Underwater device with a sacrificial latch mechanism
US5937782A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V1/201
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device connected to an underwater cable by means of a sacrificial latch mechanism that breaks to protect the housing of the device from irreparable damage due to collisions with jetsam or other objects. The underwater device is connected to a cable having mounting elements disposed along its length. The device includes a housing and a latch body attached to the housing by a retainer, such as a set screw. A locking member extends from the latch body to engage the mounting element. A sacrificial element, such as a thin portion of the latch body or a frangible portion of the retainer, gives way in response to a predetermined force acting to separate the device from the cable before the force can damage the housing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.