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:
Dec. 05, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 07, 1999
Edmund J Sullivan, Portsmouth, RI (US);
Robert W Gauthier, Assonet, MA (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
A simple mechanical device is provided which generates acoustic signals at ne or more specified depths. The device consists of a spring loaded piston placed in a wall of a housing, the spring loading biasing the piston away from the housing. The piston is subjected to a pressure differential between the exterior and interior of the housing such that the piston moves against the spring force and into the housing as the pressure differential, corresponding to a depth of the housing beneath a water surface, increases. As the piston moves further into the housing, it contacts a series of latches, each latch being used to detain spring loaded striker. The latches are spaced along the travel path of the piston such that each striker is associated with a specific piston movement, or depth. When the piston contacts a latch, the striker is released and strikes against a ledge within the housing, creating one of the acoustic signals.