Abstract: A seal is described for sealing a fairlead of an object through a (housing) wall, wherein the seal surrounds the object with form fit at least in the area of the housing fairlead. The seal has an insulating rib encircling its circumference and a hydrophobic surface.

Abstract: According to exemplary inventive practice, a deployment line connects a vessel to an anchor, and a tether connects a buoyant electronic unit to the same anchor. The buoyant electronic unit includes a syntactic foam sphere, and a computer and sensors that are housed in the sphere. The anchor and the buoyant electronic unit are discharged from the vessel and sink in the water. The deployment line mechanically detaches from the anchor when the anchor reaches bottom. The buoyant electronic unit stabilizes into an equilibrium position, tethered vertically and tautly to the anchor. Measurements pertaining to phenomena such as underwater electric potential, pressure, magnetic field, and acceleration are taken by the corresponding sensors and are processed by the computer. An electrical (e.g., acoustical) signal is transmitted to detach the tether from the anchor, whereupon the buoyant electronic unit rises to a retrievable position on the surface of the water.

Abstract: A marker buoy for marking a location vertically above an anchor deployed in a body of water, the marker buoy including a housing having a substantially watertight compartment and a spool mounted in an adjacent spool bay. A line for attachment to the anchor is wound onto the spool. When a force of tension on the line falls below the selected tension, a center of mass of the housing rotates about an axis of rotation of the housing. A control device responsive to such rotation causes energization of an electric motor coupled to the spool that operates until the force of tension on the line is again within the selected range of line tensions. The marker buoy is capable of autonomous operations, during lowering of the anchor, during operations to maintain a location vertically above the anchor, during retrieval of the anchor and during docking.

Abstract: Deployment of a moored undersea device is achieved by fixing a mooring line to an anchor, and allowing the mooring line to unwind from a winding reel. A winding reel control mechanism is responsive to underwater hydrostatic pressure to release the mooring line when the hydrostatic pressure exceeds a predetermined level. When the hydrostatic pressure falls below the predetermined level, the winding reel control mechanism prevents further pay out of the mooring line.

Abstract: A passively-actuated lanyard clamp is disclosed that provides an improved ability to deploy a terminal weight or anchor in a body of water without some of the disadvantages for doing so in the prior art. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a mechanically-bistable latch for clamping a lanyard, wherein the latch is passively-actuated by a force that develops as a result of the terminal weight reaching the bottom of the body of water.

Abstract: A buoy provided preferably for ascending in the water from an initial submerged position. The buoy comprises a buoyancy element positioned at an upper portion of the buoy in the ascending direction. Further the buoy comprises a storing structure for an elongated member positioned below the buoyancy element in the ascending direction, wherein one end of the elongated member is connected to the buoy and the other end of the elongated member is connected to an object submerged in the water. The buoyancy element is provided to obtain a rotation of the buoy around its central axis thereby paying out the elongated member while the buoy is ascending essentially vertically in the water.

Abstract: An underwater buoy release system having a moment arm release system. The moment arm release system has a magnetically attractive arm structure connected to a buoy. The buoy release system further includes an electromechanical device having magnetically attractive elements, wherein the electromechanical device moves the magnetically attractive elements toward, and away from, the magnetically attractive arm structure. The magnetic attraction in the moment arm release system and the electromechanical device is created by rare earth magnets. The buoy release system further includes a signal reception device, wherein the signal reception device includes a battery, a signal reception transducer, and a PC board. The PC board is formatted to decipher a predetermined signal transmitted from a remote signal transmission device.

Abstract: An automated reel for use by divers comprises a battery-operated motor in communication with a take-up reel through a gearing arrangement, where the activation/de-activation of the motor is controlled by a tension-sensing mechanism. In operation, when the mechanism senses that there is “slack” in the safety cord, the mechanism will turn “on” the motor, which will then cause the reel to rotate (via the gearing arrangement) to wind up the slack safety cord. Once tension is restored on the line, the mechanism will turn “off” the motor. A manual override switch may be included for situations where the diver desires to retain control of winding/unwinding of the safety cord. A line leveler arrangement may be used in conjunction with the reel so as to evenly distribute the safety cord across the extent of the reel.

Abstract: A self-mooring module. In particular, a self-mooring module that may be deployed by air, surface or underwater. The module includes a combination anchor/air brake, a buoy, and a mooring line. The module may also include a sensor module. The anchor, combination anchor/air brake and buoy may be used in combination as part of the module or may be used alone in different aspects. The anchor and combination anchor/air brake are foldable to conserve space. The buoy has reduced drag and increased stability versus regular buoys. The self-mooring module may also include an intelligent mooring line module that determines the amount of mooring line to be released for a particular mooring depth and does not release a substantive amount of extra or insufficient mooring line, thereby helping ensure proper placement of an sensor module. Other features include a release mechanism for releasing the anchor from the module and a mechanism for inflating the buoy.

Abstract: A buoy (1) especially intended for picking up casualties at sea is equipped with a basket-like structure (2, 3) arranged unfoldably on the buoy (1). Which structure may be unfolded from a folded position proximal to the buoy (1) when the casualty/casualties tip(s) over into or is/are carried into the buoy (1). The basket structure may comprise a perforated base part (2) and a net (3) extending between the base part (2) and the buoy (1).

Abstract: An energy conserving moored buoyant ocean profiler wherein an instrument carrying vertically traversing buoyant member of low buoyancy is interconnected with a second buoyant member of high buoyancy to travel in the opposite direction at lesser distance, such that the potential energy of one buoyant member is increased as the potential energy of the other is decreased, thereby conserving energy as the instrument carrying buoyant member is raised and lowered.

Abstract: An adjustable depth marker buoy for marking a spot beneath the surface of water. The buoy includes a float for floating on the surface of the water and a reel assembly disposed in the float. The bottom wall of the float has a weight depending therefrom that maintains an upright orientation for the buoy when it is in the water. The reel assembly includes a spool of anchor line, a non-threaded rod, a threaded rod, a nut assembly that threadably moves along the threaded rod and slidably along the non-threaded rod, and a pointer assembly that moves slidably along the non-threaded rod. When the spot is located, its depth is determined. The pointer assembly is then slide along the non-threaded rod, until its pointer points to depth scale indicia on the depth plate corresponding to the depth of the spot beneath the surface of the water.

Abstract: A small, lightweight, reusable marker buoy is provided for marking a selected location on a body of water. The marker buoy has a buoyant float formed with an upwardly open well within which is mounted a rotatable anchor line spool. A conduit directs anchor line from the spool, through the float body, and out the bottom of the float where it is attached to a weighted anchor. A spring biased friction plate within the well provides resistance to rotation of the spool and a nut that secures the spool on an upwardly projecting spindle can be tightened to press the spool against the friction plate with a predetermined force to provide a preselected resistance to rotation of the spool and thus a preselected tension on the anchor line. In use, the resistance is set to allow the weighted anchor to draw anchor line from the spool as the anchor sinks but to resist further deployment of anchor line from the spool due to wave and wind action after the anchor has fully deployed.

Abstract: A system for retreiving undersea salvage items from a sub-surface location. he system includes a flotation unit, winch, related remote control unit and a power supply mounted thereon, a winch, related remote control unit, and a power supply mounted on the support element. A cable or equivalent secured to the winch includes a retrieval harness or alternative means such as a shackle for securing the salvage item to the winch. A tether connects the system to a remote salvage tender on the surface. An adjustable and automatic stop is provided by the control unit to prevent certain types of salvage from rising beyond a desired depth or breaching the surface. Portions of the system used in magnetic mine retrieval are fabricated of non-magnetic material.

Abstract: A compact integrated marking buoy device which enables a person to easily mark a location on the seabed with a floating buoy. The buoy device includes a line control mechanism which enables the device, once placed in the water, to release the weight, to automatically pay out only sufficient line to connect the buoy at the surface to the weight at the seabed, and to prevent release of any excess line once the weight has reached the seabed. The device permits playing out of additional line once the level of tension on the line again exceeds the threshold. The device further allows for easy retrieval of the weight and line through means internal to the marking buoy.

Abstract: A line tending device includes a clutch hub that controls the paying out or extension of a line when the line is under tension. The clutch hub includes an O-ring around a hub outer surface and under which the line extends. The O-ring permits the line to extend in direction substantially parallel to the axis of the hub that supports the O-ring, but the O-ring exerts a load on the line to tighten and effectively clamp the line against an edge of a flange on the clutch to prevent the line from extending when the angle of the line relative to a hub axis exceeds a preselected amount. The line tending device, is adapted for providing floating markers in a body of water.

