US3789445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Buoy construction
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1971-11-12
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Granted: 1974-02-05
•
Expires: 1991-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A vertically disposed tube having valves at each end and suspended in the ocean for the purpose of creating dynamic system stability. When the valves are closed, water is trapped in the tube and forms a large mass which is added to the system. If both valves are open, water flows freely through the tube with no vertical stability added to the system.
Inventors
- 👤 L Frazier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:11
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B22/00; B63B22/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A stabilizing device for fluid borne suspension systems which device may rapidly be changed so as to impose a maximum or a minimum mass resistance to movement of a portion of said system comprising: an elongated tube; a pair of butterfly closure valves mounted at both the upper and lower ends of said elongated tube; means attached to said tube for opening and closing said closure valves said means including; a rotatable rod vertically oriented and mounted adjacent the external side of said tube; a rotatable latch mounted at both the top and bottom ends of said rotatable rod each of said latches adapted to latch around a pin mounted at one end of the upper and lower closure valves and; a solenoid operated rod attached to one end of the latch positioned on the upper end of the rotatable rod; thus when the closure valves are closed, the tube acts like a barrel adding a large mass to the system but when open the tube adds no effective mass to the system because water flows freely through the tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A stabilizing device for fluid borne suspension systems which device may rapidly be changed so as to impose a maximum or a minimum mass resistance to movement of a portion of said system comprising: an elongated tube; a pair of butterfly closure valves mounted at both the upper and lower ends of said elongated tube; means attached to said tube for opening and closing said closure valves said means including; a rotatable rod vertically oriented and mounted adjacent the external side of said tube; a rotatable latch mounted at both the top and bottom ends of said rotatable rod each of said latches adapted to latch around a pin mounted at one end of the upper and lower closure valves and; a solenoid operated rod attached to one end of the latch positioned on the upper end of the rotatable rod; thus when the closure valves are closed, the tube acts like a barrel adding a large mass to the system but when open the tube adds no effective mass to the system because water flows freely through the tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the butterfly closure valves have weights positioned on the under surfaces of both the upper and lower closure valves in order to force the valves open when released by said upper and lower latches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |