Squib Ejected Marker Buoy

Abstract

The invention disclosed is an improved buoy and storage-launching arranget therefor. The buoy has a buoyant body portion with a spring extension protruding upwardly from the upper portion thereof. A spool containing a suitable length of lightweight line, which may be unwound axially therefrom, is secured to the lower portion of the body portion. Clip means secure the spring extension to the side of the device and secure the body to an anchor, which has an explosive actuation squib thereon, in such a manner as to form a compact cylindrical arrangement which may be explosively expelled from a cylindrical storage compartment.

Description

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to an improved marine marker buoy and an arrangement for launching the buoy in response to an electrical signal. Marker buoys of this type are used to mark the location of a point of interest, for example, a submerged object, on the featureless surface of a body of water. The particular application to which the device of the invention has been directed is the marking of a position relative to the instantaneous position of a towed device. This device may be, for example, a sonar vehicle and the marker used to mark the position of a target for subsequent investigation by a team of divers. The marker, launched by remote control from the tow vehicle, marks the desired position much more accurately than markers deployed from the tow vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A variety of marker buoys and marker buoy applications are known in the prior art. This invention will be described as it pertains to minesweeping and salvage operations. For the most part, the prior art buoys do not lend themselves to remote positioning. The most commonly used method of marker deployment jetsons the buoy from the tow vehicle. With conventional surface type tow vehicles, such deployment is satisfactory, since the relationship between the tow vehicle and the towed vehicle is primarily determined by the length of the tow line and, therefore, relatively constant.

When aerial tow vehicles and rapidly moving surface tow vehicles are used, the placement of the marker near the target detected by the towed vehicle is much more difficult. Dropping conventional markers from aircraft tows sometimes results in gross errors. These errors cause delay in the swimmer-diver teams operations and uncertainties of the location of the object which was intended to be marked. Such delays and uncertainties result in repeated towing efforts and requirements for larger complements of diving personnel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by providing an improved buoy construction that may be fitted into a compact storage and deployment assembly. Further, the device may be carried by the towed instrument vehicle and launched by remote control from the tow vehicle or in response to electrical signals generated within the towed vehicle.

With the foregoing operational considerations in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved marker buoy system.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a marker buoy with an explosive squib attached thereto.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a marker buoy having an electrically actuated firing squib cooperatively disposed therewith.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a marker buoy having a spring extension attached to the upper portion of said buoy and collapsibly mounted thereon and adapted for automatic extension upon launch of said marker buoy.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a marker buoy which may be stored and launched from a cylindrical tube carried in a position remote from its actuation point.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a marker buoy assembly containing an anchor assembly, mooring line storage assembly, and launching assembly.

Another object of the instant invention is the provision of an improved marker buoy and cooperating launching assembly.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages will be readily appreciated as the subject invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the marker assembly of the invention being launched from a towed vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the launching arrangement for the buoy of the invention partially disassembled;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the buoy of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the buoy of the invention closed for storage prior to launch; and

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the anchor assembly portion of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, towed vehicle 11 is shown being propelled through the water by a tow cable 12 which also contains electrical conductors for the transfer of power and electrical command signals. Other arrangements in which the towed vehicle is self-powered are also known in the prior arts and may also employ the device of the invention. For purposes of completeness, vehicle 11 may be considered to be that shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,005,973 to H. Kietz titled "Submarine Locating System," although, obviously, other arrangements may be used.

On either side of towed vehicle 11 manifolds 13, one visible in FIG. 1, protrude. Manifold 13 houses the buoy assemblies of the invention and ejects them on command. One such buoy assembly is shown at 14 being ejected from manifold 13. FIG. 1 also shows a buoy according to the invention deployed with float assembly 15 joined to anchor assembly 16 by line 17. Buoy assemblies 14 may be ejected by remote control, that is by using command signals transmitted by electrical conductors, not shown, which are component parts of tow cable 12, or, alternately, they may be ejected in response to a command signal which is generated by the electronic device carried within towed vehicle 11 in response to detecting objects having predetermined characteristics.

