The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 03, 1995
Filed:
Nov. 04, 1993
David C Sparks, Lansing, MI (US);
Luke Belfie, Gilletts Lake, MI (US);
Dave Bruder, Jackson, MI (US);
Christian T Werner, Clark Lake, MI (US);
James W Widenhofer, Jackson, MI (US);
Sparton Corporation, Jackson, MI (US);
Abstract
A buoyancy control system is disclosed for maintaining a buoyant vehicle at a controlled depth by jettisoning either a heavy liquid or a light liquid. The control system monitors the depth of the buoyant vehicle and determines the direction and magnitude of vertical velocity. If it exceeds the threshold velocity the system calculates how much fluid to jettison in order to decelerate the vehicle to a target velocity. The positive and negative threshold velocities are programmed for control of the average vertical velocity and for depth maintenance. First and second bladders contain heavy and light liquids, respectively. The bladders are subjected to ambient water pressure and are spring loaded and each is provided with an discharge valve. A pressure sensor monitors the vehicle depth and generates a depth signal. A computer derives a velocity signal from the depth signal and calculates the quantity of liquid which should be jettisoned.