GB2427172A - Tsunami early warning device - Google Patents

Abstract

A Tsunami warning system comprises a first network of radio buoy devices A and L initially anchored adjacent to the seabed in the region of a fault line and a second network of radio buoy devices anchored at a depth above the seabed at a suitable distance from a threatened shore. Both networks of radio buoy devices are adapted to be released from their anchorages by the affect of the high velocity subsea currents generated by a passing Tsunami wave. Once released from their anchors the radio buoy devices float to the sea surface and transmit position and wave current velocity information to a shore-based monitoring station. The release mechanism of the radio buoy devices may comprise sea kites attached by kite strings to release pins that connect the radio buoy devices to their anchors.

Description

TSUNAMI EARLY WARNING DEVICE

15/06/05 The prediction of Tsunamis, purely on the basis of seismological events, has proved difficult, and attention is now moving towards a system of constant Sonar', surveillance of those changes of the deep seabed across the region of the Fault Line, which set up the Tsunami wave.

This is a complex and expensive process, the information gathered, can be open to subjective interpretation and is not necessarily instantaneous.

On its own, this system is not sufficient, for a situation where every minutes delay, in sounding the warning, can cost many lives.

Repeated false alarms, however, would have debilitating and costly consequences, for the massive regions and populations involved.

A system is needed that is triggered by the actual physical, underwater, manifestations at the start of the Tsunami itself, at sufficient distance from the shore, so as to give a minimum 30 minutes warning of its arrival.

DESCRIPTION and MODE of OPERATION

This invention describes the design, construction and operation, of a simple and inexpensive Tsunami Warning Device, which is incorporated into a comprehensive Tsunami Warning System.

It consists, of a special type of Radio Buoy, and ancillanes, which either sits anchored on the deep sea bed, in the region of the Fault Line, or is tethered to an anchor at some height, above the sea bed, at more moderate depths and yet at a significant distance from land.

In both cases the Device is released to the surface, by the action of those high speed underwater currents, or sea winds', as they begin to pass over and above the Device, and which feed the Tsunami wave.

In outside appearance the Hydrofoil/Radio Buoy, resembles an Indian Club', the narrow, handle', is the Hydrofoil fuselage with a Nose Cone at the end, the thicker head', of the club, partially encloses the Radio Buoy. The Device need be no more than 6 feet long, with a maximum diameter of 6 ins.

In order to penetrate through these ultra -high speed currents, after being released from the anchor, without becoming trapped by them, and so travel to the surface of the sea, the Radio Buoy, must be of hydrodynamic design, such that it flies' upwards, by the action of water passing over its hydrofoil wings.

Buoyancy alone, is insufficient for the Buoy to speedily escape these layered high speed waters, and this situation is not acceptable, particularly since any delay in reaching the surface, reduces the time available for the warning to be given.

To fly', satisfactorily, in these conditions of high speed water, the Hydrofoil/Buoy must be stable, and have the required rate of flow of water over the wings', in order to generate lift'.

To achieve this, there must be a small difference in velocity between that of the Hydrofoil, and that of the sea wind', which is forcing it along. To minimise drag' there needs to be streamline', flow over the Hydrofoil/Buoy.

Also, a Hydrofoil of the four wing canard', configuration is necessary, whereby, the front narrow fuselage with its sharp nose' and front wings point into wind', with the rear wings attached to the wider rear section, with both sets of wings giving positive lift.

It must also be pointing in the right direction with its wings correctly orientated, as it enters these high speed waters, in order to traverse them.

The requirement then, is for a streamlined Hydrofoil/Buoy, with the smallest surface area and cross section, as possible, and having a low water friction surface,(made from special paint or plastic), which the sea water cannot wet.

The orientation of the of the Hydrofoil's wings', whilst within these high speed currents must be kept constant, and this is a critical design factor.

As the Device approaches the surface, and in calmer water, buoyancy takes over from hydrodynamics.

Once at the surface of the sea, the Short Wave Radio of the Radio Buoy, which is connected to a G.P.S. system, gives warning, of position, and elapsed time since release, so indicating the direction and approximate speed of the Tsunami.

A comprehensive Tsunami warning system would be set up as follows: It consists of two sorts of Device which share the same basic component, the Hydrodynamic Radio Buoy.

a) The Deep Sea Bed Device This sits on the sea bed, attached to its special Anchor, in the region of the Fault Line 5000 feet down, at a working pressure of 2208 lbs, per square inch. To help achieve the correct orientation so as to fly', immediately at launch, the Anchor, and the Device, (the Hydrodynamic Radio Buoy), attached to it, needs to be positioned on the sea bed such that its front', faces into wind', i.e. its Nose Cone is pointed towards the Fault Line, when it is released.

This is achieved by simply towing the Device in the right direction, across and away from the Fault Line, as it descends to the sea bed.

There needs to be two lines of these Devices, running parallel with but at opposite sides of the Fault Line.

It is envisaged that the Devices would be placed on the seabed 2or3 miles apart, leading to a minimum requirement, of 800 to 1000 Devices.

For the Device to work at such depths, there should be no internal air cavities, with the use of low density liquid or gel filled tanks for buoyancy, its other components being totally embedded in Aluminium, glass, or suitable hard plastic capable of withstanding such pressures.

Description and Operation of The Dee Sea Bed Device.

This is a composite Device, comprising the Hydrofoil, with its Radio Buoy, locked together, as one item, this composite Device, is then attached to the special Anchor which rests on the seabed, in such a way, so as to point the Nose Cone of the Hydrofoil/Radio Buoy, downwards and towards the Fault Line.

FIGURE 11 Shows a View of the Main Components of the Device, with the Hydrofoil and Radio Buoy separated.

The Device is capable of working at a depth of 5000 feet, as close as possible to the region of the Fault Line.

Since a hydrodynamiC solution is required, the Radio Buoy, is part of, but detachable from, the Hydrofoil, which has four wings, and a small fin, which flies', in the canard', configuration, i.e., with both sets of wings giving positive lift, and its smaller front wings and Nose Cone, pointed into wind.

The front part of the Hydrofoil including its Nose Cone, is held, (up to point where the leading edge of the Front Wings joins the Fuselage), inside the outermost section of the Anchor Tube, which is designed such that it rests on the sea bed, with the rear of the Hydrofoil, pointing upwards, towards the surface of the sea, and its Nose Cone, downwards and towards the Fault Line.

The front section of the Hydrofoil is held securely in its location in the Anchor Tube, by the four Primary Locking Pins, of the Pnmarv Release, which are spaced at 90 degrees, around the outside of the Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube, and whose chamfered ends engage into their Locating Holes in the wall of the Anchor Tube. The captive ends of these Pins have spring steel Extensions, which are attached to a Diaphragm Spring, which itself is located in a circular groove in the inside bore of the Fuselage Tube, just behind the Nose Cone.

Running along the axis of the Radio Buoy and the Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube, is a stainless steel tube, (called the Shock Absorber Tube), which houses the Shock Absorber Piston Rod.

This Tube runs the entire length of the Radio Buoy, and passes through and is welded to the Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin, which is itself a sliding fit', into the end of the Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube, and is held in position by the Secondary Release mechanism.

The Shock Absorber Tube, extends along the axis of the Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube, almost into the Nose Cone of the Hydrofoil, stopping short of the diaphragm spring.

The free end of the telescopic, extending Radio Antenna, is trapped by the Antenna Retaining Ring, located inside and near to the front end of the Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube, the whole of the Telescopic Radio Antenna being collapsed around the outside of the Shock Absorber Tube.

The other end of the Radio Antenna is attached onto the front face of the Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin, which is a sliding fit, inside the bore of the Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube.

For greater stiffness, the Antenna is of square section, and needs to be a minimum of feet long when fully extended.

The Radio Anel lead, runs through the Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin, and out along the outside surface of the Radio Buoy, into its connections inside the Radio Pod.

The separation of the Hydrofoil/Radio Buoy, from the Anchor Tube, is achieved by the action of a buoyant Sea Kite, which floats above the Device, suddenly pulling on its Kite String, as the start of the Tsunami sea wind, snatches at the Kite.

This Sea Kite is the form of a balloon of low density liquid held inside a Nylon mesh, which floats above the Anchored Device, and is directly attached to the protruding end of the Shock Absorber piston rod, by the swivel to the Kite String. The sensitivity of the Sea Kite, can be increased, by attaching an umbrella or drag to it.

The initial snatch on the Kite String, is taken by the a conventional tubular Shock Absorber, located at the rear end of the Piston Rod, which consists of an End Plug, through which the Piston Rod can move, a First Piston, which is attached to the Piston Rod, and a Tensioning Spring.

The Piston Rod has three fixed Pistons, (see FIGURE 2), numbered from the rear), and the Primary Release Bobbin, screwed into the end of the Piston Rod, nearest the Nose Cone.

The Second Piston, holds the four sets of Retaining Balls and Springs, inside their drilhings in the Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin, and together these constitute the Secondary Release, (see FIGURE 4).

The outer Balls, locate into the exposed drihhings against the ends of the plastic Sealing Plugs, driven in from the outside, into the wall of the bore of the Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube. The inner Balls, are in contact with the outer surface of the Second Piston, through the three holes drilled through the wall of the Shock Absorber Tube.

The initial snatch of the Kite String, has the effect of drawing the Piston Rod Assembly, along the Shock Absorber Tube, against the Shock Absorber Tensioning Spring, forcing out the trapped sea water, through small grooves, in the inside bore of the End Plug, s dampening this snatching motion. The First Piston, initially moves against the Shock Absorber Spring, to instigate hydraulic resistance to the movement of the Piston Rod, through the End Plug, of the Shock Absorber Tube, increasing hydraulic pressure, from the movement of the First Piston, drives out the End Plug.

As the Piston Rod continues to be withdrawn, the Second Piston, then the Third and finally the Primary Release Bobbin are pulled out, as the whole Piston Rod assembly exits the Shock Absorber Tube.

As it is withdrawn, the Third Piston, expels the four inner Balls of the Secondary Release, which have been forced onto the surface of the Piston Rod, from their drillings in the wall of the bore of the Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin by the now extended Compression Springs.

During this process the Nose Cone of the Device is still held securely in the Anchor Tube, by the undisturbed Primary Locking Pins of the Primary Release, until the Primary Release Bobbin, hits the Diaphragm Spring. See FIGURE 3.

As withdrawal of the Piston Rod continues, the Primary Release Bobbin is pulled through the centre of the Diaphragm Spring, so withdrawing the Primary Locking Pins, from their Seating Groove in the wall of the Anchor Tube. These Primary Locking Pins however remain attached to the Diaphragm Spring, and the remaining jolt of this action helps exit the now free Hydrofoil/Radio Buoy from the Anchor Tube.

The Sea Kite and Piston Rod, remain connected by the Kite String, and disappear together into the sea wind, after the Piston Rod assembly exits the Shock Absorber Tube.

This extended process of separation, between the Hydrofoil/Radio Buoy, and the Piston Rod with Sea Kite, is necessary since it gives time for the Sea Kite to orientate the Hydrofoil/Radio Buoy by dragging it into the sea wind', correct end first.

The gradual exchange of buoyancy fluid for sea water, in the Second Chamber of the Radio Buoy, (caused by the exposure of the two sets of circumferential slots in its cylindrical surface), as it travels upwards, acts as ballast when at the surface, and together with the added buoyancy of the fully inflated Flotation Ring, (see FIGURE 2), causes the Radio Buoy and the Radio Antenna, to become correctly orientated, with the Radio Antenna fully extended and vertical, at the surface.

Note that the elapsed time clock located in the Radio Pod, has its own dry battery power, and this is started by a small micro-switch located in the wall of the Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube, which is switched on when the Hydrofoil/Radio Buoy separates from the Anchor Tube.

On release from the Anchor Tube, the Hydrofoil/Radio Buoy combination, first rises by the initial pull of the Kite String exerted during the extended withdrawal the Piston Rod, and by which the Hydrofoil becomes correctly orientated, so that its Nose Cone and front wings, are now pointing into the sea wind'.

The passage water over the two sets of wings of the Hydrofoil, due to the difference of downwind velocity', between that of the sea wind', and that of the Hydrofoil itself, causes it to level out and then to climb rapidly upwards through the high velocity layers of sea water.

During the initial and short period as they enter the high velocity water still connected together, hunting', of the Sea Kite and the Hydrofoil takes place, and this also aids the process of their separation.

Once the Hydrofoil/Radio Buoy, reaches the lower velocity lower pressure layers nearer to the surface of the sea, buoyancy takes over from hydrodynamics, and these two items are then separated, by the expansion of the Flotation Ring and Release Rings.

The Hydrofoil then falls away, and the Radio Buoy continues to ascend on the basis of buoyancy alone.

From this point on and during its journey to the surface, the Radio Buoy will be correctly orientated, the battery acid will begin to flow from its containers to fill the separate and empty battery cells, so activating the Short Wave Radio transmitter.

b) The Moderate Depth Device.

This is located at a sufficient distance from the threatened shore to give adequate warning of the approaching Tsunami, whose underwater sea winds', can travel at above 400 m.p.h.

This Device consists of the same design of Hydrofoil/Radio Buoy as in the Deep Sea Bed Device, which operates in the same way, with the same components, but instead of being anchored directly at the sea bed, it is tethered, to and floats above a conventional Anchor, through its own buoyancy, and that of its Sea Kite, at a more moderate', depth of say 1000 feet.

The same release system is used for the Hydrofoil/Radio Buoy, as in the other Device, but in this case from its short length of Anchor Tube, the other end of which is attached to the Main Anchor on the sea bed, by a tethering rope.

The Device will always be dragged into its correct orientation, down wind', by the start of the sea wind'.

As in the Deep Sea Device, the initial snatch', on the String of the Sea Kite, is damped, by the Shock Absorber, then as the Piston Rod is pulled out of the Shock Absorber Tube, the Secondary, and then the Primary Release is activated, followed by the exit of the complete Piston Rod, still attached to the Kite String, from the Shock Absorber Tube.

CONSTRUCTION

Attached to the back of the Radio Buoy is the solid Radio Pod, which is made up of separate layers, of circular segments, which are slid over the outside of the Shock Absorber Tube passing through their centres. See FIGURES 1, and 2. This streamlined shaped capsule houses, in individual segments, the Short Wave Radio Transmitter, the separate Lead/Acid battery components, and other ancillanes, such as the clock, (giving elapsed time from separation from the Anchor), G.P.S. system receiver, and controls, which are embedded into it. See FIGURES 1, 2, and 5.

These individual segments of the Radio Pod are constructed from glass, or non - compressible plastic, and assembled by sliding them one by one, over the outside of the Shock Absorber Tube, and Air Feed Pipe, once the internal components have been installed into the relevant layer and connected together.

The completed Radio Pod is fixed onto the open end of the Second Chamber of the Radio Buoy, by sliding it over the Shock Absorber Tube, and locates against a sealing ring, either by means of an external circlip, set in a grove, in the outside surface, in the end of the protruding section of the Shock Absorber Tube or a nut, screwing onto it. In both cases acting against a retaining washer. See FIGURES land 2.

The Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin, (see FIGURE 4), with its integral Shock Absorber Tube, passes through the centre of the Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube, and is welded onto the flat top', of the conical section of the Body of the Radio Buoy, prior to its installation into the Hydrofoil Body.

The free end of the telescopic Radio Antenna, is trapped in a plastic Antenna Retaining Ring, which is fitted inside the bore of the Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube, and which causes the Antenna to extend as the Shock Absorber Tube is pulled out from the Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube. The Antenna Retaining Ring, can be designed either to remain in situ, and have the end of the Antenna, snatched out from it, or remain attached to the Antenna, as it is withdrawn.

This occurs after the Radio Buoy, and Hydrofoil are forced apart, by the straightening of their sides, previously distorted by water pressure, causing the slackening of the Pressure Grips, and the expansion of the Flotation Ring and Release Rings, at the reducing depth and pressure, in calmer water, as the total buoyancy, of the Radio Buoy, takes it to the surface.

The Release Rings are simply, of circular cross section, and air filled, which are held by adhesive, onto the conical outer surface of the Radio Buoy adjacent to the Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin. These are compressed, when the Radio Buoy is first installed into the Hydrofoil, by being pushed by an external press, into the fuselage of the Hydrofoil, and held there by the engagement of the Balls of the Secondary Release mechanism. Compressed air is then fed into the collapsed Flotation Ring, through the Air Feed Valve, in the rear of the Radio Pod.

The reducing water pressure, as the Buoy ascends to the surface, allows the Release Rings, and the Flotation Ring, which is attached to its groove in the outside surface of the Buoy, at the base of the conical section, to expand.