Referring to FIG. 2, manifold 13 is seen to have three major structural parts. A main housing 18, an extension 19, and a breech block 21. Breech block 21, sometimes referred to as a strongback, is made to withstand the explosive action of the ejection squib, to be more completely described herein. Breech block 21 mounts on main housing 18 by means of threaded fasteners 22 extending therefrom. Fasteners 22 extend through holes 23 in breech block 21 to fasten it over the breech ends of barrels 24 with the aid of retaining nuts now shown. A plurality of barrels 24 are arranged in a line extending along a line parallel to the fore and aft axis of towed vehicle 11 and extend through main housing 18 and through extension 19 with their muzzles on the lower surface thereof.

Along the center line of breech block 21, a row of suitable electrical connectors 25 is located. Connectors 25 are spaced so as to be separated by the same distance as the distance between center lines of barrels 24. Connectors 25 mate with suitable connectors on the buoy firing squibs, to be described, in such a manner as to provide electrical connection therewith and physical support therefor. Electrical connection is made with connectors 25 by means of a cable 26 and a watertight fitting 27. Cable 26 may pass through the side of tow vehicle 11 at a suitable point, not shown, to communicate with the command circuitry contained therein or with the conductors of tow cable 11.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the constructional details of the buoy of the invention will be described. Buoy assembly 14 comprises a float assembly 15, an anchor assembly 16, an anchor line 17 connected therebetween, suitable retaining clips 28 and a cylindrical sleeve 29. These respective parts cooperate in a fashion to be described herein.

As shown, float assembly 15 comprises an elongated, cylindrical float body 31. A lightweight threaded fastener 32 passes through float body 31 and secures a spool 33 and a mounting clip 34 to opposite ends thereof. A marker extension 35 is attached to mounting clip 34 to extend above float body 31. Extension 35 is made of a resilient material which is self biasing to the extended position, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Spring steel, such as used in measuring rules, is one material from which extension 35 may be made, however, other materials may be used, if desired. Likewise, a variety of buoyant materials may be used for float body 31 such as cork, lightweight foam plastics, or other suitable material. In developmental models foam plastic has proven a satisfactory material for this purpose.

It will also be observed that spool 33, which has line 17 attached thereto and wound thereon, has a weighted lower flange 36. The edges of flange 36 are rounded to permit line 17 to be axially withdrawn from spool 33. The thickness of flange 36 is chosen to provide sufficient weight to impart stability to float body 31 when floating in a vertical position, but not so much weight as to prevent a considerable portion thereof from extending above the surface of the water. This position of flotation permits the buoy of the invention to be more readily seen by swimmer personnel.

In addition to the relatively high flotation position, the visibility of the buoy is also enhanced by painting, or otherwise coloring, body portion 31 with a high visibility color such as that known as international orange. Too, extension 35 may be brightly colored or carry optical retro reflecting coatings. Although well known, per se, such coloration and optical reflection coatings, when applied to the structure of the invention, increase the visibility thereof and thereby facilitate the location of the device by diver personnel in such a manner as to contribute significantly to the effectiveness of the invention.

Anchor assembly 16 comprises an enlarged weight portion 37, a necked down portion 38, and a base and explosive squib portion 39. Weight portion 37 has a depressed portion 41 in the center afore end thereof to receive the end of threaded fastener 32 and thereby permit compact storage. Quite naturally, the end of threaded fastener 32 might be recessed in the weighted lower flange 36, if desired, thereby making the provision of depressed portion 41 unnecessary from the standpoint of compact storage. The illustrated construction has proven satisfactory and has the advantage of permitting threaded fastener 32 and depressed portion 41 to mutually cooperate in such a fashion as to comprise means for providing axial alignment therebetween. However, it should be noted that other structure, such as pins and apertures, might cooperate in a similar fashion to provide this axial alignment.

Retaining clips 28 are semicylindrical metallic members with suitably shaped tabs 42 extending inwardly from the top and bottom edges thereof. When clips 28 are in place, tabs 42 cooperate with the by light functional engagement unweighted flange of spool 33 and the lower edge of weight portion 37 in such a manner as to secure anchor assembly 16 to float assembly 15. A cylindrical sleeve 29 may be placed over retaining clips 28 to facilitate handling and storage of the buoy of the invention. Sleeve 29 may be removed prior to insertion of marker assembly in barrel 24 or barrel 24 may be chambered to receive and retain sleeve 29.

Referring to FIG. 4, it may be seen that base and squib portion 39 of anchor assembly 16 has an electrical connector 43 extending from the base thereof. Connector 43 mates with one of connectors 25 to establish electrical connection therewith and to support the marker buoy assembly therefrom within barrel 24. It may also be seen that extension 35 folds back over float 31 to be held in place by clips 28. The position of cylindrical sleeve 29, when installed, is shown in FIG. 4 by broken lines.

Referring to FIG. 5, one construction of the explosive squib of base and squib portion 39 is shown. An electrically ignitable primer 44, to which connector 43 is attached, threads into the bottom surface 45 of base portion 39. Primer 44 extends through bottom surface 45 to extend within a hollow void therewithin. An explosive charge 46 contained within said void is of sufficient strength and quantity to cause separation of base portion 39 along a groove 47, or other suitable separation inducing structure. It should be noted, that the construction of squib is exemplary and a variety of conventional arrangements may be used, if desired.

Although the foregoing description of the device of the invention is sufficiently complete to permit a person versed in the oceanographic instrumentation arts to make and use the invention, a more complete understanding thereof may be obtained by the following description of the contemplated mode of operation and appended claims.

MODE OF OPERATION

The operation of the device of the invention is rather straightforward and is commenced with the towed vehicle 11 in an undeployed position, i.e., on the deck of a surface tow vehicle or on the ground in the case of aerial towing. With the vehicle in such a position, breech block 21 is removed from main housing 18 and a plurality of buoy assemblies are mounted by turning the entire assembly with connectors 43 and 25 held in engagement. This operation is performed manually and repeated until a buoy assembly is mounted on each connector 25 of breech block 21. Breech block 21 is then replaced on main housing 18 by inserting a buoy assembly into each barrel 24. Holes 23 in breech block 21 are elongated to permit some latitude in moving breech block 22 about in positioning the buoys and still permit a cooperative fit with respect to fasteners 22.

It should be noted, at this point, that individual buoy assemblies may differ by the amounts of line 17 carried thereby or in the color of float body 31 and extension 35, so that the particular float assembly to be used may be selected in accordance with depth of the water or the type of object to be marked thereby. Such departures from the disclosed structure are considered well within the normal skills of personnel familiar with the class of devices described herein.

With the buoy assemblies in place, the towed vehicle is deployed in its customary fashion. When a target is found, or when another reason to deploy a marker occurs, a command circuit ignites a selected primer 44 to explode charge 46. The explosion of charge 46 expells the selected buoy assembly from barrel 24, as shown in FIG. 1.

Once free of barrel 24, clips 28 fall away from the assembly. The jettisoning of clips 28 from extension 35 is facilitated by the inherent spring restoration force therein and by the hydrodynamic drag offered by clips 28 to the water into which the buoy is ejected. Once clips 28 are detached, anchor assembly 16 starts its precipitous plunge to the bottom carrying line 17 with it. Line 17 unspools from spool 33 axially as float assembly 15 travels upwardly toward the surface. Weighted flange 36 keeps float assembly 15 upright as it rises, thus preventing line 17 from fouling thereon. This action continues until anchor assembly 16 rests on the bottom and float assembly 15 is on the surface.

The watch circle of the buoy would seem to depend on the amount of line 17 in excess of the water depth. However, in almost every instance, except perhaps in unusual current and tidal conditions, the watch circle of the deployed buoy remains small. Even in the worst conditions, the buoy of the invention provides a better marker than the prior art devices which, as stated previously, are launched from the tow vehicle.

The foregoing description taken together with the appended claims constitute a disclosure such as to enable a person skilled in the oceanographic instrumentation arts and having the benefit of the teachings contained therein to make and use the invention. Further, the structure herein described meets the aforerecited objects of invention, and generally constitutes a meritorious advance in the art which would not be obvious to such a worker not having the benefit of such teachings.

Obviously, other embodiments and modifications of the subject invention will readily come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the drawings. It is, therefore, to be understood that this invention is not to be limited thereto and that said modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A marker system for marking the instantaneous position of a vehicle being towed in a body of fluid comprising in combination:

float means for visually indicating a position on the surface of said body of fluid;

extension means attached to one end of said float means and extending therefrom for aiding in the visual location of said float means, said extension means being made of resilient material, whereby it may be positioned alongside said float means;

spool means attached to the other end of said float means for releasable storage of a predetermined length of line thereon;

anchor means for establishing a fixed reference point for said marker system, said anchor means including a cylindrical weight portion having a diameter approximately the same as that of said spool means, a neckdown portion having a diameter somewhat less than that of said cylindrical weight portion effectively joined with said cylindrical weight portion, a cylindrical portion having the same diameter as said cylindrical weight portion and having a hollow void therein enclosed by frangible wall portions, and explosive charge means enclosed within said hollow void for explosively separating said frangible wall portions;

line means attached to the neckdown portion of said anchor means at one end thereof and to said spool means at the other end thereof and wound about said spool means therebetween for securing said float means to said anchor means when deployed within said body of fluid; and

clip means extending between said spool means and said anchor means for effecting releasable connection therebetween and for securing said extension means alongside of said float means prior to the deployment thereof.

2. A marker system according to claim 1 in which said float means comprises a cylindrical foam plastic body member.

3. A marker system according to claim 1 further comprising:

fastener means extending through said spool means and said float means and attached to said extension means for unification thereof into a float assembly.

4. A marker system according to claim 3 further comprising means effectively connected to the aforesaid anchor means and cooperating with said fastener means for providing axial alignment therebetween.

5. A marker system as set forth in claim 1 in which said spool means is characterized as having a straight upper flange and a weighted lower flange constructed in such a manner as to provide a stabilizing ballast for said float means.

6. A marker system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said weighted lower flange is further characterized as having rounded and smooth corner portions for the aforesaid line means to be pulled thereover as it is axially drawn off said spool means.

7. A marker system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising suitable electrical primer means passing through one of said frangible wall portions of said base portion in such a manner as to be operatively positioned with respect to said explosive charge means for ignition thereof.

8. A marker system according to claim 7 further comprising in combination:

connector means engaging said electrical primer means for transferring electrical power thereto, for supporting said anchor means, and for effectively supporting said float means through the aforesaid clip means;

breech block means connected to said connector means for the support of said float means and anchor means thereby; and

manifold means attached to the aforesaid towed vehicle and having a cylindrical barrel therein for enclosure of said float means and anchor means, and having fasteners thereon for holding said breech block means thereon.

9. A marker system for marking on the surface of a body of water the instantaneous position of a vehicle towed therein comprising in combination:

manifold means extending outwardly from said vehicle means and having cylindrical barrel means therein;

removable breech block means for timely closing one end of said barrel means;

connector means extending from said breech block means and in alignment with said barrel means for transferring electrical power therethrough; and

marker buoy means attached to said connector means for support thereby within said barrel means in said manifold means, said marker buoy comprising in combination:

anchor means having a weighted portion and a hollow, frangible portion;

explosive charge means within said hollow, frangible portion for selectively shattering said hollow frangible portion and expelling said marker buoy means from said barrel means;

primer means extending within said hollow, frangible portion for communicating with said explosive charge means for selective ignition thereof, and attached to said connector means for receiving actuating electrical power therefrom;

float means having a generally cylindrical shape for marking a position on the surface of said body of water;

extension means on one end of said float means and constructed of a resilient material permitting it to be bent and constrained to lie along one side of said float means for compact storage, and permitting self extension thereof in such manner as to extend above said float means for increasing the visibility thereof;

reel means releasably attached to the other end of said float means for storing mooring line thereon;

fastener means passing through said float means and cooperating with said reel means and said extension means to effect a unitary structure therefrom;

line means, one end of which is attached to said reel means and wound thereabout and the other end of which is attached to said anchor means, for providing connection therebetween when deployed; and

clip means extending between said reel means and said anchor means and attached thereto in such a fashion as to be readily removed therefrom by water flow thereacross for providing connection therebetween prior to deployment and during periods of storage.