Position reporting device

Abstract

[Problem] To facilitate the discovery of an object being searched for on or in water so as to quickly find a distressed person or cargo on the water, or an aircraft, a ship, cargo, a person or various recorders which have been immersed in the water, owing to weather conditions or an accident. [Solution] This position reporting device facilitates the discovery of an object being searched for by enabling the object to report the position thereof. This is achieved by emitting, from the water, an intermittent sound wave for a long period of time to report the position. The object being searched for can be reached not only by tracing debris found on the water, but also by searching underwater. The transmitted sound waves facilitate discovery on the water. Discovery is facilitated by the sound waves being emitted for a long period of time.

Description

location reporting device

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for a search object on or underwater to report its own position.

[0002] Many ships, aircraft, and other vehicles sink at sea. While the number of crashes and ship sinkings that result in the loss of many passenger lives is decreasing, they continue to occur. While radio-controlled chest monitors are effective on water, they are often not carried. There are no effective tags that can be worn on people underwater. Even in cases where a crash or sinking aircraft or ship is desperately needed, if the search fails after several months, people give up. Recent notable cases 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. However, accidents at sea often result in missing persons.

[0003] Radio wave tags are effective and useful on the surface, but not everyone can wear them. Radio waves do not reach underwater, and electrical systems are dangerous to use. Therefore, searches must rely on sonar to detect sounds from the surface. However, there are limitations to passively searching for submerged objects by reflecting sound waves.

[0004] This invention does not rely on passive sonar or visual detection, but rather has the object actively report its location, making it easier to find. It also operates reliably without using electricity, and can be used without worrying about the shelf life of the power source.

[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 1, 2017. https: / / k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp / docs / news / 1040395.html

[0007] The problem to be solved is the lack of a simple and effective means of reporting one's position on or underwater.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention comprises the following means: 1) A position reporting device that reports the position of a searched object on and underwater by utilizing the pressure of the gas inside the container to operate the sound generator when the gas pressure inside the container is used to activate the sound generator and emit sound waves from the sound wave outlet into the water, the device having a sealed container containing gas at a pressure higher than 1 atmosphere, a sound wave generator integrated with the container, and a sound wave outlet that causes the sound wave generator to emit sound waves solely outward and has the function of controlling the emission of sound waves, the container being integrated with a searched object or being fixed to the searched object with a fixture or connected with a connector, and the sound wave outlet being submerged in water. 2) The container is in contact with the outside of the container and is entirely covered by a cylinder so that the volume excluding the container is minimized, the ratio of the maximum length of a cross section of the container perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder passing through the axis to the minimum length of the same cross section passing through the axis is 2:1 or less, the height of the cylinder is the same as or greater than the maximum length of the cross section, the center of gravity of the container is located closer to the outer periphery of the container and away from the center of buoyancy when the entire container is submerged in water, the sound wave outlet is located on the outside of the container near or below the center of gravity with the part close to the center of gravity at the bottom, and the position of the container is freely changeable above or below the water; 3) A position reporting device characterized by having an underwater detector that detects when the sound wave outlet is underwater, and when the underwater detector detects that the container is underwater, activating the sound wave generator to report the position. 4) A position reporting device characterized in that the sound wave emission port has directionality in the sound wave emission direction, and changes the emission direction vertically depending on the water depth, or vertically and / or horizontally depending on the time. 5) A position reporting device characterized in that the sound wave generator generates sound waves intermittently by emitting or not emitting sound waves in a time series, thereby forming a signal pattern. 6) A position reporting device characterized in that the container has a mechanism for varying the volume within the container, and reduces the volume within the container according to the difference between the gas pressure within the container and the pressure due to the water depth, thereby increasing the pressure inside the container, thereby reducing the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container. 7) The position reporting device of claim 1, characterized in that a reaction occurs within the device that changes a solid, a simple liquid, or a solid and a liquid into gas, thereby increasing the amount of gas within the container.8) A searched object detection system comprising the position reporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, two or more search sonic receivers, and an analysis device that analyzes information from the sonic receivers using the following procedure: The searched object generates sound waves from an underwater sonic generator to report its own position. Even if the searched object is on the water, the sonic generator generates sound waves underwater. If the searched object is underwater, it generates sound waves toward the water surface. The searching party receives these sound waves and determines the horizontal and vertical directions of the searched object. Another searching party receives the sound waves generated by the searched object and determines the horizontal and vertical directions of the searched object. The position of the searched object is determined from the intersection of two or more directions of the searched object of the searching party (s).

[0009] The position reporting device of the present invention makes it easy to find people and cargo on the water who are lost due to accidents, weather conditions, etc., as well as submerged ships, aircraft, cargo, people, various recorders, etc.

[0010] 1 shows one form of the basic position reporting device on water. 2 shows one form of the basic position reporting device underwater. 3 shows one form of the basic position reporting device on water. 4 shows one form of the basic position reporting device on water. 5 shows one form of the basic position reporting device on water. 6 shows one form of the sonic generator. 7 shows another form of the sonic generator. 8 shows one form of the center of gravity and center of buoyancy of a sealed container shape. 9 shows one form of the center of gravity and center of buoyancy of a basic container on water. 10 shows another form of the center of gravity and center of buoyancy of a sealed container shape, which is one form of the center of gravity and center of buoyancy of a basic container underwater. 11 shows another form of the center of gravity and center of buoyancy of a sealed container shape. 12 shows another form of the center of gravity and center of buoyancy of a sealed container shape. 13 shows another form of the center of gravity and center of buoyancy of a sealed container shape. 14 shows another form of the center of gravity and center of buoyancy of a sealed container shape outside the scope of the present invention. 15 shows another form of the center of gravity and center of buoyancy of a sealed container shape outside the scope of the present invention. 16 shows a method of fixing a sealed container to a searched object. 17 shows an explanatory diagram of an underwater detector for automatic operation underwater. 18 shows another form of the underwater detector. 19 shows another form of the underwater detector. Another form of underwater detector 3. Explanation 1 of the directionality of a sound generator. Explanation 2 of the directionality of a sound generator. Explanation of a sound generator that changes direction depending on water depth. Explanation of a sound generator that changes direction based on time series. Explanation of a method for changing direction based on time series. Explanation 1 of a method for changing direction based on water depth. Explanation 2 of a method for changing direction based on water depth. Explanation of the sound wave generation pattern. Explanation of estimating distance based on the sound wave generation pattern and strength. Explanation of a method for reducing the volume of a sealed container. Explanation of a method for reducing the volume of a sealed container using a spring. Explanation of the operation of a piston stopped by a stopper. Explanation of another operation of a piston stopped by a stopper. Explanation of a device that generates gas. Explanation of a device that generates sound waves using gas pressure. Explanation of a device that generates sound waves by controlling airflow using gas pressure. Explanation of a device that generates sound waves by generating gas and controlling airflow. Operation of sound wave generation using the blowing up and wiping down of a valve. This is a description of the procedure for horizontal sonic searches. This is a description of the procedure for vertical sonic searches.

[0011] Whether above or below water, it uses gas pressure to generate sound waves in the water to communicate its location.

[0012] Examples 1 and 2 will be explained using Figures 1, 2, and 3. A sealed container (101) contains a gas (108) with a pressure higher than 1 atmosphere, a sound generator (102) that emits sound waves by striking or rubbing the reeds, bells, or strings of a musical instrument integrated with the container (101), or by using a mechanism such as a body that amplifies the sound, or by using biomimetics, which is the sound wave generating mechanism of living organisms, or by emitting sound waves using an electric speaker, or by using the sound generating means underwater to emit sound waves, and a device that emits sound waves from the sound generator exclusively toward the outside, or by controlling the directivity and / or direction of the emitted sound waves. The container (101) has a sound wave emission port (103) having the function of emitting a sound wave to the object (104), and is either integral with the object (104) or fixed to the object (104) with a fixing device or connected with a connecting device (105). When the sound wave emission port (103) is underwater, the pressure of the gas (108) in the container (101) is used to activate the sound wave generator (102), which emits sound waves from the sound wave emission port (103) into the water, thereby reporting the position of the object (104) on the water surface (106) and underwater.

[0013] The sealed container (101) and the object to be searched (104) are fixed before the device is operated, but when the container (101) is dropped into water, the sealed container (101) can be designed to be in a structure that can freely change its position, or to be separated from the object to be searched (104) and connected by a connecting device (105).

[0014] The water referred to here includes seawater, brackish water, river water, lake water, etc. This device is usually placed in a space that is not submerged in water, and during operation, a portion of the device is submerged and floats on the water surface as shown in Figure 1, or the entire device is submerged as shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the sound wave generator can be attached to the outside of the container (101) as an integrated unit. The sound wave generator (102) can be an electrical generator or a mechanical generator. The sound wave generator (102) also consists of a drive unit and a sound wave outlet (103) that generates sound waves and outputs them into the water. A highly efficient method of generating sound waves is to place a vibrating plate (103) at the sound wave outlet and vibrate it in water.

[0015] Underwater is a world of sound waves. Sound travels farther and faster than in air. The wavelengths of the sound generator (102) are longer than those audible to the human ear, and therefore can reach farther underwater. In fact, whales and dolphins are said to communicate over long distances using such wavelengths. However, if a device capturing sound waves, such as a fish finder (with a short wavelength) that only receives signals, wavelengths compatible with such devices are more likely to be searched by multiple vessels. Therefore, it is desirable to generate sound waves at several wavelengths. Vessels specialized in search operations are equipped with equipment capable of capturing long-wavelength sound waves, enabling searches from long distances. On the other hand, sonar reception by fishing boats, which are numerous, has a shorter range, but allows multiple search vessels to operate. Underwater, sound waves with longer wavelengths can reach farther, but their directionality is reduced. Since directionality is important for sonar and fish finders, short-wavelength signals (such as ultra-high frequency, ultra-high frequency, and short-wave) are used. It is also important to consider that the way the signal is transmitted varies depending on factors such as ocean currents and temperature at different depths.

[0016] Because it is difficult to maintain the energy and power source of the sound wave generator (102) underwater, it should be placed in a container with a sealed gas (usually air) environment. In order to efficiently transmit sound waves underwater, a sound wave diaphragm is placed outside the container, and this diaphragm is driven by a drive unit inside the container to form the sound wave outlet (103). Alternatively, it is possible to simply hit the external wall, which is made of a hard structure such as metal, with a hammer. It is also desirable to emit sound waves (107) intermittently rather than continuously, so that they can be emitted for a long period of time.

[0017] The details of the sound wave generator (102) and the sound wave outlet (103) will be explained using Figures 4 and 5. The sound wave generator (102) and the sound wave outlet (103) are composed of the sound wave generator (102) and the sound wave outlet (103), which are the driving units of the sound wave generator (102) and the sound wave outlet (103). The sound wave outlet (103) is located outside the container (101), and the driving unit (102) is located inside or outside the container (101).

[0018] The example in Figure 4 is an example in which the driving unit (102) uses the pressure (109) of gas or liquid. When the valve (111) at the boundary of the driving unit (102) is opened, the pressure (109) of the driving source (108) (power source, pressure source, etc., in the case of Figure 3, pressure source) causes fluid to flow through the sound wave generating tube (110), vibrating the vibration plate (112) and generating sound waves at the sound wave outlet (103) outside the container (101). When using the pressure of a liquid, the pressure of the gas is used to create a liquid flow using external water.

[0019] The example in Figure 5 shows an example in which the drive unit (102) uses a power source. When the power switch of the drive source (108) is turned on, an electric current (115) flows, and sound waves are generated from the speaker (113) of the sound wave outlet (103) located outside the container (101). An acoustic cone (114) creates directionality. In this case, a speaker that generates sound waves using air pressure can also be used as a power source. Furthermore, the sound generator (102) and sound wave outlet (103) can be designed to mimic the organs of underwater animals such as whales and dolphins that communicate over long distances using sound waves.

[0020] A third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6, 7, and 8. The following embodiment describes the case where the device is attached to a person or a search object with a specific gravity close to 1. The container (101) is in contact with the outside of the container (101) and is entirely covered by a cylinder (203) so that the volume excluding the container is minimized; the ratio of the maximum length (204) passing through the axis of a cross section of the container perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder to the minimum length (206) passing through the axis of the same cross section is 2:1 or less; the height (205) of the cylinder is the same as or greater than the maximum length (204) of the cross section; the center of gravity (201) of the container (101) is located near the outer periphery of the container, away from the center of buoyancy (202) when the entire container (101) is submerged in water; an acoustic emission port (103) is provided on the outside of the container at a position near or below the center of gravity (201), with the part close to the center of gravity (201) at the bottom; and the container (101) has a mechanism that allows the container (101) to freely change its posture above or below the water.

[0021] If the search target (104) has a specific gravity greater than 1, or if the combined specific gravity of the container (101) and the search target (104) is greater than 1, the device will sink in water, as shown in Figure 8. A specific gravity close to or less than 1 means a specific gravity of 3 or less, or 0.1 or greater, or a device close to 1. The specific gravity of aluminum is 2.7, and the specific gravity of polystyrene foam is less than 0.02. The device does not sink easily, and most of its volume is above water, so it does not float. For a device worn on a person, ideally, it should be mostly submerged, with only a portion of the container above the water surface, and slightly less than the specific gravity of the freshwater or seawater in which it will be used. This specific gravity restriction does not apply when the device is attached to an aircraft, ship, or cargo with a specific gravity significantly greater than 1, or even greater than 1.2.

[0022] The shape of the container (101) will be described in Examples 4 to 7 using Figures 9 to 12. The container (101) is entirely covered with a cylinder (203) that contacts the exterior of the container (101) and minimizes the volume excluding the container. The center of gravity (201) of the container is located near the outer periphery of the container, away from the center of buoyancy (202) of the container when the entire container is submerged in water. As shown in Figure 9, if the center of gravity is near the center of the axial length of the cylinder (203) and near the outer periphery of the container, away from the circumferential axis, and the ratio of the vertical and horizontal directions of the vertical cross section of the container near the center of gravity of the cylinder is 1:2 or less, the container will easily tip over and become stable even if the center of buoyancy falls below the center of gravity. Furthermore, if the center of gravity is near the axis of the cylinder, as shown in Figures 3 and 6 to 8, the container will easily maintain its position and become stable if it is near the outer periphery near the bottom surface near the axis of the cylinder.

[0023] Roughly speaking, it is easy to make a cylindrical container as shown in Figures 6 and 9 to 11. Mathematically, a cylinder is a solid body surrounded by two parallel planes and a side, such as a rectangular pillar or a cylinder, but the cylindrical body referred to here is a solid body that is in contact with the outside of the container (101), is completely covered by a cylinder (203) so that the volume excluding the container is minimized, and the height (205) of the cylinder is greater than the maximum length (204) of the cross section of the container in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder.

[0024] As shown in Figures 6 and 9 to 11, if at least part of the solid is a body of revolution or a rectangular prism with its axis at the center line of the height of the cylinder, it is easy to manufacture and install. Figure 9 shows a pentagonal prism with its axis at the center line of the height. Figure 6 shows an entasis column with a bulging central portion. Figure 10 shows an example of a shape in which a portion of a body of revolution is cut off and its axis is at the center line of the height. When the entire body is submerged, the center of buoyancy is located at the bottom with the larger diameter, so it is easy to create by placing the center of gravity on the smaller diameter side, and it will float or sink in water in the position shown in the figure. The shape of Figure 10, with no cuts and a slight taper, is also easy to install and make. Even in this case, the center of gravity can be located away from the center of buoyancy, on the side with the larger cross section perpendicular to the central axis, but in this case it will float or sink in water in a position similar to Figure 10, upside down. Placing the center of gravity on the smaller diameter side increases stability.

[0025] As shown in Figure 10, if the device is designed so that its center of gravity is as far away from the center of buoyancy as possible when the entire device is submerged, whichever is the longer distance from the center of buoyancy to the two bottom surfaces, its posture in the water will be stable. If the distances to the two bottom surfaces are the same, the stability of the posture will not change regardless of which side the center of gravity is located on. Even in a spherical shape with a protrusion, as shown in Figure 11, there is a maximum diameter from the protrusion, and this is considered to be in the height direction and is considered to be a column. With this shape, if the center of gravity is located within the protrusion or as close to the protrusion as possible, the device will maintain a stable posture in the water. This shape is resistant to water pressure, but it is difficult to attach to small objects to be searched.

[0026] In the case where the center of gravity is near the center of the length of the cylindrical axis that contacts the outside of the container and near the outer periphery of the container, away from the circumferential axis, as shown in Figure 11, if the ratio of the maximum length to the minimum length of the cross section of the container passing through the cylindrical axis is 2:1 or less, the container will easily rotate, causing the center of gravity to fall downward and the sound emission port to easily sink into the water.

[0027] Figure 13 is not an example of an embodiment, but shows an example of a poor shape. Since the ratio of the maximum length to the minimum length of the cross section passing through the axis of the cylinder is 2:1 or more, if the cylinder is turned upside down from the top and bottom of Figure 13, it may remain stable and the sound wave outlet may come out of the water.

[0028] Such a cylindrical container (101) with a center of gravity (201) located away from the center of buoyancy (202) of the entire container (101) when the entire container (101) is submerged and near the center of gravity of the cross section perpendicular to the height direction of the container (101), and with a specific gravity close to or less than 1, often floats on the water with the center of gravity (201) below the center of buoyancy (202) as shown in Figure 7, leaving a small volume above the water, or sinks underwater with the center of gravity (201) below the center of buoyancy (202) as shown in Figure 6. In Figure 7, the object to be searched is assumed to be heavier than water. When the container (101) is almost submerged, the center of buoyancy (202) is located near the center of the entire volume, higher than the center of gravity that is located away from the center of buoyancy (202), and the container remains stable in this single position.

[0029] By using such a columnar structure and locating the center of buoyancy (202) and center of gravity (201) when the entire device is submerged in water, the sound wave outlet (103) can be stably submerged in water. In addition to this columnar shape, a device can also be created with a shape and center of gravity (201) as shown in Figure 10, which allows for a stable posture.

[0030] These structures are different from the structure shown in Figure 14, in which a flat, planar container (101) is stable even when its center of gravity (201) is placed on the surface in the height direction perpendicular to the surface when the flat surface is horizontal, i.e., it is stable even when its center of gravity (201) is higher than the center of buoyancy (202) or when it is upside down with its center of gravity lower. Figure 14 shows a shape that is not one of the forms of the present invention and its effect.

[0031] The mechanism by which the attitude of the container (101) can be freely changed will be explained using Figures 7, 8, and 15. The fixture that secures the container (101) to the object to be searched is removed, and the container is connected to the object to be searched (104) with a connector (105) such as a string, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, and moves freely in the water, controlling its attitude. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 14, the container (101) is placed inside a cage-like fixture (207), and the attitude of the container can be freely changed within the fixture. For example, it is fixed to a fixture that can rotate 360 ​​degrees in the directions of two orthogonal axes.

[0032] When connecting the container (101) to the search object (104) with a connector (105) such as a string, it is necessary to connect it near the center of the bottom surface of the side closest to the center of gravity. When the container (101) and the search object are connected with a connector (105) such as a string, the fastener that secures the container (101) to the search object should be designed so that the fastener can be automatically released using pressure detection or an underwater detector. The explanation from paragraph 0022 onwards is about this device to be worn by a person.

[0033] A position reporting device that automatically operates underwater will be explained using Figure 16. The position reporting device has an underwater detector (301) that detects that the sound wave outlet (103) is underwater, and when the underwater detector (301) detects that the device is underwater, it activates the sound wave generator (102) to report the location.

[0034] As mentioned above, this device is normally located in a space that is not submerged in water, and when in operation, it floats on the water surface, with part of the device submerged, or the entire device submerged. Its operation starts automatically. This underwater detector (301) is located outside the container (101) or has a part protruding from it, and takes in water from there to operate.

[0035] The operation of underwater detectors is explained below. Mechanical underwater detection includes pressure detection, deformation detection of materials that deform when wet, and detection by floats.

[0036] Figure 17 is an example of a pressure detector. It has a cylindrical container (304) containing a sealed gas. When the pressure detector (301) is submerged in water, the water pressure causes the diaphragm (302) to dent, turning on the sound generator's activation switch (303), activating the sound generator. The activation switch can be an electrical switch, a valve, or the like, depending on the driving source. Figure 18 is an example of a water-submerged, deformable material. Inside the container (305) with a hole (308) is a polymer-based material (306) that expands when impregnated. Water enters through the hole (308) in water, expanding and turning on the sound generator's activation switch (303) through the piston (307).

[0037] Figure 19 shows an example of an underwater detector using a float (310). A float (310) is placed inside a container (305) with a hole (308). When water enters through the hole (308) underwater, the float (310) pushes a lever (309) to turn on the sound generator's activation switch (303). This mechanical mechanism allows the sound generator to be activated by a switch (303) or the like. Electrically activated underwater detectors electrically turn on the sound generator's switch (303) using commonly known detectors for changes in impedance between electrodes and changes in transparency.

[0038] When the underwater detector (301) detects that the position reporting device is underwater, the sonic emission port (103) of the position reporting device must be underwater. Therefore, the underwater detector (301) is located near the center of buoyancy, which is above the sonic generator, and is submerged in the water.

[0039] Directivity will be explained using Figures 20, 21, 22 and 23. As shown in Figure 20, if no special action is taken, sound waves will be generated in all directions from the source. As shown in Figure 20, the sound wave generator (102) is given directionality by the shape and structure of the nozzle (401) and the vibration plate of the sound wave generator. As shown in Figure 21, the position reporting device is characterized by changing the generation direction of the sound waves (107) in the vertical direction depending on the water depth (4 is y02), or by changing the generation direction in the vertical and / or horizontal directions (403) depending on the time as shown in Figure 22.

[0040] By making the sound wave generator directional, the sound waves (107) can be transmitted over a long distance. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 23, it is desirable to direct the direction of the directivity horizontally (404), or, as the water depth increases, to generate sound waves above the horizontal (403) as shown in Figure 23, so that the sound waves can reach the sound receiver on the searching side more easily. Figure 23 is a view of this device as seen from directly above. In Figure 22, the sealed container (101) has a shape similar to a cylinder.

[0041] In other words, a more desirable location reporting device is one that operates a directional sound wave generator (102) underwater to generate sound waves (107) in the horizontal direction or above the horizontal direction underwater, thereby reporting its own position on or underwater. By providing directionality, the sound waves (107) can reach farther, leading to early detection in searches.

[0042] To rotate the direction of the sound wave generator (102) horizontally, as shown in Figure 24, it is preferable to provide a jet (407) on the side of the container (101) shaped as a rotating body or a rectangular pillar, and to spray a jet (408) of liquid or gas to rotate (404). If it is a liquid, water is sucked in and released. If it is a gas, gas stored in a cylinder or the like is released. For stability of rotation, it is preferable to provide two outlets (407) 180 degrees apart, as shown in Figure 23.

[0043] Possible methods for changing the direction of sound wave generation vertically include using a diaphragm (302) that contracts under pressure or a piston, as shown in Figures 25 and 26. In shallow water, as shown in Figure 25, the diaphragm (302) barely contracts and the piston does not change either, so the sound wave outlet (103) faces almost horizontally through the fulcrum (405) and interlocking rod (406), and the sound waves (107) are emitted horizontally. As the water depth increases, the diaphragm (302) and piston move, as shown in Figure 26, and the sound wave outlet (103) changes direction upward through the fulcrum (405) and interlocking rod (406), and the sound waves (107) are emitted upward.

[0044] The sound generation pattern (501) will be explained using Figure 27. The sound wave generator (102) generates sound waves intermittently by emitting or not emitting sound waves in a time series, thereby forming a signal pattern (501) in the position reporting device. Furthermore, by relating this signal pattern (501) to the strength of the sound generator, the distance to the searched object can be inferred from the strength of the sound waves received by the receiver (502), as shown in Figure 28. For example, if the sound wave generator is strong, the interval should be made longer, and if the receiver detects weak sound waves at long intervals, it can be determined that the sound waves are from far away. Furthermore, the status of the searched object can be communicated using more complex patterns.

[0045] The effect of varying the volume within the container (101) will be explained using Figure 29. The container (101) has a mechanism for varying the volume within the container (101), shown as a water inlet valve (605), and the location reporting device is characterized in that it reduces the volume within the container (101) and increases the pressure within the container (101) in response to the difference between the pressure of the gas (108) within the container (101) and the pressure due to the deep water depth (607), thereby reducing the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container (101). The water inlet valve (605) is realized by a check valve or the like that allows water to flow into the container (101) only when the outside pressure is high.

[0046] In addition to the water inlet valve, there is also a mechanism for varying the volume inside the container (101), such as a method of reducing the volume inside the container (101) using a piston that moves with pressure. When using a water inlet valve (605) without a piston, the top and bottom of the device become an issue, but if a piston is used to create a partition with the gas, the direction of the device does not need to be considered. With this method or the method using the water inlet valve (605), the pressure inside the container (101) will never be higher than the outside pressure, so in order to operate the sound generator (102), it must be designed to operate using buoyancy.

[0047] Another method for varying the volume inside the container (101) will be explained using Figure 30. The container (101) or an integrated container connected to the container acts as a cylinder, and is composed of a piston (610) stopped by a stopper (611) via a compressed spring (608). When the pressure in the outside water becomes greater than the pressure inside the container (101), the stopper (611) is released, and the piston (610) moves (612) inside the container (101), reducing the volume of the container (101). In this case, the internal pressure can be made higher than the external water pressure. To further increase the internal pressure, the effect can be enhanced by reducing the internal and external pressure difference by operating the water inlet valve (0046) before this operation.

[0048] A method for realizing the stopper (611) will be described using Figure 31. Here, the check valve (618) is attached to the expansion body housing (617), and when the external water pressure increases, water enters the expansion body housing (617), causing the expansion body (616) stored in the expansion body housing (617) to expand and push the stopper connecting bar (614), causing the stopper body (613) to come off the cylinder (615) that was stopping it, and the cylinder is opened, thereby reducing the capacity of the container (101). In this case, if the pressure in the expansion body storage chamber is made higher than that of the container (101), and a check valve is attached to the container (101), water will enter first, and once the outside and inside pressures become equal, this mechanism will work to make the gas pressure in the container (101) higher than the outside pressure.In addition, in Figure 31, the stopper body (613) is drawn above the piston (615) where the gas in the container (101) is stored, but from the standpoint of airtightness, it is better to stop it by making a groove in the bottom of the piston (615) or by stopping it on the axis to which the piston (615) is attached.

[0049] A method for realizing another stopper (611) will be explained using Figure 32. The upper diagram shows the state before operation, and the diagram below the arrow shows the state after operation. The sub-cylinder (623) contains gas at the same or higher pressure as the cylindrical sealed container (621). When the water pressure exceeds the gas pressure, water flows in through the check valve (618) and moves the sub-piston (624), causing the axis of the sub-piston (624), which acts as a stopper, to disengage from the oblique piston (622). The oblique piston (622) then moves within the cylindrical sealed container under the force of the spring (608), compressing the original gas volume (619) to create a reduced-volume gas (620). This increases the gas pressure. If the pressure difference between the inside and outside is reduced before this operation using the method described in paragraphs 0045 and 0046, the internal pressure will be higher than the external pressure. The pressure resistance of the container is not an issue here. The pressure resistance of a container is the pressure difference between the inside and outside, and no matter how high the water pressure is, the container (101) will not be destroyed as long as the internal pressure is equal to that pressure or is high enough not to exceed the pressure resistance of the container (101).

[0050] An embodiment in which gas is generated within the device will be described using Figure 33. This position reporting device is characterized in that a reaction that converts a solid, a liquid alone or a solid, a liquid, and / or a solid, a liquid (702) into gas occurs within a gas generator (701), thereby increasing the amount of gas (108) within the container (101).

[0051] A solid or liquid can be a single substance, or two substances can be reacted together. For example, gunpowder reacts with impact to become a gas. There are also reactions that produce gas when two substances are simply mixed together. When a solid or liquid reacts to become a gas, its volume increases, increasing the amount of gas in the sealed container (101). Naturally, the pressure of the gas in the sealed container (101) becomes greater than before the increase.

[0052] An embodiment in which sound waves are generated by gas pressure will be described using Fig. 34. The sound wave generator (102) is a position reporting device characterized in that it generates sound waves (107) and emits the sound waves from a sound wave outlet (103) by utilizing the pressure of gas stored in a cylinder (705) or compressed and stored in a sealed container (101), or gas generated inside or outside the container (101), as shown in Fig. 34.

[0053] If electricity is used, it is possible to use a speaker to emit sound waves (107) with various wavelengths, intensities, modulations, etc. On the other hand, if gas pressure is used to emit sound waves (107), sound waves can be emitted by using a high-pressure cylinder (705) as shown in Figure 35, or by using a chemical reaction of a substance to generate gas and increase the air pressure, and then creating an air current (704) from the gas pressure. Using a high-pressure cylinder (705) has the advantage of not requiring a power source.

[0054] It is not necessary to use a high-pressure cylinder (705). Sound waves (107) can also be generated by using electricity to create high-pressure gas or an air current, but in this case a power source is still required. Such electrical mechanisms require a power source. Also, it is costly to operate stably underwater. Even when using batteries, it is necessary to constantly check that the batteries are there. In this regard, if the high-pressure cylinder (705) is used as the energy source for the sound wave generator (102), the sound wave generator (102) can be realized without using any electrical mechanism at all.

[0055] Sound waves (107) are generated, for example, by opening valve 2 (708) of compressed gas as shown in Figure 35, using a mechanism for producing sounds from an aerophone instrument, or by using valve 2 (708) to vibrate a thin membrane, for example, using the principle of a musical instrument's diaphragm, or by creating a water flow in a tube using air pressure or causing a water hammer phenomenon. The compressed gas can be stored in a cylinder (705) in advance, generated by a chemical reaction, or compressed by a pump attached to the device. The sealed container (101) can serve as a storage container for the compressed gas, and the sound wave generator (102) mechanism can be incorporated into it.

[0056] The opening and closing of the two valves (706) and (708) shown in Figure 35 also utilizes air pressure energy to control the airflow. As shown in Figure 35, two or more valves 1 (706) and 2 (708) are operated like a seesaw (707) to release pressure (709), generating sound waves using the mechanism that produces sound in musical instruments. The operation of valves 1 (706) and 2 (708) controls the sound wave generation pattern. In this case, a regulator mechanism such as that used in aqua cylinders can be used to maintain a constant pressure regardless of external water pressure. The released gas (709) appears on the water surface as bubbles (710). Operation is also stable when the pressure difference is kept constant using a pressure regulator and sound waves (107) are generated using a diaphragm that also serves as a valve to release the gas.

[0057] When generating gas using a chemical reaction of a substance, as shown in Figure 36, high-pressure gas is created by automatically reacting with a gas-generating liquid or solid (711) when it is detected underwater to generate gas (712). For example, one method is to use a mechanism similar to that of an airbag that inflates in a car collision, and generate gas (712) in a cylinder (708) when it is detected underwater through a violent chemical reaction similar to an explosion but not damaging the container, thereby generating air pressure. Alternatively, pressure can be generated by continuously generating gas (712) through a gentle reaction. Pressure can also be generated by using a substance that generates gas by reacting with seawater. In this case, a sealed container (101) can also be used as the cylinder (705).

[0058] Here, an example of controlling another airflow will be explained using Figure 37. The pressure values ​​and other information are merely examples, and more detailed values ​​will be used in actual design. Valve 3 (713) is valve 3 (713) that is initiated by the underwater detector (301) shown in Figures 17, 18, and 19. Valve 4 (714) opens when the pressure difference between connected chamber 1 (715) and chamber 2 (716) is, for example, 90 Kpa and closes when it is 50 Kpa. Valve 5 (715) opens when the pressure difference between chamber 2 (716) and the outside pressure (719) is, for example, 50 Kpa and closes when it is 10 Kpa. The pressure of the gas (108) in the cylinder, which is higher than 1 atmosphere, is assumed to be 100 Kpa. The pressure of each chamber is initially set to 0 Kpa.

[0059] When valve 3 (713) is opened, gas flows into chamber 1 (715) due to the pressure of the gas (108) in the cylinder, which is higher than 1 atmosphere. This valve 3 (713) remains open after operation starts. The pressure of the gas (108) in the cylinder, which is higher than 1 atmosphere, is 100 Kpa, and the flow of gas through valve 3 (713) gradually increases the pressure in chamber 1 (715). When the pressure in chamber 1 (715) reaches 90 Kpa, valve 4 (714) is opened.

[0060] When valve 4 (714) is opened, the pressure in chamber 2 (716) gradually increases and the pressure in chamber 1 (715) gradually decreases. When the pressure difference between chamber 1 (715) and chamber 2 (716) becomes 50 Kpa or less, valve 4 (714) closes and the pressure in chamber 1 (715) gradually increases.

[0061] Before valve 4 (714) closes, the pressure in chamber 2 (716) exceeds the external pressure (719) by 50 KPa, causing valve 5 (715) to open and activate the sound wave generator (102), generating sound waves (107). The pressure in chamber 2 (716) also drops, causing valve 5 (715) to close. In this way, an intermittent gas flow (615) is created, generating sound waves. In actual design, the flow rates of valves 3, 4, and 5 (713, 714, and 715) and the sizes of chambers 1 and 2 (715 and 716) must be carefully considered.

[0062] In this example, sound waves are generated intermittently by utilizing the hysteresis of the valve's blow-up and blow-down. Two or more valves can be connected or structurally designed to repeatedly open and close like a seesaw.

[0063] With reference to Figure 38, horizontal analysis of a searched object detection system comprising a position reporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, two or more search sonic receivers, and an analysis device that analyzes information from the sonic receivers according to the following procedure will be described. 1) The searched object (104) generates sound waves (107) using an underwater sonic generator to report its own position. Even if the searched object (104) is on the water, the sonic generator generates sound waves (107) underwater. In the case of a directional sonic generator, the position reporting device generates sound waves (107) underwater in various directions (360 degrees). 2) One of two or more search parties (801) receives the sound waves (107) and determines the direction (803) of the searched object (104). 3) Another search party (802) receives the sound waves (107) generated by the searched object (104) and determines the direction (804) of the searched object. 4) The position of the searched object (104) is determined from the intersection (805) of two or more directions (803, 804) from the searchers (801, 802) to the searched object (805). 5) The distance is further estimated based on the strength of the sound waves (107). Another searcher estimates the distance and verifies that the relationship between the position of the intersection (805) and the distance is reasonable.

[0064] With reference to Figure 39, we will explain vertical analysis of a searched object detection system comprising a position reporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, two or more search sonic receivers, and an analysis device that analyzes information from the sonic receivers according to the following procedure. We will explain the vertical detection system for a searched object, comprising the following procedure: 1) The searched object (104) generates sound waves (107) using an underwater sonic generator to report its own position. 2) Even if the searched object (104) is on the water, the sonic generator generates sound waves (107) underwater. In the case of a directional sonic generator, the sound waves (107) are generated underwater with a time lag, alternating horizontal and vertical directions. 3) If the searched object (104) is underwater, sound waves are generated toward the water surface. 4) One of the two or more searchers (806) receives these sound waves and determines the horizontal and vertical directions (808) of the searched object. 6) Another search party (807) receives the sound waves (107) emitted by the searched object (104) and determines the horizontal and vertical directions (807) of the searched object (104). 7) The search parties (806, 807) determine the position of the searched object (104) from the intersection (805) of two or more directions (807, 808) of the searched object (104). Even in the case of a directional sound wave generator, the sound waves (107) are not emitted in a completely unidirectional direction. Furthermore, the sound waves are emitted at different angles up and down to help locate the underwater position. Furthermore, the distance is estimated based on the strength of the sound waves (107).

[0065] By linking the sound pattern with the strength of the generator's sound waves, it is possible to determine the approximate distance from the strength of the detected sound waves.

[0066] 101 Sealed container 102 Sound wave generator 103 Sound wave outlet 104 Search target 105 Connector 106 Water surface 107 Sound waves 108 Gas at a pressure higher than 1 atmosphere 109 Gas flow 110 Sound wave generating tube 111 Valve 112 Diaphragm 113 Speaker 114 Acoustic cone 115 Electric current 116 Power source 201 Center of gravity 202 Center of buoyancy when completely submerged 203 Smallest cylinder covering a solid body 204 Maximum length passing through the axis of a cross section of the container perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder 205 Height of the cylinder 206 Minimum length passing through the axis of the same cross section of the container (cross section 204) 207 Cage in which the container rotates freely 301 Underwater detector 302 Diaphragm 303 Valve 304 Cylindrical container 305 Water intake container 306: Hydrated deformation material 307: Piston 308: Water intake hole 309: Lever 310: Float 401: Nozzle 402: Water depth 403: Vertical direction 404: Horizontal direction 405: Fulcrum 406: Interlocking rod 407: Spout 408: Jet of gas 501: Signal pattern 502: Receiver 601: Gas whose volume has decreased and whose pressure has increased 602: Volume that has decreased due to water ingress 603: Center of gravity of position reporting device 604: Center of buoyancy when the entire position reporting device is submerged 605: Water inlet valve 606: Shallow water depth (above the ellipsis line) 607: Deep water depth (below the ellipsis line) 608: Spring 609: Spring box 610: Piston (initial) 611: Stopper 612: Piston (after operation) 613 Stopper body 614 Stopper connecting bar 615 Piston seen from above 616 Expanded body 617 Expanded body storage box 618 Check valve 620 Gas with reduced volume 621 Cylindrical sealed container 622 Piston seen from a perspective 623 Sub-cylinder 624 Sub-piston 701 Gas generator 702 Solid or liquid 703 Position reporting device 704 Gas flow 705 Cylinder 706 Valve 1 707 Seesaw structure 708 Valve 2 709 Pressure release 710 Bubbles 711 Liquid or solid that generates gas 712 Gas generation 713 Valve 3 714 Valve 4 715 Valve 5 715 Chamber 1 716 Chamber 2 717 Gas flow 108 Gas at a pressure higher than 1 atmosphere 718 Airflow generator of sound generator 719 External pressure 801 One of the search sides 802 Another search side803 One of multiple horizontal directions 804 Another of multiple directions 805 Intersection of directions 806 One of two or more search sides 807 Another search side 808 One of multiple horizontal or vertical directions 809 Another of multiple horizontal or vertical directions

Claims

1. A location reporting device that contains a sealed container containing gas at a pressure higher than 1 atmosphere, a sound generator integrated with the container, and a sound emission port that emits sound waves from the sound generator exclusively outward and has the function of controlling the emission of sound waves; the container is integrated with the object to be searched, or is fixed to the object to be searched with a fixing device or connected to the object to be searched with a connector; and when the sound emission port is underwater, the pressure of the gas inside the container is used to activate the sound generator, which emits sound waves into the water from the sound emission port, thereby reporting the position of the object to be searched on the water surface and underwater.

2. The position reporting device of claim 1, wherein the container is in contact with the outside of the container and is entirely covered with a cylinder so that the volume excluding the container is minimized, the ratio of the maximum length of a cross section of the container perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder passing through said axis to the minimum length of the same cross section passing through said axis is 2:1 or less, the height of the cylinder is the same as or greater than the maximum length of the cross section, the center of gravity of the container is located near the outer periphery of the container, away from the center of buoyancy when the entire container is submerged in water, the ultrasonic emission outlet is located on the outside of the container near or below the center of gravity with the part close to the center of gravity at the bottom, and the container has a mechanism that allows the container's posture to be freely changed above or below the water.

3. The position reporting device of claim 1, further comprising an underwater detector that detects whether the sound wave outlet is underwater, and when the underwater detector detects that the sound wave is underwater, it activates the sound wave generator to report the position.

4. The position reporting device of claim 1, wherein the sound wave emission port has a directivity in the direction of sound wave emission, and changes the emission direction vertically depending on the water depth, or vertically and / or horizontally depending on the time.

5. The position reporting device according to claim 1, wherein said sound wave generator generates sound waves intermittently by emitting or not emitting sound waves in a time series, thereby forming a signal pattern.

6. The position reporting device of claim 1, wherein the container has a mechanism for varying the volume within the container, and reduces the volume within the container in accordance with the difference between the gas pressure within the container and the pressure due to the water depth, thereby increasing the pressure inside the container and thereby reducing the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container.

7. The position reporting device according to claim 1, wherein a reaction occurs within said device that changes a solid, a single liquid, or both a solid and a liquid into a gas, thereby increasing the amount of gas within said container.

8. A searched object detection system comprising the position reporting device of any one of claims 1 to 7, two or more search sonic receivers, and an analysis device that analyzes information from the sonic receivers using the following procedure: 1) The searched object generates sound waves from a sonic generator located on or underwater to report its own position. 2) If the searched object is underwater, it generates sound waves toward the water's surface. 3) The searching party receives these sound waves and determines the horizontal and vertical directions of the searched object. 4) Another searching party receives the sound waves emitted by the searched object and determines the horizontal and vertical directions of the searched object. 5) The position of the searched object is determined from the intersection of two or more directions of the searched object of the searching party (s).

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