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US 6,439,941 B2Granted
Automated fail-safe sea rescue flotation system
OwnerRichard J. McClure, Esther S. Massengill +1inventors
InventorsRichard J. McClure, Esther S. Massengill, R. Kemp Massengill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sea rescue signaling system including a personal flotation device equipped with a GPS receiver, a satellite radio-telephone, a hydrostatic pressure detector, and a controller. When the pressure detector senses a minimum specified submersion of the device for a minimum specified duration, the controller energizes the GPS and the radio-telephone, then dials a rescue service and transmits a distress signal and position data.
Claims20
A sea rescue apparatus, comprising:
- a personal flotation device (PFD);
- a hydrostatic pressure sensor mounted on said PFD;
- a global positioning system (GPS) receiver mounted on said PFD;
- a radio transmitter mounted on said PFD;
- and
- a controller connected to said hydrostatic pressure sensor, said GPS receiver, and said radio transmitter;
- wherein said controller is programmed to transmit location data via said radio transmitter only when said controller detects a hydrostatic pressure signal having at least a selected magnitude for at least a selected duration.
4 more elements
A sea rescue apparatus, comprising:
- a personal flotation device (PFD);
- a hydrostatic pressure sensor mounted on said PFD at a location selected to cause said hydrostatic pressure sensor to sink to a selected depth, producing a hydrostatic pressure signal having a selected magnitude, when said PFD is floating in water and supporting a selected minimum weight;
- a global positioning system (GPS) receiver mounted on said PFD;
- a radio transmitter mounted on said PFD;
- and
- a controller connected to said hydrostatic pressure sensor, said GPS receiver, and said radio transmitter;
- wherein said controller is programmed to energize said GPS receiver and said radio transmitter, and to transmit a distress signal and location data via said radio transmitter, only when said controller detects a hydrostatic pressure signal having at least said selected magnitude for at least a selected duration.
4 more elements
A sea rescue apparatus, comprising:
- a personal flotation device (PFD);
- a hydrostatic pressure sensor mounted on said PFD at a location selected to cause said hydrostatic pressure sensor to sink to a selected depth, producing a hydrostatic pressure signal having a selected magnitude, when said PFD is floating in water and supporting a selected minimum weight;
- a global positioning system (GPS) receiver mounted on said PFD;
- a radio satellite transmitter mounted on said PFD;
- and
- a controller connected to said hydrostatic pressure sensor, said GPS receiver, and said radio transmitter;
- wherein said controller is programmed to energize said GPS receiver and said radio transmitter, and to transmit a distress signal and location data via said radio transmitter, when said controller detects a hydrostatic pressure signal having at least said selected magnitude for at least a selected duration, and to cease transmission when said controller detects a hydrostatic pressure signal having less than said selected magnitude.
4 more elements
A sea rescue method, comprising:
- providing a personal flotation device (PFD) having a hydrostatic pressure sensor, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a radio transmitter, and a controller;
- submerging said hydrostatic pressure sensor to at least a selected depth, producing a hydrostatic pressure signal having at least a selected magnitude, when said PFD is floating in water and supporting a selected minimum weight;
- energizing said GPS receiver and said radio transmitter with said controller when said hydrostatic pressure signal reaches said selected magnitude for a selected duration;
- and
- transmitting a distress signal and location data via said radio transmitter.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.