Patent · US Expired

Gyro-compass positioning apparatus

US4504857A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
8References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 7, 1982
Grant dateMar 12, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 7, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01C19/38
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A gyro compass positioning apparatus is disclosed for use in lowering and accurately orienting a first object such as an underwater pipeline junction manifold to the floor of a body of water. The gyro compass positioning apparatus comprises a north seeking gyro compass in combination with a closed circuit television camera, all enclosed in a pressure housing. The closed circuit television camera is mounted above the north seeking gyro compass such that it is continuously viewing the orientation of the needle of the compass and displaying this orientation on a television monitor which is located on the surface ship. The first object or underwater pipeline junction manifold is attached to the bottom of the pressure housing by a mounting bracket and in predetermined orientation thereto. Means may be provided for supplying power to the north seeking gyro compass and to the closed circuit television camera and monitor through an umbilical cable as the apparatus and first object are lowered to a predetermined position on the floor of the body of water, where a second object, such as a pipeline is located.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.