Buoyancy shifting apparatus for underwater plow
US8864415B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 21, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63H2005/1254
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a means by which an underwater plow can avoid large obstacles that otherwise would prevent the plow from executing its desired path. The underwater plow is released into the water, drops to the sea floor, orients itself, and begins to deploy the sensor array along a pre-programmed path. If the plow encounters a sea floor obstacle, the plow 10 automatically maneuvers to overcome the obstacle and continues deployment of the sensor array. The buoyancy shifting apparatus 110 allows the plow to automatically maneuver. The present invention shifts the center of buoyancy of the underwater plow, thereby allowing the plow to float over obstructions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.