Gas generator system for underwater buoyancy
US5286462A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 21, 1992 |
| Grant date | Feb 15, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/36
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
In a preferred embodiment, a gas generator system for providing underwater buoyancy, including: a housing for the placement therein of a solid chemical to produce a gas upon reaction of the chemical with water; an inlet in the housing to bring the water in contact with the chemical; a float attached to an upper portion of the housing to receive the gas and thereby to become inflated so as to effect the buoyancy; a pressure plate to continually bear against the upper surface of the chemical as the chemical is consumed by the reaction, the pressure plate having defined therethrough a plurality of apertures, the total area of the apertures being selected so as to control the rate of reaction of the chemical and being spaced so as to permit even distribution of water to the surface of the chemical; and a biaser to cause the pressure plate to continually bear against the upper surface of the chemical as the chemical is consumed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.