Submarine location pod handling and towing mechanism - support formed by two sets of articulated levers mounted at spaced locations on winch frame

摘要

The mechanism lowers, tows and raises a vessel for a submarine location pod lowered from a helicopter. When the body is wound right in it is supported in a cradle on the helicopter by a set of articulated levers when these are folded, or solely by the rope when the levers are unfolded. There are two sets of such levers with homologous ends pivoting at points spaced apart on the winch frame, and preferably at the same level. Their other ends pivot on a horizontal junction bar, the length between the pivot points on it being preferably the same as between the pivot points at the other end. The bar supports the cradle proper below it. The overall height of the set of levers when unfolded is great enough for the junction bar to be in a zone free of air turbulence induced by the helicopter rotor.