US3910111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wave height measuring device
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1972-05-01
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1992-05-01
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a wave measuring instrument for use on a dynamically positioned or tethered floating vessel whereby to continuously monitor wave height, wave period and vertical heave of the vessel as the vessel responds to waves, swell and currents. The instrument comprises a measuring device connected to the vessel hull in a substantially submerged position whereby to continuously record the distance between the instrument and the ocean floor as the vessel heaves. A second measuring means automatically gauges and records the normally varying distance between the instrument and the water''s surface, which distance results from the usual presence of wave action whether the latter be gradually rolling or relatively turbulent. The respective measurements thus obtained are thereafter integrated and compensated for to provide a relatively accurate record of the actual wave height between trough and crest, the wave period, and the vertical movement or heave of the vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 George E Mott
- 👤 Robert L Skaggs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B17/00; G01B17/02; B; B63; B63B; B63B39/00; B63B39/14; G01C; G01C13/00; G01C13/002; G01C13/004; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/02; G01S15/04; G01S15/06; G01S15/08; G01S15/10; G01S15/101
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
The combination with a marine structure adapted to be floatably positioned in an offshore body of water in which high waves and turbulent water conditions are prevalent, and which marine structure is free to be displaced vertically in response to the forces of wind and water acting thereagainst, of a wave height measuring device comprising; first measuring means depending from said structure, being disposed beneath the surface of said body of water and being actuatable to generate a first signal for gauging the vertical distance between said first measuring means and the floor of said body of water, second measuring means depending from said structure and disposed beneath the water''s surface, said second measuring means being actuatable to generate a second signal to gauge the vertical distance between said second measuring means and said water''s surface, and means for integrating said respective first and second signals whereby to determine the varying height of said water''s surface with respect to said vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
The combination with a marine structure adapted to be floatably positioned in an offshore body of water in which high waves and turbulent water conditions are prevalent, and which marine structure is free to be displaced vertically in response to the forces of wind and water acting thereagainst, of a wave height measuring device comprising; first measuring means depending from said structure, being disposed beneath the surface of said body of water and being actuatable to generate a first signal for gauging the vertical distance between said first measuring means and the floor of said body of water, second measuring means depending from said structure and disposed beneath the water''s surface, said second measuring means being actuatable to generate a second signal to gauge the vertical distance between said second measuring means and said water''s surface, and means for integrating said respective first and second signals whereby to determine the varying height of said water''s surface with respect to said vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
In an apparatus as defined in claim 1, including; means for stabilizing the displacement of said respective measuring means to maintain both measuring means in a substantially vertical orientation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
In an apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first measuring means includes; a sound wave generating and echo collecting means operable to direct a sound wave toward the ocean floor and to receive a reflected sound wave therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
In an apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second measuring means includes; a second wave generating and echo collecting means operable to direct a sound wave in a generally upwardly vertical direction, and means to receive said wave as reflected from the interface of the water and the atmosphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
In an apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second measuring means includes; a pressure sensitive element adapted to instantaneously sense pressure variations in response to movement of the water''s surface in a vertical direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a device as defined in claim 1, including; shielding means disposed cooperatively with said respective first and second measuring means to protect the latter from external influences resulting from water movement about said marine structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
Method for measuring the wave height in a body of water from a marine structure floatably positioned in said body of water, and subjected to vertical heaving resulting from movement of said water, which method comprises the steps of; a. measuring a first distance between a reference point on said floating structure and the floor of said body of water, b. simultaneously measuring a second distance between said reference point to the interface of the water and the atmosphere above said reference point, c. repeating the above steps when said structure is at the crest and trough respectively of a wave to be measured, d. correlating the distances obtained when the structure is at the wave trough and crest whereby to determine the height of said wave.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
Method for measuring the wave height in a body of water from a marine structure floatably positioned in said body of water, and subjected to vertical heaving resulting from movement of said water, which method comprises the steps of; a. measuring a first distance between a reference point on said floating structure and the floor of said body of water, b. simultaneously measuring a second distance between said reference point to the interface of the water and the atmosphere above said reference point, c. repeating the above steps when said structure is at the crest and trough respectively of a wave to be measured, d. correlating the distances obtained when the structure is at the wave trough and crest whereby to determine the height of said wave.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
In the method as defined in claim 7, including; the step of initially positioning said reference point sufficiently beneath the water''s surface to be submerged during the time of measuring of said respective distances.
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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) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |