US3880103A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tethered mine hunting system
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-08-21
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1992-08-21
Abstract
Abstract A tethered mine hunting system capable of aerial deployment comprises a lift module attached to an aircraft support vehicle by primary tether and a submarine vehicle attached to said lift module by secondary tether. The lift module and submarine vehicle are configured so as to permit the submarine vehicle to be garaged within the lift module during launch and recovery of the system. A source of hydraulic motive power is located within the lift module and is attached to the submarine vehicle via the secondary tether so as to permit the submarine vehicle to have very low acoustic and magnetic signatures. Additionally, the lift module contains other support equipment and electroacoustic transducers.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard R Talkington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:35
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63G; B63G7/00; B63G7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An undersea tethered vehicle system comprising: a support vehicle; a primary tether connected to said support vehicle and extending downwardly therefrom for conducting electrical currents and supporting tensional forces therealong; a lift module attached to the primary tether for support thereby; a submarine vehicle configured for retention within the lift module; a source of motive power housed within the lift module; and a secondary tether connected between the submarine vehicle and the lift module and effectively connected to said source of motive power within the lift module for transmission of the motive power therealong and effectively connected to the primary tether for transmission of electrical currents therealong to permit the submarine vehicle''s movement into and out of the lift module and within a predetermined range thereabout.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
An undersea tethered vehicle system comprising: a support vehicle; a primary tether connected to said support vehicle and extending downwardly therefrom for conducting electrical currents and supporting tensional forces therealong; a lift module attached to the primary tether for support thereby; a submarine vehicle configured for retention within the lift module; a source of motive power housed within the lift module; and a secondary tether connected between the submarine vehicle and the lift module and effectively connected to said source of motive power within the lift module for transmission of the motive power therealong and effectively connected to the primary tether for transmission of electrical currents therealong to permit the submarine vehicle''s movement into and out of the lift module and within a predetermined range thereabout.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tethered vehicle system according to claim 1 wherein the support vehicle is an aircraft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A tethered vehicle system according to claim 1 wherein the lift module is enclosed on one end to minimize hydrodynamic interaction between the retained submarine vehicle and the water during launch and recovery of the system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A tEthered vehicle system according to claim 1 further including a winch housed within the lift module and effectively connected to the source of motive power to obtain driving power therefrom and having the secondary tether wound thereon for paying out and reeling in the secondary tether in accordance with the movements of the submarine vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tethered vehicle system according to claim 1 wherein the source of motive power includes a source of hydraulic power.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tethered vehicle system according to claim 1 including an auxiliary device releasably mounted on the submarine vehicle for selective release therefrom to cooperate with investigated submerged objects.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A tethered vehicle system according to claim 1 further including a manipulator arm mounted on the submarine vehicle and effectively connected to the source of motive power via the secondary tether for contacting and performing work on objects within the vicinity of the submarine vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tethered vehicle system according to claim 7 further including a tool carried by the manipulator arm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A tethered vehicle system according to claim 8 further including a television camera mounted on the submarine vehicle and connected via the aforesaid primary and secondary tethers to the support vehicle to provide personnel therein a view of areas adjacent the submarine vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tethered vehicle system according to claim 9 further including a light source mounted on the submarine vehicle for illumination of objects within the field of view of the television camera.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3381485A
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US3550386A
Cited
US3618236A
Cited
US3626703A
Cited
US3719116A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |