Variable buoyancy buoy

• US 5,460,556 A
• Filed: 12/30/1993
• Issued: 10/24/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Loral Corporation (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Logan, Denis J., Vopat, Raymond W.
• Primary Examiner(s): AVILA, STEPHEN P
• Application Number:
  US08/176,009
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 114/315, 441/1, 441/2, 441/3, 441/6, 441/7, 441/10, 441/21, 441/22, 441/23, 441/28, 441/29, 441/32
• US Class Current: 441/2
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/18 having means to control attitude or position, e.g. reaction surfaces or tether

Abstract

A variable buoyancy buoy includes a shell and expansion apparatus. The two are combined in a manner to provide a watertight structure with an internal region wherein a constant pressure is maintained that is substantially equal to the pressure at a predetermined depth below the water surface. At depths above the predetermined depth the internal pressure is greater than the external water pressure. This differential pressure causes the buoy to expand, thereby increasing its buoyancy.

Claims

1. A variable buoyancy buoy including an incompressible shell, having an external surface and an internal area, and an expansion apparatus, constructed and arranged to be compressed at a predetermined depth below a water surface and to expand with decreasing water pressure at depths above said predetermined depth, said expansion apparatus comprising:

an elastic collar covering a selected area of said shell and externally attached to said shell in a watertight manner to form a watertight internal region, said selected area having perforations which extend through said shell from said surface to said internal area, said internal area being said internal region when said elastic collar is collapsed about said external surface at said predetermined depth; and

an inert gas contained in said internal region at a pressure equal to water pressure exerted on said shell at said predetermined depth

said perforations in said selected area allowing said inert gas to flow therethrough from said internal area to said elastic collar when water pressure is less than pressure exerted by said inert gas, thereby causing said elastic collar to expand creating an area between said surface and said elastic collar, which in combination with said internal area forms said internal region.

2. A variable buoyancy buoy comprising:

a shell having first and second sections; and

an expansion apparatus combined with said shell to form a watertight assembly having an internal region, said expansion apparatus constructed and arranged to be compressed at a predetermined depth below a water surface and to expand with decreasing water pressure at depths above said predetermined depth, said expansion apparatus including;

a bellows positioned between said first and second sections and attached to said first and second sections in a watertight manner;

first and second slide channels respectively coupled to said first and second sections in said internal region;

a rod constructed and arranged to slide in said first and second slide channels; and

a spring, wrapped about said rod and contained between said first and second slide channels, constructed to provide an internal pressure on said first and second sections equal to water pressure at said predetermined depth.

3. A variable buoyancy buoy in accordance with claim 2 wherein said expansion apparatus further includes an inert gas contained in said internal region at a pressure equal to said water pressure at said predetermined depth.

4. A variable buoyancy buoy in accordance with claim 2 further including a seal positioned between said first and second sections of said shell for providing a watertight seal at depths below said predetermined depths.