Abstract: A line tending device includes an anchor weight, and a hub that can be supported by a float. The hub has a clutch mechanism that controls the paying out or extension of a line for the anchor weight. The clutch includes an O-ring that will permit the line to extend in direction substantially vertically downward, substantially parallel to the axis of the hub that supports the O-ring, but which exerts a load on the line to tighten and effectively clamp the line against an edge of a flange and prevent the line from extending when the angle of the line relative to a hub axis exceeds a preselected amount.

Abstract: A water marker buoy comprising a clear end and a brightly colored end, both ends possessing mounting studs which allow attachment to a submerged reel, the clear end being illuminated for use as a night marker and the brightly colored end being suitable for daytime marking, with the buoy having the capability of being deployed with either the clear end or the brightly colored end exposed above the water line depending upon which end is attached to the submerged reel, with the buoy being held in place by an automatic unwinding reel, which is counterweighted to prevent extra line payout, consequently rendering a more accurate location marker.

Abstract: A lightweight plastic buoy with an elastic shock cord (31) attached to the nylon line (30) and lead weight (32). Included in the buoy is a plastic spool (21) attached to a metal shaft and crank (20) in a housing (11). A plastic pin (23) is attached to a foam float (24). They are found in a housing (12) near the bottom of the buoy and are moved via the admittance of water into the float chamber (25) through an orifice in the bottom cap (13). The pin (23) forces a lock (22) into notches in the spool (21) which inhibits its motion. A rubber-strap governor (27) is in contact with the top of the spool (21) controlling its velocity to eliminate the tangling of excessive line released from the spool (21).

Abstract: An improved apparatus for use in association with a vessel to facilitate raising the vessel and/or cargo carried thereby should it become sunken. The apparatus is readily attachable to or mountable on any equipment and includes a float having an upper portion with the upper portion being of larger cross-sectional area. The bottom portion has a recess therein. A cable drum is located in the recess and journaled for rotation to pay out a light duty line wound thereon. The light duty line has a knob attached thereto and which is also attached to a heavy duty lifting cable attached to secure lift points on the vessel. The float is mounted at an appropriate location on the vessel, or cargo and should the vessel or cargo (as the case may be) sink, it floats to the surface. Information concerning the sunken object size, equipment for retrieval, etc. is on a plate attached to the float.

Abstract: A hand-held line and reeling structure is arranged in combination with a flotation buoy typically utilized in diving events. A tether line is secured to the dive buoy at one end and wound about a hand-held portable device to effect winding and reeling of the tether line to permit ease of return of a diver to the flotation buoy. The winding and reeling device further includes a separable cage member, including a spool formed with a triangular cross-sectional configuration groove to receive in a convenient and non-snap manner the tether line that is directed through a generally triangular opening formed within the cage head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for positioning and securing a seismic float alongside a tow vessel, utilizing a docking cone to secure one end of the float and to raise that end of the float above the water, thereby submersing the other end of the float beneath the water, and thereby damping out movements of the float with wave action. Having so positioned and secured the float, a saddle or other attachment means may then be lowered onto the float for retrieval of the float to onboard the tow vessel.

Abstract: In a system for deploying an immersible unit by a cable from a floating platform, the cable deploys freely from a cable deployment unit until a comparator unit, which provides for variable depth control, activates an anchoring unit. Activating the anchoring unit causes a jacket external to the cable to be tightened about the cable, thereby gradually braking the descent of the cable deployment unit from which the cable is payed out.

Abstract: A remotely operated submersible vehicle (21), wherein the vehicle includes flotation cells (62) to provide positive buoyancy, and the vehicle is connected to a disposable clump weight (22) of sufficient weight to overcome the positive buoyancy. The connection between the clump weight and the vehicle is by way of a cable (25) which can be wound onto and off from a drum winch (45) within the vehicle to control its height off the seabed (23). The trim of the vehicle is maintained by adjusting the horizontal position of a cable guide (43) through which the clump weight cable (22) passes, the cable guide (43) being moved longitudinally and transversed by hydraulic cylinders (47). Control signals to control and monitor the operation vehicle are provided via an umbilical cable (29) extending from a ship (76) or platform on the surface.

