Multibody dynamics modeling of variable length cable systems

This paper presents a procedure for studying the dynamics of variable lengt h cable systems. Such systems commonly occur in deployment and retrieval (p ay-out and reel-in) in cable towing systems such as in ship and marine appl ications. The cable is modeled as a chain and treated as a multibody system. The chai n links in turn are modeled as lumped masses. The pay-out/reel-in process i s modeled with variable length links near the towing point. Application in marine systems are presented and discussed.