Patent · US Expired

Open loop minesweeping system

US6634273B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
26References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMay 15, 2001
Grant dateOct 21, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 15, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB63B21/663
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An open loop magnetic field minesweeping system, with a small and light weight body to be towed through seawater by a towing cable from a helicopter or other vehicle, a single sweep cable extending rearwardly a substantial distance from the body with a first electrode in cable, sleeve or sock form attached to the end of the sweep cable, and a second electrode positioned forwardly of the body to be towed and extending along and connected to the towing cable. A rectifier and transformer on the body convert AC power fed to the towed body from the towing vehicle, to DC power applied across the first and second electrodes. A plurality of fairings attached to the towing cable each have an electrically conductive portion electrically isolated from the towing cable. The electrically conductive portions are electrically connected together to form the second electrode. Each fairing has a plastic nose piece attached to the towing cable and an electrically conductive metal tail piece.

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