Control cables for pusher tug - using one cable with two loops and with cable tensioner and brake

摘要

The bows of the tug are pushed into a recess in the middle of the stern of the last barge. A single cable has the two ends secured at each end of the stern of the last barge, with the main part of the cable looped over tensioning blocks on both sides of the tug. Further tensioning blocks are mounted on a cross support pivoted about a middle vertical axis, with the last loop taken over a brake roller at the stern of the tug. The cross support is pivoted using two hydraulic rams with the tilting to either side controlling the relative lengths of the two cable sections, and hence the relative setting of the tug w.r.t. the barge. If one cable section breaks the brake is applied and steering control is possible with the remaining loop.