# US 5,707,265 A · Streamlined buoyancy package for subsurface moorings

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,707,265 A
- Document ID: US5707265A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/745,915
- Filed: 1996-11-08
- Granted: 1998-01-13
- Earliest claimed: 1996-11-08
- Assignees: Her Majesty in right of Canada as represented by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
- Inventors: George A. Fowler; James M. Hamilton
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5707265A

## CPC

- B63B 22/18: having means to control attitude or position, e.g. reaction surfaces or tether
- B63B 22/04: {Fixations or other} anchoring arrangements
- B63B 2211/02: Oceanography
- B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06)

## Abstract

A buoyancy package for subsurface instrumented moorings with reduced drag and increased stability is provided with the use of spherical buoyant members enclosed in a pivotally connected streamlined housing. The use of a spherical buoyant member provides a buoyant member capable of withstanding high pressures for deep water applications, and in one embodiment provides a convenient structure for providing a pivot with respect to the housing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A buoyancy package for subsurface moorings comprising
a plurality of substantially spherical buoyant members;
a streamlined housing for enclosing the buoyant members, said housing having openings to allow pressure equalization with the surrounding water;
pivotal connection means for pivotally connecting the housing with a mooring line; and
wherein one of the buoyant members has means for attachment with the mooring line and whereby said one buoyant member is rotatably mounted within the housing to allow pivoting of the line relative to the housing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the pivotal connection means includes means to allow rotation of the housing about a vertical axis, and means to allow pivoting of the housing about a horizontal axis to allow the package to remain horizontal when the line is inclined from the vertical.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the buoyant members are arranged horizontally along an axis corresponding with a longitudinal axis of the housing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein one the buoyant members has means for attachment with a mooring line and whereby said one buoyant member is rotatably mounted within the housing to allow pivoting of the line relative to the housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, including means to maintain alignment with water current direction.