Underwater towing system

Abstract

An underwater towing system (1) according to an embodiment comprises: a pulling machine (2) that travels on or in water; a towing rope (3) that hangs down into water from the pulling machine (2); and a plurality of underwater work machines (5) that are pulled by the towing rope (3). At least one light emitting device (4) is attached to the towing rope (3). The light emitting device (4) is controlled by a control device (21) which is included in the pulling machine (2). Each of the underwater work machines (5) includes a light reception device (53) capable of receiving an optical signal from the light emitting device (4). The control device (21) causes the light emitting device (4) to emit a separation signal for the underwater work machine (5). The underwater work machine (5) separates from the towing rope (3) when the separation signal is received by the light reception device (53).

Claims

1. A towing machine, including a control device, that navigates on or underwater, A towing rope hanging in the water from the aforementioned towing machine, At least one light-emitting device, controlled by the control device, is attached to the towing rope, The system comprises a plurality of underwater work machines towed by the aforementioned towing rope, An underwater towing system in which each of the plurality of underwater work machines includes a light receiving device capable of receiving an optical signal from at least one light-emitting device, the control device causes the at least one light-emitting device to transmit a release signal to the underwater work machine, and when the light receiving device receives the release signal, the underwater work machine releases from the towing rope.

2. The aforementioned control device is the first control device, The underwater towing system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of underwater work machines includes an engagement mechanism connectable to the towing rope, an actuator for operating the engagement mechanism, and a second control device for controlling the actuator, wherein when the light receiving device receives the release signal, the second control device drives the actuator so that the connection between the towing rope and the engagement mechanism is released.

3. The underwater towing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of underwater work machines is either an underwater observation device or an autonomous submersible including a propulsion device.

4. The underwater towing system according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of underwater work machines is an autonomous submersible including a propulsion device, and is indirectly towed by the towing rope by navigating guided by a light signal from at least one light-emitting device.

Images