US4938136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Resonant acousticmagnetic minisweeper
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1976-01-19
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Granted: 1990-07-03
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Expires: 1996-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A system for sweeping acoustic and magnetic mines or a combination of boths disclosed as comprising a pair of spatially disposed magnetic pipes that are held in their respective spatial dispositions by front and rear straps, and an acoustical energy generating pipe suspended between said front and rear straps by hinges in such manner that it is also disposed between said pair of spatially disposed magnetic pipes. A tractor vehicle moves all of the aforesaid pipes and their associated elements as a unit along a course intended to be cleared of acoustic and/or magnetic mines.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul F. Gould
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:12
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63G; B63G7/00; B63G7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
A minesweeping system, comprising in combination: means for generating and broadcasting a predetermined magnetic field throughout a given environmental medium; means for generating and broadcasting acoustical energy of predetermined frequency throughout the aforesaid given environmental medium; holding means connected to said predetermined magnetic field generating and broadcasting means and to the aforesaid acoustical energy generating and broadcasting means for the holding thereof in such predetermined spatial dispositions that the magnetic field and acoustical energy respectively broadcast thereby comingle throughout said given environmental medium during the broadcasts thereof; said holding means comprising a first substantially rigid strap means connected to said predetermined magnetic field generating and broadcasting means adjacent the front end thereof and extending substantially normally from the longitudinal axis thereof, a second substantially rigid strap means connected to said predetermined magnetic field generating and broadcasting means adjacent the rear end thereof and extending substantially normally from the longitudinal axis thereof in substantially the same plane as the aforesaid first strap means, a first hinge means connected between said second substantially rigid strap means and the front end of the aforesaid acoustical energy generating and broadcasting means, and a second hinge means connected between said second substantially rigid strap means and the rear end of said acoustical energy generating and broadcasting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
A minesweeping system, comprising in combination: means for generating and broadcasting a predetermined magnetic field throughout a given environmental medium; means for generating and broadcasting acoustical energy of predetermined frequency throughout the aforesaid given environmental medium; holding means connected to said predetermined magnetic field generating and broadcasting means and to the aforesaid acoustical energy generating and broadcasting means for the holding thereof in such predetermined spatial dispositions that the magnetic field and acoustical energy respectively broadcast thereby comingle throughout said given environmental medium during the broadcasts thereof; said holding means comprising a first substantially rigid strap means connected to said predetermined magnetic field generating and broadcasting means adjacent the front end thereof and extending substantially normally from the longitudinal axis thereof, a second substantially rigid strap means connected to said predetermined magnetic field generating and broadcasting means adjacent the rear end thereof and extending substantially normally from the longitudinal axis thereof in substantially the same plane as the aforesaid first strap means, a first hinge means connected between said second substantially rigid strap means and the front end of the aforesaid acoustical energy generating and broadcasting means, and a second hinge means connected between said second substantially rigid strap means and the rear end of said acoustical energy generating and broadcasting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 1, further characterized by means effectively connected to said predetermined magnetic field and acoustical energy generating and broadcasting means for effecting the movement thereof along a predetermined course within a predetermined environmental medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
148 words
A minesweeping system, comprising in combination: a first magnetized pipe means; a second magnetized pipe means; means connected adjacent the front ends of said first and second magnetized pipe means for the holding of the front ends thereof in first predetermined spatial dispositions relative to one another; means connected adjacent the rear ends of said first and second magnetized pipe means for the holding of the rear ends thereof in second predetermined spatial dispositions relative to one another; an acoustical energy generating means disposed between the aforesaid first and second magnetized pipe means; a first hinge means connected between the aforesaid first and second pipe means front end holding means and the front end of said acoustical energy generating means; and a second hinge means connected between the aforesaid first and second pipe means rear end holding means and the rear end of said acoustical energy generating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
148 words
A minesweeping system, comprising in combination: a first magnetized pipe means; a second magnetized pipe means; means connected adjacent the front ends of said first and second magnetized pipe means for the holding of the front ends thereof in first predetermined spatial dispositions relative to one another; means connected adjacent the rear ends of said first and second magnetized pipe means for the holding of the rear ends thereof in second predetermined spatial dispositions relative to one another; an acoustical energy generating means disposed between the aforesaid first and second magnetized pipe means; a first hinge means connected between the aforesaid first and second pipe means front end holding means and the front end of said acoustical energy generating means; and a second hinge means connected between the aforesaid first and second pipe means rear end holding means and the rear end of said acoustical energy generating means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device of claim 3, wherein said acoustical energy generating means disposed between the aforesaid first and second magnetized pipe means comprises: a pipe having predetermined buoyancy characteristics; a motor having a rotatable shaft extending therethrough; a pair of eccentric cranks respectively connected to opposite ends of the shaft of said motor; and a pair of weights respectively connected to the outer extremeties of said pair of eccentric cranks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
154 words
The device of claim 3, wherein said acoustical energy generating means disposed between the aforesaid first and second magnetized pipe means comprises: a pipe having predetermined buoyancy charcteristics; a motor having a rotatable shaft extending therethrough; a pair of eccentric cranks respectively connected to opposite ends of the shaft of said motor; and a pair of weights respectively connected to the outer extremities of said pair of eccentric cranks. a bracket connected to the inside surface of said pipe; a shaft connected to said bracket; a movable arm, with one end thereof connected to said shaft for rotation thereon; a hammer connected to the other end of said movable arm; and a spring connected between the inside surface of said pipe and the aforesaid movable arm for resiliently urging the latter from the former but permitting the aforesaid hammer to strike the inside surface of said pipe as a consequence of predetermined movement thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention of claim 3, further characterized by means effectively connected to said first and second magnetized pipe means and said acoustical energy generating means for effecting the moving thereof along a predetermined course within a predetermined environment.
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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) | 1993-07-02 | 1994-01-01 | 1994-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-02 | 1998-01-01 | 1998-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-02 | 2002-01-01 | 2002-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |