US3587038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic homing beacon and communication equipment for underwater swimmers
Assignee: MASSA DONALD P COHASSET
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Filing: 1969-05-01
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Granted: 1971-06-22
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Expires: 1989-05-01
Abstract
Abstract This is a homing system for guiding underwater swimmers to a moored ultrasonic beacon which sends out omnidirectional signals. The swimmer carries an ultrasonic compass comprising a compact housing that includes a directional receiving hydrophone and a signal strength indicating meter. Since the receiver is directional, the strength of the signal which it receives will, of course, be maximum when the receiver is pointing directly at the beacon. Therefore, the swimmer orients the axis of the receiver to obtain a maximum signal reading on the meter scale. Then, he swims in the direction in which the receiving hydrophone is pointing, and this takes him to the moored ultrasonic beacon.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Massa Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:11
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0644; B06B1/0655; G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/80; G01S3/802; G01S3/805; G01S3/8055; H; H04; H04B; H04B11/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
An ultrasonic underwater directional indicator comprising a waterproof housing structure including a recessed cavity in a portion of its external surface, a directional hydrophone receiver assembly operating at the approximate frequency of 40-80 kHz., said receiver being sealed within said recessed cavity, electronic circuit means contained within said housing structure and connected to said directional hydrophone, readout signal indicating means driven responsive to the output of said electronic circuit means, said indicating means being calibrated to positively indicate a distance between said direction indicator and a source of sound responsive to the magnitude of said readout signal which in turn is proportional to the magnitude of the ultrasonic sound signal reaching the hydrophone, and means for extending said hydrophone reception over a range extending outwardly beyond 10 yards in the direction of maximum response, said recessed cavity being approximately a conical frustum, a layer of low acoustic impedance material lining said cavity, and an electroacoustic transducer element mounted within said recessed cavity, the axis of said transducer element being aligned with the axis of said conical frustum cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
An ultrasonic underwater directional indicator comprising a waterproof housing structure including a recessed cavity in a portion of its external surface, a directional hydrophone receiver assembly operating at the approximate frequency of 40-80 kHz., said receiver being sealed within said recessed cavity, electronic circuit means contained within said housing structure and connected to said directional hydrophone, readout signal indicating means driven responsive to the output of said electronic circuit means, said indicating means being calibrated to positively indicate a distance between said direction indicator and a source of sound responsive to the magnitude of said readout signal which in turn is proportional to the magnitude of the ultrasonic sound signal reaching the hydrophone, and means for extending said hydrophone reception over a range extending outwardly beyond 10 yards in the direction of maximum response, said recessed cavity being approximately a conical frustum, a layer of low acoustic impedance material lining said cavity, and an electroacoustic transducer element mounted within said recessed cavity, the axis of said transducer element being aligned with the axis of said conical frustum cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said electroacoustic transducer element is cylindrical in shape with a diameter approximately two to three times the received wavelength.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said transducer element includes a polarized ceramic means for converting ultrasonic sound pressures reaching said cylinder into corresponding electrical signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein a potting material fills said recessed caviTy and encapsulates said transducer element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said readout signal indicating means includes an electrical meter for indicating the distance to the source of said sound signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said electrical meter is contained within said housing structure, and a transparent portion of said housing structure is positioned over the fact of the meter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said readout signal indicating means comprises an audible frequency signal responsive means characterized in that the intensity of said audible frequency signal is proportional to the intensity of the ultrasonic signal picked up by the directional hydrophone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said audible frequency responsive means includes transducer means driven responsive to audible frequency signals which are proportional in intensity to the intensity of the said picked-up ultrasonic signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
143 words
An underwater guidance system for directing underwater swimmers who are returning to their base of operation, a floating beacon support means, said system comprising a fixed omnidirectional underwater transducer suspended from said support means for transmitting ultrasonic sound signals outwardly therefrom, swimmer held means operative at remote locations substantial distances exceeding a yard away from said float suspended omnidirectional transducer for detecting said sonic signals, said means comprising an ultrasonic directional indicator comprising a compact sealed housing structure including a directional hydrophone which is an integral part of the housing structure, electronic circuit means including an amplifier and output meter contained within said housing structure, said output meter comprising means for indicating the relative magnitude of the ultrasonic sound signal reaching the directional hydrophone, said sealed housing structure including a transparent portion to permit an external reading of a scale on the meter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
143 words
An underwater guidance system for directing underwater swimmers who are returning to their base of operation, a floating beacon support means, said system comprising a fixed omnidirectional underwater transducer suspended from said support means for transmitting ultrasonic sound signals outwardly therefrom, swimmer held means operative at remote locations substantial distances exceeding a yard away from said float suspended omnidirectional transducer for detecting said sonic signals, said means comprising an ultrasonic directional indicator comprising a compact sealed housing structure including a directional hydrophone which is an integral part of the housing structure, electronic circuit means including an amplifier and output meter contained within said housing structure, said output meter comprising means for indicating the relative magnitude of the ultrasonic sound signal reaching the directional hydrophone, said sealed housing structure including a transparent portion to permit an external reading of a scale on the meter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-21 | 1974-12-21 | 1975-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-21 | 1978-12-21 | 1979-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-21 | 1982-12-21 | 1983-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |