FR2463994A1 - DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING ENERGY THROUGH AN ELECTRIC WIRE OR OPTICAL CABLE COILS ON A DRUM - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO A DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING ENERGY BETWEEN A MOBILE UNIT CONNECTED TO ONE END OF A MULTI-CORE CABLE WOUND ON A ROTOR AND FIXED TERMINAL UNITS. MOBILE UNIT 3 IS CONNECTED TO ONE END OF CABLE 2 TO MULTIPLE CORES WINDING ON ROTOR 1 AND TO FIXED TERMINAL UNITS 8X, 8Y, 8Z WHICH ARE CONNECTED VIA AUXILIARY CABLES 17X, 17Y, 17Z TO THE OTHER END OF THE CABLE HAS SEVERAL CORES. THE DEVICE OF THE INVENTION INCLUDES AUXILIARY COILS 15X, 15Y, 15Z MOUNTED SOLIDARILY ON THE AXIS OF ROTOR 1 AND SERVING FOR WINDING AUXILIARY CABLES, AND CABLE STORAGE DEVICES, FOR EXAMPLE CONSTITUTED BY COUPLING COILS 18X, 18Y, 18Z, WHICH ARE PLACED BETWEEN THE AUXILIARY COILS AND THE FIXED TERMINAL UNITS. THE DEVICE OF THE INVENTION ALLOWS IN PARTICULAR THE USE OF ROTARY SLIDING CONTACTS TO BE ELIMINATED.

Description

The present invention relates to a coupling device intended to be

  used to transmit signals between a number of fixed terminal units and a mobile element, where the number of units

  fixed terminals coupled via the basic conductors

  of a wire or cable to the movable element may be increased

at will.

  The invention particularly relates to an optical coupling device for transmitting optical signals between a number of fixed terminal units and a mobile element, where the number of fixed terminal units coupled via the optical fibers.

  from an optical cable to the movable element can be increased at will.

  When signals are transmitted through a multi-core optical cable between an underwater sensor and an instrument

  measuring device, or control unit, placed on a ship, it is neces-

  to unwind the optical cable connected between the sub-sensor

  marine and measuring instrument> to vary the length of cable reels according to the depth of the water. Thus, it is necessary that the device carrying the optical cable is designed so that it can easily be unwound and rewound, the place occupied by this support device to be small. Therefore, the optical target is usually wound on a drum. However, in such a case, it appears a problem because it is quite difficult to satisfactorily couple the optical cable (which comprises optical fibers) which is wound on the rotary drum.

  to the measuring instrument or the control unit, which are

  permanently fixed. In addition, there are particular difficulties regarding the connection of the optical fibers of an optical cable

to several souls.

  An example of a conventional optical coupling device is

  1 and 2. A two-core optical cable 2 is wound on a rotor 1, for example a drum. One end of the optical cable 2 is connected to an underwater sensor 3, while the other end of the optical cable 2 wound on the rotor 1 is inserted into a hole passing the formed in the body or cylinder

  winding rotor 1. The rotor 1 is hollow. Rotating trees

  Hollow recess 4 extend from both ends of the hollow rotor 1. A rotary joint 5 is provided at the end of each rotation shaft 4. The rotary joint 5 comprises the end portion of the rotation shaft 4 and a cylinder 7 with ends The optical cable 2 inserted into the through hole is separated into two optical fibers 2a inside the hollow rotor 1. The two optical fibers 2a pass through the rotation shafts 4 and are arranged at the ends of the rotation shafts 4,

  following the axes of these. On each side of the rotor, one end

  An optical fiber 9 is connected to a fixed terminal unit 8, while the other end is disposed on the axis of the cylinder 7 at the joint 5. The optical fibers 9 are suitably coupled.

  optical fibers 2a so as to enable the transmission of

  the end parts of the rotation shafts 4 are now

  held in axial alignment with the cylinders 7 so that the shafts are slightly spaced from the cylinders 7 or in contact with them. In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 10 designates

the bearings supporting the rotor 1.

  The principle of the optical coupling shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be applied to a two-dimensional optical cable. However, it can not be used with optical cables having more than two cores, since the ends of the corresponding fibers can not

  then be kept in alignment.

  The present invention further relates to a device for transmitting electrical signals, electrical power or optical signals between an electrical device

  or optics mounted externally and fixedly and an electrical wire

  optical cable wound on a rotating drum through

  mediate a wire or cable without the need

  to use a rotating sliding contact.

  FIG. 3 shows a conventional device of the type indicated above in which electrical signals, or other signals,

  are transmitted via a cable 102 wound on a drum.

  between a mobile electrical unit 103 connected to the target 102 and a main electrical device 104 which is disposed separately from the drum 101, during the unwinding or winding of the target 102 on

  the drum 101. In such a case, a sliding sliding contact 105, -

  for example a slip ring, is generally interposed.

  between the cable 102 carried by the rotary drum 101 and the main electrical device 104 fixed so as to transmit electrical signals between the mobile unit 102 and the main device 104.

  However, the conventional device has disadvantages

  in that the existence of such a rotating sliding contact can produce noise signals, increase the resistance of the circuit, and alter the uniformity of the electrical characteristics. Thus, various losses can result in the circuit. Therefore,

  the conventional device is not particularly suited to the trans-

  mission of high frequency signals and requires the assistance of a

  special coupling positive for optical communications.

  In FIG. 3, the reference numeral 106 designates a supply cable connecting the main electrical device and the sliding contact, the number 107 designates a drive motor of the drum, and the number 108 a transmission device ensuring

drum training.

