Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic falling-off device for a self-sinking and floating type profiling float diversion shell and the diversion shell. An automatic falling-off device for a self-sinking and floating type profiling float diversion shell, comprises a locking device and an unhooking device; the locking device comprises a locking hook plate and a locking core plate; the locking hook plate is provided on one half diversion shell, and the locking core plate is fixed on another half diversion shell; a locking hook at a front end of the locking hook plate fits with a locking ring at a front end of the locking core plate for locking; the unhooking device comprises a base and a buoyancy airbag; and the base is provided below the locking hook plate, and the buoyancy airbag is mounted between the base and the locking hook plate.

Abstract: A mechanical coupler that separates at a pre-determined ambient pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for underwater descent rate reduction are provided. In one embodiment, a method for underwater descent rate reduction for an underwater delivery vehicle is provided. The method comprises: opening a first valve based on a first hydrostatic pressure to permit water to flow into a first chamber of a hydrostatic pressure driven piston assembly; developing a pressure differential across a piston head separating the first chamber from a second chamber of the hydrostatic pressure driven piston assembly; pushing the piston head into the second chamber to extend a piston rod from the hydrostatic pressure driven piston assembly; and pivoting a deflecting flap downward into a direction of vehicle descent as the piston rod extends.

Abstract: A hydrostatic release for securing an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) to a shipboard surface to withstand high G-forces while having a release mechanism that if the ship were to sink will release the EPIRB at a pre-determined water pressure which is equivalent to depth of water. The hydrostatic release includes two shafts mounted end to end and clamped together under spring pressure by a slide that can be moved by a water pressure sensitive diaphragm when the hydrostatic device is underwater and experiences a pre-determined water pressure. The elongated shaft is connected at one end to an EPIRB housing and at the other end to the EPIRB housing cover. Once the cover is released by the water pressure, the EPIRB will float to the ocean surface.

Abstract: A hydrostatic release mechanism is provided which comprises a sealed housing having an interior volume and a tunnel adapted to receive a tether extending therethrough. A depth sensor is mounted to the sealed housing and has a diaphragm covering an opening between the interior volume and the ambient conditions. A trigger is contained within the sealed housing and is operably connected to the diaphragm and a firing mechanism. The firing mechanism is actuated by movement of the trigger in response to inward movement of the diaphragm when the pressure on the diaphragm exceeds a predetermined force. The firing mechanism includes a piston having a blade which moves in response to the expanding gases from a pyrotechnic cartridge and passes through the tunnel thereby severing the tether extending therethrough.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides an inflation device, such as a life preserver, that is automatically actuated by hydrostatic pressure. A diaphragm that is moveably responsive to fluid force created by fluid pressure actuates a first stage for providing a first force, that in response, actuates a second stage for providing a second force. The second force provided by the second stage is transferred by a force translation system to pistons, which in turn puncture CO2 cartridges. The punctured CO2 cartridges then release stored CO2 and inflate a previously deflated life preserver.

Abstract: A device for releasing a link between a first object and a second object is disclosed. The device comprises a body having a holding means for securing the body to the link; a releasing means for releasing the link; a pyrotechnic composition for actuating the releasing means; an igniting means for igniting the pyrotechnic composition, the igniting means being activatable by an increase in ambient pressure; and a pressure-sensing means for detecting a change ambient pressure. In one embodiment, the device can include a sliding blade actuatable by a pyrotechnic composition that is ignited by an electrical stimulus activated by an increase in ambient pressure, and the link may be for example, a cable securing an emergency position indicating radio beacon to a watercraft.

