Underwater detection and deterrent system

• US 6,765,487 B1
• Filed: 10/17/2002
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• 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: Scarzello, John F., Holmes, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Blount, Eric
• Application Number:
  US10/271,711
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 340/541, 340/984, 340/571, 340/572.1, 340/568.1, 340/565, 340/852, 180/287, 367/139, 43/96
• US Class Current: 340/541
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 13/00 Other offensive or defensive arrangements on vessels; Vessels characterised thereby
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/04 using dc
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/005 by electric shock

Abstract

A method and apparatus for detecting and deterring underwater threats is provided that uses numerous anodes and sensors around a ship or other waterborne structure to monitor for intruders and issue electrical shocks to the intruders in increasing amounts to deter sabotage. The underwater detection and deterrent system would provide an alarm and the approximate location of the intruder when the electrical field changes in response to the intruder. The system is capable of providing a lethal electrical shock to the intruder if necessary.

Claims

1. An underwater detection and deterrent system comprising:

a plurality of anodes for distributing current in an electrolyte;

a plurality of sensors for sensing current flow in said electrolyte;

a power supply for supplying electrical power to said anodes;

a controller that receives current signals from said sensors,

generates control signals for setting the level of current supplied by said power supply to said anodes in response to said current signals,

and for generating alarm signals in response to said current signals; and

an alarm display system responsive to said alarm.

2. An underwater detection and deterrent system as in claim 1, wherein said anodes are located on the hull of a ship.

3. An underwater detection and deterrent system as in claim 2, wherein said sensors are located on the hull of a ship.

4. An underwater detection and deterrent system as in claim 3, wherein said controller is a microprocessor.

5. An underwater detection and deterrent system as in claim 4, further comprising means for manually selecting the current level supplied to said anodes.

6. An underwater detection and deterrent system as in claim 5, wherein said alarm display includes both audible and visual indicators for indicating intrusion and location of the intrusion.

7. An underwater detection and deterrent system as in claim 1, wherein said anodes are located on a net suspended in the water.

8. An underwater detection and deterrent system as in claim 7, wherein said sensors are located on a net suspended in the water.

9. An underwater detection and deterrent system as in claim 8, wherein said controller is a microprocessor.

10. An underwater detection and deterrent system as in claim 9, further comprising means for manually selecting the current level supplied to said anodes.

11. An underwater detection and deterrent system as in claim 10, wherein said alarm display includes both audible and visual indicators for indicating intrusion and location of the intrusion.

12. An underwater detection and deterrent system comprising:

a plurality of anodes distributed on the hull of a ship for imparting a current into an electrolyte;

a plurality of sensors distributed on the hull of said ship for sensing said current flow in said electrolyte;

a power supply for supplying electrical power to said anodes;

a controller for receiving and processing current signals from said sensors, said controller outputting a level signal for setting the power supplied by said power supply, said controller outputting alarm signals; and

an alarm display system responsive to said alarm signals.

13. An underwater detection and deterrent system as in claim 12, wherein said controller is a microprocessor.

14. An underwater detection and deterrent system as in claim 13, further comprising means for manually selecting the current level supplied to said anodes.

15. An underwater detection and deterrent system as in claim 14, wherein said alarm display includes both audible and visual indicators for indicating intrusion and location of the intrusion.

16. A method for detecting and deterring underwater threats comprising:

supplying power to anodes whereby current flows between said anodes at a predetermined level;

monitoring said current flow;

providing an alarm if said current flow changes;

increasing the current flow between said anodes in response to said alarm.

17. A method for detecting and deterring underwater threats as in claim 16, including indicating the location of said current flow change.

18. A method for detecting and deterring underwater threats as in claim 17, including resetting said current flow to said predetermined level in response to monitoring that indicates steady state current flows.

19. A method for detecting and deterring underwater threats as in claim 17, wherein said anodes are located on the hull of a ship.

20. A method for detecting and deterring underwater threats as in claim 19, further including the step of receiving a signal from a user to increase said current flow to lethal levels, and increasing the current flow between said anodes to a lethal level in response to said signal from a user.