USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Donald E Cressman

Kurt M Czepizak

Paul V Cavallaro

Richard E Dooley

Michael J Kroger

Robert F Cutler, Iii

Norman Toplosky

Joseph M Muhitch

Scott D Boyd

Ryan F Galego

Alyssa A Cosmo

Geoffrey R Moss

David B Segala

Michael E Werbicki

An inflatable launch and recovery system for a towed body is provided. The system is containerized for ease of transport. A container houses a tow body, tow cable, a winch, winch controls, an inflatable ramp, deployment and retrieval equipment, power junctions and air line connections. Inflatable arch shaped tubes and spacer fabric form the ramp structure from which the tow body can be launched and recovered. The ramp can be ballasted to provide hydrodynamic stability and to provide sufficient system depth to accommodate retrieval of towed bodies operating below a liquid medium surface. Additional control can be achieved using inflatable or rigid fin elements or downward lifting surfaces. A rigid clamping fixture connects the ramp structure to the vessel. A snubber element dampens vibrations and transient tow loads.

Inflatable launch and recovery system

The invention as disclosed is a towline guide clip, an apparatus that can hold a towline in place as it is dragged behind a large host marine vessel attempting to recover a small marine vessel. The towline guide clip is designed to gradually release the towline when a small marine vessel grabs hold of the line. The additional dragging force of the small marine vessel pulls the towline out of the towline guide clip so that the towline can then be reeled in by a winch.

Towline guide clip

Growing community of inventors

Saunderstown, RI, United States of America

Donald E Cressman