Variable buoyancy buoy and deployment methods
US9272756B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 2013 |
| Grant date | Mar 1, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B22/18
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A variable buoyancy buoy and method for deployment therefor can include a fixed buoyancy portion formed with a cavity and an enclosure. A pressure hull containing instrumentation can be place in the cavity, and a variable buoyancy portion that can be inserted into the enclosure. The fixed buoyancy portion can have a spar buoy configuration or a marker buoy configuration, and can further be formed with at least one opening to establish a path of fluid communication between the exterior of the buoy and the enclosure. The variable buoyancy portion can be a compressible bladder, or compressible foam, which can change form a maximum volume at the water surface to a minimum volume as the buoy descends towards stowage depth. The decrease in buoyancy facilitates retrieval of the buoy by an apparatus on the ocean floor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.