Abstract: A mooring system for the stationary positioning of measurement devices in currents of water typically has a mooring cable which is anchored to the bottom of the body of water and at least one buoyant device for holding the mooring cable vertically in the water. By combining the protective jacket of the buoyant device and the cable guide of the buoyant device into a common molding, no additional assembly parts are needed. The buoyant devices can also be directly attached to the mooring cable by appropriately protected threading slots.

Abstract: A crab trap float has a hollow cylindrical center rope-receiving tube. A rope stop has a round cap and a tubular throat which fits down inside the float center tube. Circular ridge lips on the tubular throat hold it in the float. Rope grippers extend inward at the bottom of the tubular throat to tightly grip the rope as the tubular throat is pushed into the float. The inside of the smooth bore of the throat is grooved in a 4-leaf clover design for forming a gripper to hold the rope and to prevent the float from traveling along the rope. The rope is tied to the trap and is passed upward through the inside the float and through the tubular throat and its cap. Straightening the rope positions the float over the trap. A knot is tied on top of the cap. The top is jerked and the tubular throat of the gripper is forced down into the float, locking the rope in the gripper and the gripper in the float.

Abstract: An artificial habitat assembly for fish or other aquatic life includes a series of vertically spaced plates or discs having a specified gravity less than 1.0, which are held adjacent the bottom of a body of water by an anchor and a flexible stress member to which the plates are attached in vertically spaced relationship. The plates provide areas of shade or darkness which are attractive to fish seeking shelter.

Abstract: A rescue buoy package for use on a boat for marking the location of a person overboard and for remaining in that location until help can arrive includes an outer cylindrical tube that is mounted within arm's reach of the ship's helm and an inner cylindrical tube that fits into the outer tube and to which a heavily weighted cap is affixed. The cap extends downwardly over the open upper end of the outer tube keeping the contents dry and secure. The contents include an inflatable mast and a vest-type flotation device. The buoy can be packaged in a normal mode in which it must be deployed manually or in a second mode in which deployment is automatic. In the normal mode the buoy is deployed by pulling upwardly on a knob on the cap to remove the inner tube, the mast and the flotation device from the outer tube, and throwing the inner tube and its affixed cap into the water along with the mast and flotation device.

Abstract: A recovery system for a submerged instrument that includes a buoyant member and an electrically promoted magnetic flux diversion device comprising a pair of pole pieces, a permanent magnet disposed substantially centrally between said pole pieces, and a release plate comprising ferromagnetic material bridging one end of said pole pieces, the pole pieces and permanent magnet forming tow flux paths with the metal release plate forming a portion of one of said flux paths. A control winding associated with the pole pieces are disposed for producing a momentary magnetic field opposite to that of the permanent magnet to divert the flux path from the path that includes the release plate to the other flux path. A remotely activated electrical pulse to the control winding diverts the flux path and releases the release plate form the pole pieces allowing the marker buoy to rise to the surface for recovery of instrument or device to which the buoy is attached.

Abstract: A marine mooring swivel fitting for connection into a mooring line is a generally dumbbell-shaped element having a relatively slender elongate neck with outward enlargements at the opposite ends of the neck respectively and a mooring line attachment on at least one end of the element. In use the attachment may connect the fitting in the mooring line, the slender elongate neck being adapted laterally to receive swivelly therearound one or more conventional shackles. Such a shackle, depending on whether the swivel is at the upper or lower end of the mooring line, may be secured to a pendant made fast to a marine craft on the surface or secured to an anchoring device. The enlargements, larger than the opening in the shackle, serve to limit the longitudinal movement of the shackle on the element without limiting rotational movement of the shackle around the element.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for flaring large amounts of natural gas at a location spaced from an offshore production platform. The apparatus includes a spar buoy structure (32, FIG. 1) anchored at a location on the order of 0.1 kilometer from the platform (12) and coupled through an undersea conduit (44) to the platform. The structure is anchored by catenary chains (71-74), and has a ballasted lower portion and a buoyant upper portion to keep the structure upright so the flare (42) always remains high above sea level. The undersea conduit (44) which carries natural gas to the structure, connects to a buoy pipe (66) that extends along the structure, at a location (64) close to the center of gravity (80) of the structure, or at the bottom (keel) of the buoy, to minimize failure from constant structure pivoting. A wide lower part (34) of the structure includes several individually-sealed air-filled chambers (91-98, FIG. 2) spaced along its height. A mechanism (100, FIG.

Abstract: A marker device for fishermen including a body or flotation portion made from a transparent, plastic bottle. A sheet of brightly colored fluorescent or retroreflective paper lines the inside of the bottle, making the marker highly visible. A threaded cap is secured to the core or bottom end of a spool, about which an anchor line is wound. The spool has upper and lower flanges, and the anchor line is secured to the upper flange. An anchor weight is secured to the free end of the anchor line, the anchor weight being a strip of malleable lead that may be formed to bend around the anchor line wound on the spool when not in use. Further, a counterweight is contained within the bottom portion of the spool opposite the bottle, causing the marker to stand upright in the water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a marker float release that includes a houg; an electromagnet mounted to the housing having an electromagnetic core; and a buoyant element having a permanent magnet. The buoyant element is positioned against the housing so that the permanent magnet is magnetically attracted to the electromagnetic core with sufficient force to hold the buoyant element adjacent to the housing when the housing and the buoyant element are submerged in water by inducing a magnetic field in the electromagnetic core. A flexible line having one end attached to the buoyant element and another end attached to the housing links the buoyant element to the housing. Magnetic field reversing means is operably coupled to the electromagnet for selectively reversing the magnetic field of the electromagnetic core, thereby permitting the buoyant element to be released from the housing.

Abstract: A surface buoy. The buoy includes top and bottom flotation members of hemispherical configuration and a reel member positioned between them. An elongate flexible cord is coiled about the reel member and has a first end secured thereto. A second end of the cord is secured to a weight member. The top flotation member has a nest-like recess formed therein into which the weight member is positioned when the buoy is not in use. When the buoy is tossed into a body of water, the bobbing action of the buoy throws the weight out of its nest and into the water. As the weight sinks, it uncoils the cord from the reel member until it reaches the bottom of the body of water, at which time further uncoiling of the cord stops.

Abstract: A non-inflatable buoyancy aid is described comprising an annular structure of closed cell plastic foam which is held in position about a wearer's arms and legs through positive displacement and material friction. The buoyancy aid maintains the wearer in either a horizontal or vertical position at water level, depending upon the positioning of the aid about the limbs.

Abstract: A buoy (10) carries a light (16) at the upper end of a mast (14). The lower end of the mast (14) is connected to a buoyant body (12) which is weighted to present a maximum diameter zone (20) slightly below the water level when the buoy (10) is at rest in the water. The body (12) tapers inwardly both above and below the maximum diameter zone 20. A towing bar assembly (18) is provided on one side of the buoy (10). It includes an upwardly and outwardly sloping guide bar (30) connected at its upper end to a tow bar (36). An eye (50) at an end of a control line (46) is slidably received on the guide bar (30). An initial tug on the control line (46) causes the eye (50) to slide upwardly along the guide bar (30) until it engages a bight (38) of the tow bar (36). The bight (38) is positioned radially outwardly from the maximum diameter zone (20). Then, when the control line (46) is pulled upon, it pulls the buoy (10) into the water.

Abstract: A device for use in a swimming pool to prevent a floating chlorine feeder from spending an inordinate amount of time near a single location in a swimming pool due to water currents is disclosed which uses a tether to place the feeder in a central location in the swimming pool. A retainer is attachable to a floating feeder, and a retainer hook is attached to the edge of the pool furthest away from the location to which the feeder is drawn by water currents. A tether cord between the hook and the retainer keeps the feeder in the central location in the pool, where it is maintained by the currents in the pool.

Abstract: An apparatus for anchoring a flotation device is comprised of a plurality of adjustable straps attached at respective first ends thereof to a lower major surface of a flotation device which is in contact with the water. A suction device is attached at a second end of each strap opposite from the first end thereof, for securing the corresponding strap to a stationary object, such as the side of a swimming pool. By attaching selected ones of the straps to a stationary object and adjusting the respective lengths of the selected straps, the flotation device can be anchored in a substantially fixed position and desired orientation with respect to the statonary object. Thus, a sunbather can position the flotation device as desired with respect to the location of the sun to take full advantage thereof. The anchoring apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for attachment to flotation devices of various types and materials.

Abstract: An icebreaking buoy system includes an icebreaking buoy connected to clump weight means positioned on the sea floor by a mooring line having minimum extra length sufficient to permit the buoy to ride up over the largest expected wave. Several such buoy systems may be used to form a line along one or more sides of, or a ring entirely around, an offshore structure or rig to break an ice sheet in the direction or directions it is moving. An anchor fixed to the sea floor may be connected to the clump weight means. Each buoy has a downward sloping bottom portion and a cylindrically or spherically formed top portion. The sides or ends and the bottom of the buoy may be beveled, conical or spherical.

Abstract: A device for indicating the presence in water of an object consisting of material capable of being affected by a magnet, the device containing a magnet. The device enables a reliable and effective indication to be given of metallic objects which are present in water. The magnet exhibits an active surface capable of interacting with the object in question and a floating body connected to the magnet in such a way as to be capable of being released from it, in conjunction with which there is present at least one ejector protrusion projecting beyond the active surface in question, so arranged that the ejector protrusion will endeavour, because of the nature of the interaction between the ejector protrusion and the object in question, to break the bond between the magnet and the floating body when the magnet is affected by the object in question.

Abstract: Disclosed is a buoy which comprises a high density polyethylene foam as a buoyant member, and an outer skin covering the surface of the foam. The buoy has excellent resistance against external force and the loss of the buoyancy by the reduction of the volume is minimized.

Abstract: A non-rigid, gas inflatable airfoil having a bulbous inflatable forward body and three spaced-apart rearwardly extending inflatable tails. The tails are attached to the rearward portion of the body and form with the body a single inflatable chamber. The central tail is yieldably biased into an upwardly inclined position, and a pair of sheets extend between the tails. The airfoil has a generally delta shape and provides a positive lift when exposed to wind. The airfoil is connected to a single tie down line by a single attachment member and swivel attached to a central portion of the underside of the body. The body and tails have sufficient interior gas containing volume that when filled with a lighter-than-air gas will offset the weight of the airfoil. The bulbous body contains enough lighter-than-air gas that the airfoil assumes a vertical orientation with the body above the tail when in the water or in the air without wind.

Abstract: A torpedo recovery unit positionable within a torpedo casing having an opening for receiving the unit. The unit includes a body with an interior cavity having an open end mountable within the torpedo casing with the open end at the torpedo casing opening. The body is rigidly supported within the torpedo casing. A non-rigid, gas-inflatable airfoil is foldable within the body cavity for deployment therefrom upon inflation. A bottle containing pressurized helium is rigidly and removably attached to the body. A release valve on the bottle releases the pressurized gas on depression. A valve member is rigidly attached to the body. A first end portion extends through the body end wall and projects into the body cavity and has an inflation needle mounted thereof for inflation of the airfoil. A valve member has a second end portion positioned outside of the body and operatively engaging the release valve when the bottle is attached to the body.

Abstract: The device includes a tubular housing open at one end and closed at the other end by an adhesively attached cup-shaped cap. Within the closed end is a well having a bottom formed with a slot therein. Contained within the well is a water-soluble element, such as an aspirin tablet, which prevents a bobber from being discharged by a slightly compressed coil spring through the open end of the housing. A staple-like tongue on one end of the bobber interferingly engages the aspirin tablet until the tablet becomes dissolved by water entering the housing, as it does when the device is submerged. The bobber has a flange at the inner end from which the tongue projects, whereas the other end of the bobber is flared. Both of these ends are provided with angularly offset notches to facilitate the passage of water through the open end of the housing, through the slot, and into contact with the aspirin tablet.

