Line cable depth counter and methods that use it.

Abstract

A depth counter for measuring the depth of a line cable is disclosed. The depth counter includes a housing configured to accommodate a line cable passing through it along a first axis. An encoder wheel is rotatably coupled to the housing. The depth counter includes a first pair of guide rollers, wherein one guide roller of the first pair is located on each side of the encoder wheel. The first pair of guide rollers is movable relative to the housing along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first pair of guide rollers is spring-polarized in a first direction along the second axis. The first pair of guide rollers is configured to exert pressure against the line cable in the direction of the encoder wheel, in the first direction along the second axis.A second pair of guide rollers is configured to exert pressure against the line cable in a second direction, opposite to the first, along the second axis.