The invention relates generally to recovery of objects deployed underwater, and more particularly to a harness assembly that is attached to an object that is to be deployed underwater and then retrieved from the water by means of a tether line coupled thereto by, for example, a trained marine mammal.
The Navy uses various objects or devices in exercise and training scenarios that must be deployed underwater. Since these devices are often expensive and can be used to collect data that must be analyzed, the devices may need to be recovered when the exercise/training sessions are complete. Currently, these devices are recovered by divers or shipboard-mounted auto-recovery systems. However, auto-recovery systems can be limited to operations at depths thought to be relevant when the auto-recovery system was designed. Re-configuring these auto-recovery systems for operation at greater depths can be cost prohibitive. The use of divers to recover submerged devices is also limited in that the normal human-diver depth limit is about 140 feet.
The Navy is exploring other recovery options that are both cost-effective and safe for Navy personnel. One option is the use of trained marine mammals (e.g., sea lions) that can carry and couple a recovering tether to a device deployed underwater. The trained marine mammals can easily swim to depths of greater than 140 feet with a tether. However, the device to be recovered must be equipped with some type assembly to which the marine mammal can easily attach a tether. The same assembly must then be able to support the device as the tether and device are pulled up to the water's surface.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly that can be used in the recovery of an object/device deployed underwater.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly that (i) can be attached to an object/device prior to its deployment in water, (ii) will not interfere with the normal operation of the object/device so-deployed, (iii) presents an attachment point for a tether transported thereto by a marine mammal when the object/device is underwater, and (iv) can serve as a lifting harness for the object/device when the attached tether is pulled up to the water's surface.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious hereinafter in the specification and drawings.
In accordance with the present invention, a harness assembly for use in the recovery of an object deployed underwater has at least three legs with each leg having a first end and a second end. Each first end is adapted to be attached to an object prior to an underwater deployment thereof. A sling is coupled to the second ends of the legs. At least three supports are also provided with (i) a first support being coupled to the sling and a rigid ring, and (ii) a second support and a third support coupled to the ring in a breakaway fashion and adapted to be coupled to the object. The supports work in combination to hold the ring in a stand off position with respect to the object and in a substantially vertical orientation during the underwater deployment of the object. The harness assembly's ring can be readily accessed by a trained marine mammal that transports a recovery tether thereto.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the following description of the preferred embodiments and to the drawings, wherein corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to
Harness assembly 10 includes a plurality of leg assemblies 12 (e.g., at least three are required with four being shown in
Lifting sling 14 is any band or loop of strong (e.g., rigid) material configured to permit ends 124 to slide thereon so that leg assemblies 12 can be positioned on an object, and so that the attached end of lifting support assembly 16 can slide thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, lifting support assembly 16 has a main portion 160 terminated at one end 162 that is configured for attachment to lifting sling 14 and terminated at an opposing end 164 that is configured for attachment to coupling and lifting ring 18. Main portion 160 includes a flexible strap 160A loosely fitted in an open-ended rigid tube 160B. End 162 includes, for example, a ring 162A permanently attached to strap 160A, and a shackle 162B (or other attachable clip) attachable to ring 162A and lifting sling 14. End 164 can be a ring permanently attached to strap 160A and attached or attachable to ring 18. If flexible strap 160A is a fabric (e.g., NYLON) strap, rings 162A and 164 could be fabric loops constructed integrally with strap 160A in ways well understood in the art.
Coupling and lifting ring 18 serves as the point of attachment for a tether that will be carried to harness assembly 10 when it is underwater. To make ring 18 more visible, it can be colored/painted in two or more contrasting colors as referenced by numerals 180 and 182. For example, ring 18 could be striped as shown, i.e., colors 180 and 182 alternate on ring 18.
Positioning supports 20 and 22 are any rigid support legs that will be used in combination with lifting support assembly 16 to position lifting ring 18 in an optimum position for attachment of a tether. However, positioning supports 20 and 22 provide none of the lifting support for harness assembly 10. Accordingly, supports 20 and 22 are attached to ring 18 in a fashion that does not hinder the lifting support function of harness assembly 10 that will be explained now with reference to
Referring first to
Referring now to
The advantages of the present invention are numerous. The harness assembly is an inexpensive yet effective solution to deep water object recovery operations that must use trained marine mammals for recovery tether delivery and attachment. Also, the assembly components, including the legs, sling, ring, and support may be comprised of non-magnetic materials to avoid interference with electronic sensors or detection equipment.
Although the invention has been described relative to a specific embodiment thereof, there are numerous variations and modifications that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.
The invention described herein was made in the performance of official duties by an employee of the Department of the Navy and may be manufactured, used, licensed by or for the Government for any governmental purpose without payment of any royalties thereon.
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