Abstract: A sonobuoy having a terminal weight and sensor for deployment beneath the surface of the water after the buoy has been launched from an aircraft and impacted the water. A circuit assembly and antenna for processing output from the sensor and for transmitting a signal is provided. A cable for connecting the sensor and circuit assembly is also included. A housing for the sonobuoy is a blow molded seamless thermoplastic shell which surrounds the circuit assembly.

Abstract: A buoy having a mainly circular upper surface and on this surface an auxiliary circular float body located at the center of this surface, the dimensions of the this upper surface and the auxiliary float body being such, that the buoy in rough water restores automatically its original position after it has been reversed and that wind forces create pressure deviations on this surface that compensate the tilting momentum exerted by the wind on the auxiliary float body itself and even the rest of the buoy.

Abstract: An accumulator particularly adapted for mooring instruments in an ocean environment. The accumulator includes a solid rubber core surrounded by a nylon overbraid. The nylon overbraid is seized by means of high tensile strength tape to the rubber core at intervals along its length. The ends of the accumulator are terminated in loops surrounding steel thimbles. The loops are formed by standard braid splicing techniques. The accumulator is capable of elongation to three times its relaxed length and has an ultimate breaking strength in excess of 15,000 lbs.

Abstract: An Air Deployed Oceanographic Mooring when assembled for deployment has a ltitude of components suitable for separation by explosive bolts upon deployment of the system. A parachute system is connected to a surface buoy. The components that separate from each other upon deployment comprise a parachute system, a surface float, a subsurface buoy, an anchor shell and a bottom finder. All components except for the parachute system have interconnecting flexible lines upon deployment. A novel locking mechanism for limiting the paying out of the line between the anchor shell and subsurface buoy is triggered by the slackening of the line between the bottom finder and anchor shell when the bottom finder hits the bottom of the ocean.

Abstract: A retriever for submerged objects is disclosed in which a cap is connected to a canister by a retrieval line, and the canister is in turn connected to an object by an anchoring line. When the object and attached canister are dropped into the water, the water dissolves a dissolvable seal over an aperture in the canister and water is permitted to flow into the interior of the canister and react with carbonate or carbide particles which evolve gas upon reacting with water. Before reaching the particles, however, the water must pass through a compressed cellulose sponge which assists in conveying water to the interior of the canister. The cellulose sponge also expands when damp to seal the aperture against the egress of the evolving gas. The bicarbonate or carbide particles are suspended in a desiccant to diminish the possibility that the water activatable particles will be slowly chemically reacted with atmospheric moisture prior to the time the canister is to be used.

Abstract: A subsea acoustic relocation system provides an apparatus that includes in one embodiment an anchor, and in another embodiment a weighted frame having in part a casing which has an inner bore with an open top portion. A line canister connected to the anchor or disposed within the casing bore has an opening through which a contained canister line can pay out. The canister line is placed within the line canister and is anchored at one end to the anchor or frame, the other end of the canister line being a free end which dispenses from the canister during operation. An acoustic transponder release assembly is detachably affixed to the anchor or frame (within the casing bore) at a provided removable connection which can be broken by an acoustic signal. The acoustic transponder release assembly has attached to it the free end of the line canister with the acoustic transponder release forming a temporary connection of the free end of the line to the frame.

Abstract: An anchoring system for buoys and specially measuring buoys in which an anchoring line is connected to an anchoring line connection member which is connected by at least two connection links to the buoy. The connection links have equal length and the connection points q of the links with the anchoring line connection member have a configuration that is congruent to the configuration of the points p, where the links are connected to the buoy.

Abstract: A trawl resistant sensor mount which is resistant to trawler damage and to psetting. A sensor is held by a strong net which anchors the sensor to an anchor. A float having a streamlined shape encases the sensor and maintains it upright. An electromechanical cable of sufficient weight to bury itself in the seafloor is attached to the sensor by an underwater connector, and is mechanically terminated to the anchor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for temporarily mooring a tension leg platform while the permanent vertical tethering elements thereof are connected between the platform and an anchor located upon the ocean floor.