BATTERY POSITIONER
The battery positioner (fig. 3-22) functions to
return the cable anchor damper piston to its BATTERY
position during the retracting cycle of the arresting
engine.
The battery positioner includes a three-way air
valve (3), which is connected to a 100-psi air supply
and to the air container mounted on the cushioning end
of each damper assembly. An air strainer (4) is located
in the supply line ahead of the three-way valve. The
three-way air valve is mounted on a base plate (5),
secured to the arresting engine retracting valve, and
operated by means of a cam (1) mounted on the
retracting valve actuating lever.
When the actuating lever is moved to its retract
position, the cam positions the three-way air valve to
admit 100-psi air to the air containers. From the air
container, the 100-psi air passes through a hole in the
cushioning piston rod and acts against the operating
piston, moving it to its fully retracted position. As soon
as the actuating lever is released, the air pressure is shut
off, and the air container is vented through an exhaust
line (2) at the three-way air valve. A line containing a
liquid sight indicator (7) and a drain plug (6) is
provided at each container. The fluid sight indicator
permits detection of fluid leakage into the air container.
ARRESTING ENGINE DRIVE
SYSTEM
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Describe the
components of the arresting engine drive
system.
The function of the drive system is to provide a
means of transferring energy from an arresting aircraft
to the arresting engine components that provide the
means of dissipating and absorbing that energy. The
drive system consists essentially of sheave damper,
purchase cable, fairlead and deck sheaves, crossdeck
pendants, and wire supports (fig. 3-23).
SHEAVE DAMPER
Because of the high engaging velocities of modern
carrier-based aircraft, cable tension and vibration
would be excessive unless eased by the shock
absorption provided by the sheave damper. The sheave
damper reduces peak cable tension and lessens cable
vibration.
In figure 3-24, a sheave damper assembly is
mounted to the ship's structure below each port and
starboard retractable or fixed horizontal deck sheave.
The port and starboard assemblies are identical;
therefore, only one will be discussed.
3-24
6
AIR CONTAINER
RETRACTING
VALVE
100 PSI AIR
SUPPLY
54
3
2
1
7
1. CAM
2. EXHAUST
3. THREE-WAY AIR VALVE
4. STRAINER
5. BASE PLATE
6. DRAIN PLUG
7. SIGHT INDICATOR
ABEf0322
Figure 3-22.—Battery positioner.
