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US4098369A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Underwater sound generator
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1975-12-29
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Granted: 1978-07-04
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Expires: 1995-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A monopropellant fluid is ignited in a combustion chamber to form a pressurized gas volume which may include the interior of a piston valve opening into the combustion chamber. A first gas path leading out of the combustion chamber conducts gas to surface areas of the piston so as to exert pressure urging the piston valve closed. A second gas path leading out of the combustion chamber conducts gas to other surface areas of the piston so as to exert pressure urging the piston valve to open a plurality of radial exhaust ports which vent the gas out of the combustion chamber and thereby generate a sonic pulse. Periodic opening and closing of the piston valve causes a train of sonic pulses to be generated.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel Altschuler
- 👤 Jerre A. Hitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/02; G01V1/104; G01V1/116
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
33 words
Method of generating underwater sound pulses, comprising: (a) catalytically gasifying liquid monopropellant within a confined volume to produce pressurized gas; and (b) releasing the compressed gas underwater in a series of controlled pulses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
Method of generating underwater sound pulses, comprising: (a) catalytically gasifying liquid monopropellant within a confined volume to produce pressurized gas; and (b) releasing the compressed gas underwater in a series of controlled pulses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said pulses are controlled as to cyclic rate and time duration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said pulses are adjustable as to sonic frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus for generating underwater sound pulses, comprising: (a) means for catalytically gasifying liquid monopropellant within a confined volume to produce pressurized gas, and (b) means for releasing the compressed gas underwater in a series of controlled pulses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus for generating underwater sound pulses, comprising: (a) means for catalytically gasifying liquid monopropellant within a confined volume to produce pressurized gas, and (b) means for releasing the compressed gas underwater in a series of controlled pulses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the means in (b) are susceptible of adjustment to alter the cyclic rate of the sound pulses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the means in (a) and (b) are susceptible of adjustment to alter the sonic frequency of the sound pulses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the means in (a) includes a combustion chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the means in (b) includes (1) means forming a plurality of exhaust ports adjacent to said combustion chamber, and (2) a piston valve mounted between said combustion chamber and exhaust ports for opening and closing a path therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, and further including means forming an air spring chamber at the rear of said piston for cushioning the movement thereof to its open position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said piston is hollow and is mounted to form an extension of said combustion chamber, whereby the dimensions of said combustion chamber, said piston and said exhaust ports are at least in part determinative of the frequency of said sound pulses.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3332510A
Cited
US3588801A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-03 | 1982-01-02 | 1982-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-03 | 1986-01-02 | 1986-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-03 | 1990-01-02 | 1990-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |