Flotation bag assembly

Description

[0001] This invention relates generally to a stable support for structures at or above the surface of a fluid medium and in particular to a communications buoy for use in the ocean.

[0002] Many types of flotation devices exist with differing characterisitcs.

[0003] Damper plates and toroid shaped flotation devices have been used to create buoys which are wave followers. For example, see Buoy Engineering, H.O. Berteaux, John and Sons, 1976 Pg. 212-213. These surface following buoys are subject to strong heave and pitch due to the motion of the ocean.

[0004] A more stable buoy can be built by decreasing the cross section of the buoy at the water level. Such devices experience less heave. The mass of the buoy can also be distributed to create a righting moment. This will decrease the pitch.

[0005] Further stability can be obtained by surface decoupling. A buoyant cylinder with a counterweight suspended from its bottom is a typical example, Berteaux, supra. Such spar buoys cannot have much reserve buoyancy and usually have a large draft. These factors mitigate the usefulness of these types of buoys in deep water.

[0006] It is an object of this invention to provide a communications buoy having an antenna which uses the surface of the ocean as a ground plane; such buoy having structure which limits the antenna's motion with respect to the surface of the ocean to within 4 in (10 cm.) heave and 25⁰ pitch.

[0007] It is another object of this invention to provide a stable buoy that can withstand ocean conditions up to and including state 5.

[0008] The buoy according to the invention may be used as part of a search and rescue system for locating downed aircraft and ships in distress. Such buoys would be carried by vehicles and be deployed when needed. Their distress signal could be received by satellites and their position located.

[0009] A buoy according to the invention could carry various other types of payloads or support various antenna structures as well. Other possible uses include oceanographic monitoring buoys and satellite linked sonobuoys.

[0010] Objects of this invention are to make it possible to provide an apparatus for the stable support of a structure, such as an antenna, in a fluid medium, such as water; to limit the motion of an antenna supported above the surface of the ocean, within the operational limits of the transmitting system; and to support an electronics payload near the surface of the ocean such that the power loss between the electronics payload and an antenna supported on the surface is within operational limits and, specifically, less than 3db.

[0011] US-A-3500209 describes apparatus for the substantially stable support of a device in a fluid medium, said apparatus including:
   a buoyant member;
   support means associated with the buoyant member for supporting the device to be supported; and
   channel means comprising at least one compartment having an upper opening and a lower opening, said compartment being connected to a side wall of the buoyant member whereby fluid which encroaches upon the buoyant member due to any motion of the member relative to the surface of the fluid medium enters a said compartment and is channeled by that compartment back into the body of the fluid medium through the lower opening, such that kinetic energy of the buoyant member associated with said motion is dissipated as the fluid is channeled back.

[0012] The present invention is characterized in that:
   said compartment is open at the top to provide said upper opening and the lower opening has a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the corresponding upper opening; and
   said compartment is connected to the buoyant member with said upper and lower openings respectively above and below the mean surface level of the fluid medium when the apparatus is floating therein.

[0013] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a communications bouy according to the invention deployed in water.

Figure 2 is a side view of the bouy of Figure 1 with parts broken away to illustrate internal structure.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a communications bouy according to the invention in an undeployed state.

Figure 4 is a top view of a flotation bag according to the invention.

Figures 5a -5g are graphs illustrating the operational transmission requirements and the estimated performance of an antenna system according to the invention under varying conditions of heave and pitch.

[0014] Referring to figures 1 and 2, flotation bag 1 is an inflated balloon-like structure having a specific gravity less than the specific gravity of fluid medium W. Bag 1 encloses antenna 2 and supports a payload 3 below the surface of medium W.

[0015] Although this embodiment comprises flotation bag 1 which encloses antenna 2, the invention includes flotation devices of any type which support structures.

[0016] Figures 5a-5g compare the estimated performance 102 of an antenna such as antenna 3 under varying conditions of heave and pitch with the operational performance requirement 101 for successful transmission. Antenna 3 uses the surface of the fluid W as a ground plane. Heave and pitch disturb the relationship between the radiating antenna 3 and the ground plane, changing the radiation pattern of antenna 3. As shown by graphs 5a, 5b, and 5f, the estimated performance 102 of antenna 3 crosses and falls below the operational performance requirements for successful transmission between certain points on the graphs. In summary, successful transmission is not achieved when antenna 3 undergoes more than 4 ins (10 cms) heave or 25^o pitch. The apparatus according to the invention limits the motion of the antenna relative to the ground plane to within 10 cms. heave and 25^o pitch, under ocean conditions up to sea state 5.

[0017] A damper skirt 4 extends around the base of the flotation bag 1 and is made of a semi-rigid material supported in a horizontal position by ribbon fence 5.

[0018] When the apparatus is afloat, damper skirt 4 is below the surface of the medium W. The weight of the payload 3, the shape of the bottom of the flotation bag 1 and the bouyancy of bag 1, which will be described in detail below, are configured so that damper skirt 4 is below the water line when the apparatus is stable.

[0019] Damper skirt 4 increases the surface area in contact with the ocean, offering a surface which resists motion V within medium W. In order to rise or tip in response to a wave, damper skirt 4 must travel upwardly through the fluid. The resistance to upward movement of shirt 4 is caused by the fluid above the skirt 4. The energy that would otherwise cause heave and pitch of the flotation bag 1 is dissipated by this resistance and any resulting movement of skirt 4 within the medium W.

[0020] As shown particularly in figure 4, ribbon fence 5 which supports the damper skirt 4 is a series of contiguous compartments, 5a-5g. Damper skirt 4 acts as the base of the compartments 5a-5g of ribbon fence 5 and the side 1s of the flotation bag 1 forms the back wall of the compartments. The walls of the compartments in the embodiment illustrated comprise a strip of semi-rigid material connected to the side of the flotation bag 1 at spaced apart points P. The flotation bag 1, damper skirt 4 and the strip form the contiguous compartments, the combination of which is referred to herein as ribbon fence 5.

[0021] Each compartment 5a-5g has an opening 6 in the lower portion thereof, where the strip joins to damper skirt 4. The compartments have an opened top 7. When stable in the ocean, the bottom hole 6, which has a cross section less than the opening at the top 7, is beneath the level of the medium W. The water line on the flotation bag when the apparatus is at rest in the ocean is approximately at the midpoint 8 of the height of the ribbon fence 5.

[0022] Compartments 5a-5h act as containers for the fluid medium. Fluid encroaching upon bag 1 can enter the compartments through hole 6 or the opened top 7 and can drain from the compartments through the hole 6. When bag 1 rises due to the motion of the ocean, sea water will drain out of the holes 6, dissipating the kinetic energy of bag 1 created by the rising motion of the ocean. Oscillations of the flotation bag 1 within the medium W are thereby damped. The compartments increase the resistance to motion of damper skirt 4 by partially enclosing the fluid and by requiring the damper skirt to lift the partially enclosed fluid in the compartments as the flotation bag 1 rises in response to a wave. This acts to further decrease the heave and pitch of the flotation bag.

[0023] The damper skirt 4 and ribbon fence 5 are described associated with each other, constructed from semi-rigid materials for the purpose of stabilizing flotation bag 1. However, the damper skirt 4 may be a submerged plate and the means for channeling fluid that encroaches on the device. Such structures may be used separately or in combination to decrease both the heave and pitch of the device.

[0024] Payload 3 comprises electronics 31 enclosed in a cylindrical housing 32. Housing 32 is connected to the bottom of the flotation bag 1 by nylon cord 8. One end of nylon cord 8 connects to a point 8a within the housing, approximately one-quarter from the top of the housing and the other end connects to the center of the bottom of the bag 8b, at bulkhead 9, which is a rigid portion. Electrical wires 311 also pass from the electronics 31 into the bulkhead 9. Beneath the bulkhead 9 is microphonics bumper 91.

[0025] Nylon cord 8 and the location of the connection between the housing 32 and the flotation bag 1, at 8a and 8b, decouple the motion of flotation bag 1 from housing 32 such that, over a certain range, the motion of bag 1 does not affect the motion of cylindrical housing 32 and the motion of cylindrical housing 32 does not affect the housing motion of bag 1. The range of motion depends on the demensions of the decoupling apparatus including the diameter of housing 32 and the distance between the top of housing 32 and microphonic bumper 91.

[0026] Housing 32 is free to swing like a pendulum until the top of the housing 32a collides with the microphonic bumper 91. Similarly, the flotation bag 1 can freely pitch until the bumper 91 collides with the top of the housing 32a.

[0027] This allows for 10⁰ - 15⁰ of motion of the payload 3, measured from the vertical, before contact between housing 32a and microphonic bumper 91. Bumper 91 absorbs some of the energy of any impact between bag 1 and payload 3, decreasing the effect such impact would have on the heave and pitch of the flotation bag. Bumper 91 also protects the electrical wiring that feed to the antenna, preventing interruption or interference with the transmission of a message due to impacts between the housing 32a and the bulkhead 9 through which wires 311 pass.

[0028] In the embodiment illustrated, electronics 31 is close to antenna 2 in order to minimize the power loss due to transmission of a signal from electronics 31 to antenna 2 via cable 311. Preferably, the power loss is less than 3db.

[0029] The upper portion 33, of housing 32, referred to herein as a collar, stores the entire flotation apparatus before it is deployed, as shown in Figure 3. After deployment, the upper portion 33 floods with water, through holes 14 in its sides, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The flooding reduces the buoyancy of the payload 3 which results in payload 3 pulling the flotation bag 1 into the water, ensuring that the damper skirt 4 and bottom hole 6 of ribbon fence 5 are submerged. This increases the stability of flotation bag 1.

[0030] The flooding of upper portion 33 results in the center of mass of housing 32 being lower in the medium W, increasing the period of oscillation of housing 32. This stabilizes the entire structure and decreases the heave and pitch of flotation bag 1.

[0031] The center of the bottom of the flotation bag 1 is pulled upward by straps 13 secured at 131, along the inside wall of flotation bag 1. This reduces the buoyancy of bag 1, aiding in maintaining the necessary waterline above damper skirt 4 and at the midpoint of ribbon fence 5. The base 16 of bag 1 is inwardly arched at its center 15 so that the greatest bouyant forces are located at the outer portions of the bag 1. This decreases the pitch of the flotation bag 1 by creating a longer torque arm which must be overcome for the flotation bag to rotate. This righting moment further aids in stabilizing the flotation bag. The adhesion caused by inwardly arched center 15 between the surface of the bottom 16 of the bag and the fluid medium W also decreases the heave of the flotation bag.

[0032] Although this particular embodiment describes a flotation bag with a concave bottom, the invention is meant to cover flotation devices of any material with a bottom of inwardly arched shape.

[0033] The apparatus and payload are ejected in the cylindrical housing 3, as shown in Figure 3. Antenna 4, flotation bag 1, ribbon fence 5 and damper skirt 4 are all stored in upper chamber 33 of the housing 32. Housing 32, which is bouyant, floats to the surface of the ocean after being ejected. The flotation bag and antenna are then deployed and the preprogrammed messages are transmitted.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the substantially stable support of a device (2) in a fluid medium, said apparatus including:
   a buoyant member (1);
   support means associated with the buoyant member for supporting the device (2) to be supported; and
   channel means (5) comprising at least one compartment (5a-5g) having an upper opening (7) and a lower opening (6), said compartment being connected to a side wall of the buoyant member (1) whereby fluid which encroaches upon the buoyant member due to any motion of the member relative to the surface of the fluid medium enters a said compartment (5a-5g) and is channeled by that compartment back into the body of the fluid medium through the lower opening (6), such that kinetic energy of the buoyant member associated with said motion is dissipated as the fluid is channeled back;
   characterized in that:
   said compartment (5a-5g) is open at the top to provide said upper opening (7) and the lower opening (6) has a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the corresponding upper opening (7); and
   said compartment is connected to the buoyant member (1) with said upper and lower openings (7,6) respectively above and below the mean surface level of the fluid medium when the apparatus is floating therein.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterised by a damper member (4) extending generally horizontally beneath the buoyant member (1) and below the mean level of the fluid medium when the apparatus is afloat, whereby to impede vertical motion of the apparatus relative to the fluid medium.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a plurality of said compartments (5a-5g) surrounding said buoyant member (1), characterised by a damper skirt member (4) extending generally horizontally around said buoyant member (1) to form a base for each said compartment (5a-5g), the lower openings (6) being formed between said base and side walls of the compartments.

4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised by a payload (3) carried by and below said buoyant member (1), said payload (3) being connected to said buoyant member by decoupling means (8) operative to decouple motions of the payload and the buoyant member from one another over a given angular range.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 characterised in that said decoupling means is a flexible member (3) connected at an upper end (8b) to a rigid portion (9) of said buoyant member (1) and at a lower end to said payload (3), said flexible member extending through a collar (33) of a housing (32) of said payload, and in that said rigid portion (9) has a bumper (91) positioned to engage said collar (33) when relative angular movement between the rigid portion (9) and the payload housing (32) attains a predetermined angle.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 characterised in that said payload (3) has a housing (32) including a chamber (33) within which said buoyant member (1) is stored when the apparatus is in an undeployed state.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6 characterised in that said device to be supported is an antenna (2) supported by said support means of said buoyant member (1), in that said payload (3) includes an r.f. signal generator (31) and in that said generator is electrically connected to said antenna.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the under surface of the buoyant member (1) is substantially concave (15).

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 characterised in that the buoyant member is a flotation bag (1) having internal straps (13) connected between the bag walls (131) and the central portion of the bottom of the bag (16) to pull the under surface upwardly into said substantially concave condition (15).

Revendications

1. Appareil prévu pour supporter de façon relativement stable un dispositif (2) dans un milieu fluide, cet appareil comprenant :
   un corps flottant (1);
   des moyens de support associés au corps flottant pour supporter le dispositif (2) à supporter; et
   une structure de canaux (5) comprenant au moins un compartiment (5a-5g) ayant une ouverture supérieure (7) et une ouverture inférieure (6), ce compartiment étant fixé sur une paroi latérale du corps flottant (1), grâce à quoi le fluide qui monte sur le corps flottant du fait d'un mouvement quelconque de ce corps par rapport à la surface du milieu fluide, entre dans un compartiment précité (5a-5g), et il est canalisé par ce compartiment pour retourner dans le milieu fluide, en passant par l'ouverture inférieure (6), de façon que l'énergie cinétique du corps flottant qui est associée au mouvement précité soit dissipée sous l'effet du retour canalisé du fluide;
   caractérisé en ce que :
   le compartiment (5a-5g) est ouvert à la partie supérieure pour définir l'ouverture supérieure (7), et l'ouverture inférieure (6) a une aire de section droite inférieure à l'aire de section droite de l'ouverture supérieure correspondante (7); et
   le compartiment est fixé au corps flottant (1) avec les ouvertures supérieure et inférieure (7, 6) respectivement situées au-dessus et au-dessous du niveau de surface moyen du milieu fluide, lorsque l'appareil flotte dans ce dernier.

2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par un élément d'amortissement (4) qui s'étend de façon générale en direction horizontale au-dessous du corps flottant (1), et au-dessous du niveau moyen du milieu fluide, lorsque l'appareil flotte, pour s'opposer ainsi au mouvement vertical de l'appareil par rapport au milieu fluide.

3. Appareil selon la revendication 1, comprenant un ensemble des compartiments précités (5a-5g) qui entourent le corps flottant (1), caractérisé par une jupe d'amortissement (4) qui s'étend dans une direction générale horizontale autour du corps flottant (1), pour former une base pour chacun des compartiments (5a-5g), les ouvertures inférieures (6) étant formées entre cette base et des parois latérales des compartiments.

4. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé par une charge utile (3), portée par le corps flottant (1), au-dessous de celui-ci, cette charge utile (3) étant reliée au corps flottant par des moyens de découplage (8) qui ont pour action de découpler mutuellement des mouvements de la charge utile et du corps flottant, sur une plage angulaire donnée.

5. Appareil selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de découplage consistent en un élément flexible (8) dont une extrémité supérieure (8b) est reliée à une partie rigide (9) du corps flottant (1), et dont une extrémité inférieure est reliée à la charge utile (3), cet élément flexible traversant une tête (33) d'un boîtier (32) de la charge utile, et en ce que la partie rigide (9) comporte un tampon (91) qui est placé de façon à venir en contact avec la tête précitée (33), lorsque le mouvement angulaire relatif entre la partie rigide (9) et le boîtier (32) de la charge utile atteint un angle prédéterminé.

6. Appareil selon la revendication 4 ou la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que la charge utile (3) comporte un boîtier (32) qui comprend une chambre (33) à l'intérieur de laquelle le corps flottant (1) est logé lorsque l'appareil est dans un état non déployé.

7. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 6, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif à supporter est une antenne (2) qui est supportée par les moyens de support du corps flottant (1), en ce que la charge utile (3) comprend un générateur de signal RF (31), et en ce que ce générateur est connecté électriquement à l'antenne.

8. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la surface inférieure du corps flottant (1) est sensiblement concave (15).

9. Appareil en ce que la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que l'élément flottant est une chambre de flottaison (1) comportant des lanières internes (13) qui sont fixées entre les parois (131) de la chambre, et la partie centrale du fond de la chambre (16), pour tirer la surface inférieure vers le haut de façon à l'amener dans la condition sensiblement concave (15).

Ansprüche

1. Apparat für eine im wesentlichen stabile Abstützung einer Vorrichtung (2) in einem flüssigen Medium, wobei der genannte Apparat umfaßt:
ein Schwimmelement (1);
Abstützvorrichtungen, die mit dem Schwimmelement verbunden sind, um die abzustützende Vorrichtung (2) abzustützen; und
Kanalisiervorrichtungen (5), die zumindest eine Kammer (5a - 5g) mit einer oberen Öffnung (7) und einer unteren Öffnung (6) umfassen, wobei die genannte Kammer mit einer Seitenwand des Schwimmelementes (1) verbunden ist, wobei Flüssigkeit, die aufgrund einer Bewegung des Elementes im Verhältnis zur Oberfläche des flüssigen Mediums auf das Schwimmelement einwirkt, in eine der genannten Kammern (5a - 5g) einströmt und dann von dieser Kammer aus durch die untere Öffnung (6) wieder so in das umgebende flüssige Medium zurückkanalisiert wird, daß die kinetische Energie des Schwimmelementes, die sich aus der genannten Bewegung ergibt, mit der zurückströmenden Flüssigkeit aufgehoben wird; dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß:
die genannte Kammer (5a - 5g) oben geöffnet ist, um so die genannte obere Öffnung (7) zu schaffen, und daß die untere Öffnung (6) eine Querschnittsfläche aufweist, die kleiner als die Querschnittsfläche der entsprechenden oberen Öffnung (7) ist; und
die genannte Kammer mit dem Schwimmelement (1) in Verbindung steht, wobei sich die genannten oberen und unteren Öffnungen (7, 6) oberhalb bzw. unterhalb des mittleren Oberflächenspiegels des flüssigen Mediums befinden, wenn der Apparat in dem Medium schwimmt.

2. Apparat nach Anspruch 1, gekennzeichnet durch ein Dämpfungselement (4), das im allgemeinen horizontal unterhalb des Schwimmelementes (1) und unterhalb des mittleren Spiegels des flüssigen Mediums verläuft, wenn der Apparat schwimmt, um dadurch eine vertikale Bewegung des Apparates im Verhältnis zum flüssigen Medium zu unterbinden.

3. Apparat nach Anspruch 1, umfassend eine Vielzahl der genannten Kammern (5a - 5g), die das genannte Schwimmelement (1) umgeben, gekennzeichnet durch ein Dämpfungsrandelement (4), das im allgemeinen horizontal um das genannte Schwimmelement (1) herum verläuft, um so eine Basis für jede der genannten Kammern (5a - 5g) zu schaffen, wobei die unteren Öffnungen (6) zwischen der genannten Basis und den Seitenwänden der Kammern ausgebildet sind.

4. Apparat nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, gekennzeichnet durch eine Nutzlast (3), die vom genannten Schwimmelement (1) und unterhalb desselben getragen wird, wobei die genannte Nutzlast (3) mit dem genannten Schwimmelement über eine Entkopplungsvorrichtung (8) verbunden ist, die dazu dient, Bewegungen der Nutzlast und des Schwimmelementes über einen gegebenen Winkelbereich voneinander zu entkoppeln.

5. Apparat nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es sich bei der genannten Entkopplungsvorrichtung um ein flexibles Element (8) handelt, das an einem oberen Ende (8b) mit einem steifen Abschnitt (9) des genannten Schwimmelementes (1) und an einem unteren Ende mit der genannten Nutzlast (3) verbunden ist, wobei das genannte flexible Element durch einen Kragen (33) eines Gehäuses (32) der genannten Nutzlast verläuft, sowie dadurch, daß der genannte steife Abschnitt (9) einen Puffer (91) besitzt, der so angeordnet ist, daß er in den genannten Kragen (33) eingreift, wenn die relative Winkelbewegung zwischen dem steifen Abschnitt (9) und dem Nutzlastgehäuse (32) einen vorbestimmten Winkel erreicht.

6. Apparat nach Anspruch 4 oder Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die genannte Nutzlast (3) ein Gehäuse (32) besitzt, das eine Kammer (33) umfaßt, in der das genannte Schwimmelement (1) gelagert werden kann, wenn der Apparat nicht in Benutzung ist.

7. Apparat nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es sich bei der genannten abzustützenden Vorrichtung um eine Antenne (2) handelt, die von den genannten Abstützvorrichtungen des genannten Schwimmelementes (1) abgestützt wird, dadurch, daß die genannte Nutzlast (3) einen Radiofrequenzsignalgenerator (31) umfaßt, sowie dadurch, daß der genannte Generator elektrisch mit der genannten Antenne verbunden ist.

8. Apparat nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die untere Oberfläche des Schwimmelementes (1) im wesentlichen konkav (15) ausgebildet ist.

9. Apparat nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es sich bei dem Schwimmelement um einen Schwimmsack (1) handelt, der interne Gurte (13) aufweist, die zwischen den Sackwänden (131) und dem zentralen Abschnitt des Bodens des Sackes (16) verlaufen, um so die untere Oberfläche nach oben in die genannte im wesentlichen konkave Form (15) zu ziehen.

Drawing