a level-wind shuttle, further comprising: a fairlead configured to selectively feed the linear sensor array into the helical grooves or deploy the linear sensor array from the helical grooves, a shuttle finger configured to align the shuttle with the helical grooves and receive a driving force from the cylindrical drum's rotations to drive the shuttle; and a shuttle track, oriented parallel to the drum and fixed in a offset position form the helical grooves at an operable track height, configured to facilitate linear traversal of the shuttle along the cylindrical drum. Additionally, a sensor deployment and recovery system with an integrated level-wind, comprising: a linear sensor array; a cylindrical drum, having an external surface with helical grooves, wherein the grooves facilitate the linear sensor array; a single motor configured to axially rotate the cylindrical drum; a level-wind shuttle, further comprising: a fairlead configured to selectively feed the line into the helical grooves or deploy the line from the helical grooves, a shuttle finger configured to align the shuttle with the helical grooves and receive a driving force from the cylindrical drum's rotations to drive the shuttle; and a shuttle track, oriented parallel to the drum and fixed in a offset position form the helical grooves at an operable track height, configured to facilitate linear traversal of the shuttle along the cylindrical drum. It is an object to provide a line sensor deployment and recovery apparatus and system with integrated level-wind that offers numerous benefits, including reducing size, weight, and power for the overall system while reducing complexity. This reduction in complexity will create an inherently more reliable system. It is an object to overcome the limitations of the prior art. These, as well as other components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages, will now become clear from a review of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate example embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the