Buoyant device for bi-directional acousto-optic signal transfer across the air-water interface
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsLynn T. Antonelli, Fletcher Blackmon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A buoy system bi-directionally communicates in-air and underwater. A buoy having a shell to float on water has an upper portion in air and a lower portion in water. An array of acoustic transducers which is disposed in the lower portion receives acoustic signals and transmits acoustic signals. A dome-shaped retro-reflective coating on the upper portion is vibrated for retro-reflecting impinging laser illumination as data signals in air. An array of photo-detectors on the upper portion are responsive to impinging laser control signals and/or signals which may be transmitted as acoustic signals in water.
Claims12
A buoy system for bi-directional communications in air and underwater comprising:
- a buoy having a hollow shell on water, said shell having an upper portion to project in air above the surface of water and a lower portion to extend below the surface of said water;
- an array of acoustic transducers in said lower portion for receiving acoustic signals in the passive mode and for transmitting acoustic signals in the active mode through said water;
- and
- a retro-reflective coating on said upper portion, said retro-reflective coating being dome-shaped and vibrated in accordance with data signals for retro-reflecting impinging laser illumination signals and conveying said data signals as retro-reflected data signals, and said retro-reflective coating being vibrated in response to impinging laser control and information signals at said buoy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.