Remotely activated cable cutter

An improved underwater cable cutter which can be attached by submersible vehicles, marine mammals or human divers to cables to be cut, said cable cutter having a chisel and anvil assembly whereby a chisel is activated by a spring loaded firing pin which strikes an explosive cartridge, wherein the improvement comprises:

• means for holding firmly the spring loaded firing pin in a cocked position until a later predetermined time whereat the cocked position is to be terminated thereby allowing the firing pin to strike the explosive cartridge;
• means connected to the holding means for removing the holding means from holding firmly the spring loaded firing pin in a cocked position, thereby allowing the firing pin to strike the explosive cartridge;
• means in contact with the removing means for controlling the activation and operation of the removing means, said controlling means being activated in response to a predetermined coded signal received at an input to said controlling means;
• means for admitting the coded signal, and connected to the input of the controlling means for inputting said signal to the controlling means, said preselected coded signal originating from a distant and separate source;
• means connected to the removing means, the controlling means, and the admitting means for powering them;
• and
• means sealed to the cable cutter in a watertight manner for housing the removing means, the controlling means, and the powering means, said housing being capable of withstanding hydrostatic pressures at the depths found in the worlds oceans.