GB828896A - Automatically released air sea rescue radio device - Google Patents

Abstract

828,896. Signalling-apparatus for marine and aerial navigation. PEEK, C. H. June 7, 1956 [March 7, 1955], No. 6668/55. Class 118 (2). [Also in Groups XXI, XXV, XXXVI and XL(c)] A device for use in locating distressed aircraft, submarines or other vessels comprises a casing 1 containing an automatic radio signal transmitter 2, a power supply 7, a deflated expandible flotation bag 13 and a gas cylinder 15 adapted to inflate the bag 13, and means to cause inflation of the bag and operation of the transmitter operated automatically when the casing is jettisoned from the vessel on which it is carried. A latch member 18 projects from the casing 1 and engages the nose of a bar 20, thereby attaching the casing 1 to the side 11 of the vessel or aircraft against the compression of a coil spring 31. The bar 20 is retained in engagement with the latch 18 against the action of a spring 21 by engagement of the end of the armature 22 of an electromagnet 23 in a recess in bar 20. On energization the electromagnet 23 attracts its armature 22 to allow spring 21 to withdraw bar 20 from latch member 18, whereupon spring 31 ejects the casing 1. A cable 10 secured to the side 11 of the vessel is attached to the end of a three-section telescopic aerial 8 by a shear-pin 9 so that the aerial is automatically extended as the casing is ejected and eventually released by shearing of the pin 9. When the arial 8 is almost fully extended a flared end 32 of its outer member moves rollers 33, 34 outwardly to close switches 35, 36, respectively. Switch 35 completes the circuit from battery 7 to a solenoid 17 which operates a valve 16 allowing compressed gas from cylinder 15 to inflate a rubber bag 13 which bursts a frangible covering-ring 14, of easily torn fabric, for example. Switch 36 supplies battery to transmitter 2 and motor 4 which drives an automatic keying mechanism 5, 6. When the aerial 8 is fully extended the roller 34 moves inwardly past the flared end 32 breaking contact 36 but immediately closing contact 37 on the same switch. A lead weight 38 ensures that the device floats with the aerial upright if it comes down in the sea or takes the shock and assists in bringing the device upright if ejected on land. The casing may be provided with a drogue for descent after ejection, or in the case of use on a submarine the flotation bag should be capable of raising a cable connected to the sunken submarine. A small lamp may be provided on top of the device near the aerial to be switched on with the transmitter and to shine upwardly. The bar 20 is provided with a handle 24 for manual release or the electromagnet 23 may be energized by a remote manually-operated switch or by switches operated on impact or immersion. The circuit of the electromagnet 23 is supplied from battery 7 via brushes 25 on the casing 1 which engage similar brushes 26 suitably mounted on the side 11 of the aircraft or other vessel.