US 12,698,065 B1 · Portable retractable system and method for deploying water-based and air-based sensors from a marine vessel

Abstract

The present invention includes portable, retractable systems and methods for simultaneously deploying water-based sensors and air-based sensors from a marine vessel. Embodiments of the system include a mounting frame assembly that is configured to clamp onto a gunwale of the marine vessel with both rough and fine adjustment to fit over and around any suitable gunwale thickness and surface contours. Embodiments of the system further include a retractable pole assembly that is rotationally coupled to the mounting frame assembly. The retractable pole assembly may be retracted and rotated to a horizontal position for adjustment, travel and stowing, or fully extended and rotated to a vertical position with a water-based sensor secured in the water at a bottom end and an air-based sensor secured at a top end.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A system for deploying air-based and water-based sensors from a marine vessel, the system comprising:

a mounting frame assembly configured for selectively mounting to a gunwale of the marine vessel;
a retractable pole assembly having a top end and a bottom end, the retractable pole assembly coupled to the mounting frame assembly and configured to selectively receive an air-based sensor at the top end and a water-based sensor at the bottom end;
and
wherein the retractable pole assembly is rotationally coupled to the mounting frame assembly between vertical and horizontal positions.

1 more element

A method for deploying air- and water-based sensors from a marine vessel, the method comprising:

providing a system for deploying an air-based sensor and a water-based sensor from a marine vessel, the system comprising:
a mounting frame assembly configured for selectively mounting to a gunwale of the marine vessel;
and
a retractable pole assembly rotationally coupled to the mounting frame assembly between a vertical position and a horizontal position, the retractable pole assembly further comprising:
a top end configured to selectively receive the air-based sensor;
and
a bottom end configured to selectively receive the water-based sensor;
attaching the mounting frame assembly to the gunwale of the marine vessel with the retractable pole assembly in the horizontal position;
installing the air-based sensor and the water-based sensor;
extending the retractable pole assembly from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position;
and
rotating the retractable pole assembly to the vertical position, wherein the water-based sensor is submerged in water.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

18/530,945Filed 6 Dec 2023 · us provisional application

Priority

30 Nov 2023

Granted

4 Aug 2026

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

B63B 49/00
Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids
G01V 1/186
Receiving elements, e.g. seismometer, geophone or torque detectors, for localised single point measurements: hydrophones
G01V 1/38
Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting: specially adapted for water-covered areas
B63B 2017/0054
Vessels parts, details, or accessories, not otherwise provided for: rests or supports for movable ship-borne equipment

Portable retractable system and method for deploying water-based and air-based sensors from a marine vessel

Life of this patent

Portable retractable system and method for deploying water-based and air-based sensors from a marine vessel

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21