Position reporting device and search device

Abstract

The present invention facilitates discovery of an object being searched for in water so that an aircraft, a ship, a person, or various recorders that sunk in water due to an accident can be discovered early. Discovery is also facilitated by the object being searched for reporting the position thereof. The reporting of the position is performed by intermittently releasing a substance lighter than water for a long period of time. Releasing the substance intermittently makes it possible to not only reach what has been found on water but also pursue in water and reach the object being searched for. Discovery of the released substance on water is facilitated. The long-term release facilitates discovery.

Description

Location reporting device and search device

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for reporting the position of a search object in water and a search device.

[0002] Many vehicles, including ships and aircraft, sink at sea. While the number of plane crashes and ship sinkings that result in the loss of many passengers' lives is decreasing, they continue to occur. Even in cases where the Air Force or Japan Air Self-Defense Force crashes and desperately need to find a vehicle, they often give up after months of searching. Recent examples include the Singapore Airlines accident, in which many passengers went missing, and the crash of an Air Self-Defense Force F35. Recently, a helicopter in Okinawa was finally found after a two-week search, but still missing.

[0003] It is true that radio waves cannot reach underwater, and electrical systems are dangerous to operate. Therefore, searches must rely on sonar to detect sound waves from the surface. However, there are limitations to passively searching for submerged objects by reflecting sound waves.

[0004] In this invention, instead of being passively searched for using sonar or other methods, the object being searched for actively reports its submerged location, making it easier to find. It also operates reliably without using electricity, and can be used without worrying about the battery life. The search device allows the location of the position reporting device to be found even in pitch-black deep sea.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application No. 51-016747, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 52-099795

[0006] "SEARCH-ME," which uses radio waves to search for people lost at sea, will be released on February 1st. https: / / k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp / docs / news / 1040395.html

[0007] The problem we are trying to solve is that although there are large-scale underwater devices such as ULBs (underwater locator beacons), there is no simple and effective way to report one's location.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises the following means: 1) A position reporting device having a container for storing a substance lighter than water, an opener for the container, an underwater detector for detecting whether the container is underwater, and a discharge port for discharging the substance lighter than water, which, when the underwater detector detects whether the container is underwater, activates the opener to intermittently discharge the substance from the discharge port, causing it to appear on the water surface, thereby reporting its location; 2) A position reporting device having a container for storing a substance lighter than water, an opener for the container, a discharger for intermittently discharging the substance lighter than water, and a discharge port for discharging the substance lighter than water, which, when activated, intermittently discharges the substance lighter than water from the discharge port through the discharger, causing it to appear on the water surface, thereby reporting its location. 3) A position reporting device having a container for storing a substance lighter than water, an opener for said container, an underwater detector for detecting its presence underwater, a emitter for intermittently releasing said substance lighter than water, and an outlet for releasing said substance lighter than water, wherein when said underwater detector detects its presence underwater, it activates said opener to intermittently release said substance through said emitter and from said outlet, causing it to emerge above the water, thereby reporting its position; 4) A position reporting device which allows said position reporting device to rotate or move freely and has a position control mechanism so that the outlet is always up; 5) A position reporting device characterized in that said substance includes a substance that reflects light and / or exhibits luminescence; 6) A position reporting device wherein said substance includes a substance that spontaneously emits light or generates heat when exposed to air; 7) A position reporting device wherein said substance includes at least a gas; 8) A position reporting device which makes a sound in conjunction with the operation of said emitter 9) The releaser is a position reporting device in which the gas is decompressed from a container that stores the gas through a regulator to a pressure higher than the water pressure and stored in a release container, and the gas is intermittently released by a release valve attached to the release container. 10) The position reporting device is a position reporting device that increases the amount of gas in the storage container by generating gas through a reaction between a solid or liquid stored in the storage container when the gas in the storage container that stores the gas becomes low. 11) The position reporting device is a position reporting device that increases or decreases the amount of gas released each time depending on the water depth.12) A search device that has multiple bubble catchers shaped like upside-down bowls arranged horizontally to catch bubbles in water, and that deepens the water depth while determining the amount of horizontal movement depending on the position of the bubble catcher that has caught the bubble.

[0009] The position reporting device of the present invention makes it easier to find ships, aircraft, people, various recorders, etc. that have been submerged due to accidents, weather conditions, etc.

[0010] This is one form of a basic position reporting device. (Example 1) This is one form of an underwater detector. (Example 2) This is another form of an underwater detector. (Example 3) This is another form of an underwater detector using a float. (Example 4) This is one form of a position reporting device using a releaser. (Example 5) This is one form of a position reporting device using an underwater detector and a releaser. (Example 6) This is one form of a releaser. (Example 7) This is one form of up / down control of a spherical position reporting device. (Example 8) This is one form of up / down control of a position reporting device using a string. (Example 9) This is a form that uses reflection to make it easier to find on the water. (Example 10) This is a form that uses light emission to make it easier to find on the water. (Example 11) One substance that is lighter than water is a gas. (Example 12) A sound is produced when the substance is released. (Example 13) This is a form of a releaser that uses a regulator. (Example 14) One substance that is lighter than water is a solid or liquid. (Example 15) One substance that is lighter than water is a liquid. (Example 16) Gas is generated from a liquid or solid. (Example 17) The amount of gas released each time is changed depending on the water depth. (Example 18) A vertical view of the search device. (Example 19) A horizontal view of the search device. (Example 20) An initial view of the operation of the search device when there is a water current. (Example 21) An operational diagram of the search device when there is a water current. (Example 21) An initial view of the operation of the search device when there is a reverse water current. (Example 22) An operational diagram of the search device when there is a reverse water current. (Example 22)

[0011] It releases substances lighter than water, especially gases, intermittently over long periods of time to indicate its location underwater.

[0012] Example 1 will be described with reference to Figure 1. The location reporting device (106) includes a container (102) for storing a substance (101) lighter than water, an opener (103) for the container, an underwater detector (104) for detecting the presence of the substance (101) underwater, and a discharge port (105) for discharging the substance (101), and when the underwater detector (104) detects the presence of the substance underwater, the opener (103) is activated to discharge the substance (101) intermittently from the discharge port (105) for a long period of time, causing the substance (101) to appear on the water surface, thereby reporting the location.

[0013] The location reporting device (106) is a device made up of all of its components, and is not a single piece of hardware, but is comprised of a container (102) for storing a substance (101) lighter than water, an opener (103) for the container, an underwater detector (104) for detecting that the container is underwater, and a discharge port (105) for discharging the substance (101). The discharge port (105) is attached to the opener (103) or is made up of a pipe connected to it.

[0014] "Intermittently" means having intervals such as once per second or once per five minutes. The intervals do not have to be constant. They can vary from one time to the next, or they can change over time. "Long-term" means a long period of time measured in minutes, hours, days, months, or years, such as 30 minutes, 10 days, or 3 months. This period should be designed depending on the size of the object being searched and its range of movement.

[0015] By tracking the intermittently released material, the target object is reached and its location is reported. Instead of releasing floating material only once, intermittent release allows tracking, making it easier to find the target object. Long-term release is desirable to make it easier to find difficult-to-find targets.

[0016] Substances lighter than water include gases (all gases are lighter than water), oily and other liquids that are lighter than water, and compounds of substances lighter than water or solids that contain them, with an overall specific gravity of less than 1.

[0017] If the substance (101) is solid, it is difficult to operate it by the difference in pressure, so it mainly operates by the buoyancy of the solid. In that case, the position of the discharge port (105) must be at the top. Therefore, a mechanism must be provided to always keep the position of the discharge port (105) at the top, such as by rotating the position reporting device (106).

[0018] Using Figure 2, we will explain Example 2 of an underwater detector (104) composed of a diaphragm (108) that deforms due to water pressure. The water pressure detector (107) detects water pressure and uses the deformable diaphragm (108) to open and close the opening device (103), thereby initiating the operation of the position reporting device (106). In the figure, the diaphragm (108) is depressed by water pressure, opening the opening device (103) through a lever connected to the diaphragm, thereby activating the underwater detector (104). This example can also be realized using a piston and cylinder instead of a diaphragm. A typical example of the opening device (103) is a valve, but the opening device (103) can also be realized with mechanisms other than valves, such as a simple door. This underwater detector (104) is a water pressure detector.

[0019] Using Figure 3, we will explain Example 3 of an underwater detector (104) composed of a water ingress detector that detects water ingress. This underwater detector (104) is a water ingress detector. The water ingress detector (104) detects its presence underwater using a substance (110) that changes shape, such as expanding, when submerged in water. When water enters through a hole (109) provided in the underwater detector container (107) due to submersion, the shape-changing substance (110) deforms, initiating the operation of the opener (103) via a connected lever. The opener (103) is composed of a valve or the like. There are many materials, such as water-soluble polymers, that can be used for the substance (110) that changes shape, such as expanding, when submerged and absorbs water. Multiple holes (109) are provided in the underwater detector container (107) at target locations to allow air to escape, facilitating water ingress.

[0020] Using Figure 4, we will explain Example 4 of an underwater detector (104) consisting of a water ingress detector using a float. This underwater detector (104) is a float-based water ingress detector. When water ingress detection container (107) is infiltrated, the float rises and moves the lever (112) to which the fulcrum (113) is fixed, thereby opening the release device (103). Multiple holes (109) are provided in the underwater detector container (107) at target locations to allow air to escape and facilitate water ingress.

[0021] The operation of the opener (103) can be performed manually if necessary, without relying on the underwater detector (104).

[0022] Example 5 will be described with reference to Figure 5. The location reporting device (106) includes a container (102) for storing a substance (101) lighter than water, an opener (103) for the container, a releaser (201) for intermittently releasing the substance (101) lighter than water, and a release port (105) for releasing the substance (101), and by operating the opener (103), the substance (101) is released intermittently over a long period of time from the release port (105) through the releaser (201) to cause it to appear above water, thereby reporting its location.

[0023] By tracking the intermittently released material, the target object is tracked and its location is reported. Unlike a one-time release of floating material, intermittent release allows tracking, making it easier to find the target object. To make it easier to find difficult-to-find objects, it is desirable to release the material for a long period of time, for several tens of minutes or more, and preferably on a daily or monthly basis.

[0024] In the first embodiment described in FIG. 1, since there is no releaser (201), if the substance (191) lighter than water is, for example, a high-pressure gas, in order to continuously release it, the releaser (103) of the storage container must be adjusted to release it little by little, making it difficult to make it work at any depth.

[0025] Example 6 will be explained using Figure 6. This location reporting device has a storage container (102) for storing a substance (101) lighter than water, an opener (103) for the container (102), an underwater detector (104) for detecting underwater conditions, a releaser (201) for intermittently releasing the substance (101) lighter than water, and a release port (105) for releasing the substance (101), and when the underwater detector (104) detects underwater conditions, it activates the opener (103) to intermittently release the substance (101) from the release port (105) through the releaser (201), causing it to appear on the water surface, thereby reporting its location.

[0026] The underwater object whose location should be reported reports its location only by the substance (101) released to the surface. Therefore, it is necessary to make the substance (101) on the surface easy to find. To achieve this, it is important to intermittently release the substance (101) from underwater to the surface for a long period of time. Furthermore, by intermittently releasing the substance (101) to the surface, the substance (101) can be tracked underwater to the release point, allowing the object being searched for to be found. Note that while intermittent release of the substance is possible in Example 1, Example 10 is superior in terms of controlling the water pressure, which varies with water depth, and the amount of substance released per time, which is necessary for long-term release.

[0027] 7, a seventh embodiment of the intermittent discharger (201) will be described. When the opener (103) is activated, the opener (301) to the discharger container (303) of the discharger (201) and the opener (202) from the discharger container are connected to the connector (302) and operate like a seesaw, thereby intermittently discharging a set amount of the lighter-than-water substance (101) stored in the capacity of the discharger container (303) within the discharger (201). The opener (301) to the discharger container and the opener (202) from the discharger container can be equipped with a device for comparing with external pressure, if necessary, to ensure that the amount of each discharge is the expected amount. When the substance (101) is a gas, if the opener (301) to the discharger container and the opener (202) from the discharger container are valves, the valves have hysteresis between the rising pressure and the wiping pressure, which is utilized.

[0028] Example 8 will be explained using Figure 8. The position reporting device (106) is characterized by having a position controller (401) that can freely rotate or move and control the position so that the discharge port (105) is always at the top.

[0029] The position reporting device (106) is placed in a container that forms a freely rotatable position controller (401), and the center of gravity (403) of the position reporting device (106) is positioned on the opposite side of the entire position reporting device (106) from the discharge port (105) so that the discharge port (105) of the position reporting device (106) is at the top. In this case, the rotation axis (402) is located closer to the discharge port (105) than the center of gravity (403), and it is convenient to set it at the center of volume of the three-dimensional position reporting device (106) = the center of buoyancy when the entire device is submerged. Furthermore, rotation is not two-dimensional but two-axial so that it can rotate in any direction in three dimensions.

[0030] In the case of a lighter-than-water substance (101) that operates by buoyancy rather than pressure, the path of the lighter-than-water substance (101) must be designed so that it always points upward toward the outlet (105) so that the position reporting device (106) can operate.

[0031] Example 9 will be described using Figure 9. The position reporting device (106) is characterized by having a mechanism that can control its position so that the release port (105) is always at the top while moving freely, and by being connected (305) to the searched object (406) by a cable. In order to position the release port (105) of the position reporting device (106) at the top, the center of gravity (403) of the position reporting device (106) is positioned on the opposite side of the release port (105) with respect to the center of buoyancy (106) when the entire position reporting device is submerged.

[0032] If the overall specific gravity of the position reporting device (106) is less than 1, the cable connection (305) is connected to the center of gravity (303) side, and if the overall specific gravity of the position reporting device (106) is greater than 1, the cable connection position (405) is connected to the discharge port (105) side. In addition, when the underwater detector (104) operates, the position reporting device (106) and the searched object (406) are released from their fixed positions, allowing them to move freely underwater.

[0033] If the substance (101) lighter than water is a gas and the water pressure is less than the pressure in the container (102), it will work regardless of the up / down direction. However, if the substance (102) is a gas and the water pressure exceeds the pressure inside the container (202), or if the substance (101) lighter than water is a solid or liquid, it is necessary to take the up / down direction of the container into consideration and rotate it so that the outlet (105) faces upward. This is because the substance (101) lighter than water has the tendency to move upward.

[0034] If the water pressure is greater than the pressure inside the container (102), the lighter-than-water substance (101) can be released by gradually pouring water into the container (102) from the outside. For this purpose, a special water depth (water pressure) detector must be installed, and a circuit must be provided to allow water to enter the container (102) from the outside. Even in this case, the circuit must be equipped with a valve that allows only water to enter the inside.

[0035] Also, even if the internal pressure of the container (102) drops and the pressure difference becomes small, causing the container to stop functioning as expected, the remaining substances lighter than water can be released by opening the valves other than the outlet (105) and gradually adding water to the container (102) from the outside.

[0036] Example 10 will be described using Figure 10. This is a location reporting device (106) characterized in that the substance (101) includes a light-reflecting or luminescent substance (501). Even if a substance (101) lighter than water is released and appears on the water surface (502), the water surface (502) is often difficult to discover. For this reason, the substance (101) is mixed with light-reflecting glass or a luminescent substance (501) that reacts to light, such as fluorescent or phosphorescent, and incorporated into the structure of a solid that is lighter than water. It sparkles even during the day and can be illuminated with a light at night, making it easier to find.

[0037] For example, a solid containing minerals such as sodalite with a specific gravity of less than 1 can be created so that it floats on water. It is easy to make the specific gravity less than 1 by incorporating gas into the solid. A granular material that is reflective to light can also be created using resin that is lighter than water. A fluorescent material such as a sea marker can also be placed in a capsule and released on the water. The release of such a material is easy to detect even for a short time, and by subsequently intermittently releasing a material (101) lighter than water, the searched object can be reached.

[0038] An eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The substance (101) is a position reporting device (106) characterized in that it contains a substance (601) that emits light or generates heat (602) spontaneously when exposed to air.

[0039] Even if a substance (101) lighter than water is released and appears on the water surface (502), it is often difficult to detect the water surface (402). Therefore, a substance (501) that spontaneously combusts in air (502) is used as the substance (101), making it luminous and easier to detect, especially at night. Most ignition phenomena emit light and heat. Since it is desirable to emit light and heat with as much energy as possible, a large amount of light can be emitted by mixing the spontaneously combustible substance (501) with a petroleum-based volatile gas that emits a large amount of energy and designing it so that the spontaneously combusting substance (501) ignites the volatile gas. Light is easily detectable at night, even from a distance, even if it is small. Heat is also more likely to be detected by an infrared detector.

[0040] Example 12 will be described with reference to Figure 12. This is a position reporting device (106) characterized in that the substance (101) includes at least a gas (701). The gas (701) is easily compressed, allowing the device to be constructed using a small container (102). Typically, the gas (701) is compressed and filled into the container (102). Even in this case, the gas (701) can be easily detected by simultaneously releasing a substance that reflects and reacts to light along with the gas (701). The gas (701) must be stored at an appropriate pressure, and this pressure must be sufficient to operate within the applicable range of water pressure. If the pressure of the gas (701) is higher than the water pressure, a device can be constructed that operates regardless of the orientation of the position reporting device (106). It is also possible to provide an outlet from a separate container of solid or liquid at the pressure of (701) in the flow path that releases the gas (701) using a pressure difference, and release the solid or liquid mixed with the gas (701).

[0041] Next, we will discuss the amount of gas stored and the period for which the location will continue to be reported. The gas (701) is stored in a compressed state in the container (102). Generally used high-pressure gas cylinders are filled with gas at about 150 atmospheres, so it is not difficult to store gas at a similar pressure. On the other hand, water pressure is about 1 atmosphere at a depth of 10 meters, so this device can operate and release gas even at depths of 1000 meters or more underwater. In order to operate at depths greater than this, the pressure at which the gas (701) is stored must be increased.

[0042] Alternatively, as already described in the eighth and ninth embodiments, the position of the entire position reporting device (106) can be controlled so that the outlet (106) faces upward and water enters from below, thereby allowing the device to operate regardless of water depth.

[0043] Even when gas is released intermittently, assuming that 2 cm diameter bubbles are released once every 5 minutes for one year in shallow water, the size of the container (102) for storing the gas (701) is approximately 30 cm cubic. This size can be realized in an aircraft or ship with a reasonable size. When operating solely on pressure, this period becomes shorter as the water depth increases. This is because the pressure inside the container (102) increases by drawing water into the container (102) from the outside, eliminating the pressure difference between the inside and outside. When this device is first activated, the intervals at which the gas (701) is released are short, and as time passes, the intervals are increased, making it easier to find and allowing it to be found over a long period of time.

[0044] Furthermore, even if the water depth is so great that a pressure higher than that of the container (102) storing the gas (701) is detected, the device can be made to operate by taking in water into the container (102) storing the gas (701), as will be described later.In this way, a device can be made that will operate at any depth in the ocean, regardless of the pressure resistance of the container.

[0045] Even in this case, water can be released intermittently by adding water little by little. In this case, the up and down orientation of the position reporting device (106) must be taken into consideration, so the mechanisms in the eighth and ninth embodiments are used.

[0046] On the other hand, when attached to a person, the intermittent period can be shortened and the water depth can be shallow, so the device can be designed in a small shape.

[0047] By adding an odor to the gas (701), if there is a person present, it becomes possible to know that there is a person or thing nearby that needs help.

[0048] Example 13 will be explained using Figure 13. This is a position notification device (106) that emits sound in response to the opening and closing operations of the opener (301) to the emitter container (393) attached to the emitter container (303) inside the emitter (201) and the opener (202) from the emitter container (303). The opener (301) to the emitter container (393) and the opener (202) from the emitter container (303) repeatedly open and close like a seesaw via the connecting device (302) connected thereto. A hammer (801) is attached to this connecting device (302) and is struck from the inside or outside of the emitter container (303) at a part that is efficient for producing sound, such as a metal part. Alternatively, the hammer (801) is moved by the movement of material in the flow path, striking a part of the container and producing sound.

[0049] Example 14 will be explained using Figure 14. The emitter (201) is a position notification device (106) characterized in that the gas (701) is decompressed from a container (101) storing the gas (701) through an opener (103) of the storage container and further through a regulator (901) to a pressure higher than the water pressure and stored in the emitter container (303), and the gas (701) is intermittently released by an opener (202) from the emitter container (303) attached to the emitter (201).

[0050] The internal pressure of the release container (303) of this releaser (201) can be designed to be higher than the external water depth pressure by the regulator (901), so it can operate without using the buoyancy of the gas (701) and regardless of the vertical position of the position reporting device (106). Furthermore, the regulator (901) and the releaser (202) from the releaser container (303) can be linked by the connector (302), allowing for timing of intermittent release. The amount of water released at one time can also be controlled by designing the capacity of the releaser container (303).

[0051] When the substance (101) is a gas (701), it is easy to create a device that operates not by buoyancy but by pressure difference, as shown in Figure 14. In Example 14, pressure differences due to depth can be absorbed, but the amount of gas released increases the higher the pressure, i.e., the deeper the depth. Therefore, the smaller the capacity of the release container (901) the better. To achieve this, it is advisable to use a spring and piston, or to make the capacity of the container (902) smaller by compressing it under water pressure. However, the capacity of the release container (901) can only be reduced up to the point where the size of the bubbles is about several tens of microns; if the size becomes smaller than this, there is a risk that the bubbles will not float due to buoyancy.

[0052] In addition, the regulator (901) must be connected to the outside because it must detect the external water pressure. Although the symbol for one valve is shown in Figure 14, the regulator (901) may be composed of multiple valves.

[0053] Next, with reference to FIG. 15, a description will be given of Example 15 in which the substance (101) is a position reporting device (106) characterized in that it contains at least a solid lighter than water or a liquid (1001) lighter than water.

[0054] Since it is difficult to control the movement of solids or liquids by pressure, most of them must be operated by buoyancy. The center of gravity is placed on the opposite side of the release valve so that the release valve always faces upward. In this case, too, the up and down orientation of the position reporting device (106) must be taken into consideration, so the mechanism shown in Examples 8 and 9 is used.

[0055] Alternatively, the solid (1001) is sucked into the gas (701) flow path by the pressure of the gas (701) and mixed with the gas (701) before being released. The solid (1001) can be used as a curtain built into the capsule, designed so that the capsule opens on water, and released initially to open the curtain, making it easier to find with a light-reflective substance. The surface area of ​​the curtain can be made large, making it easier to find. An example of putting a liquid such as a sea marker in place of a curtain was also mentioned in Example 10. Subsequent intermittent release of the substance makes it easier to find the searched object.

[0056] Also, if the solid (1001) contains ingredients that serve as fish food, it will attract fish and become easier to find.The solid (1001) can also be placed in a container separate from the gas (701) and mixed with the gas (701) in the flow path by the force of the gas flow and released.

[0057] Example 16 will be described with reference to Figure 16, where the substance (101) is a liquid (703) lighter than water. When gas is released, the design may be such that the substance flows into the gas flow path. Since it is relatively difficult to control the movement of a liquid (703) lighter than water by pressure, it is often necessary to operate it by buoyancy. The center of gravity is placed on the opposite side of the release valve so that the release valve always faces upward.

[0058] In this case, too, the up-down orientation of the location reporting device (106) must be taken into consideration, so the mechanism described in Examples 8 and 9 is used. If the liquid contains ingredients such as blood that attract fish or the smell of food, the fish will gather and become easier to find.

[0059] Example 17 will be described with reference to Fig. 17. The position reporting device (106) is characterized in that when the gas (701) in the storage container (102) storing the gas (701) becomes low, the position reporting device (106) generates gas by reaction of a solid (1001) or liquid (1002) separately stored in the storage container (102), a gas (1004) generated from the solid and the liquid, a gas (1005) generated from the solid, or a gas (1006) generated from the liquid, thereby increasing the amount of gas (701) in the storage container (102).

[0060] Reactions between liquids, solids, and liquids and solids require a substance that can react to produce a gas, especially air or the oxygen in air, without the presence of oxygen. Gunpowder produces gas from solids only, without oxygen.

[0061] If the external water pressure is higher than the pressure of the gas (701) inside the storage container (102) of the position reporting device (106), the pressure of the gas (701) inside the storage container (102) can be made equal to the external water pressure without causing the storage container (102) to break down by adding water to the container. This mechanism works even in deep water. Therefore, the storage container (102) only needs to be designed to withstand the initial pressure of the gas (701). A simple way to add water to the storage container (102) is to attach a one-way valve from the outside to the inside on the side that is lowered by attitude control. If the external pressure becomes higher than the internal pressure, the valve automatically opens, allowing water to enter the storage container (102).

[0062] If the external water pressure approaches or exceeds the pressure of the gas (701) inside the storage container (102), water is poured into the storage container (102) from the outside to equalize the pressure of the internal gas (701) with the external pressure. Then, by generating gas (701) inside the storage container (102), gas (1004) generated from the solid and liquid, gas (1005) generated from the solid, and gas (1006) generated from the liquid are obtained, and the pressure of the gas (701) inside the storage container (102) can again be made higher than the external water pressure.

[0063] Even in this case, the pressure resistance of the storage container (102) is only the difference between the external water pressure and the internal gas (701), so a large pressure resistance is not necessary and the initial design is sufficient. In this way, a position reporting device (106) that can operate at any depth in the sea is realized.

[0064] Example 18 will be explained using Figure 18. The position reporting device is characterized by increasing or decreasing the amount of gas (1103) released each time depending on the water depth. To achieve this, the releasers connected to the releaser container (303) are a capacity adjustment releaser (1101) to the releaser container and a capacity adjustment releaser (1102) from the releaser container, and the amount released is adjusted. Alternatively, this can be achieved by changing the capacity of the releaser container (302) using water pressure, such as with a spring-loaded piston.

[0065] As water pressure increases, bubbles become smaller. If they become too small, they dissolve in the water and do not float to the surface. They must be at least several tens of microns in size. For example, a bubble with a diameter of 2 cm at the surface (1 atmosphere) becomes 500 atmospheres at a depth of 5,000 m, and its diameter becomes 40 microns. This is slightly too small when considering the volume of gas that can dissolve in water according to Henry's law. If the water is deeper than this, the bubbles may be too small and not float to the surface. It is necessary to change the size depending on the water depth.

[0066] Example 19 will be described using Figure 19. This searching device (1207) has a plurality of umbrella-shaped air bubble catchers (1201) arranged horizontally to capture air bubbles in water, and a bubble catcher controller that deepens the water depth and pursues the bubble while determining the amount of horizontal movement depending on the position of the air catcher (1201) that has captured an air bubble (1204) among the plurality of air bubble catchers (1201).

[0067] An embodiment 20 of the arrangement of the bubble catchers of the search device will be described using Figure 20. The bubble catchers (1201) are arranged without any gaps when viewed from directly above, so as to prevent the escape of rising bubbles (1204).

[0068] Example 21, in which there is a water current (1205), will be described using Figures 21 and 22. This figure shows a bird's-eye view of the search device (1207) from diagonally above. When the water current (1205) is from left to right in Figure 20, air bubbles or substances lighter than water (1204) are swept to the right as shown in Figure 21. At this time, it is assumed that the air bubbles or substances lighter than water (1204) are captured by the air bubble catcher (1201) at the bottom right of the search device (1207). This detection is achieved by electrically detecting differences in buoyancy, etc.

[0069] In Figure 22, an air bubble or a substance lighter than water (1204) is captured by the air bubble catcher (1201) at the bottom right in the above item, so by moving the search device (1207) horizontally in the X direction (1208), then in the y direction (1209) and simultaneously moving it in the depth direction, the air bubble or substance lighter than water (1204) is captured by the air bubble catcher (1201) in the middle of the search device (1207), and the air bubble or substance lighter than water (1204) can be pursued.

[0070] Using Figures 23 and 24, we will explain Example 22, which is a case where there is a water current (1205) in a different direction. This figure is a bird's-eye view of the search device (1207) from diagonally above. When the water current (1205) is from right to left in Figure 22, air bubbles or substances lighter than water (1204) are swept to the left as shown in Figure 22. At this time, it is assumed that the air bubbles or substances lighter than water (1204) are captured by the air bubble catcher (1201) at the bottom right of the search device (1207). This detection is achieved by electrically detecting differences in buoyancy, etc.

[0071] In Figure 24, an air bubble or a substance lighter than water (1204) is captured by the air bubble catcher (1201) at the bottom right in the above item, so by moving the search device (1207) horizontally in the X direction (1208), then in the y direction (1209) and simultaneously moving it in the depth direction, the air bubble or substance lighter than water (1204) is captured by the air bubble catcher (1201) in the middle of the search device (1207), and the air bubble or substance lighter than water (1204) can be pursued.

[0072] Although all of the embodiments have been described using mechanically operated mechanisms, it is easier to implement the present invention in a variety of ways using electrical mechanisms compared to mechanical mechanisms. However, electrical methods present many challenges, such as securing a power source (especially for the long term) and ensuring operation when submerged. Since parts such as underwater detectors only need to operate when submerged, these parts can be electrically operated. Considering the shelf life of the entire device, a device that operates solely mechanically is desirable.

[0073] 101 Material lighter than water 102 Storage container 103 Storage container opener 104 Underwater detector 105 Release port 106 Position reporting device 107 Underwater detector container 108 Diaphragm 109 Hole in underwater detector container 110 Material that changes shape by expanding or otherwise 111 Float 112 Lever 113 Fulcrum 114 Release of material lighter than water 115 Floating of material lighter than water 201 Releaser 202 Releaser from releaser container 203 Flow of material lighter than water to releaser 301 Releaser to releaser container 302 Connector 303 Releaser container 401 Position controller 402 Rotation axis 403 Center of gravity of position reporting device 404 Center of buoyancy when the entire position reporting device is submerged 405 Connection position by cable 406 Searched object 501 Light-reflecting and / or luminescent material 502 Water surface 601 Material that spontaneously luminesces or generates heat when exposed to air 602 Spontaneous luminescence or heat generation 701 Gas 702 Solid lighter than water or liquid lighter than water 703 Liquid lighter than water 801 Hammer 901 Regulator 1001 Stored solid 1002 Stored liquid 1004 Gas evolved from solid and liquid 1005 Gas evolved from solid 1006 Gas evolved from liquid 1101 Volume adjustment release to dispenser container 1102 Volume adjustment release from dispenser container 1103 Amount of gas to be released per time 1201 Bubble catcher 1202 Bubble catcher controller 1203 Bubble catcher string 1204 Air bubble or material lighter than water 1205 Water flow 1206 Bubble catchers arranged horizontally without gaps 1207 Search device 1208 Movement in X direction 1209 Movement in Y direction

Claims

1. A position reporting device having a container for storing a substance lighter than water, an opener for said container, an underwater detector for detecting when the container is underwater, and an outlet for releasing the substance lighter than water, and when the underwater detector detects that the container is underwater, the opener is operated to intermittently release the substance from the outlet, causing it to appear on the water surface, thereby reporting the location.

2. A position reporting device having a container for storing a substance lighter than water, an opener for said container, a discharger for intermittently discharging said substance lighter than water, and a discharge port for discharging said substance lighter than water, and by operating said opener, the substance is intermittently discharged from said discharge port through said discharger to make it appear above the water, thereby reporting its position.

3. A position reporting device having a container for storing a substance lighter than water, an opener for said container, an underwater detector for detecting when the container is underwater, a discharger for intermittently discharging said substance lighter than water, and a discharge port for discharging said substance lighter than water, and when said underwater detector detects when the container is underwater, said opener is operated to intermittently discharge said substance from said discharge port through said discharger, causing said substance to appear on the water surface, thereby reporting said position.

4. The position reporting device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it is capable of rotating or moving freely and has a position control mechanism so that the discharge port is always at the top.

5. The position reporting device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the material includes a material that reflects light and / or exhibits luminescence.

6. The position reporting device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the substance contains a substance that emits light or generates heat spontaneously when exposed to air.

7. The position reporting device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the substance includes at least a gas.

8. The position reporting device according to claim 7, characterized in that a sound is emitted in response to the operation of said emitter.

9. The position reporting device according to claim 7, wherein the gas discharger is arranged to discharge the gas from a gas storage container through a regulator to a pressure higher than water pressure and store the gas in a discharge container, and to discharge the gas intermittently through a discharge valve attached to the discharge container.

10. The position reporting device according to claim 7, characterized in that, when the amount of gas in the storage container that stores the gas becomes low, the position reporting device generates gas by a reaction of a solid or liquid stored in the storage container, thereby increasing the amount of gas in the storage container.

11. The position reporting device according to claim 7, characterized in that the amount of gas discharged each time is increased or decreased depending on the water depth.

12. A searcher that has multiple bubble catchers in the shape of upside-down bowls arranged horizontally to catch bubbles in water, and chases bubbles by deepening the water depth while determining the horizontal movement amount depending on the position of the bubble catcher that has caught the bubble among the multiple bubble catchers.

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