Ballast system for underwater vehicle
US6021731A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 14, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 14, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63G8/24
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A ballast weight system for releasably attaching a ballast weight to an urwater vehicle is disclosed where the system comprises a ballast weight, a housing disposed about the ballast weight, a fairing connected to the ballast weight to facilitate a flush connection of the ballast weight to the underwater vehicle, and a bolt coupler where one end of the bolt receives a lanyard pin therethrough and the second end connects a spring loaded bolt connected to the ballast weight. A linear actuator is connected to the lanyard pin. The lanyard pin placed through the bolt maintains the spring loaded bolt in spring compression such that when the pin is removed, the spring compression propels the ballast weight away from the housing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.