  In order to meet the drawbacks mentioned above, the invention proposes a coupling device in which the rotor can be satisfactorily coupled to the fixed terminal units,

  even if the wire or cable has more than two cores.

  The invention proposes in particular an optical coupling device in which the rotor can be satisfactorily coupled to the fixed terminal units, even if the optical cable comprises more

of two souls.

  To achieve the above purpose, as well as other objects, there is provided, according to the invention, an optical coupling device in which a first end of an optical cable wound on a rotor is connected to a movable element. the second end of the optical fiber is introduced into the rotor, the optical fibers of the optical cable introduced into the rotor are connected to the second ends of auxiliary fibers which are wound

  on auxiliary coils mounted on the rotor shaft, the

  The ends of these auxiliary fibers are introduced into coupling coils which are mounted on shafts arranged separately from the rotor shaft after these auxiliary fibers have been partially wound on the coupling coils, the auxiliary fibers introduced into the coils of the coupling coils. coupling are arranged on the bearing shafts provided at the ends of the shafts of the coupling coils, and the first ends of the optical fibers whose second ends are connected to the fixed terminal units

  are respectively located on the axes of the bearings.

  In addition, according to a second embodiment of the invention,

  By providing a coupling device for coupling a large number of optical fibers while avoiding the use of a rotating sliding contact at the coupling portion, the invention provides the following arrangement. To achieve the above purpose, as well as other objects, there is provided an optical coupling device which has auxiliary coils mounted on the shaft of a rotor on which is wound or placed a multi-core optical cable. . The first end of the optical cable is connected to a mobile unit, auxiliary fibers to one or more cores are wound on the auxiliary coils, and the second ends of the auxiliary fibers are coupled to the optical fibers of the cable.

  optical. The first ends of the auxiliary fibers are

  fixed terminal units. Beam receiving devices are associated with the auxiliary coils to receive the first end portions of the auxiliary fibers. Pinch rollers interpose between the beam receiving devices and the auxiliary coils to produce a voltage on the auxiliary fibers to pull the auxiliary fibers.

out of the auxiliary coils.

  In the device for transmitting energy, for example in the form of electrical or optical signals or electric power, between a wire or an electric cable wound on a drum and a unit provided separately from the drum, for the purpose of to avoid the disadvantages relating to the sliding contact described above, it is proposed another embodiment of the invention which comprises a rotary roller connected directly to the drum to rotate with it, a supply cable connected to the the unit provided separately from the drum and wound on the rotary roller, and a supply cable storage means disposed between the roller and the unit for storing

  a portion of the feed cable which has been unwound from the roll.

  Such an object can also be obtained by means of another embodiment comprising a coaxially connected mobile roller.

  drum to rotate with him, a fixed roll placed in relation to

  coaxial with the movable roller, and an intermediate guide member placed between the flanges, or flanges, movable and fixed rollers, so that the intermediate guide member rotates and is driven along the edges of the movable rollers and fixed so well. that a supply cable connecting the cable wound on the drum and the unit provided separately from the drum is wound on the movable roller in one direction while winding on the fixed roller in the

opposite.

  Thus, the invention proposes a device for transmitting signals between a mobile unit connected to one end of a multi-core cable which is wound on a rotor.

  and fixed terminal units which are connected through the

  auxiliary device at the other end of the multi-core cable, this device comprising auxiliary coils arranged in coaxial relationship with the rotor and rotating integrally with it, the auxiliary cables remaining wound on the auxiliary coils, and cable storage arranged between the auxiliary coils and the fixed terminal units for storing the auxiliary cables.

  The following description, designed as an illustration of

  the invention aims to give a better understanding of its characteristics.

  features and benefits; it is based on the appended drawings, among which: FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view of an optical coupling device of the prior art; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a device

  prior art device for transmitting power via a cable wound on a rotating drum disposed between a mobile unit and a fixed unit; FIG. 4 is a simplified view showing a shape

  optical coupling device according to a first embodiment

invention;

  FIG. 5 is a simplified view in perspective

  trant part of the device of Figure 4;

  FIG. 6 is a simplified view in perspective

  trant a portion of an optical coupling device variant according to the first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 7 is a simplified representation showing a form of optical coupling device according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example

  device for transmitting energy through the

  of a cable wound on a rotating drum between a mobile unit and a fixed unit according to the invention - Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram for describing the principle of the device of Figure 8 - Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a power transmission device according to the invention; Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing a power transmission device incorporating the concept illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9; FIGS. 12a and 12b are sectional views taken

  along the line A -A of Fig. 11 and showing a means for transmitting

  gearing mission used in the device of FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a simplified representation of a dis-

  positive transmission of energy according to another embodiment of the invention; and%

  FIG. 14 is a simplified representation of a

  of a power transmission device according to another mode of

embodiment of the invention.

  It will be understood that the invention would be limited in its applications to the details of construction and arrangement of the parts illustrated in the accompanying figures, the invention providing other embodiments that can be implemented in various ways. embodiment of the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in which the constituent parts which have already been described in relation with FIGS.

  and 2 will be designated by like reference numerals.

  Figure 4 shows an embodiment of an optical coupling device according to the invention in which a five-core optical cable is used. The optical cable 2 to five souls is

  wound on a rotor 1 rotated by two rotary shafts 4.

  The first end of the optical cable 2 is connected to a submarine sensor 3. The optical cable is inserted through a hole passing through it.

  the rotor 1, where it is subdivided into five optical fibers 2a. A first

  of the optical fibers is coupled via a rotary joint 5a, provided at the end of one of the rotating shafts 4, to a

  optical fiber 9a extending to a fixed terminal unit 8a.

  A second optical fiber 2a is coupled through a rotary joint 5b provided at the end of the other rotary shaft 4, to an optical fiber 9b extending to another unit

fixed terminal 8b.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the optical fibers 2a are respectively coupled to the optical fibers 9a and 9b on the

axes of rotary joints 5a and 5b.

  A driven pulley 11 is mounted on the rotary shaft 4. The

  pulley 11 is coupled via a drive belt.

  14, a driving pulley 13 fixedly mounted on the shaft of an electric motor 12. The rotary shaft 4 and, consequently, the rotor ls rotated by the motor 12, through the

  pulleys 1 and 13 and drive belt 14.

  Auxiliary coils 15x, 15y and 15z and pulleys 16x, 16y and 16z are permanently mounted on the other rotary shaft 4 so that the auxiliary coils, the pulleys and the rotating shaft rotate in one piece. The remaining three optical fibers pass through holes 15a in the auxiliary coils 15x, 15y and 15z. The auxiliary optical fibers 17x, 17y and 17z are

  wound respectively on the auxiliary coils 15x, 15y and 15z.

  The second ends of the auxiliary optical fibers are

  respectively to the three optical fibers coming out of the

2463994 '

  rotor 1 at the passing holes 15a, while the first ends of the auxiliary optical fibers extend up to coupling coils 18x, 18y and 18z on which the auxiliary optical fibers are partially wound. The first ends are then inserted into passing holes.18a which are

  arranged on the coupling coils.

  The coupling coils 18x, 18y and 18z are rotatably mounted

  on 4x, 4y and 4z rotary shafts which are independent of

  rotating shafts 4. 5x, 5y and 5z rotary joints are respectively

  at the first ends of the 4x, 4y and 4z shafts, while the sliding seals 19x, 19y and 19z are respectively arranged

  at the other ends of the rotary shafts 4x, 4y and 4z.

  20x, 20y and 20z driven pulleys are coupled to the sliding joints

  19x, 19y and 19z and are furthermore respectively coupled to the pulleys 16x, 16y and 16z mentioned above via

21x, 21y and 21z belts.

  The first ends of 9x, 9y and 9z optical fibers

  connected to the cylinders 7x, 7y and 7z with closed ends

  55x, 5y and 5z rotary joints, while their second ends are respectively connected to terminal units

  fixed 8x, 8y and 8z. The auxiliary fibers 17x, 17 and 17z

  along the passing holes 18a of the 18x coupling coils, 187

  and 18z up to 5x, 51 and 5z rotary joints, via rotating shafts.

  4x, 4y and 4z and are respectively coupled to the optical fibers

9x, 9y and 9z.

  As described above, the five-core optical cable 2 which is connected to the underwater sensor 3 is wound on the rotor 1 and from there is divided into five optical fibers 2a. Two of the optical fibers 2a go to the rotary joints 5a and 5b. The remaining three optical fibers are respectively coupled to the auxiliary fibers 17x, 17y and 17z via respective auxiliary coils 15x, 15y and 15z. The auxiliary fibers 17x, 17y and 17z are wound on the coupling coils 18x, 181 and 18z and extend to the rotary joints 5x, 5y and 5z. Thus, the five optical fibers 2a are coupled via rotary joints 5a, 5b, 5x, 5y and 5z and optical fibers 9a, 9b,

  9x, 92 and 9z, to fixed end units 8a, 8b, 8x, 8y and 8z.

  When the rotor 1 rotates, the optical cable 2 connected

  the subsea sensor 3 wraps or unrolls. During this operation

  ration, the optical fibers 2a of the rotor 1 rotate regularly therewith while, simultaneously, the auxiliary fibers 17x, 17y and 17z carried by the coupling coils 18x, 18y and 18z

  at the same time as the coupling coils, the auxiliary fibers

  17x, 17z and 17z winding on the auxiliary coils 15x, y and 15z or on the coupling coils 18x, 18y and 18z in the direction of rotation of the rotor 1. Therefore, the optical fibers 2a and the auxiliary fibers 17x , 17y and 17z are never subject

to twists.

  In the embodiment described above, the optical fibers 2a and the auxiliary fibers 17x, 17y and 17z are formed

  separately. However, it is possible to eliminate

  by further extending the optical fibers 2a so that they can be wound on the auxiliary coils 15x, 15y

  and 15z and the coupling coils 18x, 18y and 18z. The sense of hoarseness

  17x, 17Z and 17z auxiliary fibers on the auxiliary coils.

  15x, 15y and 15z can be identical or opposite to that of the optical cable on the rotor 1. In the case where they wind in the same direction, when the optical cable is unwound from the rotor 1, the

  auxiliary fibers 17x, 17y and 17z are wound coils

  15x, 15y and 15z. If it is the opposite winding direction, when the optical cable is unwound from the rotor 1, the auxiliary fibers 17x, 17y and 17z wind on the auxiliary coils 15x, 15Z and z. The length L of each of the auxiliary fibers 17x, 17y and 17z wound on the auxiliary coils 15x, 15y and 15y15z is chosen so that it satisfies the following equation: L> / Qd / D, ot is the length of the cable optical 2 wound on the rotor 1, D is the effective diameter of the rotor 1, and d is the effective diameter of each of the auxiliary coils 15x, 15y and 15z. In this case, even if the optical cable 2 completely unwinds from the rotor 1, there remains a certain length of auxiliary fibers 17x, 17y and 17z on the auxiliary coils 15x, 15y and 15z and the potential difficulty that

  the lengths of the auxiliary fibers 17x, 17y and 17z are insuf-

is never realized.

  With regard to the drive of the auxiliary coils 15x, y and 15z and of the coupling coils 18x, 18y and 18z, it is noted that the auxiliary coils 15x, 15z and 15z rotate with the rotor 1 and, when the pulleys 16x, 16y and 16z mounted on the rotating shaft

  turn, the 20x, 20y and 20z driven pulleys are driven in

  21x, 21y and 21z belts, which

  18x, 18y and 18z coupling coils. The speed of each of the

  The resulting 20x, 20y and 20z leads are slightly larger than each of the 18x, 18y and 18z coupling coils. The difference in speed between the coupling coils and the driven pulleys is compensated for by the sliding effect of the sliding joints 19x, 19y and 19z, and the auxiliary fibers 17x, 17y and 17z which take place of the auxiliary coils 15x, 15y and 15z Wrap on the 18x, 18y and 18z coupling coils thanks to the tension produced by the sliding couplings. When the auxiliary fibers 17x, 17Y and

  17z 18x, 18y and 18z coupling coils are run to

  roll on the auxiliary coils 15x, 15y and 15z, the sliding joints

  19x, 19y and 19z are disconnected and the voltage produced by the rotational torques of the coupling coils 18x, 18y and 18z is not used. If, in the latter case, brakes are provided for the 18x, 18y and 18z coupling coils, the control of the operation

is improved.

  In the embodiment just described above,

  above, the rotary shafts 4x, 4y and 4z are driven by the torque of the rotary shaft 4. However, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to this feature. Thus, rotary shafts 4x, 4y and 4z

  must be trained by other means of training.

  FIG. 5 shows the optical coupling of one of the optical fibers of the cable 2. The optical cable 2, of which a first end is connected to the mobile unit 3, is wound on the rotor 1. The second end of the optical cable 2 passes inside the rotary shaft 4, and a first of the optical fibers of the optical cable 2

  is brought back to the surface of the coil winding body

  15z via a through hole 15a formed in this coil. One end portion of the auxiliary fiber 17z is wound on the auxiliary coil 15z, and the other end portion of the fiber

  auxiliary 17z is wound on the coupling 18z. The first

  first end of the auxiliary fiber 17z wound on the auxiliary coil 15z is coupled to the end of the first optical fiber of the optical cable 2. By means of this structure according to the invention,

  fixed terminal units 8a, 8b, 8x, 8y and 8z can be

  and easily connected to the underwater sensor 3.

  An alternative embodiment of the coupling device

  The optical range described above is shown in FIG. 6. According to this variant, the rotary shafts 4 are folded in the form of cranks for coupling the auxiliary coil 15x to the coil.

  auxiliary 15y and that of the auxiliary coil 15y to the auxiliary coil

15z.

  The optical fibers 17x, 17y and 17z and the optical cable 2 wind and unwind as they wind on the auxiliary coils 15x, 15y and 15z and the coupling coils 18x, 18y and 18z, and the rotor 1, respectively. Thus, it is necessary that the optical fibers, the optical cable and their sheaths have

  a relatively high mechanical strength.

  As the description given above shows, the

  optical coupling of a multi-core optical cable between the element

  fixed terminal units is carried out in an appro-

  asked. In addition, the size of the optical coupling device can be reduced by setting the size of the auxiliary coils and

  coupling coils according to the ratio d / D indicated above.

  A second embodiment of an optical coupling device according to the invention will now be described in relation to FIG. 7 where the constituent elements that have previously been described in relation to the first embodiment are designated

  by the same reference numbers.

  In FIG. 7, the mechanism consisting of the rotor 1 and the three auxiliary coils 15x, 15y and 15z, including the elements

  between them, is the same as in Figure 4. Auxiliary fibers

  The coils 60a, 60b and 60c respectively wound on the auxiliary coils 15x, 15y and 15z each consist of a single optical fiber or a bundle of optical fibers formed by the joining of several strands of optical fibers. The optical fibers of the optical cable 2 are separated, at their second ends, into single optical fibers or optical fiber bundles, according to the number of optical fibers which is connected to the respective fixed terminal units 61a, 61b and 61c, and the unique optical fibers or

  optical fiber bundles extend to the coils

  15x, 15y and 15z mounted permanently on the rotational shaft 4 of the rotor 1. Therefore, the auxiliary fibers 60a, 60b and 60c, whose number is equal to that of the optical fibers connected to the fixed terminal units, are wound on the 15x, y and 15z coils. The second ends of the optical fibers 60a, 60b and

  c are directly coupled to the second ends of the fibers op-

Optical cable ticks 2.

  In Fig. 7, reference numerals 54a, 54b and 54c respectively designate beam receiving devices which are arranged at a distance from the auxiliary coils 15x, y and 15z or are disposed at positions remote from the positions

  of the rotation shaft 4. The first ends of the

  60a, 60b and 60c pass between pinch rollers 51a and 52a, 51b and 52b, and 51c and 52c to respectively reach the beams receiving devices 54a, 54b and 54c. Seconds

  ends of the auxiliary fibers are axed from the lower

  receiving devices 54a, 54b and 54c and are connected to

  respectively to fixed end units 61a, 61b and 61c. Fixed terminal units may be of a single optical fiber type

  or of the multi-fiber type.

  The beam receiving devices 54a, 54b and 54c are adapted to receive respectively the auxiliary fibers 60a, 60b and 60c which unwind the auxiliary coils 15x, 15Y and 15z.

  The beam receiving devices may be simple containers, such as stationary cylinders, or they may be

  containers fitted with winding guides, such as rotating arms

  tifs (not shown), intended to facilitate the reception of fibers

auxiliaries 60a, 60b and 60c.

  The pinch rollers 52a, 52b and 52c compress the

  auxiliary fibers 60a, 60b and 60c under the effect of the force

  selected by the springs 53a, 53b and 53c. Other pinch rollers

  51a, 51b and 51c are driven by voltage application devices 50a, 50b and 50c which consist of electric motors

  equipped with slip clutches. Couples of pebbles

  5a and 52a, 51b and 52b and 51c and 52c respectively tighten respectively

  the auxiliary fibers 60a, 60b and 60c. The rollers 51a, 51b and

  51c and 52a, 52b and 52c apply at all times a predetermined voltage

  completed on the auxiliary fibers 60a, 60b and 60c in order to fire

  the latter auxiliary coils 15x, 15y and 15z.

  The voltage application devices 50a, 50b and 50c are preferably made of electric motors and clutches

  skating, as indicated above. However, it is possible

  sible to use other voltage application devices. By

  For example, it is possible to use devices that are

  born, via belts and gears, by the engine 1 and which

  have slip clutches in their transmission paths.

force.

  The operation of the optical coupling device of

  the invention described above is the following.

  When the auxiliary fibers 60a, 60b and 60c take place auxiliary coils 16x, 16y and 16z, they are sent into the beam receiving devices 54a, 54b and 54c by the voltage applied to them by the pinch rollers 51a, 51b , and 51c, and 52a, 52b and 52c. When the rotor 1 rotates in the opposite direction, the auxiliary fibers are wound on the auxiliary coils by a winding force which is produced against the tension provided by the pinch rollers. When the auxiliary fibers that have

  have been reeled from the auxiliary coils are wound in the

  beam reception systems, they are subject to a certain tendency to torsion. However, if the relationship between the diameter

  each of the auxiliary coils and the diameter of each of the

  positive reception of beams is suitably chosen, then the sum of the torsion may be limited to a lower value

  than the torsional breaking force of each of the auxiliary fibers.

  Since the tension is applied continuously to the auxiliary fibers by the pinch rollers, the auxiliary fibers do not twist

  can not be wound tightly on the coils

  iliary. The advantages of the optical coupling device

  of the second embodiment of the invention are as follows.

  Auxiliary fibers extracted from the reception devices

  beams do not rotate. Thus, they can be direc-

  They are coupled to the fixed terminal units 61a, 61b and 61c, which are, for example, measuring instruments or control units, by means of conventional connectors which do not use rotary joints. In this way, the optical coupling device is a simple structure and the reliability of the parts for optical coupling is considerably improved. Since no rotary joint is to be used, the auxiliary fibers 60a, 60b and 60c are not

  limited to the conventional single fibers 17x, 17y and 17z described above.

  above. Thus, it is possible to use optical fibers at several

  many souls as auxiliary fibers. For the same reasons,

  fixed terminal units 61a, 61b and 61c are not limited to

  A single-core optical fiber. Thus, fixed terminal units of the multi-core optical fiber type can be used with the optical coupling device of this embodiment of the invention. So even in the case of an optical cfble

  in many cases, the number of auxiliary coils is remarkable-

  compared with the number of optical cable cores when optical fiber bundles are used as auxiliary fibers 60a> 60b and 60c. In other words, if the number of optical fibers of the optical cable is extremely large, the optical coupling device of the invention requires only a small number of auxiliary coils. Thus, the optical coupling device can be manufactured as a compact unit. So, as the

  clearly shows the description given above, the device for

  optical coupling according to the invention has a high degree of reliability of

  operation and is of a simple structure and a small size.

  The invention further relates to a device for connecting an electrical cable 102, which cable may be wound on a drum or unwound, to an external main electrical device 104, without the use of contacts of the

  slip ring type or similar elements. A way of realizing

  preferred aspect of this aspect of the invention is presented on the

figure 8.

  The device for transmitting electrical energy to a cable or electrical wire wound on a drum comprises, as the

  FIG. 8 shows a drum 101, a rotating roll 110 directly

  coupled to the drum 101 coaxially, a stationary roller 111 adjacent to the rotating roller 110, the fixed roller 111 being disposed separately from the stationary roller 110, but in coaxial relationship therewith, and an intermediate guide member 112 lying thereon.

  shape of a roller disposed between the flanges, or flanges, rollers

  110 and 111, the intermediate guide element 112 being

  all at once rotated in one direction. A cable of soul

* born 106 is wound on the roller 110 and the roller 111.

  The intermediate guide element 112, which turns only

  in one direction at any time, has a mechanism that allows

  so much to slide in the opposite direction under proper tension.

  That is, it has a clutch 115 in its drive system (elements 113 to 116). The supply cable 106 passes freely around the periphery of the guide element 112 and is wound on the two rollers 110 and 111 in opposite directions by the action of the intermediate guide element 112. Thus, the end of the supply cable 106 wound on the fixed roller 112 does not turn and this

  The cable can therefore be directly connected to the main electrical unit.

  104. On the other hand, the end of the feed cable 106 which is wound on the roller 110 rotates with the drum 101 and can therefore

  be connected to the end of the cable 102 carried by the drum 101.

  It is preferred that the diameter of the winding bodies of the rollers 110 and 111 is greater than that of the drum 101 on which the cable 102 is wound. The winding length of the supply cable 106 must be longer than that of the cable 102, in proportion to the ratio of the diameters of the winding bodies. The drum is driven, via a drive device 108, by a

  electric motor 107, in the same way as for a conventional device

  if that. In combination with this, it is provided, according to a particular feature of the invention, a drive mechanism for rotating the intermediate guide member 112 between the

  rollers 110 and 111 carrying the supply cable 106.

  An example of this drive mechanism is described in connection with FIG. 8. The power supplied by the motor 107 is transmitted to the intermediate guide element 112 via a shaft

  113, a device 114 for switching the direction of

  a clutch 115 which is in loose contact with the intermediate guide member 112 so that it can slide in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the intermediate guide member 112, a transmission device 116, drive to the intermediate guide element, and the central shaft of the fixed roller 111, although

  that the guide element 112 can rotate between the flanges of the rollers

110 and 111.

  When the cable 102 unwinds from or wraps around the drum, the feed cable 106 winds up on the bobbins 110 and 111, as

  this is shown in FIG. 9. The supply cable 106 which is di-

  directly coupled to the cable 102 wound on the drum 101 is wound on the coil 110 directly connected to the drum, while

  is wound on the fixed coil 111-in the opposite direction.

  When the drum 101 has N revolutions in one direction so as to unwind the cfble 102, the feed feble 106 is wound on the roll 110 of a length 1dN (od is the diameter of the roll winding body 110), while the feed cable 106 has been unwound from the roll 111 of the length KdN. As a feed force length tdN 106 passes from the roller 111 to the roller 110, the intermediate guide member 112 moves in a direction which is opposite to the direction indicated above so as to catch the play of the cable 106. As a result, the feed cable 106 winds on both the roll 110 and the idler roll 111. In that case,

  a length (dN / 2) of the supply cable moved from the roller 111 to the roller

  water 110 passes through the intermediate guide element 112. Thus, the

  difference (-n) between the number of revolutions effected by the

  intermediate guide 112 in the opposite direction and the number of revolutions + N of the roll 110 is equal to: 7fdN / 2

-N - - N / 2.

  Thus, the number of revolutions (Nr) of the inter-

mediator 112 is equal to:

Nr = + N - N / 2 = + N / 2.

  The intermediate guide element 112 rotates in the same direction as the drum 101. Conversely, when the drum 101 makes N revolutions in the opposite direction so as to rewind the cable 102, a length tdN of the supply cable wound on the roll 110 takes place. So, the

  half of the length dN must be moved from roll 110 to roll

  water 111, while the remaining length, tdN / 2, must wind on the roll 110. Therefore, it is necessary to rotate the intermediate guide member 112 at a speed which is more

  high, of the magnitude -n = - (7dN / 2) / ed = -N / 2, that the speed which

  corresponds to the number of revolutions (-N) of the drum 101 or the roll 110.

  Thus, the intermediate guide element must rotate at a speed

  which corresponds to Nr = -N - N / 2 = -3N / 2.

  As is clear from the description given above,

  the cable 102 can be unwound and wound while remaining connected to the

supply cable 106.

  The ratio of the length L of the cable 102 to the length 4 of the feed cable 106 is substantially proportional to the ratio of the diameter D of the winding body of the drum 101 to the diameter d of the winding body of each of the rollers 110 and 111 ie L / n = D / d. Thus, it is possible to reduce the length of the supply cable by decreasing the diameter of the rollers 110 and 111. This

  is particularly effective in practice.

  In the case where the supply cable 106 is considerably long, it is preferable that it can be wound regularly on the rollers 110 and 111. For this purpose, it can be used a technique in which, as shown FIG. 10, a support 122 carrying rollers 120 and 121 moves horizontally in relation

  with the rotation of the intermediate guide element 112.

  FIGS. 11, 12a and 12b show a device enabling

  both to ensure the transmission of electrical energy between a unit

  external power supply and a cable winding or unwinding from a

  bour, by means of the concept described in connection with Figures 8 to 10.

  As shown in the figures, a fixed roller 111 and a roller

  rotary 110 are incorporated in a drum 101, while a

  mechanism is provided for driving an intermediate guide 112 in a predetermined direction in response to the rotation of the drum 101. The device shown in Fig. 11 is of the portable type in size.

  reduced. The cable 102 can be unwound or rewound by rotation.

  manual drum 101. The technique for winding

  a feed cable 106 on the rollers 110 and 111 and the operation

  of the intermediate guide element 112 are similar to

  what has been described in connection with FIG. 8.

  A specific feature of the assembly shown in Figure 11

  that the rotation of the drum 101 is transmitted by a mechanism

  friction device (132, 135 and 136) and a drive converting device (136 to 140) to the intermediate guide element 112 so that it moves in a predetermined direction and rotates

  suitably regardless of the direction of rotation of the drum 101.

  -We will describe below in more detail the operation and

the structure of this assembly.

  A washer 132 is keyed on a shaft 131 which is directly

  connected to the rotating drum 101. The washer 132 is subjected to a suitable driving force by a spring 133 so that it rotates with the shaft 131. The driving force applied to the washer can be adjusted to the value. The washer 132 is in contact with a pinion and a brake plate 136 by means of a disk brake 135 of the following type.

  several plates so as to apply a friction force

  Suitable for pinion 136 to rotate it. The rotation of pinion 136 is transmitted through a group of pinions 137, 138

  and 139 to an internal gear 140 which is engaged with the drive shaft.

  141 of the intermediate guide element so as to make

  turn the drive shaft 141.

  In the example shown in Figure 11, the sense of

  The guide element 112 is kept identical to itself by means of the drive pinion group 136 to 140 irrespective of the direction of rotation of the drum 101. For this purpose, the directions of rotation of the gears 136 and 140 are reversed by using a

  technique that gears 138 and 139, which are maintained -

  in mutual engagement, are respectively in contact with the pinion 137 and the pinion 140, as shown in FIG. 12a, or else of a technique in which only the pinion 138 is engaged with the pinions 137 and 140, as is shown in Figure 12b.

  It is preferable that the supply cable 106 is sufficiently

  flexible so that its characteristics do not change when

  is unwound rollers 110 and 111 or rolled on them.

  In the case where the cable 102 is used to provide optical transmission, it may be used a system in which an electric transmission lead cable is used as the supply cable 106 extending to the drum, the optical energy being converted into electrical energy by a converter disposed on the

drum, or vice versa.

  By means of the device of the invention, the supply cable which is wound on the rollers 110 and 111 can be automatically wound and unwound by the intermediate guide element. Thus, it is not necessary to interpose a rotating sliding contact between

  the electric wire or cable wound on the drum and the cable.

  In this way, the cable carried by the drum can be connected directly to the supply cable. Thus, the device of the invention is particularly adapted to the transmission of frequency signals

or optical transmission.

  Figures 13 and 14 show other ways of

  tion for transmitting energy between an external main electrical unit and a cable wound on a drum or released by a drum. According to the embodiment of FIG. 13, only a lead cable 106 is used to connect to an external main electrical device 104 a cable which is unwound from a drum 101 or is wound on it, without which it is necessary to appeal to

  collector ring type contacts or the like.

  The feed cable 106 is wound on a roll 110 which is coaxially connected to an end of the drum 101. The feed cable is connected to the cable 102 which can be wound on the drum 101 or unwind. When the supply cable 106 is wound on the roller 110 or unwinding, the number of 24639e4 revolutions of the cable 106 is equal to that of the revolutions of the

  cable 102 on the drum 101. Thus, if the diameter of the hoist body

  of the roll 110 is smaller than that of the winding body

  drum 101, it is possible to make the length of the drum

  or the unwinding of the feed cable 106 much shorter than that of the target 101. Thus, this length can be reduced by

  proportion of the ratio of the diameters of the winding bodies.

  When the main cable 102 is unwound, the supply cable 106 is wound and, when the main cable is wound, the supply cable is unwound. In this respect, the length of the feed cable 106 that is being produced must be received by a suitable device. Therefore, there is provided a device 211 for storing cable. The device 211 consists of fixed pulleys 212 and a movable pulley 213. When the supply cable 106 winds on the roller 110, the movable pulley 213 moves in the direction of the fixed pulley 212 in the direction of the arrow A to deliver the feed cable to the roller 110. Conversely, when the feed cable is unwound from the roll 110, the movable pulley 213 moves away from the fixed pulley 212 in the direction of arrow B so that the length of the feed cable 106 which is unwound is absorbed by the cable storage device 211. The movable pulley 213 can be

  displaced for example by a weight 214 which gives it a pre-tension

  determined or by the traction exerted on the moving pulley 213 by a torque application motor. The storage device 211 of

  cable can be arranged horizontally or vertically.

  As shown in Figure 14, it is also possible

  to use a number of movable guide wheels 213a dis

  placed along the circumference of the roll 110, so that they move respectively in the direction of the arrows A and B when the supply cable rolls and unwinds the roll 101. In other words, in this case the movable guide wheels 213a move radially inwardly in the direction of the arrow A when the feeder 106 is wound on the roller 110, and they move radially outwardly in the direction of rotation. arrow B when the supply cable 106 is unwound from the roll 110, so that it is

  obtained an effective means of storage of the supply cable 106.

  As is clear from the description given -

  above, it is possible, by means of the device of the invention,

  completely connect the supply cable to an electrical wire or cable

  wire on the drum without having to use a sliding contact

  rotating. Thus, the device of the invention is quite

  suitable for transmitting high frequency signals and transmitting

optical mission.

  Of course, those skilled in the art will be able to imagine

  from the devices whose description has just been given

  simply illustrative and not limiting, various variants

  and modifications not departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

R E V E N D I C A T I 0 NS   1. Device for transmitting signals between a mobile unit (3; 103) connected to one end of a cable (2; 102)   multi-core wound on a rotor (1; 101) and end units   fixed positions (8a 8b, 8x, 8y, 8z, 61a, 61b, 61c, 104) which are connected via auxiliary cables (9a, 9b, 17x, 17z, 17z, 60a, 60b, 60c; ) at the other end of the multi-core cable, the device being characterized in that it comprises auxiliary coils 55x, 15Z, 15z; 110) arranged coaxially with the rotor and rotating integrally with it, the auxiliary cables winding   on the auxiliary coils, and devices (18x, 18y, 18z, 54a, -   54b, 54c; 111 to 116, 120 to 122; 211) arranged between the auxiliary coils and the fixed terminal units in order to store the auxiliary cables.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cable (2) is a multi-core optical fiber cable and in that a first end of the optical cable wound on the rotor is connected to the movable element (3) , the second end of the optical cable is introduced into the rotor, the optical fibers of the cable   inserted into the rotor are connected to second   Means auxiliary cables (17x, 17y, 17z) which are wound on the auxiliary coils (15x, 15y, 15z), the first ends of the auxiliary cables are introduced into the devices (18x, 18y,   18z), which constitute coils of cable   which are mounted on trees (4x, 4y, 4z)   of the rotor shaft, the auxiliary fibers introduced into the coupling coils are positioned on the bearing pins formed at the ends of the coupling coil shafts, and the first ends of the optical fibers whose second ends are connected to the terminal units. fixed are positioned on the axes said bearings.   3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cfble storage devices comprise devices (54a, 54b, 54c) for receiving beams, the device further comprising pinch rollers disposed between the beam receiving devices and the auxiliary coils in order to apply a voltage   Auxiliary cables for extraction of auxiliary coils.   A device for transmitting signals between a multi-core optical cable (2) and fixed terminal units (8a, 8b, 8x, 87, 8z) corresponding to each core of the multi-core optical target, the device being characterized in that it comprises a rotary drum (1) rotatably mounted on rotation shafts (4), the optical cable   multi-core machine designed to be wound on the drum, one end   the optical cable is passed through the drum through a through hole, at least one of the rotation shafts being hollow, at least one rotary joint (5a, 5b) coupled to at least one of the rotation shafts (4 ), a core of the multi-core optical cable being operably coupled via the rotary joint to a first fixed terminal unit (8a, Bb), a plurality of auxiliary coils (15x, 15y, 15z) mounted on at least one of the rotation shafts and turning with it, several coupling coils (18x, 18y, 18z), each associated with one   auxiliary coils and mounted on a corresponding rotation shaft.   dant (4x, 4y, 4z), a plurality of auxiliary fibers (17x, 177, 17z) each associated with one of the auxiliary coils and with the associated coupling coil, one end of each auxiliary fiber passing through the coil corresponding auxiliary by a passing hole and being coupled to a corresponding soul of the multi-core cable, each of the auxiliary fibers being intended to be   coiled on an auxiliary coil and a corresponding coupling coil   a means (16x, 16y, 16z, 20x, 20, 20z, 21x, 21y, 21z)   turning the coupling coils in response to rotation   rotational shafts, and a plurality of second rotary joints (5x, y, 5z) which are each arranged at the end of one of the shafts on   which the coupling coils are mounted, a second   of each of the auxiliary fibers passing through the coil of   corresponding range by a passing hole and being coupled to the corresponding rotary joint, each of the rotary joints being coupled to a corresponding fixed unit by its opposite end to the coil coupling.   5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that there is provided a rotary joint at the end of each of the rotary shafts on which the drum is mounted, a corresponding Soul of the cable   with several souls being coupled to it.   6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the means for rotating the shafts on which the coupling coils are mounted comprises a first set of pulleys.   (16x, 16y, 16z) which are each associated with one of the coils auxi-   a second set of pulleys (20x, 20y, 20z) which are each associated with one of the coupling coils and are mounted   to rotate the shaft on which the coupling coil corre-   10 dante is mounted, and several belts (21x, 21y, 21z) which are each arranged between a pulley of the first set of pulleys and the   corresponding pulley of the second set of pulleys.   7. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the rotation shaft on which the auxiliary coils are mounted is curved in the shape of a crank.   8. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the auxiliary fibers are. extensions of the souls of the cable to several souls.   9. Device for transmitting signals between a multi-core optical cable (2) and fixed terminal units   (61a, 61b, 61c) corresponding to each core of the optical cable having several   the apparatus being characterized in that it comprises a drum (1), a rotation shaft (4), the drum being mounted on   the rotating shaft to rotate with it, the cable (2) to   sieurs souls designed to be wound on the drum, one end of the cable extending into the drum through a through hole, several auxiliary coils (15x, 15y, 15z) mounted on the rotating shaft and rotating with it, several auxiliary fibers ( 60a, 60b, 60c) which are each associated with and coiled with one of the auxiliary coils, each of the auxiliary fibers being coupled   to a corresponding soul of the cable with several souls, several   voltage application systems (50a, 50b, 50c, 51a, 51b, 51c, 52a, 52b, 52c), each of which is associated with one of the auxiliary fibers, and a plurality of beam receiving units (54a, 54b, 54c) each of which is positioned to receive one of the fibers passing from a corresponding auxiliary coil, the voltage application devices applying a voltage to the corresponding fibers between   the auxiliary coils and the beam receiving units.   10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the voltage application devices each comprise a roller   nip (51a, 51b, 51c) which is in contact with an auxiliary fiber   corresponding link and a motor (50a, 50b, 50c) serving to drive the pinch roller.   11. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises at least one rotary joint operatively coupled to the rotation shaft carrying the rotor, at least one core of the cable to   several souls being coupled, via this rotary joint, to a ter- corresponding fixed minimum.   12. Device for transmitting energy between a cable "02) wound on a drum (101) and a unit (104) constituted separately from the drum, the device being characterized in that it comprises the drum (101), a rotatable roller (310) directly connected to the drum, in coaxial relationship therewith, for rotating with it, a cable (106) connected to the unit (104) and wound on the rotating roller, and a means (111) at 116, 120 to 122, 211) of cable storage disposed between the roller and the unit for storing   a certain length of the cable running from the roll.   13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the means (211) for storing cable comprises a fixed pulley (212) and a movable pulley (213) disposed at locations outside the roller. 14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that   the pulleys consist of pulleys with several wheels.   Device according to claim 12, characterized in that   the cable storage means (211) comprises a plurality of guide wheels   movable treads (213a) disposed along the circumference of the roll (110) so that the movable guide wheels move radially   when the cable reels on the roll or unwinds.   Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the cable storage means comprises a fixed roller (111) arranged in coaxial relation with the movable roller and an intermediate guide element (112) placed between the flanges of the rotating wheels and fixed, the intermediate guide member being rotated along the edges of the rotating rollers and fixed so that the cable (106) connected to the target (102) carried by the drum (101) and the unit (104) separately constituted The drum is wound on the rotating roller in one direction while winding on the fixed roller in the opposite direction.