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US 7,126,875 B2Granted
Underwater energy dampening device
AssigneeState of California, Department of Transportation
InventorsAndrew J. Baskerville, David D. Ambuehl
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An underwater energy dampening device is disclosed. This device includes a plurality of vertically-spaced bubble producing units. With bubbles produced at various depths, the present invention can effectively attenuate sound and other energy from underwater construction projects in high current or deep water areas.
Claims16
An underwater energy dampening device, comprising:
- a first bubble producing unit and a second bubble producing unit;
- a spine for supporting said first bubble producing unit and said second bubble producing unit;
- wherein said first bubble producing unit comprises:
- a tube support frame attached to said spine;
- and
- a tube with holes, said tube being placed within said frame;
- said second bubble producing unit being vertically spaced from said first bubble producing unit;
- and
- one or more means for supplying gas to said first bubble producing unit and to said second bubble producing unit.
6 more elements
A stationary underwater energy dampening device, comprising in combination:
- a first tube segment with holes for release of a gas;
- a second tube segment with holes for release of a gas;
- a source of gas coupled to each said tube segment;
- said first tube segment located vertically spaced below said second tube segment;
- each said tube segment adapted to be held stationary;
- and
- wherein said first tube segment and said second tube segment are separate from each other and are each coupled to a common elongate vertically extending spine.
4 more elements
An underwater energy dampening device, comprising in combination:
- a first hole for release of a gas;
- a second hole for release of a gas;
- a source of gas coupled to each said hole;
- said first hole located vertically spaced below said second hole;
- said first hole and said second hole aligned such that bubbles released from said first hole travel upward to a location of said second hole, except when forces such as water currents influence bubble travel;
- and
- wherein said first hole is located within a first tube segment and said second hole is located within a second tube segment, said first tube segment and said second tube segment separate from each other and each extending arcuately and circumferentially around a cylindrical region in which a sound source can be located, with dampening of energy emanating from the sound source by bubbles released from said holes in said tube segments.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.