Because it is filled with high pressure air from its air feed system, the Flotation Ring, will assist in the separation process, and will also expand fully at a greater depth, and so increase the rate of ascent.

The main body of the Radio Buoy, is split into two separate Chambers, by the Central Partition, situated midway along the cylindrical section, and sealed at the base by the top surface of the Radio Pod. The Shock Absorber Tube, passes through the centre of both. The fuselage of the Hydrofoil is in the form of stainless steel tube, which is flooded with sea water., and may be encased in a plastic streamlined', outer shell, suitably finished in a low friction material. The main body or casing of both the Hydrofoil Body, and the Radio Buoy are from stainless steel, the Hydrofoil Body being welded onto the end of the Fuselage Tube. The Central Partition, is welded both to the inside of the body of the Radio Buoy, and the outside of the Shock Absorber Tube.

The First Chamber, is cylindrical with a conical section at the top, is a conventional sealed tank containing a low density liquid, and is above the surface of the sea, as the Buoy floats. The top of this chamber has the Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin welded to it, with the Shock Absorber Tube, passing through its centre, and being a sliding fit', inside its bore. The Flotation Ring, which is similar to the inner tube of a motor vehicle tyre, is attached by suitable adhesive, into its deep Mounting Groove, around the base of the conical section of the First Chamber, where the cylindrical section begins, with its inflating valve, plugged into the air feed coupling, in the bottom of the Mounting Groove.

The Release Rings, are held by adhesive onto the conical outer surface of the Radio Buoy, near to the top, and also serve the purpose as high pressure water seals, in their compressed state, so as to maintain an air gap between the overlapping surfaces of the bodies of the Hydrofoil and the Radio Buoy. and to retain contact between the corner chamfer of the Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin, and the inside surface of the Hydrofoil.

This further holds the Radio Buoy firmly inside the Hydrofoil, when on station The Flotation Ring is fitted initially non- inflated, but after the complete Radio Buoy has been installed, into the Fuselage Tube of the Hydrofoil, and the Secondary Release is engaged, the Flotation Ring is fed compressed air, through its Air Feed Pipe, up to the pressure, limited by the safest pre-loading of the Secondary Release.

This Air Feed Pipe, passes into the back of the Radio Pod, where the Pressure Valve is located, and after passing through the sealing grommet in the front surface of the Radio Pod, enters through the grommet in the Central Partition, and onto the back of the female coupling in the of the Flotation Ring Mounting Groove. The male connector of the Flotation Ring, engages into this before being glued in position.

The one piece Nose Cone screws onto the front end of the Fuselage Tube, so as to give access, to the Diaphragm Spring, and its Primary Locking Pin assemblies, and also to permit the fitting of the Primary Release Bobbin, after the Piston Rod has been installed into the Shock Absorber Tube.

The complete Radio Buoy and Shock Absorber Tube, is forced into the Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube, by means of a press, which compresses and holds the Release Rings and the collapsed Flotation Ring, and allows positioning of the Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin, until the all the dnllings of the Secondary Release are lined up. The sets of Balls and Springs, are then placed into their dnllings, from the outside, and the plastic Sealing Plugs, driven into the open ends of the dnllings in the outer surface of the Fuselage Tube, again from the outside.

The Telescopic Radio Antenna is fully extended as it is withdrawn, over the outside surface of the Shock Absorber Tube, and is vertical at the surface.

The Second Chamber, is a ballast chamber, initially filled with buoyancy fluid, which is slowly exchanged for sea water, by means of the narrow circumferential slots, cut through its side, which are uncovered, when the Radio Buoy separates from the Hydrofoil, as the Radio Buoy, travels towards the surface,.

The Radio Antenna connections are external, and the Antenna itself runs along the outside surface of the Radio Buoy, from inside the Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin.

The Operation and design of the Principle Components is given below.

1) The PRIMARY RELEASE SYSTEM (FIGURE 3 and FIGURE 3A refer).

The main component of this System, is a circular one piece Diaphragm Spring, which is stamped, pressed and tempered from spring steel, and which is then suitably finished, to resist salt water, either by metal or plastic coating.

The Diaphragm Spring, has four Slotted Lugs, which stand proud, beyond the curved spokes of the Diaphragm, and these take the ends of the Primary Locking Pin Extensions.

