HARBOR FENCE
First Claim
1. A system for protecting an asset that abuts a body of water, the system comprising:
- a flotation component that maintains the system at essentially a surface of the body of water and that forms a security parameter capable of encompassing the asset;
a plurality of sensor elements positioned along the flotation component, wherein the plurality of sensor elements detects an intruder breaching the security perimeter of the system; and
a control unit that sends a command signal to the plurality of sensor elements and that receives a received signal when at least one of the plurality of sensor elements detects the intruder breaching the security perimeter, and wherein the control unit indicates a location of breaching.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus determine if an intruder passes into a security zone that is associated with a waterfront asset. An embodiment of the invention provides a harbor fence system that is designed to be deployed in water around ships or other waterfront assets to serve as a line-of-demarcation in order to provide protection. The harbor fence system comprises a series of spars that protrude above the water surface and that are connected with an electrical computer with a telemetry subsystem. Each spar contains electronic sensors, e.g. water immersion sensors and accelerometers, and circuitry to detect an intrusion and to communicate the location of the intrusion to a computer control station. The embodiment also facilitates deploying and retrieving the harbor fence system. Additionally, the embodiment may also determine whether an underwater intruder is passing under a protective boundary, in which the harbor fence system interfaces to an underwater sonar sensor subsystem.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A system for protecting an asset that abuts a body of water, the system comprising:
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a flotation component that maintains the system at essentially a surface of the body of water and that forms a security parameter capable of encompassing the asset;
a plurality of sensor elements positioned along the flotation component, wherein the plurality of sensor elements detects an intruder breaching the security perimeter of the system; and
a control unit that sends a command signal to the plurality of sensor elements and that receives a received signal when at least one of the plurality of sensor elements detects the intruder breaching the security perimeter, and wherein the control unit indicates a location of breaching. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 29, 30)
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17. A system for protecting an asset that abuts a body of water, the system comprising:
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a flotation component that maintains the system at essentially a surface of the body of water;
a plurality of sensor elements positioned along the flotation component, wherein the plurality of sensor elements detects an intruder passing through a security perimeter of the system and comprises at least one immersion detector; and
a control unit that sends a command signal to the plurality of sensor elements and that receives a signal when at least one of the plurality of sensor elements detects the intruder passing through the security perimeter, and wherein the control unit provides a security status. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for protecting an asset that abuts a body of water, the system comprising:
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a flotation component that maintains the system at essentially a surface of the body of water, the flotation component forming at least a portion of a security perimeter and having a helical configuration;
a plurality of sensor elements positioned along the flotation component, wherein the plurality of sensor elements detects an intruder breaching the security perimeter of the system; and
a control unit that receives a signal when at least one of the plurality of sensor elements detects the intruder breaching the security perimeter, and wherein the control unit indicates a location of breaching. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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31. A system for protecting an asset that abuts a body of water, the system comprising:
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a flotation component that maintains the system at essentially a surface of the body of water;
a plurality of sensor elements positioned along the flotation component, wherein the plurality of sensor elements detects an intruder passing through a security perimeter of the system and comprises a receiver module for receiving a target echo comprising sonar reflection signals from a target; and
a control unit that receives a signal when at least one of the plurality of sensor elements detects the intruder passing through the security perimeter, the control unit comprising;
a detector for determining the presence of a significant reflecting body based on the target echo;
a sonar sensor module for processing data of the reflecting body; and
,a processor for determining at least one estimator based on the target echo and for determining a target path based on the at least one estimator. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification