초록

A closed loop buoyancy system wherein a device housing the system is submerged in a liquid filled container, the device dives to the bottom of the container, remains for a regulated amount of time, and then floats back to the surface of the liquid.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A closed loop buoyancy system comprising two identical chambers, one of said chambers identified as a buoyancy chamber and the other identified as a pressure chamber; means for connecting said chambers so that said chambers abut one another, said connecting means containing a portion th

I claim: 1. A closed loop buoyancy system comprising two identical chambers, one of said chambers identified as a buoyancy chamber and the other identified as a pressure chamber; means for connecting said chambers so that said chambers abut one another, said connecting means containing a portion that extends into said pressure chamber; a t-shaped fitting attached to said connecting means and extending into said pressure chamber; a high volume, one-way check valve positioned on one end of said t-shaped fitting; a small capillary tube positioned on the other end of said t-shaped fitting; a valve positioned between said capillary tube and said t-shaped fitting; an electric pump or solenoid valve regulating the flow of air through said capillary tube; a ballast; and means for exerting pressure on said buoyancy chamber effecting a pressure increase on said pressure chamber. 2. A closed loop buoyancy system according to claim 1 wherein said buoyancy chamber is composed of a flexible and durable material, such as rubber, than can expand and contract without undue wear. 3. A closed loop buoyancy system according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means is comprised of two cap ends that are screwed together using a fitting and a plastic hose adapter. 4. A closed loop buoyancy system according to claim 1 wherein said means for exerting pressure is effected through the manual squeezing of said buoyancy chamber by the hand of the user. 5. A closed loop buoyancy system according to claim 1 wherein said means of exerting pressure is effected through the use of a battery powered motor. 6. A closed loop buoyancy system according to claim 1 wherein said valve positioned on said capillary tube is modifiable through the use of varying size nipple attachments regulating the flow of air through said capillary tube. 7. A closed loop buoyancy system according to claim 1 wherein said ballast is housed in said pressure chamber. 8. A method for modulating buoyancy comprising application of pressure to one of two identical chambers, said chamber identified as the buoyancy chamber in a closed loop buoyancy system comprising two identical chambers, one of said chambers identified as a buoyancy chamber and the other identified as a pressure chamber; means for connecting said chambers so that said chambers abut one another, said connecting means containing a portion that extends into said pressure chamber; a t-shaped fitting attached to said connecting means and extending into said pressure chamber; a high volume, one-way check valve positioned on one end of said t-shaped fitting; a small capillary tube positioned on the other end of said t-shaped fitting; a valve positioned between said capillary tube and said t-shaped fitting; an electric pump or solenoid valve regulating the flow of air through said capillary tube; and a ballast submersion of said device into a volume of water larger than the volume of the device. 9. A buoyancy modulating method according to claim 8 wherein said chambers are composed of a flexible and durable material, such as rubber, that can expand and contract without undue wear. 10. A buoyancy modulating method according to claim 8 wherein said connecting means is comprised of two cap ends that are screwed together using a fitting and a plastic hose adapter. 11. A buoyancy modulating method according to claim 8 wherein said means for exerting pressure is effected through the manual squeezing of said buoyancy chamber by the hand of the user. 12. A buoyancy modulating system according to claim 8 wherein said means of exerting pressure is effected through the use of a battery powered motor. 13. A buoyancy modulating system according to claim 8 wherein said valve positioned on said capillary tube is modifiable through the use of varying size nipple attachments regulating the flow of air through said capillary tube. 14. A buoyancy modulating system according to claim 8 wherein said ballast is housed in said pressure chamber.