Navigation system and method for determining the position of an ocean mining ship
US4110726A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 22, 1977 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 22, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S15/874
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for determining the position of a ship in relation to predetermined positions on the ocean floor is disclosed. A plurality of first acoustic addressable transponders and a plurality of second acoustic addressable transponders are respectively located at first and second sets of predetermined positions on the ocean floor. Each of the acoustic transponders transmits an acoustic ranging response and identification signal in response to receipt of an acoustic ranging interrogation signal. First and second buoy communications systems are located on first and second buoys respectively moored to the ocean floor in the vicinity of the first and second pluralities of acoustic transponders. Each buoy communication system includes an acoustic communications devices for transmitting an acoustic ranging interrogation signal to the respective acoustic transponders in its vicinity and for receiving acoustic ranging response and identification signals from such acoustic transponders in response thereto; a buoy RF communications device for transmitting RF signals containing information representative of the respective propagation delays between transmission of the acoustic ranging interrog…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.