Deployment arrangement for elongated flexible connecting members

Abstract

In the embodiments described in the specification a deployment arrangement for elongated flexible members such as hoses and cables connected between spaced stationary and rotatable components includes two spaced cylinders of different diameter having walls defining an annular path in the space between the components and a support assembly on each component for supplying a flexible member into the annular space between the walls in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the component facing the annular space. Each of the support assemblies includes a guide which limits the bending angle of the flexible member at the location in which it is introduced into the annular space.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A deployment arrangement for a flexible member comprising: 
 a fixed component and a rotatable component having facing surfaces disposed in spaced relation;    a support assembly mounted on each of the stationary and rotatable components and arranged to guide a flexible member toward the space between the components in a direction substantially perpendicular to the adjacent surface of the component on which that support assembly is mounted including a guide for limiting the extent of bending of a flexible member supported by the support assembly; and    a pair of generally cylindrical members disposed in the space between the facing surfaces of the stationary and rotatable components defining an annular space which encompasses regions adjacent to the support assemblies during relative rotation of the rotatable component and the stationary component.    
     
     
         2 . A deployment arrangement according to  claim 1  including a flexible member connected between the support assembly mounted on the stationary component and the support assembly mounted on the rotatable component and having a length between the support components which is great enough to permit relative rotation between the stationary component and the rotatable component through an angle of at least 400°.  
     
     
         3 . A deployment arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the height of the cylindrical wall extending between the facing surfaces is at least four times the diameter of the annular space.  
     
     
         4 . A deployment arrangement according to  claim 1  including a friction-reducing arrangement to reduce friction between the walls of the annular space and a flexible member moving in the annular space.  
     
     
         5 . A deployment arrangement according to  claim 4  wherein the walls defining the annular space are provided with a low friction material.  
     
     
         6 . A deployment arrangement according to  claim 4  wherein the walls defining the annular space are coated with polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         7 . A deployment arrangement according to  claim 4  wherein the walls defining the annular space are provided with rolling members.  
     
     
         8 . A deployment arrangement according to  claim 4  including a flexible member covered with an anti-friction material.  
     
     
         9 . A deployment arrangement according to  claim 8  wherein the anti-friction material is a Kevlar sleeve.  
     
     
         10 . A deployment arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the guide includes a surface inclined away from the adjacent component in the direction away from the support assembly.  
     
     
         11 . A deployment arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the support assembly includes a support which confines the flexible member in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the adjacent surface of the component in a region between the facing surfaces.