Abstract: The application describes a hydrostatic release device, suitable for releasing life-saving equipment carried on a ship or aircraft when the ship or aircraft sinks or ditches in the sea. A change in ambient pressure is detected by a pressure sensor which opens a liquid-filled chamber and thereby releases a hydrostatic pressure behind a reciprocable member. This reciprocable member then allows release of a release means. The release means can comprise a link prevented from longitudinal movement by an abutment and normally constrained against lateral movement by the reciprocable member. Thus removal of the reciprocable member away from the link enables transverse movement of the link clear of the fixed abutment. Such an arrangement provides a particularly simple and inexpensive release means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a triggering mechanism that utilizes stepped triggering of successively higher-pre-loaded, counterdirected, nested stages. The present invention thus presents a triggering mechanism whereby an input force of a first value can result in an actuation force of a second value. In the preferred embodiment, the second force is greater than the first force. The present invention is suitable for incorporation in any apparatus taking advantage of its ability to use an input force of a given magnitude and provide an actuation force of different magnitude. Such devices include, but are not limited to, those utilizing hydrostatic pressure for actuation of flotation, marking, and retrieval devices, devices actuated by barostatic, mechanical, and pneumatic pressure, and devices that trigger chemical (including pyrotechnic), electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic devices. There is theoretically no limit to the number of successive stages in the triggering mechanism of the present invention.

Abstract: A hydrostatically releasable coupling assembly for releasably securing a buoyant object to a vessel with a lashing strap. The coupling assembly includes a pair of lashing plates, a cooperative latching mechanism carried by the lashing plates for releasably coupling the lashing plates together and a composite plunger assembly coupled to one of the lashing plates for movement between a release position and a locking position. The plunger assembly has a first diameter portion shaped for release of the latching mechanism for movement from an engaged position to a disengaged position when the plunger assembly is in the release position, and a second diameter portion formed of plastic and shaped to retain the latching mechanism in an engaged position when the plunger assembly is in the locking position.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes low-friction, stepped triggering of successively higher-pre-loaded, counterdirected, nested stages in a compact configuration to efficiently multiply an input force. The present invention thus presents a novel force-multiplying mechanism for incorporation in any apparatus taking advantage of its ability to convert a force of a given magnitude into a force of greater magnitude. Such devices include, but are not limited to, those utilizing hydrostatic pressure for actuation of flotation, marking, and retrieval devices, those actuated by barostatic, mechanical, and pneumatic pressure, and those which trigger chemical (including pyrotechnic), electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic devices. There is theoretically no limit to the force multiplication inherent in the design, given the option of successive stages and ever-increasing driving forces.

Abstract: A hydrostatic pressure release for releasing a life raft or the like when a ship sinks has a flexible diaphragm sealing a chamber on one side and exposed externally on its opposite side. A ceramic vent plug is mounted on the diaphragm so that it is protected within the casing of the device. The diaphragm has a resilient plate with an integral sleeve that projects through a collar in a rigid disc mounted on the plate. The plug is retained within the sleeve, in the collar. A rod projecting from the diaphragm extends into one end of an aperture in a slider and locks it in position. When the device is submerged, the diaphragm is deflected and pulls the rod out of the aperture allowing the slider to be released. A button on the slider extends into the other end of the aperture so that when is is depressed it pushes the rod out of the aperture and releases the slider.

Abstract: An emergency location marker system for capsized vessels is housed in an emergency location marker canister or container (10) secured by a bracket (22) to an exposed or outside surface of the vessel (60). An inflatable aerial location marker (40) is deflated and folded in the small space of the canister. The aerial location marker is formed to provide upon inflation a relatively large surface area flat configuration to blanket a sufficient area of the sea surface for high visibility. The high visibility sea surface area blanketing marker (40) is formed with at least one flexible joint (41) for responding flexibly to wave motion while adhering to the sea surface. The sea surface area marker may be in a flat circular configuration, for example six feet in diameter and formed with a high visibility color. Flexible joints (41) along intersecting diameters permit flexing of the flat circular configuration marker in response to waves from all directions.

Abstract: A release mechanism for a buoyant object which includes a strap enclosing the object, an engaging mechanism for releasably engaging ends of said strap and an actuator for actuating the release of the ends of said strap in response to an increase in water pressure to a predetermined level.

