Automatic man overboard sensor and rescue system
OwnerLarry L. Simms, Steve P. Moisen +1inventors
InventorsLarry L. Simms, Steve P. Moisen, Norbert C. Cupp
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system, which automatically or manually signals and senses the event of a person falling overboard from a vessel (12) into water (14), comprises a portable transmitter (16) coupled to a sound-producing transducer carried by the person (10) for transmitting ultrasonic and/or audible sound waves (18) through the water to a receiver (20) carried by the vessel. The receiver thereby permits rescue operations of the person to be initiated.
Claims14
A system for automatically signalling the event of a person falling overboard from a vessel into water comprising:
- a portable transmitter included within a waterproof package which is floatable in water and carried by the person for generating and automatically transmitting alarm actuating sonic waveforms through the water;
- a receiver carried by the vessel for receiving the sonic waveforms;
- means coupled to said receiver and actuated thereby for causing immediate rescue operations of the person to be expedited;
- and
- pressure-sensitive means coupled to said transmitter for actuating said transmitter upon immersion of said pressure-sensitive means in the water and comprising a hydrostatic switch having an initiating mechanism which is responsive to a specific pressure of the water established by the depth of its immersion in the water, said initiating mechanism being nonresponsive when said transmitter package is substantially at the surface of the water.
A system for automatically signalling the event of a person falling overboard from a vessel into water comprising:
- a portable transmitter carried by the person for generating and automatically transmitting alarm actuating sonic waveforms through the water;
- a receiver carried by the vessel for receiving the sonic waveforms;
- means coupled to said receiver and actuated thereby for causing immediate rescue operations of the person to be expedited;
- pressure-sensitive means coupled to said transmitter for actuating said transmitter upon immersion of said pressure-sensitive means in the water and comprising a hydrostatic switch having an initiating mechanism which is responsive to a specific pressure of the water established by the depth of its immersion in the water, said initiating mechanism comprising a restricting orifice open to the water and communicating with a switch-operating diaphragm;
- and
- a latching device coupled to said initiating mechanism and said switch for maintaining said switch closed once it has been closed by the water pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.