Method and apparatus for advancing tethers

Patent · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:871585

Zollinger, W Thor ^[1]

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1. Idaho Falls, ID

A tether puller for advancing a tether through a channel may include a bellows assembly having a leading end fixedly attached to the tether at a first position and a trailing end fixedly attached to the tether at a second position so that the leading and trailing ends of the bellows assembly are located a substantially fixed distance apart. The bellows assembly includes a plurality of independently inflatable elements each of which may be separately inflated to an extended position and deflated to a retracted position. Each of the independently inflatable elements expands radially and axially upon inflation. An inflation system connected to the independently inflatable elements inflates and deflates selected ones of the independently inflatable elements to cause the bellows assembly to apply a tractive force to the tether and advance it in the channel.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-94ID13223
• Assignee: Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company (Idaho Falls, ID)
• Patent Number(s): US 5758731
• OSTI ID: 871585
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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axially
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deflated
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distance
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elements
expands
extended
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fixed
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fixedly
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force
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plurality
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selected
selected ones
separately
substantially
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