Electronic activated pelican hook

Abstract

The University of Washington has begun employing a heavy-duty release that can be attached to a ship's amagraph cable enabling the user to release underwater packages up to 20000 lbs to full ocean depth. A deck unit allows the operator to remotely release the package with feedback indicators. The release mechanism uses an internal motor that is oil filled and pressure compensated to open and close the clevis. There are electrical limit switches built into the unit to automatically stop motor action in the fully open (released) or fully closed (latched) position. Utilization of this device will give operators another tool for gentle and precise deployments of increasingly complex and expensive seafloor instrumentation.