Abstract: A floating device having active stabilization and a method for actively stabilizing a floating device employs a floating device that operates underwater and which may be tethered to the floor of the body of water. The floating device having active stabilization includes an internal sensor assembly which measures angular velocity and generates a real time output corresponding to a measured angular velocity and a counter-rotation assembly which generates in real time mechanical energy in the form of rotation in response to the real time output of the sensor assembly that causes a counter-rotation torque on the device body that opposes the measured angular velocity. The counter-rotation torque may be imparted by accelerating a flywheel as a reaction wheel in the opposite direction of the desired counter-rotation torque, thereby achieving stability of the device body in the form of minimizing rotation.

Abstract: A floating device having active stabilization and a method for actively stabilizing a floating device employs a floating device that operates underwater and which may be tethered to the floor of the body of water. The floating device having active stabilization includes an internal sensor assembly which measures angular velocity and generates a real time output corresponding to a measured angular velocity and a counter-rotation assembly which generates in real time mechanical energy in the form of rotation in response to the real time output of the sensor assembly that causes a counter-rotation torque on the device body that opposes the measured angular velocity. The counter-rotation torque may be imparted by accelerating a flywheel as a reaction wheel in the opposite direction of the desired counter-rotation torque, thereby achieving stability of the device body in the form of minimizing rotation.

Abstract: A pressure activated time-delayed release device and method. The device includes a body having a drive chamber and a compression chamber disposed therein, a drive piston disposed within the drive chamber of the body, and a compression piston disposed within the compression chamber of the body. A throttle mechanism is disposed between the drive piston and the compression piston. The throttle mechanism controls a release of viscous fluid from the drive chamber into the compression chamber. The drive piston and compression piston are connected so as to cause the compression piston to move substantially simultaneously with the drive piston to compress a compressible element disposed within the compression chamber. The device moves from an un-actuated state to an actuated state when the device is exposed to a predetermined water pressure for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A method of maintaining an ad hoc communications network between a base and a mobile platform as the mobile platform moves over a surface comprising the following steps: providing a radio relay device; physically coupling a deployer to the mobile platform, wherein the deployer is configured to releasably stow the radio relay device; sending video data from the mobile platform to the base; monitoring the strength of a network signal received over time at the mobile platform and issuing a weak-link warning when the highest signal strength received at the mobile platform drops below a threshold value; calculating video throughput data metrics based on video data received at the base over time, and issuing an imminent link-failure alert when the metrics reach a predefined condition; and deploying the relay device from the deployer to the surface after the weak-link warning and the imminent link-failure alert are issued.