GB846469A - - Google Patents

Abstract

846,469. Laying submarine cables. SUBMARINE CABLES Ltd. Nov. 11, 1957 [Nov. 9, 1956], No. 34402/56. Class 78 (5). [Also in Group XXXVI] A method of laying a cable provided at intervals with rigid submarine repeater housings or other sections of enlarged cross-section, comprises bridging the repeater housing by a flexible member which is connected to the cable on each side of the repeater housing and also to the housing, so that as the cable passes around a control drum D having a fleeting knife F its place will be taken by the flexible member, which will bear against the fleeting knife in place of the housing which it supports. The flexible member may be a chain 1 having a clamp 2 at each end to grip the cable " C " and a central clamp 3 to grip the housing " H." The clamps may be in two parts 4, 4<1> hinged at 5 and bolted together through flanges 7. To enable the cable to twist within the clamps rollers 8 are provided, these having ribs 9 to grip the cable or housing to prevent axial displacement. In an alternative form (Fig. 4, not shown), the rollers are bobbin-shaped and two semi-circular ribbed inner linings fit within them to grip the cable. Various sizes of cable may be accommodated by changing the rollers of the first type of clamp or the inner linings of the second. The chain should be of approximately the same width as or slightly less than that of the repeater housing, at least over its central portion, to ensure correct juxtaposition of turns around the drum.