US3590635A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pycnocline follower apparatus
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1970-05-01
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1990-05-01
Abstract
Abstract Observation and study of internal waves in the main pycnocline of an ocean area is achieved by providing a pycnocline follower capable of being prebalanced to a particular density within the range of a predetermined density gradient of the pycnocline. As internal wave conditions produce density variations the pycnocline follower moves up and down. A time-related pressurerecorder system carried by the follower provides data on the varying pressure which closely corresponds to the amplitude and period of the internal-wave-producing the movement. The follower is mounted on a thin wire that is anchored, buoyed and tensioned sufficiently to maintain a vertical disposition in the presence of anticipated horizontal currents. A plurality of spherical buoyant members are removably mounted in a casing of the follower to permit weight changes necessary to prebalance the follower to a desired density. The recording system is carried by one of the buoyant members.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter O Duing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
Apparatus for observing internal waves in the main pycnocline of an ocean medium comprising: an anchor; a buoy; a wire securing the buoy in a submerged position near the surface of said ocean medium to the anchor, said buoy tensioning said wire sufficiently to maintain the wire in substantially a vertical disposition; and a pycnocline follower rollably engaging said wire for movement up and down said wire responsive to density changes accompanying internal wave movements, said follower including: an elongate free-flooding casing; a plurality of buoyant members movably mounted in said casing; and a self-contained time-related pressure-recorder system housed on one of said buoyant members, said follower being prebalanced to a particular density within the range of a predetermined density gradient of the pycnocline whereby variations of said density cause the follower to move up and down the wire, said recorder responding to pressure variations for providing time-dependent data pertinent to internal wave periods and amplitudes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
Apparatus for observing internal waves in the main pycnocline of an ocean medium comprising: an anchor; a buoy; a wire securing the buoy in a submerged position near the surface of said ocean medium to the anchor, said buoy tensioning said wire sufficiently to maintain the wire in substantially a vertical disposition; and a pycnocline follower rollably engaging said wire for movement up and down said wire responsive to density changes accompanying internal wave movements, said follower including: an elongate free-flooding casing; a plurality of buoyant members movably mounted in said casing; and a self-contained time-related pressure-recorder system housed on one of said buoyant members, said follower being prebalanced to a particular density within the range of a predetermined density gradient of the pycnocline whereby variations of said density cause the follower to move up and down the wire, said recorder responding to pressure variations for providing time-dependent data pertinent to internal wave periods and amplitudes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a surface buoy coupled to said submerged buoy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said casing is provided with a streamlined exterior shape for minimizing drag and said wire tension is sufficient to substantially maintain its desired vertical disposition when subjected to horizontal currents up to 40 cm./sec.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said follower casing is formed with a keel member for maintaining horizontal trim.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the in situ compressibility of the follower approximates the compressing of its sea water operating environment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein swivel connections are employed for coupling said wire to both said anchor and said submerged buoy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said follower includes a swivel coupling for absorbing torque forces produced by horizontal currents.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2839920A
Cited
US3301047A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |