US3926137A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Deep ocean parachute release
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1975-03-03
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Granted: 1975-12-16
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Expires: 1995-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A drogue chute is used to extend a long line transducer array in the water as it is being towed in or played out in an ocean current. To avoid problems during a subsequent retrieval of the array, the drogue chute is disconnected. For this reason a release mechanism is interposed between the transducer array and the chute. This release mechanism provides for a nonabrupt separation of the array from the chute''s riser straps. An electronic circuit in the mechanism initiates the separation of a first riser strap to dump the entrained water and next, the second riser to completely sever the chute from the array.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman F Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:37
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B21/00; B63B21/56; B63B21/58; B63B21/60; B63B21/24; B63B21/48; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/04; Y10T83/0524
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
An apparatus for releasing a drogue chute from an elongate array extended in tension comprising: a housing connected to the array; means for frangibly coupling the housing to more than one riser of the drogue chute; means for breaking the frangible coupling means being mounted adjacent thereto; and means for sequentially initiating the breaking means to effect releasing of the drogue chute in stages thereby preventing the snapping of the elongate array.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
An apparatus for releasing a drogue chute from an elongate array extended in tension comprising: a housing connected to the array; means for frangibly coupling the housing to more than one riser of the drogue chute; means for breaking the frangible coupling means being mounted adjacent thereto; and means for sequentially initiating the breaking means to effect releasing of the drogue chute in stages thereby preventing the snapping of the elongate array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the frangible coupling means are a pair of alloy links each secured to a separate riser and the breaking means are a pair of guillotine cutters each provided with an opening for receiving a separate alloy link therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 in which the sequentially initiating means is an electronic circuit formed of components which initiate the detonation of one of the guillotine cutters when an actuation signal of one polarity is fed to it and which initiate the detonation of the other guillotine cutter when an actuation signal of the reverse polarity is fed to it.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 in which the electronic circuit includes a charging and firing capacitor coupled to each guillotine cutter to provide a delay between the time the actuation signal is fed to the electronic circuit and a guillotine cutter is detonated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparaTus according to claim 4 in which both guillotine cutters are orthogonally disposed with respect to their associated alloy link to assure the releasing of the drogue chute.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 in which the housing is cylindrically shaped having an outer diameter the same as the array to reduce the problems associated with excessive low noise.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |