Method of delivering to ocean bottom and raising to surface of station for deep water researches and design of station delivered using said method

• US 4,557,697 A
• Filed: 07/22/1982
• Issued: 12/10/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Institut Okeanologii Imeni PO Shirshova USSR Moscow Ulitsa Krasikova 23
• Original Assignee: Institut Okeanologii Imeni PP Shirshova
• Inventors: Soloviev, Sergei L., Sharipov, Fyarit A., Kontar, Evgeny A., Smertin, Valentin P., Pakhomov, Jury F., Khmeljuk, Alexei M., Glukhikh, Rudolf G., Vyalykh, Vladimir I., Zansokhov, Leonid G., Khomyakov, Evgeny N., Evseev, Alexei I., Brovko, Viktor P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blix, Trygve M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Avila, Stephen P.
• Application Number:
  US06/400,901
• Time in Patent Office: 1,237 Days
• Field of Search: 441/1, 441/2, 441/11, 441/12, 441/21, 441/28, 441/29, 441/32, 441/33, 114/317, 114/326, 114/331, 114/312, 114/244, 114/245, 73/864.31
• US Class Current: 441/2
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/06 with means to cause the buoy to surface in response to a transmitted signal B63B22/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2209/08 impact with water-surface or -bottom
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2211/02 Oceanography
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/48 Means for searching for underwater objects means for indicating the location of sunken objects B63C7/26; locating by use of the reflection or reradiation of radio or other waves G01S ; mountings of acoustic transducers in underwater equipment G10K11/006
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/38 specially adapted for water-covered areas G01V1/28 takes precedence

Abstract

A method of delivering to the ocean bottom and raising to the surface of a station provided with instrument packages for deep-water researches is realized by way of free submergence of the station in a water mass under the action of negative buoyancy of a ballast weight, landing of the station to the bottom, dropping of the ballast weight upon completing the bottom researches, and free emergence of the station under the action of positive buoyancy of a float module. In the course of free submergence, the station is divided into a unit comprising the instrument packages and a unit comprising the ballast weight and the float module, the unit comprising the instrument packages is directed along a path differing from the path of the free-falling unit comprising the ballast weight, thus ensuring the landing of the instrument packages at a predetermined distance from the ballast weight. After the ballast weight has been dropped the instrument packages are lifted off the ocean bottom with the float module attaining a constant ascending speed. A station for deep-water researches comprises a float module and a ballast weight connected therewith by means of a flexible link, a flexible link release controlled through a hydroacoustic channel, as well as instrument packages. The instrument packages are interconnected by means of a cantilever rod mounted on the float module for a free upward movement, fastened thereto by an elastic rope and provided with a means to create hydrodynamic resistance to the movement of the cantilever rod during submergence of the station.

Claims

1. A station for deep-water research comprising

a float module;

a ballast weight;

a flexible link connecting said float module with said ballast weight;

a release for said flexible link;

a hydroacoustic channel to control said release;

at least one instrument package;

a cantilever rod on which said instrument package is secured, said cantilever rod being freely mounted on said float module for free movement away therefrom during submergence and upon application of hydrodynamic resistance to the movement of said rod;

an elastic rope connecting said cantilever rod with said float module; and

means disposed on said rod for creating a directed hydrodynamic resistance to the movement of said cantilever rod during submergence in a water mass,

said means providing the hydrodynamic resistance to be directed to cause separation and movement away from the path of said float module, and

wherein said means to create hydrodynamic resistance is disposed in the form of a cross-shaped stabilizer arranged on an end of said cantilever rod at an angle thereto.

2. A station for deep-water research comprising

a float module;

a ballast weight;

a flexible link connecting said float module with said ballast weight;

a release for said flexible link;

a hydroacoustic channel to control said release;

at least one instrument package;

a cantilever rod on which said instrument package is secured, said cantilever rod being freely mounted on said float module for free movement away therefrom during submergence and upon application of hydrodynamic resistance to the movement of said rod;

an elastic rope connecting said cantilever rod with said float module; and

means disposed on said rod for creating a directed hydrodynamic resistance to the movement of said cantilever rod during submergence in a water mass,

said means for providing the hydrodynamic resistance to be directed to cause separation and movement away from the path of said float module, and

wherein said means to create hydrodynamic resistance is disposed in the form of a hydrofoil arranged on an end of said cantilever rod at an angle thereto.

3. A station for deep-water research comprising

a float module;

a ballast weight;

a flexible link connecting said float module with said ballast weight;

a release for said flexible link;

a hydroacoustic channel to control said release;

at least one instrument package;

a cantilever rod on which said instrument package is secured, said cantilever rod being freely mounted on said float module for free movement away therefrom during submergence and upon application of hydrodynamic resistance to the movement of said rod;

an elastic rope connecting said cantilever rod with said float module; and

means disposed on said rod for creating a directed hydrodynamic resistance to the movement of said cantilever rod during submergence in a water mass,

said means providing the hydrodynamic resistance to be directed to cause separation and movement away from the path of said float module, and

additionally comprising means for hydrodynamically braking said cantilever rod, which comprises

a container;

a hinge connecting said container to a central part of said cantilever rod;

at least one brake parachute accommodated in said container; and

means for automatic ejection of said parachute accommodated in said container,

said container, shaped as a cone tapering towards said hinge joint, being provided with through-ports in side walls thereof, and comprising a removable cover on a base thereof, which is controlled by said means for automatic ejection of said parachute.

4. A station for deep-water research as claimed in claim 3, wherein said container comprises means for automatic separation of said parachute from said container, when said instrument package is lifted off the water mass bottom.