Abstract: Floating device for releasing safety equipment, this device being fixed on a unit such as a ship and comprising a support on which a movable member is fixed under the influence of hydrostatic pressure, this member acting on a bolt by means of which the safety equipment is normally secured, characterized in that the movable element (10) consists of a face of a flexible pocket.

Abstract: An emergency position indicating radio beacon is controlled by an annular switch ring which rotates to ON, OFF, SET, and TEST positions. In the SET position, the buoy transmitter automatically turns on in response to removal of the buoy from a mounting bracket. A light and an audible alarm on the buoy are activated during buoy transmission to alert an operator to the transmission in order to avoid false alarms. The mounting bracket automatically releases and ejects the buoy in an emergency situation in response to ambient water pressure, or the buoy may be manually removed from the bracket for deployment.

Abstract: An automatic flotation device is disclosed which uses an electric circuit to fire a detonator or allow a spring loaded arm to open a CO.sub.2 cartridge which then in turn inflates a bladder which lifts a swimmer to the surface. The circuitry utilizes a pressure sensor to determine the depth of the swimmer under the surface. The circuitry is such that if the swimmer has been below a first depth for a given period of time the bladder is inflated or if the swimmer has been below a second, greater depth for any interval the bladder is inflated.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a radio distress beacon (1) comprises a split casing (4) which is bouyant and which is normally held together and to the deck of a vessel by a harness (7). If the vessel should sink the harness is released, the casing rises to the water surface and springs (20) overcome the hydrostatic pressure at shallow depths and force the halves of the casing apart, so releasing the beacon.

Abstract: A release mechanism is triggered when the pressure differential on the siall of a sealed container reaches a predetermined threshold level at which the container either implodes or explodes to sufficiently decrease the spacing between the ends of the container and thereby achieve the release. False triggering due to percussion or shock waves may be precluded by disposing a shield about the sidewall.

Abstract: A marker buoy releasing mechanism for marking the location of a sunken boat includes an air tight housing having a differential pressure switch mounted therein for sensing the pressure within the housing and externally thereof. When the differential pressure sensed by the switch increases to a predetermined value, indicative of sinking of the boat, the switch will close to complete the electric circuit between a battery and an electrically operated device. When electric power is coupled through the differential pressure switch to the electrically operated device, it will be operated to actuate an inflating mechanism which supplies compressed gas to an inflatable marker buoy which floats to the surface of the water on the end of a tethering line.

Abstract: A life buoy equipped with a radar responder adapted to transmit waves in response to radar waves from a searcher, the life buoy comprising a hull member of a rigid plastic hollow construction, the hull member water-tightly accommodating a receiving antenna, a receiver, a transmitting antenna, a transmitter and a battery in a vertical manner such that the center of gravity is located at a distance from and below the center of buoyancy, and the hull member having a downwardly converging shape from under the level of water at least up to the center of buoyancy.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a fluid medium which activates at a deeper depth and then releases at a lesser depth. A rod depresses a spring in a housing. The rod is prevented from being ejected from the housing by a ball bearing which engages between openings in the rod and the housing. When in use, the pressure exerted by the fluid medium forces the rod deeper into the housing. When the first depth is reached the ball bearing disengages from the rod and the device is activated. As the activated apparatus rises, the pressure on the rod decreases and the rod moves out of the housing. When the deployment depth is attained the housing floods and the rod is ejected.

Abstract: A pressure-actuated release mechanism is assembled using a prebuckled pipe segment as a pressure-triggering mechanism. The trigger mechanism is employed to attach buoys to an offshore structure or pipeline under construction. The attached buoys move with the structure or newly added pipe string toward the sea bottom, easing the descent. As a preselected external pressure is sensed, the buckle in the pipe segment propagates and the trigger mechanism actuates, releasing buoys from the structure or pipeline as each buoy in turn reaches the same depth or pressure.