Impeller Cavitation System
AssigneeMaritime Arresting Technologies, LLC
InventorsMatthew John Searle, Shawn Spilde
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for stopping an impeller-driven watercraft is includes distributing a plurality of submunitions in advance of a path of the impeller-driven watercraft. Each of the submunitions includes a buoyant member, a first end cap, and a second end cap; the second end cap is heavier than the first end cap. A lanyard connects the first end cap to the second end cap, optionally passing through the buoyant member. At least one of the submunitions enters an intake vent of the impeller-driven watercraft and attaches to a blade of an impeller of the impeller-driven watercraft, causing cavitation and imbalance, thereby slowing the impeller-driven watercraft
Claims20
A submunition comprising:
- a buoyant member;
- a first end cap;
- a second end cap;
- and
- a connecting member connects the first end cap to the second end cap;
- whereas the second end cap is heavier than the first end cap.
A method of stopping an impeller-driven watercraft, the method comprising:
- distributing a plurality of submunitions in advance of a path of the impeller-driven watercraft, each of the submunitions comprising:
- a buoyant member;
- a first end cap;
- a second end cap, the second end cap is heavier than the first end cap;
- and
- a lanyard connecting the first end cap to the second end cap;
- at least one of the submunitions entering an intake vent of the impeller-driven watercraft and the at least one of the submunitions attaching to a blade of an impeller of the impeller-driven watercraft, causing cavitation and imbalance, thereby slowing the impeller-driven watercraft.
A submunition comprising:
- a buoyant member made of low-density foam;
- a first end cap made of steel;
- a second end cap made of steel, the second end cap being heavier than the first end cap;
- and
- a lanyard connecting the first end cap to the second end cap, the lanyard passing through the buoyant member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.