Buoyed sensor array communications system

• US 5,663,927 A
• Filed: 05/23/1996
• Issued: 09/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1996
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Stevenson, J. Mark, Olson, Jack R., Sotirin, Barbara J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lobo, Ian J.
• Application Number:
  US08/652,206
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 367/3, 367/4, 367/129, 367/131, 367/153, 367/79, 441/2, 441/33
• US Class Current: 367/4
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 13/00 Surveying specially adapted to open water, e.g. sea, lake, river or canal liquid level metering G01F
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/22 Transmitting seismic signals to recording or processing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/38 specially adapted for water-covered areas G01V1/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 11/00 Transmission systems employing sonic, ultrasonic or infrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/02 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the earth or a large mass of water thereon, e.g. earth telegraphy

Abstract

A buoyed sensor array communications system comprises multiple sensor syss electrically connected to a signal transmission line which are positioned at predetermined locations along the signal transmission line to form a linear sensor array. Each of the sensor systems generates a data signal in response to receiving an address signal. The system further includes; a processor system electrically connected to the signal transmission line for transmitting address signals to enable any one of the sensor systems at a time in a selectively accessed order and has a data storage memory for storing the data signal from each of the sensor systems as stored data. A radio frequency transmitting system is coupled to the data processor and transmits the stored data at a predetermined time. A negatively buoyant structure connected to the signal transmission line pulls the communications system to the bottom of a body of water upon deployment. A positively buoyant structure supports the processor system and radio frequency transmitting system, and is connected to the signal transmission line. A signal transmission line cutting system mounted in the buoyant structure severs the signal transmission line upon receipt of a cutting system enablement signal generated by said processor system, whereupon the buoyant structure floats to the surface of said body of water. Then the transmitting system transmits the stored data.

Claims

1. A buoyed sensor array communications system, comprising:

a signal transmission line;

multiple sensor systems electrically connected to said signal transmission line, wherein one of said sensor systems at a time generates a data signal in response to receiving an address signal;

a processor system electrically connected in parallel to said sensor systems for transmitting an address signal to enable any one of said sensor systems in a selectively accessed order, and for storing data encoded in each said data signal;

a radio frequency transmitting system for transmitting said stored data;

a negatively buoyant structure connected to said signal transmission line which sinks to the bottom of a body of water after being deployed;

a positively buoyant structure for supporting said processor system and said radio frequency transmitting system; and

a signal transmission line cutting system mounted in said positively buoyant structure for severing said signal transmission line upon receipt of a cutting system enablement signal generated by said processor system, whereupon said positively buoyant structure floats to the surface of said body of water.

2. The buoyed sensor array communications system of claim 1 wherein each of said sensor systems includes:

an addressable switch having a unique address which generates a first output signal in response to receiving one of said address signals encoded with said unique address;

a power supply which provides a power signal upon receipt of said first output signal from said addressable switch;

a sensor which generates said data signal in response to receiving said power signal from said power supply;

a signal conditioning filter which filters said data signal; and

an analog to digital converter for transforming said filtered data signal into a digital data signal.

3. The buoyed sensor array communications system of claim 1 wherein said signal transmission line is a two-wire system.

4. The buoyed sensor array communications system of claim 1 wherein said negatively buoyant structure contains said signal transmission line and said sensor systems prior to deployment of said sensor array communications system.

5. The buoyed sensor array communications system of claim 1 wherein said radio frequency transmitting system includes a modem.

6. The buoyed sensor array communications system of claim 1 wherein said radio frequency transmitting system includes a cellular telephone.

7. The buoyed sensor array communications system of claim 1 wherein one of said sensor systems includes a pressure sensor.

8. The buoyed sensor array communications system of claim 1 wherein one of said sensor systems includes a fluid velocity sensor.

9. The buoyed sensor array communications system of claim 1 wherein one of said sensor systems includes a conductivity sensor.

10. The buoyed sensor array communications system of claim 1 wherein one of said sensor systems includes a temperature sensor.

11. The buoyed sensor array communications system of claim 1 wherein one of said sensor systems includes a compass sensor.

12. The buoyed sensor array communications system of claim 1 wherein one of said sensor systems includes an accelerometer.

13. The buoyed sensor array communications system of claim 1 wherein one of said sensor systems includes an ocean current sensor.

14. The buoyed sensor array communications system of claim 1 wherein one of said sensor systems includes a tilt sensor.