US3800271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater signalling system
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1973-03-09
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1993-03-09
Abstract
Abstract An underwater signalling system which can be retrieved and stored readily is described. The system includes a surface float connected by a compliant cable to an underwater housing having two hollow portions. A transducer cable, with transducers attached, extends from the housing and terminates in a drag member. Both cables are provided with a series of rings along their length fastened by their rims. A thin retrieving cable is fastened to the drag member and is threaded through the rings, the housing and through a passageway completely through the float and is terminated in a loop. To retrieve the system, the loop is engaged and raised whereupon the rings constrain the cables to form into loops which enter opposite ends of the hollow housing. The drag member engages the bottom of the housing and the float engages the top, thereby completely enclosing the cables and transducers. The assembly may then be lifted as a unit by the retrieving cable.
Inventors
- 👤 S Stillman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:35
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/004; G10K11/006; G10K11/008; B; B63; B63B; B63B22/00; B63B22/003; B63B2211/00; B63B2211/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
296 words
An underwater signaling system including a transducer cable, a plurality of transducers connected to said cable, a surface float, a compliant cable interconnecting said surface float and one end of said transducer cable, and a drag member connected to the other end of said transducer cable, characterized in that said system includes a generally cylindrical hollow housing having an intermediate portion separating first and second hollow portions at opposite ends thereof, said intermediate portion being formed with a small passageway therethrough, and in that said transducer cable extends through said first hollow portion and is connected to said intermediate portion and in that said compliant cable extends through said second hollow portion and is connected to said intermediate portion, and in that said system also includes a first group of rings each fastened by its rim to said transducer cable, a second group of rings each fastened by its rim to said compliant cable, a retrieving cable fastened to said drag member and passing successively through the rings of said first group, through the passageway in said intermediate portion, through the rings of said second group and through a passageway formed in said float to the top thereof, whereby when said system is deployed in the sea said float remains on the surface with said cables extending therefrom and whereby raising the upper end of said retrieving cable when said system is so deployed causes said transducer cable with the transducers attached to be disposed in loops on the surface of said drag member and causes said drag member to engage said first hollow portion with said loops within and causes said compliant cable to lie in loops within said second hollow portion and causes said second hollow portion to engage the surface of said float.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
296 words
An underwater signaling system including a transducer cable, a plurality of transducers connected to said cable, a surface float, a compliant cable interconnecting said surface float and one end of said transducer cable, and a drag member connected to the other end of said transducer cable, characterized in that said system includes a generally cylindrical hollow housing having an intermediate portion separating first and second hollow portions at opposite ends thereof, said intermediate portion being formed with a small passageway therethrough, and in that said transducer cable extends through said first hollow portion and is connected to said intermediate portion and in that said compliant cable extends through said second hollow portion and is connected to said intermediate portion, and in that said system also includes a first group of rings each fastened by its rim to said transducer cable, a second group of rings each fastened by its rim to said compliant cable, a retrieving cable fastened to said drag member and passing successively through the rings of said first group, through the passageway in said intermediate portion, through the rings of said second group and through a passageway formed in said float to the top thereof, whereby when said system is deployed in the sea said float remains on the surface with said cables extending therefrom and whereby raising the upper end of said retrieving cable when said system is so deployed causes said transducer cable with the transducers attached to be disposed in loops on the surface of said drag member and causes said drag member to engage said first hollow portion with said loops within and causes said compliant cable to lie in loops within said second hollow portion and causes said second hollow portion to engage the surface of said float.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An underwater signaling system in accordance with claim 1 in which the length of said retrieving cable is greater than the length of said transducer cable plus the maximum extended length of said compliant cable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
An underwater signaling system in accordance with claim 1 in which the rings of said first group are spaced apart by a distance not greater than the inside diameter of said housing and in which the rings of said second group are spaced apart by a like distance measured when said compliant cable is unstretched.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
An underwater signaling system in accordance with claim 1 in which said drag member is conical in shape and has a base with a diameter greater than the inside diameter of said housing and in which said transducer cable and said retrieving cable are fastened to the vertex thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An underwater signaling system in accordance with claim 1 which includes a loop on that end of said retrieving cable which extends above said float.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An underwater signaling system in accordance with claim 1 which includes a stop member fitted to said retrieving cable at a point above said float.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An underwater signaling system in accordance with claim 1 in which said transducers are electro-acoustic transducers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An underwater signaling system in accordance with claim 1 in which said float is formed with a spherical surface on the bottom thereof having a diameter greater than the inside diameter of said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An underwater signaling system in accordance with claim 1 which includes a loop fastened to the top of said float.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3141148A
Cited
US3541498A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |