Communication buoy

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication buoy (20) for dropping into a body of water (26), having the following features: - a drag chute (22), in order to stabilise the fall of the communication buoy after it has been dropped; - a radio unit (28) which, during operation of the communication buoy (20), is located predominantly above the surface of the body of water; - an underwater communication unit (40) which is designed to be immersed into the body of water (26); - a transport container (24) which receives the radio unit (28) and the underwater communication unit (40) over water and is designed to release the radio unit (28) and the underwater communication unit (40) upon contact with the water; - wherein the underwater communication unit (40) is designed to sink after being released, wherein the underwater communication unit (40) and the radio unit (28) are connected to a cable (36) in order to establish a power supply and a data connection between the underwater communication unit (40) and the radio unit (28).

Description

[0001] 2024.119W0

[0002] Communication buoy

[0003] Description

[0004] The invention relates to communication buoys that can transmit and / or receive information both above and below water and are deployed from an aircraft, in particular an airplane or a helicopter. The same buoy can also be deployed from a watercraft, particularly without a braking parachute. The braking parachute can optionally be removed before deployment, for example, by being taken off or cut off.

[0005] It is known that sonar buoys, particularly for anti-submarine warfare, are deployed from launching devices, especially from aircraft. These sonar buoys usually have a standardized form factor, typically the so-called Size A form factor. Aircraft such as helicopters are equipped with appropriate racks for the safe storage of sonar buoys of this form factor. A passive sonar buoy can receive underwater sound and transmit it wirelessly to a base station. Besides this passive type of sonar buoy, there are also active sonar buoys that can emit one or more defined sonar signals, called pings, and receive the reflections. A ping is typically a time-limited signal with a frequency profile that rises or falls (usually linearly) over time. In contrast, a communication buoy is capable of transmitting information modulated onto a carrier signal.This requires an underwater communication unit with flexible signal generation in addition to the sonar buoy. However, this unit requires additional space, which is limited in this form factor. Therefore, communication buoys with this form factor are not yet known.

[0006] AU 2018250916 A1 discloses a buoy with an inflatable bag and at least one cartridge containing a compressed gas which can be released to inflate the inflatable bag with the gas so that the inflated bag acts as a float.

[0007] DE 102010053614 A1 discloses a transmission device for transmitting signals from the underwater area to the above-water area and vice versa.

[0008] US 3093808 A1 reveals a mini sonar buoy dropped from the air.

[0009] CA 1 228665 A concerns sensor buoys such as sonar buoys. These are typically launched from aircraft, and a sensor, which remains inside the buoy until it hits the water, is deployed below the water's surface.

[0010] The object of the present invention is therefore to create an improved concept for communication buoys.

[0011] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims.

[0012] Examples show a communication buoy for deployment into a body of water. Deployment is carried out, for example, by an aircraft, particularly a helicopter. However, it is also conceivable in the future that large (transport) drones will be equipped with a multitude of buoys, especially communication buoys and optionally sonar buoys. The communication buoy is also referred to as a gateway buoy.

[0013] The communication buoy incorporates a braking parachute to reduce its impact speed upon hitting the water's surface and to stabilize its descent. This reduces the risk of damage to the communication buoy upon impact.

[0014] Furthermore, the communication buoy includes a radio unit that, during operation, is predominantly located above the water's surface, for example, floating on the surface of the water at 2024.119W0. This means the communication buoy is designed so that the radio unit is predominantly located above the water's surface when the communication buoy is operational after contact with the water's surface. The fact that the radio unit is "predominantly" located above the water's surface can be considered both spatially and temporally. Spatially, the radio unit comprises an antenna and a communication module for controlling the antenna. The communication module serves, for example, to generate the modulated radio signal. At least the antenna, as the spatially predominant part of the radio unit, must also be predominantly above water in time to maintain the radio data connection.This can be solved, for example, by placing the antenna on or inside a floating body of the communication buoy.

[0015] In addition to the radio unit, the communication buoy includes an underwater communication unit designed to be submerged. This means that the underwater communication unit is located below the water's surface, typically permanently, during operation of the communication buoy. The underwater communication unit specifically includes a signal generation unit for producing the modulated underwater communication signal, an analog or digital power amplifier to amplify the modulated underwater communication signal, and a transducer to transmit the underwater communication signal and, optionally, to receive it. Furthermore, the underwater communication unit may also include a demodulator to convert a received underwater communication signal into a digital signal.

[0016] A transport container holds the radio unit and the underwater communication unit above water, i.e., before and during deployment, and automatically releases them upon contact with the water. This triggers a reaction, particularly a chemical one, which causes a lid of the transport container to detach. The remaining cylindrical part of the container then sinks to the bottom of the water body due to gravity or negative buoyancy, thus releasing the radio unit and the underwater communication unit. Advantageously, the transport container has the dimensions of an A-size buoy. An A-size buoy has a diameter of approximately 13 cm and a height of approximately 91 cm.

[0017] Furthermore, the underwater communication unit is also designed to sink after release, with the underwater communication unit and the radio unit connected by a cable to provide power and data transmission. This means that while the transport container sinks to the bottom, the underwater communication unit remains connected to the floating radio unit via the cable and therefore only sinks to a predetermined depth, not to the bottom.

[0018] One idea is to integrate a communications buoy into the standard design of a sonar buoy, which has a transport container that drops upon contact with water, preferably in an A-size form factor. This would make it possible to deploy these communications buoys without modifying aircraft already equipped for deploying sonar buoys.

[0019] In exemplary embodiments, the communication unit includes an energy storage device, in particular a battery, which is located below the water's surface during operation. The energy storage device is quite heavy and thus stabilizes the communication buoy and, in particular, the underwater communication unit. Furthermore, the underwater communication unit requires the most energy, so it is advantageous to locate the power supply near it to minimize the length of the power supply cables. Therefore, it is beneficial for the energy storage device to sink along with the underwater communication unit.

[0020] In further embodiments, the cable includes a data cable, for example an Ethernet cable, to provide the data connection and power supply via Power over Dataline, for example Power over Ethernet (PoE). That is, the data connection and power supply between the radio unit and the underwater communication unit can be provided via a data cable. In the simplest case, a two-wire cable is sufficient for this purpose.

[0021] Further embodiments show the communication buoy with a self-destruction mechanism, causing it to sink to the bottom automatically or remotely at the end of its service life. The buoy's lifespan is typically limited to a few hours due to its limited energy reserves. After this time, the buoy is designed to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands and is therefore designed to self-destruct by sinking to the bottom. Automatic self-destruction can be achieved, for example, through a slow chemical reaction that exposes an underwater opening in the float, allowing it to fill with water and thus reducing its buoyancy. Alternatively, using the same principle, but perhaps employing a burn-through resistor instead of the chemical reaction, an external signal (remotely controlled) can be used to burn a hole in the float.

[0022] Exemplary embodiments show the communication buoy with a depth control system to allow the underwater communication unit to descend to a predetermined depth, where the predetermined depth is less than the maximum possible diving depth limited by the cable length. The depth control system can, for example, include a cable magazine, such as a winch. Using controllable stop points, the cable can be deployed from the cable magazine in a controlled manner or lowered from the winch, in or on which the cable is wound. At each stop point, the underwater communication unit can descend to a predetermined depth until the cable reaches the next stop point. Such a depth control system is called a mechanical depth control system. Alternatively, an electric depth control system is also possible, for example, using a drive (e.g., an electric motor) that unwinds the cable, e.g., from the winch.This makes it possible to lower the underwater communication unit to a defined diving depth, for example, into an underwater communication channel or below a thermocline. Optionally, the depth control also includes a drive to reduce the diving depth of the underwater communication unit. This makes it possible not only to lower the underwater communication unit but also to raise it again. This allows for switching between underwater sound channels as needed.

[0023] In exemplary embodiments, the depth control descends after being released by the underwater communication unit. A depth control is understood to be a module comprising a winch and at least one interface, or additionally or alternatively, a control unit for operating the winch.

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0025] Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a communication buoy falling into a body of water on an open braking parachute;

[0026] Fig. 2: a schematic representation of the communication buoy floating in the water; and

[0027] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the communication buoy in an embodiment supplementing Fig. 2.

[0028] Before exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, it should be noted that identical, functionally equivalent or equivalent elements, objects and / or structures in the different figures are provided with the same reference numerals, so that the description of these elements shown in different exemplary embodiments is interchangeable or can be applied to one another.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication buoy 20 after it has been dropped from an aircraft. The communication buoy 20 comprises a braking parachute 22, shown open, and a transport container 24, in which the operating part of the communication buoy 20, in particular the electronics, is housed during transport and during the descent. After impact with the surface of a body of water 26, the transport container 24 opens, in particular a lid of the transport container 24, so that a section of the transport container 24 releases the operating part of the communication buoy 20 and sinks to the bottom of the body of water.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows the communication buoy 20 in its ready-to-use state. The braking parachute and transport container have already detached, so that only the operational part of the communication buoy is shown.

[0031] The operational part of the communication buoy comprises a radio unit 28 with an antenna 30 and a communication module 32. The antenna 30 is preferably arranged on or in a floating body 34, so that the antenna 30 is predominantly located above the surface of the body of water 26. The communication module 32 can also be arranged on or in the floating body 34.

[0032] The communication module 32 is electrically (e.g., for power supply and data connection) and mechanically connected to the other electronic components of the communication buoy by means of a cable 36. Optionally, an optical data connection can also be provided in the cable 36 as an alternative to the electrical data connection. A large portion of the cable 36 is initially wound in and / or on a depth control 38 and can be unwound in a controlled manner. The depth control can also be referred to as a cable magazine. As the cable is unwound, an underwater communication unit 40 sinks into deeper water layers. The underwater communication unit 40 comprises a transceiver 42 and an underwater communication module 44. Common underwater acoustic transducers can be used as the transceiver 42. The underwater communication module can provide a digital communication signal, in particular modulate it, and / or receive underwater acoustic signals.Optionally, the underwater communication module can detect, demodulate, and decode a communication signal within the underwater sound. Furthermore, the underwater communication module 44 contains a power storage unit 46 for supplying energy to the communication buoy 20. The power storage unit 46 can also be located in a separate module. Advantageously, however, the power storage unit 46 is located in close proximity to an acoustic power amplifier, as this is where the most energy is required.

[0033] Optionally, a weight 48 can also be arranged on the cable as a final element to stabilize the communication buoy 20, in particular to keep the transceiver 42 as still as possible in the water.

[0034] Optionally, a stabilizer 50 can be arranged on the cable, for example between the depth control 38 and the underwater communication module 44. The stabilizer 50 can, for example, be designed as a sail and stabilize the underwater components, in particular the underwater communication unit 40, independently of wave action and other environmental influences. That is, the position of the underwater communication unit 40 should remain as constant as possible. However, this stabilization could cause the antenna 30 to be pulled underwater despite the buoyancy aid 34 in choppy water. In this respect, a cable damper 52 can be provided, which positions the buoyancy aid variably relative to the underwater components. That is, the buoyancy aid, and thus the antenna, can float on the waves while the underwater components are arranged almost stationary, or at least with only a minimal change in velocity (i.e.,The cable damper 52 experiences acceleration compared to the acceleration of the buoyancy body. The cable damper 52 can be designed as a flexible band, for example, a rubber band. The cable 36 can, for example, be loosely wound around the cable damper 52 to allow the stroke of the buoyancy body necessary for its movement with the shafts, which leads to an expansion of the cable damper 52.

[0035] Fig. 3 reveals a schematic representation of the communication buoy 20 in a further embodiment. The embodiment in Fig. 3 differs from the embodiment in Fig. 2 in the arrangement of the depth control 38. In Fig. 2, the depth control is mechanically connected to the parts of the communication buoy 20 floating on the water surface, e.g., the communication module 32 or the float 34, by means of the cable damper 52. The sinking parts of the communication buoy, in particular the stabilizer 50 and / or the underwater communication unit 40 and / or the power storage unit 46, can be lowered by means of the cable 36. That is, the depth control with the cable magazine is essentially fixed in position and varies only by the stroke of the cable damper 52 and any weather-related influences such as waves or wind.

[0036] In contrast, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the depth control 38 with the cable magazine is arranged such that the depth control 38 descends with the sinking parts of the communication buoy 20 when the cable 36 is unwound. A cable transition 54 is now provided instead of the depth control 38 for attaching the cable damper 52. This means that the cable transition 54 remains essentially stationary with the parts of the communication buoy 20 located at the water's surface. The cable 36 is routed from the depth control 38 to the electrical components, for example, the underwater communication unit 40. Winding and unwinding the cable 36 is advantageously no longer required in this area. Thus, the sinking parts of the communication buoy 20 are arranged equidistantly.Optionally, a fastening element, such as a rope or a rod, can be arranged parallel to the cable 36 of fixed length. In particular, the fastening element mechanically connects the stabilizer 50 to the depth control 38. Since large forces act on the stabilizer 50, the fastening element can absorb most of these forces. Without the fastening element, the cable 36 would have to bear these forces alone. The fastening element can optionally run parallel to the cable 36 in the descending section of the communication buoy.

[0037] Although some aspects have been described in connection with a device, it is understood that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding process, so that a block or component of a device can also be understood as a corresponding process step or as a feature of a process step. Similarly, aspects described in connection with or as a process step also represent a description of a corresponding block, detail, or feature of a corresponding device.

[0038] The embodiments described above merely illustrate the principles of the present invention. It is understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein will be obvious to other people skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of protection set forth in the following claims and not by the specific details presented herein by way of description and explanation of the embodiments. 2024.119W0

[0039] Reference symbol list:

[0040] 20 Communication buoy

[0041] 22 Braking parachute

[0042] 24 transport containers

[0043] 26 bodies of water

[0044] 28 radio units

[0045] 30 antenna

[0046] 32 Communication unit

[0047] 34 Buoyancy aids

[0048] 36 cables

[0049] 38 Depth control

[0050] 40 Underwater communication unit 42 Transducers

[0051] 44 Underwater communication module 46 Power storage

[0052] 48 Weight

[0053] 50 Stabilizer

[0054] 52 cable dampers

[0055] 54 Cable transition

[0056] 56 Fastening element

Claims

2024.119W0 Patent claims 1. Communication buoy (20) for dropping into a body of water (26) with the following features: - a braking parachute (22) to stabilize the fall of the communication buoy after it has been jettisoned; - a radio unit (28) which, in the operation of the communication buoy (20), is located predominantly above the surface of the water; - an underwater communication unit (40) that is trained to dive into the water (26); - a transport container (24) which accommodates the radio unit (28) and the underwater communication unit (40) above water and is designed to release the radio unit (28) and the underwater communication unit (40) upon contact with water; -whereby the underwater communication unit (40) is designed to sink after being released, wherein the underwater communication unit (40) and the radio unit (28) are connected by a cable (36) to provide a power supply and data link between the underwater communication unit (40) and the radio unit (28).

2. Communication buoy (20) according to claim 1, wherein the underwater communication unit (40) comprises an analog or digital power amplifier.

3. Communication buoy (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication buoy (20) has a power storage device (46) which is arranged below the surface of the water during operation.

4. Communication buoy (20) according to claim 3, wherein the power storage device (46) is configured to sink with the underwater communication unit (40).

5. Communication buoy (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable (36) comprises a data cable to provide the data connection and power supply via Power over Dataline. 2024.119W0 6. Communication buoy (20) according to claim 5, wherein the data cable is a two-wire cable.

7. Communication buoy (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication buoy (20) comprises a destruction mechanism such that the communication buoy (20) automatically or remotely sinks to the bottom of the water at the end of its service life.

8. Communication buoy (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication buoy (20) has a depth control (38) to enable the underwater communication unit (40) to sink to a predetermined depth, wherein the predetermined depth is less than a maximum possible diving depth limited by the cable length.

9. Communication buoy (20) according to claim 8, wherein the depth control (38) comprises a drive to reduce the diving depth of the underwater communication unit (40).

10. Communication buoy (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the depth control (38) is configured to sink after being released with the underwater communication unit (40).

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