[PSUBS-MAILIST] Drop Mechanism

[Alan James via Personal_Submersibles]

HI all,
I was thinking about ways of dropping a manipulator today
& came up with the attached drawings.
I have seen Phils method of using quick connects, but thought
this was simpler.
You mount your manipulator on the red plate. To drop it the
hydraulic piston retracts untill the plate slides out from under 
the guides & the plate & manipulator topple off. 
The hydraulic cylinder could either be operated manually or by 
power. If manually then the hoses could be cut first. If by power,
the hoses would need to be long enough for the length of travel 
of the plate. This system would be easy to test prior to a dive.
Any merit in it? Can it be done better? Has this been used before? Thanks.
Alan
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