These Extensions are made from spring steel strip suitably finished as before, and are fitted with their bent over ends into the drillings and slots in the free ends of the Locking Pins, which are then crimped onto them.

There are two hemispherical Nylon Buttons, which are riveted, one either side of each of the Primary Locking Pin Extensions, and these form a bearing against the outer surface of the Slotted Lugs, of the Diaphragm Spring, in order to maintain spring tension against downward movement of the Locking Pins.

The Locking Pin Extensions are fitted into their Slotted Lugs of the Diaphragm Spring, by being forced downwards, into their slots, against the Nylon Buttons, after they and the four Primary Locking Pins, to which they are attached, have been fed through the corresponding holes in the Anchor Tube and the Fuselage Tube of the Hydrofoil, and then turned through 90 degrees from outside, using the slots in the exposed heads of the Locking Pins, so as to hold them in position.

2) Construction of the Lead/Acid Battery (FIGURE 5 and FIGURE 6 refer) A 12 Volt, Lead/Acid Battery is necessary, since this provides the level of power and charge retention, required for a long range Short Wave Radio Transmitter.

Through the simple means of keeping the acid separate from the charged battery cells, whilst the complete HydrofoillRadio Buoy is anchored, and arranging for the acid to feed into the cells only when the Radio Buoy is correctly orientated, on its way to and when at the surface, the Device is able to remain primed but inactive for long periods of time.

This is simply accomplished, by having the dry charged Battery Cells installed in the slotted section of the six radial Keyhole Slots, cut into a layer of the solid Radio Pod.

The Battery Acid is contained in the open cylindrical part of the Slotted Sleeve, which pushes into the circular section of the Keyhole Slots, so that the two slots are aligned to correspond with each other. The Tapered Float occupies the closed Tapered Section, of the Sleeve, obscuring the Slot, whilst the Device is at anchor, so blocking off the Slot in this part of the Sleeve, and preventing the flow of acid into the Battery Cells. The central bore of the Float is over filled with liquid Silicone, or low density acid proof oil, so as to prevent the ingress of acid, or acid vapour into the Battery Cells, when the Device is anchored.

The ends of the Float are chamfered, to assist in centralising its movement, to resist jamming, and aid the transfer of the Silicone liquid and any residual air bubbles.

After the Device is released from its Anchor and when on its way to the surface, the change in orientation causes the Float and Acid to exchange positions, so that the Acid enters the Battery cells through the now exposed Slot.

The Radio Buoy and the Hydrofoil, are held together after assembly, and through the combined device's descent, by a simple mechanical system, called the Secondary Release, until at a sufficient depth and water pressure to cause the engagement of the Pressure Sensitive Grips.

3) The Secondary Release ( see FIGURE 4) This is a mechanical system, comprising four sets of two Locking Balls, held apart by a Compression Spring, and which are located in four dnllings, in the same plane but at degrees from each other. These dnllings, pass entirely through the wall of the Fuselage Tube, the bore of the Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin, and the wall of the Shock Absorber Tube.

The Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin, is held fast inside the bore of the Fuselage Tube of the Hydrofoil, by the action of the set of these Outer Locking Balls engaging in their seats, against the ends of the plastic Sealing Plugs, driven from the outside into the dnllings in the bore, of the Fuselage Tube, after the Inner Balls and their Compression Springs, have been installed.

The Compression Spring is held captive in its drilling, by its first few outer coils, by a circlip located in a groove in the bore of the drilling, in the wall of the Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin, at a level, which allows the top surface of the outer Locking Ball to move just above the outersurface of the Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin, by compressing these first coils. This gives a degree of residual engagement, of the Secondary Release to prevent premature separation.

The spring is installed merely by turning it past the circlip.

The movement of the Second Piston of the Piston Rod, from beneath the inner Balls, releases the spring tension, between the Balls, and so frees the Outer Balls from their dnllings in the wall of the Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube, so permitting separation of the Radio Buoy.

If the outside diameter of Inner Balls is just less than half the difference in diameter, between the Piston Rod and the Pistons, and if the free and extended length of the Compression Spring is correct, so as to give minimum protrusion into the bore of the Shock Absorber Tube, the inner Balls will be rolled out of the Shock Absorber Tube by the Third Piston, as the Piston Rod is completely withdrawn. To prevent jamming against the protruding spring ends, Piston 3 has chamfered edges. The relative positions along the length of the Piston Rod, of the Pistons, and the Primary Release Bobbin, determines the characteristics of the exit process of the complete Piston Rod from the Shock Absorber Tube.

The purpose of this system, is to allow the compressible Release Rings, which are used to force the Hydrofoil and Radio Buoy apart, and the air filled Flotation Ring, which gives added buoyancy at the surface, to be pre-loaded, when these two components are assembled together, and to hold them together, during the descent to the sea bed, until there is sufficient water pressure, for the Pressure Sensitive Grips to operate.

4) The Pressure Sensitive Grips ( Flaure 2 refers).

These are in the form of a series of 5 rings of rectangular section, made from compressible material, such as Butyl rubber, and which are held by adhesive onto the cylindrical outer surface of the Second Chamber of the Radio Buoy, so that a small airgap, is maintained between them, and the inner surface of the Hydrofoil Body.

The design is such that increased water pressure, distorts the outer wall of the corresponding cylindrical surface of the Hydrofoil Body directly above it, and causes it to squeeze onto the nngs, so trapping the Radio Buoy.

These Rings are positioned in pairs, either side of the two sets of narrow circumferential slots, cut through the cylindrical wall, of the body of the Second Chamber, of the Radio Buoy, with a further set at the end of the cylindrical section, near to the start of the conical section.

These rings also prevent seepage of the buoyancy fluid, from this Chamber, and the ingress of high pressure sea water, into the air gap, between the outside of the Radio Buoy, and the inside surface of the Hydrofoil Body, where they overlap, whilst the complete Device is anchored, prior to separation.

The purpose of these slots, once exposed after the coming apart of the Radio Buoy from the Hydrofoil, is to allow the gradual exchange of the buoyancy fluid inside this Chamber of the Radio Buoy, for sea water, as the Buoy ascends to the surface.

This Second Chamber of the Radio Buoy, needs to be flooded by sea water when at the surface, so as to help stabilise, the Buoy and keep its attached Radio Antenna vertical.

5) The Anchor of the Deeo Sea Device. (See FIGURE This comprises a solid Beam, of reinforced concrete or cast Iron, with the Anchor Tube, attached to one end, and the heavy square Base Plate of cast Iron to the other.

The Cruciform of steel tubes, is located near to the Anchor Tube end, and arranged so that the Cruciform aligns with the corners of the Base Plate.

Each free end of he Cruciform Tube has an Inclined Fin attached to it, the purpose of which is to cause the Anchor to slowly rotate as it descends to the sea bed, making this descent more consistent and predictable.

The Attached Drawings Show the construction of the Device.

FIGURE 1 Indicates the method of engagement of the ser,arate Hydrofoil and tbe Radio Buoy/Radio Pod.

The Components are listed below: A) Hydrofoil Fuselage (foreshortened for clarity) B) Hydrofoil Body C) Shock Absorber Tube D) Closed Telescopic Short Wave Radio Antenna E) Antenna Mounting Bobbin F) Solid Laminated Radio Pod G) Air Feed Valve (for Flotation Ring) H) Swivel Eye I) Pressure Sensitive Grips J) Mounting Rim for Flotation Ring (not shown) K) Radial Slots in Second Chamber of Radio Buoy L) Radio Buoy Body M) Conical Mounting Face for Air Filled Release Rings FIGUREi Shows a Foreshortened cross section of the fully assembled Hydrofoil/Radio Buoy. locked into the Anchor Tube.

The Components are listed as follows: A) Anchor Tube B) Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube C) Hydrofoil Body D) Front Hydrofoil Wings E) Rear Hydrofoil Wings F) Nose Cone G) Radio Buoy Outer Shell H) Internal Central Partition I) Radio Buoy - First Chamber J) Radio Buoy - Second Chamber K) Solid Radio Pod (no internal components shown) L) Internal Air Feed Pipe and fittings onto the Flotation Ring M) Collapsed Flotation Ring N) Air Filled Release Rings 0) Pressure Sensitive Grips P) Circumferential Slots in Radio Buoy Outer Shell Q) Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin R) Fully Retracted Telescopic Radio Antenna S) Radio Antenna Retaining Ring T) Shock Absorber Tube U) Shock Absorber Piston Rod with numbered Pistons V) Shock Absorber Spring W) Primary Release Bobbin X) End Plug Y) Primary Release Mechanism Z) Secondary Release Mechanism AA) Rear Circlip BB) Retaining Washer CC) Front Seal DD) Swivel Eye EE) Air Feed Valve FIGURE 3 Shows the Primary Release and its comDonentS 1) Diaphragm Spring 2) Slotted Lugs 3) Shock Absorber Piston Rod 4) Primary Release Bobbin 5) Locking Pins 6) Locking Pin Extension 7) Nylon Button 8) Anchor Tube 9) Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube Arrow indicates direction of movement of the Piston Rod FIGURE 3A Gives Detail of the Primary Release Pins and their Extensions FIGURE 4 Shows the design of the SecondarY Release Mechanism and its comDonentS I Hydrofoil Fuselage Tube 2 Radio Antenna Mounting Bobbin 3 Seal 4 Nylon Plug Shock Absorber Tube 6 Shock Absorber Piston Rod 7 Piston number - 2 of Shock Absorber Piston Rod 8 Retaining Ball - Inner 9 Radio Buoy Outer Shell Release Ring 11 Hydrofoil Body 12 Circlip 13 Retaining Ball - Outer 14 Spring Fully Retracted Telescopic Radio Antenna FIGURE 5 Shows the Six radial Keyhole Slots in the Layer of the Radio Pod which hold the Battery Components The Slotted Sleeve with its Tapered Float installed (see FIGURE 5) are pushed into the circular drillings, so that the slot in the Sleeve corresponds with the Battery Cell Slot.

FIGURE 6 Gives detail of the of the Slotted Sleeve and Float A) Sleeve B) Slot C) Closed End D) Open End E) Tapered Bore Section F) Parallel Bore Section G) Tapered Float H) Float Central Bore FIGURE 7 Shows the Slotted Sleeve and Float Assembled into the Battery Keyhole Slot within the Layer of the Radio Pod.

A) Slotted Sleeve B) Tapered Float C) Central Bore of Float containing Silicone Liquid D) Slot in Sleeve E) Slot containing Dry Charged Lead/Acid Battery Cell F) Battery Acid Reservoir G) Stopper H) Radio Pod Layer FIGURE 8 Shows construction of the Anchor of the Deer, Sea Device 1) Anchor Tube 2) Anchor Beam 3) Fin 4) Front Cruciform Tube 5) Square Base Plate FIGURE 8A End View of Anchor

Claims (3)

CLAIMS.

1) A Tsunami Warning System, comprising a network of Radio Buoy/Hydrofoil Devices, anchored directly onto the Deep Sea Bed, in the region of the Fault Line, and a further line of similar Devices, tethered at a suitable depth above the sea bed at a sufficient distance from the threatened shore, both of which are released towards the surface of the sea by the under water sea winds', which feed the Tsunami Wave. At the start of these high velocity currents, they snatch at a Sea Kite, comprising a balloon of low density liquid, enclosed in a Nylon mesh, and which is tethered directly to the release mechanisms, of both the combination of the Hydrofoil/Radio Buoy, from its Anchor, and the Radio Buoy, and Hydrofoil separately.

2) This Radio Buoy, which is suitably designed by having only small internal cavities, to resist extreme water pressure, (at least I Ton per square inch), is attached to a specially designed low drag Hydrofoil, of the canard' configuration which uses the difference in velocity between that of the Hydrofoil, and that of the sea wind', to generate lift', so as to fly upwards, through these high speed currents, since buoyancy alone is insufficient to achieve this, and the time taken to surface, reduces the time for warning by the same amount.

Once within the lower pressure, and calmer water conditions, nearer to the surface, the Radio Buoy and the Hydrofoil separate, and the Radio Buoy continues its journey to the surface of the sea, by buoyancy alone.

3) At the surface, with its telescopic Antenna extended, the long range, Short Wave Radio, transmits its identification, and details of elapsed time since release, and its ongoing position through its G.P.S. system link.

Such a radio, requires a high powered Lead/Acid battery to operate, and this itself is of special design and has to be of solid' construction, and to have the battery cells and acid housed separately, when anchored, but these are allowed to mix, when the Radio Buoy is correctly orientated when at the surface of the sea.