US3858166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recoverable underwater acoustic beacon
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-12-26
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Granted: 1974-12-31
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Expires: 1993-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A recoverable underwater acoustic beacon having a magnetic latch holds a marker buoy captive while submerged. The acoustic beacon sends out pulses of underwater sound so that it can be located and also has receiving means to detect a momentary continuous wave (CW) release command signal during the periods between pulses. A current flows through a neutralizing coil within the acoustic beacon when the CW release command signal is received. The neutralizing coil establishes a magnetic field through the beacon''s non-magnetic shell to neutralize the magnetic field of an external permanent magnet and, through an associated leverage form of latch, releases the marker buoy to rise to the water surface on the end of a recovery cable.
Inventors
- 👤 J Hammond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S1/00; G01S1/72; A; A01; A01K; A01K69/00; A01K69/06; B; B63; B63B; B63B21/00; B63B21/02; B63B22/00; B63B22/04; B63B22/06; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/004; G10K11/006; B63B2201/00; B63B2201/18; B63B2211/00; B63B2211/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A recoverable underwater acoustic beacon system comprising in combination, mechanism to be anchored at a desired location relative to the bed of a body of water and including an anchor to be disposed upon said bed and an acoustic beacon connected thereto for positioning below the upper level of said body of water, electrically-powered acoustical signal-producing means within said beacon operable automatically to emit signals at periodic time intervals, receiving means within said beacon responsive to an acoustic impulse from an exterior source, a bouyant marker and a tether extending between said marker and said anchored mechanism, magnetically operated latch means on said anchored mechanism operable normally to secure said buoyant marker in desired position below the upper level of said body of water, and acoustical electrical impulse-receiving means operable relative to said latch means when said signal receiving means receives an impulse from said exterior source to neutralize the magnetic effect of said latch means and thereby cause said latch to release said buoyant marker and permit it to rise to the upper surface of said body of water while tethered to said anchored mechanism and thereby disclose the location thereof for retrieval.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A recoverable underwater acoustic beacon system comprising in combination, mechanism to be anchored at a desired location relative to the bed of a body of water and including an anchor to be disposed upon said bed and an acoustic beacon connected thereto for positioning below the upper level of said body of water, electrically-powered acoustical signal-producing means within said beacon operable automatically to emit signals at periodic time intervals, receiving means within said beacon responsive to an acoustic impulse from an exterior source, a bouyant marker and a tether extending between said marker and said anchored mechanism, magnetically operated latch means on said anchored mechanism operable normally to secure said buoyant marker in desired position below the upper level of said body of water, and acoustical electrical impulse-receiving means operable relative to said latch means when said signal receiving means receives an impulse from said exterior source to neutralize the magnetic effect of said latch means and thereby cause said latch to release said buoyant marker and permit it to rise to the upper surface of said body of water while tethered to said anchored mechanism and thereby disclose the location thereof for retrieval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
The system according to claim 1 further including a mobile acoustical signal-receiving means and an acoustic impulse-sending unit adapted to be moved along the upper surface of said body of water and including a unidirectional transducer connected in circuit with said signal receiving means and movable about a vertical axis to deTermine the direction from which said acoustical signal is being projected, and control means connected to said impulse-sending unit and operable to discharge an acoustic impulse toward said beacon when submerged to actuate said latch and release said marker as aforesaid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 1 in which said latch is mounted upon said acoustic beacon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system according to claim 3 in which said latch is mounted upon the exterior of said acoustic beacon and said acoustical electrical impulse-receiving means includes an electro-magnetic coil mounted within said acoustic beacon immediately in alignment with said latch to operate the same when an impulse is received thereby.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
The system according to claim 1 in which said magnetically-operated latch comprises a lever releasably anchored at one end to said acoustic beacon, a permanent magnet connected to said lever adjacent the opposite end thereof and adapted to magnetically engage the exterior of said beacon, attaching means on said lever closer to said one end than said magnet, and means connecting said buoyant marker in anchored relation to said attaching means on said latch to retain said marker in submerged position until said latch is actuated by neutralizing said magnet to release said marker and permit it to rise as aforesaid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system according to claim 5 in which said latch further includes a holding member affixed to the exterior of said beacon and from which said latch is completely detachable when said magnet is neutralized, whereby said latch is carried by said buoyant marker when it rises, and said tether is connected between said acoustic beacon and said marker.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
The system according to claim 6 in which said holding member comprises a plate affixed to said acoustic beacon and having a latch-retaining end thereon arranged to overlie said one end of said latch to prevent movement thereof from said beacon in a direction substantially perpendicularly therefrom while said magnet retains the opposite end of said latch adjacent said exterior of said beacon, whereby when said magnet is neutralized the buoyant effect of said marker is fully adequate to remove said one end of said latch from said overlying latch-retaining end of said plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-07-01 | 1978-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-30 | 1982-07-01 | 1982-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-30 | 1986-07-01 | 1986-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |