Patent US3890840A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3890840A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Laser controlled fathometer
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1974-06-07
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Granted: 1975-06-24
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Expires: 1994-06-07
Abstract
Abstract In a method and apparatus for underwater depth recording, a laser beam placed on a datum point impinges upon a plurality of vertically adjacent laser beam receptor cells rigidly affixed to a float. A depth sounding transducer is supported a fixed distance under the float and communicates with a recorder. A plurality of delay circuits respectively connected to the plurality of receptor cells delays a signal from the transducer to the recorder a specific time indicative of the position of the plurality of receptor cells with respect to said datum point whereby an underwater depth recording is made without errors being introduced by surface water disturbances.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J Malloy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C13/00; G01C13/002; G01C13/004; G01C13/008; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/02; G01S15/06; G01S15/08; G01S15/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A laser controlled fathometer comprising: a. means placed on a datum point for generating a laser beam in a horizontal plane; b. a depth sounding transducer for transmitting and receiving a sonar signal; c. means for supporting said transducer a fixed distance under the surface of a body of water; d. a recorder communicating with said transducer; and e. detector means affixed to said transducer support means and communicating with said recorder for receiving said laser beam at one of a plurality of laser beam receptor cells thereon indicative of the position of said detector means with respect to said datum point and for delaying the recording of a received signal from said transducer for a specific time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A laser controlled fathometer comprising: a. means placed on a datum point for generating a laser beam in a horizontal plane; b. a depth sounding transducer for transmitting and receiving a sonar signal; c. means for supporting said transducer a fixed distance under the surface of a body of water; d. a recorder communicating with said transducer; and e. detector means affixed to said transducer support means and communicating with said recorder for receiving said laser beam at one of a plurality of laser beam receptor cells thereon indicative of the position of said detector means with respect to said datum point and for delaying the recording of a received signal from said transducer for a specific time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The fathometer of claim 1 wherein said specific time delay produced by said detection means is a linear function of the position of said detection means with respect to said datum point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fathometer of claim 1 wherein said laser beam reception cells of said detector means are disposed in a line generally normal to the plane of said laser beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
The fathometer of claim 1 wherein said detector means includes: a. a plurality of laser beam receptor cells being disposed in abutting side-by-side relation to be in a line generally normal to the plane of said laser beam, said plurality of receptor cells including a first and a last receptor cell; and b. a plurality of delay circuits respectively connected to said plurality of receptor cells, each said delay circuit being connected to said depth sounding transducer for receiving said received signal therefrom, whereby the recording of said received signal is delayed said specific time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fathometer of claim 4 wherein said plurality of delay circuits provide a linearly incremental graduated spectrum of delays between a zero delay and a maximum delay.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The fathometer of claim 5 wherein said plurality of delay circuits are respectively connected to said plurality of laser beam receptor cells in such manner that as said laser beam is received by each said receptor cell sequentially from said first receptor cell to said last receptor cell, said plurality of delay circuits, respectively, will be sequentially actuated to provide said linearly graduated spectrum of delays, starting at said zero delay and progressing sequentially to said maximum delay.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of determining underwater depths comprising the steps of: a. positioning a laser on a datum point; b. attaching a plurality of vertically adjacent laser beam receptor cells to a float; c. hanging a depth sounding transducer from said float a fixed distance under the water, said transducer communicating with a recorder for recording signals from said transducer, directing, in a horizontal plane, said laser beam to impinge upon said receptor cells; and d. delaying the recording of said signals from said transducer a specific time indicative of the position of said receptor cells with respect to said datum point.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of determining underwater depths comprising the steps of: a. positioning a laser on a datum point; b. attaching a plurality of vertically adjacent laser beam receptor cells to a float; c. hanging a depth sounding transducer from said float a fixed distance under the water, said transducer communicating with a recorder for recording signals from said transducer, directing, in a horizontal plane, said laser beam to impinge upon said receptor cells; and d. delaying the recording of said signals from said transducer a specific time indicative of the position of said receptor cells with respect to said datum point.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3372584A
Cited
US3637309A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-23 | 1978-12-23 | 1979-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-23 | 1982-12-23 | 1983-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-23 | 1986-12-23 | 1987-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |