SUBMERSIBLE ACTUATOR APPARATUS
First Claim
1. A submersible actuator apparatus, comprising:
- an inflator mechanism configured when operatively connected to an inflation source and to an inflatable device to provide command-activated release of fluid from the inflation source to the inflatable device to thereby provide a buoyant force;
a water sensor mechanism;
a water pressure sensor configured to measure external pressure reflecting depth underwater; and
a controller in communication with the water sensor mechanism and the water pressure sensor to command actuation of the inflator mechanism upon detection of predetermined conditions; and
the sensor mechanism including first and second sensor devices, each having a sensor element, distal ends of the sensor elements being recessed in from adjacent outermost surface of the respective sensor devices by 0.9 to 1.1 mm, and the distal ends being spaced a distance apart.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A user-programmable, submersible actuator apparatus that includes an inflator mechanism configured when operatively connected to an inflation source and to an inflatable device to provide command-activated release of fluid from the inflation source to the inflatable device and thereby provide a buoyant force. A controller causes the inflator mechanism to actuate inflation in the event of the first of a deep submersion condition or a heavy bobbing condition. The deep submersion condition may be determined when a specific (approximated) submersion depth has been detected. The heavy bobbing condition may be determined by a predetermined number of bobs of a specific (approximated) depth (less than the deep submersion depth) being detected or by a predetermined frequency of bobbing being detected. The water sensor mechanism may include a pair of sensor elements, having outer ends each recessed in 0.9 to 1.1 mm, or 1.0 mm.
24 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A submersible actuator apparatus, comprising:
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an inflator mechanism configured when operatively connected to an inflation source and to an inflatable device to provide command-activated release of fluid from the inflation source to the inflatable device to thereby provide a buoyant force; a water sensor mechanism; a water pressure sensor configured to measure external pressure reflecting depth underwater; and a controller in communication with the water sensor mechanism and the water pressure sensor to command actuation of the inflator mechanism upon detection of predetermined conditions; and the sensor mechanism including first and second sensor devices, each having a sensor element, distal ends of the sensor elements being recessed in from adjacent outermost surface of the respective sensor devices by 0.9 to 1.1 mm, and the distal ends being spaced a distance apart. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A submersible actuator apparatus, comprising:
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an inflator mechanism configured when operatively connected to an inflation source and to an inflatable device to provide command-activated release of fluid from the inflation source to the inflatable device to thereby provide a buoyant force; a water sensor mechanism; a water pressure sensor configured to measure external pressure reflecting depth underwater; and a controller in communication with the water sensor mechanism and the water pressure sensor to command actuation of the inflator mechanism upon detection of predetermined conditions including an immersion mode that includes (a) if water is detected, determining a pressure difference;
(b) if the determined pressure difference is greater than a predetermined maximum pressure difference, actuating inflation;
(c) if the determined pressure difference is not greater than the predetermined maximum pressure difference and is not greater than a predetermined bob pressure difference that is less than the predetermined maximum pressure difference, returning to step (a);
(d) if the determined pressure difference is not greater than the predetermined maximum pressure and is greater than the predetermined bob pressure difference add a unit to a counter to create a new counter value;
(e) if the new counter value is not greater than a predetermined bob counter value, returning to step (a); and
(f) if the new counter value is greater than the predetermined bob counter value, actuating inflation. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A submersible actuator apparatus, comprising:
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an inflator mechanism configured when operatively connected to an inflation source and to an inflatable device to provide command-activated release of fluid from the inflation source to the inflatable device to thereby provide a buoyant force; a water sensor mechanism; a water pressure sensor configured to measure external pressure reflecting depth underwater; and a controller in communication with the water sensor mechanism and the water pressure sensor to command actuation of the inflator mechanism upon detection of predetermined conditions including a mode that includes (a) if not above water surface, determining yes or no whether a detected first pressure differential that is greater than a predetermined first pressure differential is greater than a predetermined second pressure differential, and if yes actuating inflation and if no actuating a timer for a first predetermined time period and setting T equal to zero;
(b) if during the first predetermined time period a second pressure differential greater than a predetermined third pressure differential is detected, actuating inflation; and
(c) if during the first predetermined time period with no inflation actuated, no second pressure differential that is greater than the third predetermined pressure differential is detected, returning to step (a). - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An inflation actuation method, comprising:
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(a) detecting the presence of water; (b) if the water pressure differential is greater than a predetermined trigger pressure differential, actuating inflation of an inflatable device to provide a buoyant force; (c) if the water pressure differential is less than the predetermined trigger pressure differential and less than a predetermined bob pressure differential, which is less than the trigger pressure differential, returning to step (a); (d) if the water pressure differential is less than the trigger pressure differential and more than the bob pressure differential, adding a unit to a bobbing counter value; (e) if the counter value now is greater than a predetermined counter value, actuating inflation of the inflatable device; and (f) if the counter value now is less than the predetermined counter value, returning to step (a). - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A submersible actuator apparatus, comprising:
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an inflation source; an inflatable device; an inflator mechanism configured to provide command-activated release of fluid from the inflation source to the inflatable device and thereby provide a buoyant force; and a controller configured to cause inflation of the inflatable device to be actuated by the inflator mechanism when the first of a deep submersion condition and a heavy bobbing condition is detected; wherein the deep submersion condition occurs when a first pressure differential is detected; wherein a heavy bobbing condition occurs when either (a) a first predetermined number of second pressure differentials is detected or (b) a second predetermined number of third pressure differentials within a preset time period is detected; and wherein the first pressure differential is greater than the second and third pressure differentials. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification