Patent US3600898A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3600898A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of laying cable under ice
Assignee: Marine Resources Co
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Filing: 1970-01-26
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1990-01-26
Abstract
Abstract Cable is laid under ice by a self-propelled, submarine vehicle equipped with a reel of cable for paying out as the vehicle proceeds from a launching hole to a destination hole. A gyrocontrol system is set for the course from the launch hole to the destination hole and guides the vehicle on the first part of its travel, and an acoustic homing system is used to home the vehicle on a transmitter lowered into the water beneath the destination hole to complete the trip. The vehicle is retrieved by passing through large, collapsible loops arranged under the destination hole so that the loops, the threaded cable, and the vehicle can be drawn up through the destination hole.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward C Godfrey
- 👤 Robert A Rubega
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:22
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/126; F16L1/16; F16L1/168
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
A method of laying a cable under ice, said method comprising: a. cutting a hole in said ice at a launching point and at a destination point for said cable; b. equipping a self-propelled, submarine vehicle with a supply of said cable for laying; c. setting a gyrocontrol system in said vehicle for the course from said launching point to said destination point; d. lowering said vehicle through said hole at said launching point with said cable secured above said ice; e. energizing a propulsion system in said vehicle to make said vehicle proceed on said course under control of said gyro system toward said destination point while paying out said cable as said vehicle proceeds; f. arranging a target loop in the water below said destination hole; g. arranging a transmitter within said target loop; h. switching said gyrocontrol system off and switching on a system for homing said vehicle on said transmitter during the travel of said vehicle; i. sensing the passing of said vehicle through said target loop; j. stopping said vehicle propulsion system and clamping said cable with a clamp on said vehicle after said vehicle has passed through said loop; and k. hauling said loop up through said destination hole to draw said vehicle and said cable up through said destination hole so that said cable is strung from said launch hole to said destination hole.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
231 words
A method of laying a cable under ice, said method comprising: a. cutting a hole in said ice at a launching point and at a destination point for said cable; b. equipping a self-propelled, submarine vehicle with a supply of said cable for laying; c. setting a gyrocontrol system in said vehicle for the course from said launching point to said destination point; d. lowering said vehicle through said hole at said launching point with said cable secured above said ice; e. energizing a propulsion system in said vehicle to make said vehicle proceed on said course under control of said gyro system toward said destination point while paying out said cable as said vehicle proceeds; f. arranging a target loop in the water below said destination hole; g. arranging a transmitter within said target loop; h. switching said gyrocontrol system off and switching on a system for homing said vehicle on said transmitter during the travel of said vehicle; i. sensing the passing of said vehicle through said target loop; j. stopping said vehicle propulsion system and clamping said cable with a clamp on said vehicle after said vehicle has passed through said loop; and k. hauling said loop up through said destination hole to draw said vehicle and said cable up through said destination hole so that said cable is strung from said launch hole to said destination hole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 including lowering said vehicle at said launching point to a desired depth for travel below said ice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said transmitter and said homing system are acoustic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1 including releasing said cable clamp whenever said propulsion system is turned on and applying said cable clamp whenever said propulsion system is stopped so that said vehicle can be raised and lowered by said cable when said propulsion system is stopped, and said vehicle can pay out said cable when said propulsion system is running.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3099913A
Cited
US3507241A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |