초록 ▼

A remotely controllable tail buoy for use in marine geophysical prospecting operations is disclosed. The tail buoy is attached to the trailing end of one or more seismic streamers towed by the vessel. The tail buoy is provided with rudders that are controlled by a steering mechanism and communicatio

A remotely controllable tail buoy for use in marine geophysical prospecting operations is disclosed. The tail buoy is attached to the trailing end of one or more seismic streamers towed by the vessel. The tail buoy is provided with rudders that are controlled by a steering mechanism and communication system. The communication system collects and processes radio signals emitted from a radio transmitter located on the towing vessel. The processed signals control the steering mechanism which includes a hydraulic pump for directing fluid into a hydraulic cylinder. The fluid flow rotates the rudders. The tail buoy will travel toward the direction that the rudders are turned and thus avoid hooking or entangling of the tail buoy on other like tail buoys or structures.

대표청구항 ▼

A remotely controllable tail buoy for use in marine towing operations, said tail buoy being attached to an object being towed by a vessel in a body of water so as to indicate the approximate location of said object, said tail buoy comprising: a buoyant float; at least two substantially vertical and

A remotely controllable tail buoy for use in marine towing operations, said tail buoy being attached to an object being towed by a vessel in a body of water so as to indicate the approximate location of said object, said tail buoy comprising: a buoyant float; at least two substantially vertical and substantially parallel rudders each rotatably attached by a shaft to said buoyant float and extending generally downwardly into said body of water; a communication system adapted to receive and decode signals transmitted from said vessel; and a steering mechanism being electrically attached to said communication system and operatively attached to said shafts so that said steering mechanism will respond to said signals that are received and decoded by said communication system by simultaneously rotating said shafts, thereby shifting the angular orientation of said rudders relative to the course of said vessel causing said tail buoy to change directions.