Variable buoyancy buoy and deployment methods

• US 9,272,756 B1
• Filed: 12/19/2013
• Issued: 03/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Thomson, Bret R., Whiteside, Steve, Wiedemeier, Brandon J., Horstman, Steven J., Skala, Ronald Allen, Lloyd, Jeffrey M., Stevens, George T. IV, Lee, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swinehart, Edwin
• Application Number:
  US14/133,752
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/18 having means to control attitude or position, e.g. reaction surfaces or tether

Abstract

A variable buoyancy buoy and method for deployment therefor can include a fixed buoyancy portion formed with a cavity and an enclosure. A pressure hull containing instrumentation can be place in the cavity, and a variable buoyancy portion that can be inserted into the enclosure. The fixed buoyancy portion can have a spar buoy configuration or a marker buoy configuration, and can further be formed with at least one opening to establish a path of fluid communication between the exterior of the buoy and the enclosure. The variable buoyancy portion can be a compressible bladder, or compressible foam, which can change form a maximum volume at the water surface to a minimum volume as the buoy descends towards stowage depth. The decrease in buoyancy facilitates retrieval of the buoy by an apparatus on the ocean floor.

Claims

1. A buoy having an exterior, said buoy comprising:

a fixed buoyancy portion formed with an enclosure;

a variable buoyancy portion inserted into said enclosure so that said fixed buoyancy portion surrounds said variable buoyancy portion;

said fixed buoyancy portion being formed with at least one opening to establish a path of fluid communication between the exterior of said buoy and said variable buoyancy portion;

an underwater docking station; and

,

a tether connecting said fixed buoyancy portion to said underwater docking station.

2. The buoy of claim 1, wherein said fixed buoyancy portion is formed with a cavity, and further comprising a pressure vessel body located within said cavity.

3. The buoy of claim 1 wherein said variable buoyancy portion has a variable volume, a maximum volume and a minimum volume, and further wherein said minimum volume occurs when said fixed buoy is stowed at said docking station.

4. The buoy of claim 1 wherein said variable buoyancy portion is a compressible bladder.

5. The buoy of claim 1 wherein said variable buoyancy portion is made of compressible foam.

6. The buoy of claim 1 wherein said fixed buoyancy portion has a spar buoy configuration.

7. The buoy of claim 1 wherein said fixed buoyancy portion has a marker buoy configuration.

8. A buoy, comprising:

a variable buoyancy portion;

a fixed buoyancy portion surrounding said variable buoyancy portion;

said fixed buoyancy portion being formed with at least one opening to allow for water to pass through said fixed buoyancy portion and contact said variable buoyancy portion;

an underwater docking station; and

,

a tether connecting said fixed buoyancy portion to said underwater docking station.

9. The buoy of claim 8, wherein said fixed buoyancy portion is formed with a cavity, and further comprising a pressure vessel body located with said cavity.

10. The buoy of claim 8, wherein said buoy is formed with a cavity, and further comprising a pressure vessel body located within said cavity.

11. The buoy of claim 8 wherein said variable buoyancy portion has a variable volume, a maximum volume and a minimum volume, and further wherein said minimum volume occurs when said buoy is stowed at said docking station.

12. The buoy of claim 8 wherein said variable buoyancy portion is a compressible bladder.

13. The buoy of claim 8 wherein said variable buoyancy portion is made of compressible foam.

14. The buoy of claim 8 wherein said fixed buoyancy portion has a spar buoy configuration.

15. A method for deploying a buoy, comprising the steps of:

A) providing a variable buoyancy portion;

B) surrounding said variable buoyancy portion with a fixed buoyancy portion; and

,

C) forming with at least one opening in said fixed buoyancy portion to allow for water to pass through said fixed buoyancy portion and contact said variable buoyancy portion

D) stowing said buoy underwater at a docking station, said buoy having a minimum buoyancy B_min, when said buoy is stowed; and

,

E) releasing said buoy from said docking station, said B_min being sufficient for said buoy to rise upon accomplished of said releasing step.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said step A) is accomplished using a variable buoyancy portion selected from the group consisting of a compressible bladder and compressible foam.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said step B) is accomplished using a fixed buoyancy portion having a configuration selected from the group consisting of a spar buoy and a marker buoy.