Abstract: A navigation lights device comprises red, green, and white navigation lights attached to the top of a left shoulder portion, a right shoulder portion, and a back side portion, respectively, of a buoyant vest or harness worn over the upper body of a person. A battery pack can be attached to the vest to provide electrical power to the navigation lights via wires that extend therebetween. The navigation lights device can be permanently attached to the vest or can be releasably attached. The navigation lights device also comprises headgear or a helmet that is worn over a top portion of a person's head and includes red, green, and white navigation lights attached to a left side portion, right side portion, and back side portion, respectively, of the headgear. The headgear can include a battery pack attached to the headgear to provide electrical power to the navigation lights via wires that extend therebetween.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for marking marine channels. A single laser beam is selectively interrupted to produce an identifying on/off laser beam sequence distinguishable by the human eye. The laser beam is then expanded in terms of beam diameter during specifically timed periods of laser beam transmission. The expanded laser beam is projected along a beam path that is substantially along the center of a marine channel to be marked at a height above the water's surface. The height of the beam path is selected such that marine traffic may pass under the beam path without obstructing same.

Abstract: The invention relates to signalling, particularly road signalling, means. A considerable variety of illuminated and reflective signalling means are known to give advice to the driver of a particular vehicle and of great value to the driver of a vehicle during the hours of darkness on unlit roads or in inclement weather where mist and fog shroud a road. Such known signalling means cannot satisfy the important need to give advice to a driver of a vehicle of the presence of another vehicle closely ahead, and which is of particular importance in misty or foggy conditions.

Abstract: A pole mounted self contained solar powered strobe light utilizing ultra violet rays from the sun and moon for charging its batteries and employing a cylindrical housing open at one end for fitting over the top of a vertically mounted pole. Batteries are insertable in the other end of the housing which are covered by a cap for closing this end of the housing. The cap has mounted on it a strobe light connected to the batteries and covered by a transparent magnifying lens.

Abstract: A buoy for marine vessels that is responsive to a transmitted RF signal of a set frequency consisting of an RF receiver disposed within the buoy and tuned to a set frequency of the transmitted RF signal and an antenna coupled to the input of the RF receiver. A switching circuit is coupled to the RF receiver, and a lamp is disposed on the buoy so that when the RF receiver receives a signal at the set frequency, it will operate said switching circuit and turn on said lamp. The buoy may be a pick-up buoy having an elongated stem on the top of the buoy, and containing the antenna. The lamp can also be mounted on the end of the antenna. A sound source coupled to the output of the switching circuit can sound an audible signal in response to the transmitted RF signal.

Abstract: A solar-powered beacon comprises a water-tight caisson housing a battery for storing electricity produced by solar cells atop the beacon. An electronic circuit within the caisson controls operation of the beacon. The caisson material acts as a heat sink for the solar cells, and insulation is provided below the cells to further protect the electronic components.

Abstract: Universal synchronous marine navigation light system comprising plural duplex lamp stations. Each duplex lamp station includes a microcomputer, all microcomputers being interconnected by an RS422 communications loop so as to operate all stations in synchronism and in conformance with any existing international standard of operation. Each duplex station comprises a first section having a pair of ac operated lamps and a second section having a pair of lamps one of which is ac operated and the other of which is dc operated. The ac lamps are operated in an on/off flash pattern under normal conditions in "15 mile" or "12 mile standby" modes. If all ac lamps fail, the dc lamp is operated in a "default" flash pattern in a "10 mile" mode.

Abstract: Marine buoy lantern employs a heavily damped two-axis gimbal including an outer gimbal frame supported to the lantern housing by a pair of hinges and an inner gimbal member mounted to the outer gimbal frame by another pair of hinges. The hinges are made of plastic and respond very slowly to a torque applied thereto unlike gimbals employing bearings. The inner gimbal member supports the drum lens, flasher, lampchanger, and counterweights. The hinged gimbal cooperates with the counterweights immersed in a very viscous fluid to maintain the lantern vertically disposed notwithstanding angles of inclination of .+-.9.degree., or a total of 18.degree., of the marine buoy mounting the lantern atop thereof.

Abstract: A navigation light control system that includes a network of navigation light control circuits interconnected and each control circuit further connected to operate at least one navigation light. Each control circuit includes a start circuit that provides an initiation signal upon the detection of a loss of sunlight. The initiation signal is input to a first timer that provides a begin signal after a preselected time. The begin signal is input to a second timer that provides an operation signal to a lamp driver circuit for flashing one or more of the lamps in response. The control circuit further includes a coupling circuit that couples the control circuits together in the network and receives a slave indication signal from one of the other control circuits that disables the first and second timers in response and further provides the slave indication signal to the lamp driver to flash one or more of the lamps.

Abstract: Lantern employs clear lens protective cover around the drum lens and a clear dome over the solar panel mounted above the lens. A heavily damped gimbal supported by the lantern housing mounts the lens, lampchanger, and flasher above a bank of batteries suspended from the gimbal. The weight of the batteries aids in providing a righting moment to the gimbal when the marine buoy, atop of which the lantern is secured, is tilted or inclined for sustained periods due to current and/or wind. Interior of the lantern is readily accessible by merely pivoting upwardly an annulus supporting the lens cover, solar panel, and dome.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for causing a plurality of navigational lanterns, each equipped with an independent light sensing device and connected to a common synchronizing terminal, to actuate simultaneously at dusk, and deactuate simultaneously at dawn. The light sensing device senses the three levels of day, twilight and night. When a sensing device senses day, the connected lantern is disabled from flashing and is disabled from sending a synchronizing signal to other lanterns to flash. When a sensing device senses twilight, the connected lantern is enabled to receive the synchronizing signal, but is disabled from sending a synchronizing signal. When the sensing device senses night, the connecting lantern is enabled and a synchronizing signal to flash is sent to all of the lanterns.

Abstract: A navigation system provides a shore-based continuous visual signal to a ship navigating a channel or approaching a jetty. This indicates to the ship the optimum velocity program that it should be following, which is normally a gradual reduction of speed as the ship approaches its destination. The signal is a moire fringe display (33, 34, 35) from a rotating projector (21) which tracks the intended path under the control of a computer program. From the ship, the fringes are static if it is at the correct speed, but they move in one or other direction to indicate too fast or too slow. If the ship strays beyond an acceptable sector, the projector and program can be stepped on or back to maintain an appropriate signal visible to the ship.