Abstract: An Air Deployed Oceanographic Mooring when assembled for deployment has a multitude 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 sonobuoy float canister is releasably latched to a wound cable pack container. The cable is attached at its upper end to the canister and at its lower end to a lower sonobuoy component. A rotor latches the canister and container together in one rotative position so that the cable is not unwound or payed out to provide a first or shallow depth deployment of the lower component. In a second rotative position of the rotor the canister and container are unlatched from one another and the cable is positively restrained after a predetermined partial payout to provide a medium depth deployment of the lower component. In a third rotative position of the rotor the positive restraint of cable payout is removed and the canister and container are unlatched so that the cable is fully payed out to provide for full depth deployment of the underwater component.

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 sonobuoy depth selector utilizes the tension in the attaching cable between the suspended sonobuoy and the supporting float to select the length of the attaching cable. Bobbins are attached to the cable at predetermined distances from the float. The bobbins are also mounted on a solenoid actuated pin which is tapered to cause only the bobbin resisting the tension in the cable to slide along the pin to a release position near the end of the pin. Momentary electrical energization of the solenoid causes the pin to release only the bobbin under cable tension thereby allowing the cable to pay out from a cable reel until stopped by the bobbin attached to the next larger predetermined length of cable.

Abstract: A mooring apparatus for a semi-submersible oil exploration and drilling rig includes eight drum anchor hoists and winches on which are carried eight wire rope mooring lines. Each of these lines extends up over one of eight head sheaves and vertically down the outside face of the oil rig through a fairleader rotatably mounted with respect to the rig at a bottom submerged portion thereof. A linear line pull machine is mounted to the rig in encompassing relation to each of the vertical runs of mooring line between the head sheave and the fairleader. These eight mooring line assemblies are distributed around the periphery of the rig. Two mooring lines extend at 90.degree. from each other at each corner of the rig.

Abstract: A marker bouy to positively mark positions on a water surface with respect to the bottom. The marker includes a generally hollow body with line wound around the approximate center thereof with a weight on the end of the line which will cause the marker to rotate when the marker is placed or thrown onto the water surface to cause the line to unwind from the marker. A line stop flange is provided on the marker to stop unwinding of the line when the weight strikes the bottom. This flange comes into effect when water partially fills the marker which will cause the marker to shift from a position of lying on the water surface to being erect within the water. When the marker is in the upright or erect position, the line is engaged by the line stop flange. When the marker is in this erect or upright position, one end will be above the surface of the water and therefore easily visible.

Abstract: A portable self-setting marker buoy (10) comprises an elongate float body (12) having a pair of spherical end portions (14) secured to opposite ends of a tubular intermediate portion (16), to which one end of a line (20) is attached. A sinker (24) is attached to the other end of the line (20). Laterally projecting paddles (18) stabilize the body (12) to minimize drifting of the buoy after it has been thrown into the water and the line (20) unwinds as the sinker (24) hits bottom. An internal battery operated light source (26) is preferably included for illuminating the buoy during periods of low visibility or darkness.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering a heavy cable such as a rescue cable from the oc's surface to an extended depth for attachment to an object such as a stranded submarine and, after attachment of the free end of the cable to the object, delivering the cable to the ocean's surface. A syntactic foam float provides positive buoyancy for a frame assembly which supports a cable reel holding the heavy cable. Releasable ballasts are included to provide an initial overall buoyancy of a small negative value during the descent of the appartus. A release system is provided to simultaneously release the releasable ballast to change the buoyancy of the apparatus to a positive value, release the cable reel to allow cable payout. The cable reel is coupled to a waterbrake system which limits the rate of cable payout to below the rate of ascent of the rescue cable reel. The waterbrake system includes a depth-activated clutch which engages a secondary waterbrake to slow the rate of cable payout near the ocean surface.

Abstract: In a system for deploying an immersible unit by a cable from a floating platform, the cable deploys freely from a cable deployment unit until a comparator unit, which provides for variable depth control, activates an anchoring unit. Activating the anchoring unit causes a jacket external to the cable to be tightened about the cable, thereby gradually braking the descent of the cable deployment unit from which the cable is payed out.