Abstract:
An apparatus and system for locating a mooring in a field of moorings is provided. The system includes a receiver either releasably attached to or integrally formed with a mooring, and a remote transmitter. The receiver is configured to include one or more visual and/or audible indicators. In other implementations, the receiver is configured to detect the user's boat when the boat is within a predetermined vicinity of the mooring and automatically activate its indicators in response to the vicinity detector.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a salvage system for a life jacket capable of enabling quick rescue of a victim by quickly finding a victim wearing the life jacket using an artificial satellite and displaying an electronic map provided with the position of the victim and the image of the victim on a screen in real time, when a marine accident or an aircraft accident occurs, and more specifically, to the life jacket, with a marine position tracking terminal attached thereto, which transmits and receives radio signals to and from a GPS satellite and a relay satellite to track the position of the victim, and allowing greater buoyancy to be generated in the head and the chest regions on the surface of the water, when wearing it. A salvage system for a life jacket according to the present invention comprises: a life jacket; a marine position tracking terminal, attached to the life jacket, which transmits a rescue signal and an inherent ID stored in a microcomputer to a plurality of GPS satellites via a rescue signal transmitter; a relay satellite receiving the signal from the marine position tracking terminal and the GPS satellites to calculate a coordinate position of a victim wearing the life jacket and provide it to an integrated geographic information system (GIS), and monitor the image of the victim using the calculated coordinate position; and a central control center receiving information on an electronic map provided with the coordinate position of the victim and the monitored image of the victim from the relay satellite and displaying them on a status screen in real time, thereby enabling follow-up measures for early rescue of the victim.
Abstract:
Emitters for locating an item or person who as in some way become separated from their expected location are provided. The emitters of the present invention comprise a power source, a light emitting means, and a radiowave emitting means, the light emitting means comprising a first and second electrode, a dielectric material and an electroluminescent material being provided between the first and second electrodes, the radiowave emitting means comprising an antenna. The antenna may comprise the first and/or second electrode. The emitter may be a separate unit or may be part of or attached to an item such as a survival suit, a waterproof suit, a wet suit, a dry suit, a diving suit, a coat, a waterproof coat, a harness, a buoyancy item or aid, a life jacket, a life raft, a lifeboat, a floatation aid, a life belt, etc.
Abstract:
An emergency position information radio beacon utilized in conjunction with a global positioning system that receives latitude and longitude information continuously in which the GPS data is periodically transferred into the EPIRB before activation in order to preserve battery power in the EPIRB. The EPIRB includes a first micro controller that is connected by an electro/optical data input to the GPS with the first micro controller being a very low power drain. Periodically, such as every 10 minutes, latitude and longitude information is transferred from the GPS into the EPIRB memory after which the EPIRB memory and system is maintained in a sleep mode with no power consumption. This insures that the EPIRB has geographical position information data before activation that can be transmitted with the emergency signal to search and rescue at the same time preserving the battery power of the EPIRB which is utilized only during the emergency period. The system is power off 99.99% of the time preserving the EPIRB battery.
Abstract:
Emitters for locating an item or person who as in some way become separated from their expected location are provided. The emitters of the present invention comprise a power source, a light emitting means, and a radiowave emitting means, the light emitting means comprising a first and second electrode, a dielectric material and an electroluminescent material being provided between the first and second electrodes, the radiowave emitting means comprising an antenna. The antenna may comprise the first and/or second electrode. The emitter may be a separate unit or may be part of or attached to an item such as a survival suit, a waterproof suit, a wet suit, a dry suit, a diving suit, a coat, a waterproof coat, a harness, a buoyancy item or aid, a life jacket, a life raft, a lifeboat, a floatation aid, a life belt, etc.
Abstract:
The Near Shore Spar Buoy Communication Platform is a semi-stable platform for data collection and retrieval for distances up to and over several miles offshore. It is an ocean-going computer housed in a modified spar buoy which is connected to a shore computer via a wireless Ethernet LAN. The Ethernet LAN is provided through use of wireless link technology capable of 2 to 11 megabits of bi-directional throughput and is expandable to higher data rates in the future. The platform behaves much like a spar buoy, which is essentially decoupled from waves and has a very small roll motion. An anti-heave appendage allows for the decrease of the heave motion normally associated with traditional spar buoys. The platform has a airfoil-like design which allows it to align itself with the current thus decreasing the overall yaw motion commonly associated with buoy communication platforms. This unique design allows the use of a single axis positioner rather than the three axis positioner used on present discus style communication buoys. This positioner allows for constant communication between the buoy and the shore station. Also, the platform's sectioned design allows it to be deployed from small water craft in various water depths. Multiple Near Shore Spar Buoy Communication Platforms can be deployed over a region and networked together in the same Ethernet LAN.
Abstract:
Inflatable radar reflectors comprising three mutually orthogonal radar reflective planes incorporated within the structure thereof can take the form of a teardrop, a cylindrical drogue or a set of three intersecting discs. A preferred embodiment includes three inflatable hollow toruses of flexible material which mutually intersect in a manner such that their planes are mutually orthogonal and each intersection provides a passage for air to pass between the intersecting sections thereof, inflation means for filling the three toruses simulataneously and collapsible circular panels of radar-reflective material covering each torus so that they form mutually orthogonal radar reflective planes. The preferred embodiment can be encased in a radar permeable balloon.
Abstract:
Distress signal kits comprise a parafoil for carrying aloft various emergency or distress signals such as radar reflective materials, lights, flares, distress flags or smoke signals. Preferably the parafoil itself is colored International orange and contains a U.S. Coast Guard-approved distress signal (BLACK SQUARE AND CIRCLE) on both top and bottom surfaces. The parafoil can be used to raise a spinnaker sail attached to a vessel or swimmer. The spinnaker can also carry radar reflective components and/or distress flags, and can be fitted for other survival uses.
Abstract:
A spar buoy is dynamically stabilized by providing a streamlined, V-shaped wing just above the center of gravity of the spar. The wing has a dihedral sufficient to stabilize the spar in three axes while under tow. The buoy may be equipped with a radio transmitter and a flasher beacon for tracking by an automatic direction finder.