USH388H
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for locating towed seismic floats
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
•
Filing: 1984-12-31
•
Granted: 1987-12-01
•
Expires: 2004-12-31
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus are provided for locating a towed float relative to the towing vessel. The method determines the range from at least two known spaced apart locations on the towing vessel to the float and determines the position of the float from the intersection of the at least two ranges. The apparatus includes a microwave transceiver selectably interconnectable with a plurality of microwave antennas at known spaced apart locations on a towing vessel, a microwave transponder on each float whose locations is to be determined, and suitable controller and/or computer means to calculate ranges and intersections of ranges.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph P. Lloyd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/38; G01V1/3817; G01V1/3835; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/87; G01S15/876
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of locating a towed object relative to a towing vessel, comprising: independently determining a plurality of individual ranges from corresponding known preselected locations on said vessel to said towed object; and determining the point of intersection of said plurality of ranges.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of locating a towed object relative to a towing vessel, comprising: independently determining a plurality of individual ranges from corresponding known preselected locations on said vessel to said towed object; and determining the point of intersection of said plurality of ranges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as described in claim 1, wherein said determination of ranges employs microwave energy.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of locating a towed object relative to a towing vessel, comprising: determining a first range to said towed object from a first preselected location on said vessel; independently of said first location, determining a second range to said towed objected from a second preselected location on said vessel; and determining the point of intersection of said first and second ranges.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of locating a towed object relative to a towing vessel, comprising: determining a first range to said towed object from a first preselected location on said vessel; independently of said first location, determining a second range to said towed objected from a second preselected location on said vessel; and determining the point of intersection of said first and second ranges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus for locating a towed object relative to a towing vessel, comprising: means for determining a first range to said towed object from a first preselected location on said vessel, means for determining a second range to said towed object from a second preselected location on said vessel independently of said first location, and means for determining the point of intersection of said first and second ranges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus for locating a towed object relative to a towing vessel, comprising: means for determining a first range to said towed object from a first preselected location on said vessel, means for determining a second range to said towed object from a second preselected location on said vessel independently of said first location, and means for determining the point of intersection of said first and second ranges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for locating a towed float relative to a towing vessel, comprising: microwave transponder means disposed on said float responsive to a preselected coded signal; master microwave transceiver means disposed on said vessel for transmitting preselected coded signals functionally related to a preselected set of first commands; a plurality of spaced-apart microwave antennas disposed at known locations on said vessel; antenna switching means for operatively interconnecting said master microwave transceiver with one of said plurality of antennas in functional response to a second set of preselected commands; and controller means for generating said first and second sets of preselected commands to said master transceiver and said antenna switching means, respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for locating a towed float relative to a towing vessel, comprising: microwave transponder means disposed on said float responsive to a preselected coded signal; master microwave transceiver means disposed on said vessel for transmitting preselected coded signals functionally related to a preselected set of first commands; a plurality of spaced-apart microwave antennas disposed at known locations on said vessel; antenna switching means for operatively interconnecting said master microwave transceiver with one of said plurality of antennas in functional response to a second set of preselected commands; and controller means for generating said first and second sets of preselected commands to said master transceiver and said antenna switching means, respectively.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2405238A
Cited
US3905007A
Cited
US3460060A
Cited
US4110726A
Cited
US4219886A
Cited
FR2487986A1
Cited
GB2089043B
Cited
US4559621A
Cited
US4446538A
Cited
US4532617A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-11-30 | 1991-06-01 | 1991-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-06-01 | 1995-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-30 | 1999-06-01 | 1999-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |