Buoy
First Claim
1. A buoy provided with first and second fixed hydrodynamic surfaces, which when the buoy is towed through water by a tether, the first hydrodynamic surface generates a downward force that reduces with increased through-water speed, and the second hydrodynamic surface generates an upward force that increases with increased through-water speed, so that the buoy dives up to an upper critical through-water speed and rises beyond said upper critical through-water speed.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A buoy is provided with first and second fixed hydrodynamic surfaces (15,16). When the buoy is towed through water by a tether (17), the first hydrodynamic surface (15) generates a downward force that reduces with increased speed through the water. The second hydrodynamic surface (16) generates an upward force that increases with increased speed through the water so that the buoy dives up to an upper critical speed through the water speed and rises beyond said upper critical speed through the water. The downward force of the first hydrodynamic surface (15) overcomes the buoyancy of the buoy at a lower critical speed through the water above, which the buoy dives. The hydrodynamic surface (15) comprises first fins (15) mounted on an outer casing (1) of the buoy and are spaced angularity and extend parallel to the center axis of the buoy which is substantially aligned with the direction of towing. The second hydrodynamic surface (16) comprises second fins (16) mounted on the outer casing arranged upstream of the first fins (15) in the direction of towing. The second hydrodynamic surface (16) is set at an angle of incidence such that it creates a stalled flow condition at said upper critical speed through the water.
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Citations
20 Claims
- 1. A buoy provided with first and second fixed hydrodynamic surfaces, which when the buoy is towed through water by a tether, the first hydrodynamic surface generates a downward force that reduces with increased through-water speed, and the second hydrodynamic surface generates an upward force that increases with increased through-water speed, so that the buoy dives up to an upper critical through-water speed and rises beyond said upper critical through-water speed.
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17. A method of controlling the depth of a buoy when towed through water, the method comprising:
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providing a buoy having a first and second fixed hydrodynamic surfaces orientated such that when the buoy is towed the first hydrodynamic surface generates a downward force that reduces with increased through-water speed, and the second hydrodynamic surface generates an upward force that increases with increased through-water speed so that the buoy experiences a net vertical force that is dependent on tow speed and falls to zero at a predetermined tow speed; towing the buoy; and controlling the tow speed with reference to said predetermined tow speed as to control the depth of the buoy. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification