JP2002012185A - Self-sinking device of buoy - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a safe and inexpensive self-sinking device of a buoy for saving a recovering cost by automatically self-sinking a drifting buoy and a mooring buoy completing the service life by losing the observing function, preventing an increase in a danger of sailing of a ship by the buoy becoming useless driftage and wholly eliminating a malfunction of being a high cost by particularly causing a danger like a conventional self-sinking device using a large quantity of gunpowder. SOLUTION: A hollow buoy body 2, an observing device housed in the buoy body, a power source 3 and this self-sinking device 4 are provided, and the self-sinking device has a plug member 15 filled in a hole 81 arranged in an outer wall of the buoy body, a plug member welding electric heater 16 arranged in contact in a plug member, a switch 17 for putting the power source and the electric heater in an electrically continuing state and a switch operating means 90 for operating the switch, and when the switch operating means operates the switch, the electric heater is heated by an electric current supplied from the power source, and the plug member is melted so that the hole is opened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a buoy such as a drifting buoy or a mooring buoy for ocean observation, and more particularly to a buoy provided with a self-sinking device for allowing the buoy to self-sink when its life has expired.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The characteristics of the ocean such as water temperature, seawater density, wave height, wave arrival direction, or sea surface wind direction and wind force on a specific sea surface of the ocean are observed, and the observation data is transmitted to a ground station via, for example, an artificial satellite. Drifting marine buoys (hereinafter referred to as drifting buoys) have been considered, and such drifting buoys have been released. Drifting buoys can obtain accurate data by drifting a large number of them, so a large number of drifting buoys are released, but it is extremely rare that suspended buoys are recovered, After drifting, it is generally lost by natural erosion or is launched on a beach or the like. However, the whereabouts of drifting buoys that drift over the vast ocean after the outage is not always clear, and drifting buoys, which are useless floats of several to tens of tons,
It often collides with and harms small boats on the voyage.
In addition, drifting into economic waters, territorial waters, or dangerous sea areas in other countries can cause international trouble. For this reason, drifting buoys are equipped with a self-sinking device using explosives, etc., and when the remaining power of the mounted power supply reaches a certain value, a device that uses the power to blast the gunpowder and self-sink is used. Proposed. However, self-sinking devices using explosives are dangerous, and explosive explosives can cause man-made disasters. In addition, the cost of the self-sinking apparatus was relatively high compared to the buoy body, and thus tended to be avoided. In addition,
The need to self-settle buoys arises not only for drifting buoys, but also for mooring buoys moored in vast waters such as the ocean. For example, if the mooring buoy reaches the end of its service life, it is better to allow it to sink itself than to recover it, and various dangers and problems caused by drifting of the mooring buoy due to corrosion or damage of the mooring means. Should be able to be eliminated.

[0003]

The problem to be solved by the present invention is that a drifting buoy that has lost its observation function and has reached the end of its life, or a mooring buoy that has reached its end of its life or has begun to drift, is automatically self-sinking. It is an object of the present invention to provide a buoy self-sinking device that can reduce the cost of collecting buoys and prevent the buoy that has become useless drifting substances from increasing the danger of navigation of the ship. In particular, the present invention provides a safe and low-cost buoy self-sedimentation apparatus that eliminates all the disadvantages associated with danger and high cost, such as a self-sedimentation apparatus using explosives.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is a drift type or mooring type buoy disposed in a water area such as the ocean, wherein the buoy is a hollow buoy body. And a power supply and a self-sinking device housed in the buoy body,
The self-sinking apparatus includes a plug member filled in a hole provided in the outer wall of the buoy body, an electric heating element for melting the plug member disposed in contact with the plug member, and bringing the power supply and the electric heating element into a conductive state. And a switch actuating means for actuating the switch.When the switch actuating means actuates the switch, the electric heating element generates heat by the current supplied from the power supply, thereby causing the plug member to generate heat. It is characterized by melting and opening the hole. The invention according to claim 2 is a drift type or mooring type buoy arranged in a water area such as the ocean, wherein the buoy includes a hollow buoy main body, a power supply and a self-sinking device housed in the buoy main body. The self-sinking device includes a plug member for opening and closing a hole provided on an outer wall of the buoy body, and a male screw member screwed into a screw hole provided on the plug member.
A drive source for rotating the male screw member, a switch for turning on the power supply and the drive source, and switch operating means for operating the switch, wherein the switch operating means turns the switch on. Then, the drive source is operated by the current supplied from the power source to rotate the male screw member, thereby releasing the plug member from the closed state. The invention according to claim 3 is a drift type or mooring type buoy disposed in a water area having a salt content such as the ocean, wherein the buoy has at least a hollow buoy main body,
A self-sinking device housed in a buoy body, wherein the self-sinking device is filled in two holes for self-sinking provided on an outer wall of the buoy body, and at least two metals that partially contact the seawater. A plug-making member, an insulating member that insulates between the metal plug members, a DC power supply in which an anode and a cathode are electrically connected to each plug member, respectively, and energization of each plug member from the DC power supply is turned ON and OFF. An electrolytic self-precipitation apparatus comprising a switch and switch operating means for operating the switch, wherein a current supplied from the DC power supply to each plug member when the switch operating means turns on the switch. The metal material constituting the plug member on the anode side is eluted into seawater as metal ions and deposited on the plug member on the cathode side, whereby a part of the plug member on the anode side is melted and perforated. Characterized in that it is configured to.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drift type or mooring type buoy which is disposed in a salty water area such as the ocean.
The buoy includes at least a hollow buoy main body and a self-sinking device housed in the buoy main body, and the self-sinking device is filled in one hole for self-sinking provided on a metal outer wall of the buoy main body. A metal plug member for bringing a part of the plug into contact with seawater, a DC power supply in which an anode is conductively connected to the plug member and a cathode is conductively connected to a metal outer wall; An electrolytic self-sinking apparatus comprising: a switch for turning on and off a current supplied to a metal outer wall; and switch operating means for operating the switch, wherein the DC power supply is provided when the switch operating means operates the switch. The metal material constituting the plug member is eluted into sea water as metal ions by current supplied from the anode to the plug member, and is precipitated on the metal outer wall on the cathode side. Characterized in that it is configured to perforation by dissolving a portion of said closure member. Claim 5
The invention is characterized in that at least a portion of the plug member that comes into contact with seawater is made of copper. The invention according to claim 6, wherein the switch actuating means includes a receiving unit and a control unit, and when the receiving unit receives a self-subsidence command signal from the outside,
A control unit activates the switch.
The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the switch actuating means includes a transmission unit and a control unit, and the control unit transmits the notification from the transmission unit to the outside when the remaining power of the power supply reaches a predetermined value. Features. The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that the switch operating means includes a control unit, and the control unit operates the switch when the remaining power of the power supply reaches a predetermined value. The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the switch actuating means operates based on a timer for measuring the expiration of the life of the observation device or the power supply and a type-up signal output when the timer expires. And a control unit for operating the switch.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a drifting type ocean observation buoy (hereinafter referred to as a drifting buoy) as an example of a buoy provided with the self-sinking apparatus of the present invention, FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the auto-sedimentation device, and FIG. This drifting buoy 1
This is a drift-type marine observation buoy equipped with various observation devices, power supplies, and the like for investigating characteristics of weather information and the like on a specific area sea surface of the ocean S. This drifting buoy 1 has a hollow buoy body 2
And an observation device and a power source 3 housed in the buoy main body 2, and a self-sinking device 4 (4A, 4B). Buoy body 2
Has a hole 11 for introducing seawater at the bottom of a housing (outer wall) 10 made of metal, resin, etc.
Alternatively, it has a vent hole 12 for venting gas. Each self-sinking device 4
The plugs A and 4B have the same configuration, and are plugged with a plug member 15 made of a foam material or the like arranged to close the holes 11 and 12 provided on the outer wall of the buoy main body, and embedded in each plug member 15. Heating element 16 for melting the plug member and a power source (battery) 3a
Switch 17 for making the electric heating element 16 electrically conductive with
Switch operating means 18 for operating the switch 17
And. As the plug member 15, a material that can seal the holes 11 and 12 in a water-tight manner, such as a foam material, and that can be melted and contracted and deformed by heat from an electric heating element is selected. The electric heater 16 uses, for example, a nichrome wire. The electric heating element 16 does not need to be entirely embedded in the plug member 15, and may be brought into contact with the outside. When the switch operating means 18 operates the switch 17 (ON), the electric current supplied from the power supply 3a causes the electric heating body 16 to generate heat and the plug member 1
5 is melted and the holes 11 and 12 are opened. This self-sinking device 4 is assembled to a housing, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, a plug member holding plate made of resin or the like is provided on the inner wall around the hole in a state where the plug member 15 in which the electric heating element 16 is embedded is fitted in the hole 11 (12) provided in the housing 10 in a watertight and airtight manner. A configuration is provided in which 20 is held down by screws 21 (schematically indicated by arrows). A hole 22 for guiding a lead wire extending from the electric heating element 16 to the inside of the housing is formed in the center of the plug member holding plate 20, and an O-ring 24 is fitted and arranged in an annular groove 23 provided on the lower surface thereof. Ensure airtightness. The inner O-ring prevents seawater from entering between the holding plate 20 and the plug member 15, and the outer O-ring prevents seawater from entering between the holding plate 20 and the inner wall of the housing 10. I do. The hole 22 functions to guide seawater into the buoy when the holes 11 and 12 are opened, and to release air and gas inside the buoy.

Various configurations can be considered for the configuration of the switch operating means 18. For example, the switch operating means 18 includes a receiving unit 30 and a control unit 31 as shown in FIG. The receiving unit 30 communicates with the base station via a communication satellite (not shown), and when a self-subsidence command signal from the base station is input to the control unit 31 via the receiving unit 30, the control unit 3
1 turns on a switch 17 for turning on and off the power supply 3a to supply a current from the power supply 3a to the electric heating element 16. As a result, the plug member 15 is melted by the heat generated by the electric heating element 16 and opens the holes 11 and 12. While the seawater enters through the hole 11 facing the seawater and fills the inside of the housing 10, the inside air and gas are evacuated from the upper hole 12 to promote the penetration of the seawater. The drift buoy 1 starts sinking when the seawater enters the housing, and finally sinks to the sea floor. In this embodiment,
The base station outputs a self-desertion command signal at an appropriate time when a period required for the drift buoy to stop functioning due to, for example, the power of the power supply 3a being exhausted. In addition to the power supply 3a for operating the observation device, it is also possible to use a dedicated battery for self-sinking. In this case,
The self-sinking device can be operated even after the power of the power supply 3a for operating the observation device is exhausted.
Even if the power consumption of the power supply is earlier than expected, or if a power supply failure occurs, it is possible to reliably self-destroy.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the switch actuating means 18. The switch actuating means 18 includes a transmitting unit (transmitting / receiving unit) 35 and a control unit 31. When the remaining power of the power supply 3a reaches a predetermined value, the transmitting unit 35 transmits a notification to the base station via the communication satellite. The base station is notified that the remaining power of the power supply has decreased to a predetermined value, and when it is determined that self-sinking is necessary, a self-sinking command signal is emitted toward the drifting buoy 1 to allow the self-sinking. . When the control unit 31 receives a self-subsidence signal from the base station via the transmission / reception unit 35, the control unit 31 turns on the switch 17 for turning on and off the power supply 3a to supply current from the power supply 3a to the electric heating element 16. . The behavior leading to the subsequent self-sedimentation is the same as in the above embodiment. According to this embodiment, it is assumed that the drift buoy loses its function due to the exhaustion of the remaining power of the power supply 3a and the like, and the exhaustion command signal is output before reaching the timing. In contrast, the base station outputs a self-subsidence signal after waiting for a signal indicating that the residual power has decreased to a predetermined value from the drifting buoy 1 side. Therefore, it is necessary to sufficiently determine the timing and necessity of outputting the self-subsidence signal. After that, a self-sinking signal can be output. In particular, when the actual power consumption progresses faster than the time required for power supply power consumption which is normally assumed, it is necessary to monitor the decrease in the remaining power of the power supply at an appropriate early time as in this embodiment. Self-sinking is effective in avoiding the risk of losing self-sinking timing.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the switch actuating means 18, and FIG.
8 includes a control unit 31, and the control unit 31 operates the switch 17 when the remaining power of the power supply 3a reaches a predetermined value.
That is, the switch operating means 18 of this embodiment operates the self-destroying device before the power source 3a is consumed without receiving a self-destroying command or the like from the base station. Next, FIG. 7 shows a switch operating means of another embodiment.
Includes a timer 40 that measures the expiration of the life of the observation device and the power supply 3a, and a control unit 31 that activates the switch 17 by operating based on a type-up signal output when the timer 40 times out. Have. Timer 4
The life of the power supply set by 0 is preset as a period in units of year, month, week, day, or the like, and the self-sink device operates to sink the buoy by the time-up during this period. In the above-described embodiment, the plug member 15 that is melted by the heat generated by the electric heating element 16 to open the holes 11 and 12 is used. However, a small amount of explosive is incorporated in the plug member 15 and the ignition that ignites the explosive is performed. A means (a heating element or the like) is arranged in the vicinity of the explosive, and the power is supplied to the ignition means from the power source 3a to explode the explosive and destroy the plug member 15 to open the hole. Alternatively, the plug member 15 and the hole 11, An explosive may be arranged at a contact portion with the explosive 12 so that the explosive is exploded to detach the plug member from the hole. In this case,
Since only a small amount of gunpowder is used, there is no problem in terms of safety and cost.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a drifting buoy provided with a self-sedimentation apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the self-sedimentation apparatus. Is an enlarged sectional view showing a state after the operation of the self-separation device, and FIG. 11 is an exploded view. The drifting buoy 1 shown in FIG.
And an observation device and a power supply 3 housed in the buoy main body 2, and a self-sinking device 51 (51A, 51B). The buoy main body 2 has a hole 11 for introducing seawater at the bottom of a housing (outer wall) 10 made of metal, resin, or the like, and has an air vent hole 12 at an upper portion for discharging air or gas inside. Each of the self-sinking devices 51A and 51B has the same configuration, and is provided on a plug member (bush) 55 for opening and closing the holes 11 and 12 provided on the outer wall of the housing 10 of the buoy main body, and on each plug member 55. A male screw member 57 screwed into the screw hole 56, a driving source 60 such as a motor for rotating the male screw member 57, and a power supply 3.
61 for making the connection between the drive source 60 and the drive source 60 conductive
Switch operating means 62 for operating the switch 61
And. The plug member 55 is airtightly fitted to the inner circumferences of the holes 11 and 12, is fixed to the inner wall of the housing by screws 63, and is watertight and airtight between the inner walls of the holes by an O-ring 64. A screw hole 56 is formed through the center of the plug member 55, and a female screw portion 56a is formed in at least a part of the screw hole 56. The male screw member 57 fits into the screw hole 56 and is screwed with the female screw portion 56a by the outer male screw portion 57a to seal the screw hole 56. In this sealed state, seawater or outside air cannot enter through the screw hole 56. An O-ring 57c is fitted in the annular groove at the tip of the male screw member 57, thereby improving watertightness and airtightness.

The drive source 60 is supported by a bracket 70 fixed to the inner wall of the housing by screws 71. An output member 65 attached to an output shaft 60b of the drive source 60 rotates the base end 57b of the male screw member 57. It is fixedly supported in the direction. The output member 65 has a recess 65a at the distal end thereof, and the proximal end 57b is loosely fitted in the recess 65a, and is relatively movable in the axial direction. When the drive source 60 is driven to rotate the male screw member 57 supported by the output member 65 in the opening direction, the male screw member 57 retracts inward to open the screw hole 56 as shown in FIG. This enables the gas inside to be vented. When the switch operating means 62 turns on the switch 61 (ON), the drive source 60 is operated by the current supplied from the power supply 3a, and the male screw member 5 is turned on.
7 is rotated so that the plug member 55 releases the state in which the holes 11 and 12 are closed. The motor as the drive source 60 is provided with an ultra-low speed gear head 60a. Even if the stopper member 55 and the male screw member 57 are fixed by salt or sand to make it difficult to rotate, a high torque Therefore, the male screw member 57 can be reliably rotated to open the screw hole 56. Further, the effect of the ultra-low speed gear head 60a prevents the threaded portion between the male screw member 57 and the screw hole 56 from being loosened due to vibration or the like. Therefore, the screw hole is not opened and sinks before the self-sinking command is issued. The plug member 55 and the male screw member 57 are made of Teflon (registered trademark), polyacetate, or the like.
It is made of a material that has low friction, is not corroded by seawater, and does not easily adhere to shellfish. As the configuration of the switch operating means 62, basically, the configuration of the switch operating means 18 shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7 can be diverted as it is and shown in FIGS. The plug member 55, the male screw member 57, the drive source 60, and the switch 61 may be applied instead of the plug member 15 and the electric heating element 16 and the like. That is, when the switch operating means 18 of FIG. 4 is applied to the self-sinking device 51 of this embodiment, the control unit 3 waits for a self-sinking command signal from the base station.
1 turns on the switch 17 to start the driving of the driving source 60 to open the male screw member 57 and self-sink. Its action,
Regarding the effect, what has been described with reference to FIG. When the switch operating member 18 of FIG. 5 is applied to the self-separation device 51 of the present embodiment, the power supply 3a
Is notified to the base station that the remaining power has decreased, and when the base station issues a self-subsidence signal, the control unit 31 turns on the switch 17 to start driving the driving source 60 to turn the male screw member 57 on. Release and allow to sink. The actions and effects described in FIG. 5 apply as they are.

When the switch operating member 18 shown in FIG. 6 is applied to the self-separation device 51 of the present embodiment, the control unit 31 turns on the switch 17 when it determines that the remaining power of the power supply 3a has decreased. Then, the driving of the driving source 60 is started to open the male screw member 57 and self-sink. Its action,
Regarding the effect, what has been described with reference to FIG. When the switch operating member 18 shown in FIG. 7 is applied to the self-sinking device 51 of the present embodiment, the timer 40 notifies the control unit 31 that the self-sinking time has come, and the control unit 31 turns on the switch 17. Then, the drive source 60 is started to drive to release the male screw member 57 and to self-sink. The actions and effects described in FIG. 7 apply as they are. As in the case of the above embodiment, a power supply dedicated to the self-sinking device may be provided separately from the power supply 3a for operating the observation device and the like. Since the base station can know the location of the drifting buoy by the GPS device provided in the drifting buoy, the self-sinking device is controlled based on the self-sinking command signal from the base station as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. If the buoy has a function to operate and cause the drifting buoy to self-settle, if there is a possibility that the drifting buoy may move into the sea area where it should not enter,
A self-sinking command signal can be output to cause self-sinking. Also, in a self-sinking device of the type shown in FIGS.
It is preferable to additionally provide a configuration capable of causing self-sinking based on a self-sinking command signal from the base station. In addition, the first
In the second embodiment, the case where the self-sinking device is applied to the drifting buoy has been described. However, the self-sinking device of the present invention may be applied to a buoy other than the drifting buoy, that is, to a specific water area such as an ocean, a lake, a river, or a river. It can be applied to moored buoys. In other words, mooring buoys can also save enormous costs for collecting buoys or lose mooring power because the life of the buoy itself has been reduced due to the reduced durability of the buoy itself and the life of the mounted equipment. Self-sinking may be required to avoid danger when the buoy drifts.
In this case as well, the object can be achieved by employing the above-described auto-sedimentation device. The place for installing the self-sinking apparatus for introducing seawater may be a place other than the bottom of the housing, for example, a side surface.

Third Embodiment Next, FIG. 12 shows a drift type ocean observation buoy (hereinafter, referred to as a drift buoy) as an example of a buoy having a self-sinking device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
13 (a) and 13 (b) are longitudinal sectional views showing a schematic configuration of one embodiment, and FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b) are main part sectional views showing an attached state and an operating state of the self-sinking device. The drifting buoy 1 is a drifting type ocean observation buoy equipped with various observation devices, a DC power supply, and the like for investigating characteristics of weather information and the like on a specific area sea surface of the ocean S. The drifting buoy 1 includes a hollow buoy body 2, an observation device and a power source 3 housed in the buoy body 2, and a self-sinking device 8.
0. The buoy main body 2 has a hole 81 for introducing seawater and another hole 82 at an appropriate position of a housing (outer wall) 10 made of metal, resin, or the like, for example, at the bottom. In addition, as described later, air vents for venting air or gas inside the housing,
If necessary, it may be arranged on the upper surface of the housing 10 or the like, and the vent hole may be opened at the time of self-sinking. Self-sinking device 80
Are two holes 8 for self-sinking provided in the housing 10 of the buoy main body 2.
At least two metal plug members 85 and 86 that are partially filled (fitted) into the seawater S by being filled (fitted) into the insides 1 and 82, respectively, and are insulated between the metal plug members 85 and 86. And an insulating member (insulating bush) 87 that also insulates between each metal plug member and the housing 10, and each plug member 8.
A DC power supply (also used as an electronic device and a power supply constituting the power supply 3) 88 in which an anode and a cathode are connected to the electrodes 5 and 86, respectively, and energization of the plug members 85 and 86 from the DC power supply 88 is turned on. , OFF, and a switch operating means 90 for operating the switch 89. As the housing 10, for example, aluminum is used in consideration of corrosion resistance and strength. Insulating members 87 also shown in FIG. 14 are fitted into holes 81 and 82 provided at appropriate locations on the bottom surface of the housing 10 (below the waterline of the buoy main body).
Fixed to 0. The insulating member 87 is a member having a bush shape made of an insulating material such as a resin having excellent chemical resistance (seawater resistance), for example, polyacetal, and has a cylindrical bush body 87a having a through hole 87b in the axial direction. And a flange 8 that protrudes from the one end edge of the main body 87a in the outer radial direction.
7c, and a screw 91,
Screw holes 87 c ′ and 87 c ″ for inserting respective 92 are formed. A screw hole 93 is formed on the bottom surface of the housing 10 corresponding to the one screw hole 87 c ′. Then, the insulating member 87 is fixed to the bottom surface of the housing.
Further, an annular groove 87 provided on the outer periphery of the bush body 87a.
An O-ring 94 is fitted in a ′ to ensure watertightness and airtightness between the inner wall of each of the holes 81 and 82.

The metal plug members 85 and 86 are connected to the respective holes 8 of the housing.
Through holes 87 of each insulating member 87 fitted and fixed to 1, 82
b are cylindrical electrode parts 85a, 8 which are fitted on the inner wall of each through hole 87b on the outer peripheral surface.
6a and flange portions 85b, 86b protruding from one end edges of the cylindrical portions 85a, 86a. Annular grooves 85a ', 8 provided on the outer peripheral surface of each of the cylindrical portions 85a, 86a.
6a ', an O-ring 95 is fitted into each through hole 87.
Water tightness and airtightness are ensured between the inner wall of b. The screw holes 8 having a positional relationship capable of communicating with the other screw holes 87c ″ provided in the insulating member 87 are formed in the flange portions 85b and 86b.
5b 'and 86b' are formed, and both screw holes 85b 'and 86' are formed.
The screw 92 is screwed and fixed in a state where the other screw hole 87c "is communicated with the plug member 85.
86 is fixed to the housing 10 via an insulating member 87.
Each of the plug members 85 and 86 is made of a metal material such as copper.
The plug members 85 and 86 are set, for example, to have respective dimensions as shown in the schematic sectional view of FIG. At least the plug member 85 on the anode side has a center hole 85A.
The outer surface of the bottom portion 85B contacts the seawater. The screw 9
1 is designed so that the housing 10 and the plug members 85 and 86 are not conducted. That is, a recess is provided above the screw hole 87c 'provided in the flange 87c of the insulating member 87, and the screw 91
Is concealed in this recess so as not to be in electrical contact with the plug members 85, 86. Also, the screw 92 is similarly designed so as not to conduct the housing 10 and the plug members 85 and 86.

In this embodiment, one plug member 85 has its screw 92 electrically connected to the anode of the power supply 88 by a lead, and the other plug member 86 has its screw 92 connected to the cathode of the power supply 88 by a lead. It is electrically connected.
Therefore, when the switch 89 is turned on by the operation of the switch operation member 90, the plug member 85,
Current flows between 86. At this time, a portion of the metal material constituting the plug member 85 on the anode side that comes into contact with seawater is eluted into seawater as metal ions, and is deposited on the plug member 86 on the cathode side. Can be perforated by dissolving a part (bottom surface). According to the experiment, the thickness of the bottom surface of the copper plug member 85 was 2 mm,
When the voltage of V was continuously applied, the seawater began to enter the buoy body after the bottom surface of the anode plug member 85 had penetrated after about 7 hours. The power consumption at this time was about 2 amp hours. The material of the plug member 85 on the anode side may be any metal as long as it becomes a cation on the plug member 85 side and can be eluted into seawater, or any alloy containing the same. However, copper has the advantages that it is easily ionized and eluted, is easy to process, is inexpensive and easily obtainable, and has high seawater (corrosion resistance) resistance. It has various advantages that the function as a hardly deteriorates, and thus is highly useful. If the bottom portion 85B of the plug member 85 on the anode side has a thickness of 2 mm or more as shown in FIG. 15, there is little risk of damage due to collision with an object drifting on the sea such as driftwood. By variously adjusting the thickness of the bottom portion 85B of the plug member 85, it is possible to variously adjust the time from when the power is turned on until the self-sinking occurs. If it is desired to shorten the time required for self-settling, the thickness of the bottom portion may be reduced. In this case, in order to prevent the strength from decreasing, the cylindrical portion 85a is required.
Consideration such as reducing the inside diameter of

Next, the principle of the self-sedimentation apparatus utilizing electrolysis according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the seawater S filled in the container 95, the copper plates 85, 86 are immersed and arranged at a distance, the anode of the battery 88 is connected to the copper plate 85 side, and the cathode of the electron 88 is connected to the copper plate 86 side. 89 to O
When N, an electric current flows between the copper plates 85 and 86 via the seawater S. Since seawater S is a liquid containing an electrolyte such as sodium hydroxide, on the copper plate 85 on the anode side, Cu → Cu ²⁺ + 2e in parallel with the following chemical reaction 4OH ⁻ → 2H ₂ O + O ₂ ↑ + 4e ^{− -} reaction of happened, copper anode is eluted as ions in seawater. On the other hand, in the copper plate 86 on the cathode side, in parallel with the following chemical reaction 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻ → H ₂銅, the copper ions eluted from the anode side copper plate 85 into seawater undergo a reaction of Cu ²⁺ + 2e ⁻ → Cu. And is deposited as copper on the copper plate 86 on the cathode side. When this principle is applied to the auto-sedimentation device 80 shown in FIG. 13 and the like, the anode-side copper plate 85 and the cathode-side copper plate 86 correspond to the plug members 85 and 86, respectively. During the process in which copper ions eluted into the seawater from the bottom portion 85B of the anode plug member 86 precipitate on the bottom portion of the cathode side plug member 86, the thin bottom portion of the anode side plug member 85 gradually decreases in thickness, resulting in a perforated state. The diameter of the perforated portion, which was initially small, gradually increases as the energization progresses, and finally becomes a completely perforated state as shown in FIG. 13 (b). On the other hand, the bottom surface of the cathode-side plug member 85 becomes thick due to the deposited copper. Since the cathode-side plug member 85 is simply a means for depositing copper, it is not necessary to have the same configuration as the anode-side plug member 85. The workability at the time of assembling can be improved, and the cost of parts can be reduced.

The seawater infiltrates into the buoy body 2 from the pierced portion formed as described above, so that the buoyancy of the buoy body is gradually lost, and finally, the buoy body is filled with seawater and self-sinks. I do. In addition, if necessary, a vent hole 12 for venting as shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the upper part of the housing 10, and a plug member fitted in the hole 12 is connected to the self-sinking device shown in the first embodiment. 4 or the self-sinking device 7 shown in the second embodiment
It is configured to be opened using a conventional self-sinking device using 0 or an explosive. By removing the plug member arranged in the hole 12 using a self-precipitation device, the gas inside the buoy body is evacuated and decompressed, so that seawater can easily penetrate through the perforated portion of the plug member 85. Next, FIG. 17 shows a modification of the third embodiment.
A hole 81 for introducing seawater is provided at the bottom of the container, and the anode side plug member 85 is fixed via an insulating member 87 (fixing means such as screws are not shown). The anode of the power supply 78 is connected to the plug member 85 made of copper or the like, while the cathode is connected to the casing 10 made of metal such as aluminum. That is, the self-precipitation device 80 of this embodiment is characterized in that the housing 10 itself is used as a cathode, and metal ions eluted into seawater from the anode-side plug member 85 are deposited on the surface of the housing 10. It is. When copper is eluted from the anode-side plug member 85, the bottom portion 85B is pierced, and seawater enters the buoy body and self-sets down. According to this embodiment,
Since only one hole is formed in the housing 10 and only one set of insulating member and plug member is used, the number of steps and parts can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

Next, various modes can be considered as the configuration of the switch operating means 90 used in the third embodiment (including the modified example of FIG. 17). For example, as shown in FIG.
It comprises a control unit 101. The receiving unit 100 communicates with the base station via a communication satellite (not shown), and when a self-subsidence command signal from the base station is input to the control unit 101 via the receiving unit 100, the control unit 101 turns on the power supply 88. , OFF
Switch 89 is turned on, and each plug member 8 is
Supply current to 5,86. As a result, when the copper located at the bottom 85B of the plug member 85 on the anode side becomes ions and starts eluting into seawater, and the elution proceeds after a required time,
The bottom of the plug member 85 is pierced, and seawater enters from the perforated portion facing the seawater to fill the inside of the housing 10, and the buoy 1 starts sinking and finally sinks to the seabed. In this embodiment, the base station outputs the self-desertion command signal at an appropriate time when a period required for the drift buoy to stop functioning, for example, because the power of the power supply 88 is exhausted, or the like. In addition to the power supply 88 for operating the observation device, it is also possible to use a dedicated battery for self-sinking. In this case, after the power of the power supply 88 for operating the observation device is exhausted. Since the self-sinking device can be operated, the self-sinking can be reliably performed even when the power consumption of the power supply 88 is earlier than expected or when the power supply fails.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the switch operating means 90. The switch operating means 90 includes a transmitting section (transmitting / receiving section) 105 and a control section 10.
When the remaining power of the power supply 88 reaches a predetermined value, the control unit 101 transmits a notification from the transmission unit 105 to the base station via the communication satellite. The base station is informed that the remaining power of the power supply has decreased to a predetermined value, and when it is determined that self-sinking is necessary, a self-sinking command signal is sent to the drifting buoy 1.
And can be allowed to self-sediment. When the control unit 101 receives a self-subsidence signal from the base station via the transmission / reception unit 105, the control unit 101 turns on the power supply 88 and turns off the OF.
F. The switch 89 is turned on, and the plug member 8 is
Supply current to 5,86. The behavior leading to the subsequent self-sedimentation is the same as in the above embodiment. According to this embodiment, a time when the drifting buoy loses its function due to exhaustion of the remaining power of the power supply 88 is assumed in advance, and the exhaustion command signal is output before reaching the time. No,
The base station outputs a self-subsidence signal after waiting for a signal indicating that the residual power has decreased to a predetermined value from the drifting buoy 1 side. Therefore, it is necessary to sufficiently determine the timing of outputting the self-subsidence signal and the necessity. Thus, a self-sinking signal can be output. In particular, when the actual power consumption progresses faster than the time required for power supply power consumption which is normally assumed, it is necessary to monitor the decrease in the remaining power of the power supply at an appropriate early time as in this embodiment. Self-sinking is effective in avoiding the risk of losing self-sinking timing. Next, FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the switch operating means 90. The switch operating means 90 includes a control unit 101,
The control unit 101 operates the switch 89 when the remaining power of the power supply 88 reaches a predetermined value. That is, the switch operating means 90 of this embodiment operates the self-destroying device before the power supply 88 is consumed without receiving a self-destroying command or the like from the base station. Next, FIG. 21 shows a switch operating means of another embodiment.
8 has a timer 110 for counting the expiration of the life, and a control unit 101 that operates based on a type-up signal output when the timer 110 times out to operate the switch 89. The life of the power supply set by the timer 110 is set in advance as a period in units of years, months, or weeks, days, and the like. In the third embodiment, the case where the self-sedimentation apparatus is applied to the drifting buoy has been described. Mooring buoys that are moored in specific water areas (including lakes, rivers, rivers, etc.). That is,
For mooring buoys, the life of the buoy itself has been reduced due to its reduced durability, the life of its equipment, and so on.Therefore, enormous costs required to recover the buoy have been saved, and buoys have been lost due to loss of mooring power. Self-sinking may be required to avoid the danger of drifting. In this case as well, the object can be achieved by employing the above-described auto-sedimentation device. The place for installing the self-sinking apparatus for introducing seawater may be a place other than the bottom of the housing, for example, a side surface.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention, drifting buoys and mooring buoys whose life has expired due to loss of observation function are automatically settled to reduce the cost of recovery, and to reduce unnecessary drifting substances. Due to the buoy, it is possible to prevent problems such as an increase in the risk of navigation of the ship and intrusion into territorial waters of other countries. In particular, it is possible to provide a safe and low-cost buoy self-sedimentation apparatus that eliminates all the problems associated with danger and high cost as in a conventional self-sedimentation apparatus using a large amount of explosive. In addition, since the self-sinking can be performed by the self-sinking command signal from the base station, the self-sinking time can be selected irrespective of the end of the service life, and the trouble caused by drifting of the buoy can be eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a drift type ocean observation buoy according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a self-sedimentation apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an attached state of the self-separation device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a switch operating means.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the switch operating means.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the switch operating means.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the switch operating means.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a drift buoy provided with an auto-sedimentation device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the self-sedimentation apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view showing a state after the operation of the self-separation device of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the self-sedimentation apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a buoy according to a third embodiment.

13 (a) and 13 (b) are explanatory diagrams of a configuration of a main part (self-sinking device) of the buoy of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an insulating member and a plug member.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of an example of a plug member.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining the principle of a self-separation device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram of an auto-sedimentation device according to a modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view of an embodiment of a switch operating means.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the switch operating means.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the switch operating means.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the switch operating means.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 drifting buoy, 2 buoy body, 3 observation equipment and power supply,
3a power supply, 4,80 self-sinking device, 10 housing, 81
Hole, 15 plug member, 16 electric heater, 17 switch, 1
8 switch operating means, 20 stopper member holding plate, 21 screws, 22 holes, 23 annular grooves, 24 O-rings, 30
Receiving part, 31 control part, 35 transmitting part, 40 timer, 51, 51A, 51B self-precipitation device, 55 plug member (bush), 56 screw hole, 56a female screw part, 57
Male screw member, 57a Male screw part, 60 Drive source, 61
Switch, 62 switch operating means, 60b screw,
64 O-ring, 70 bracket, 71 screw, 80
Self-draining device, 81, 82 holes, 85, 86 metal plug member, 85a, 86a cylindrical portion, 85a ', 86a' annular groove, 85A center hole, 85B bottom, 87 insulating member (insulating bush), 87a bush body, 87a '
Annular groove, 87b through hole, 87c flange, 87c '
Screw hole, 87c "screw hole, 88 power supply, 89 switch, 90 switch operating means, 91, 92 screw, 9
4, 95 O-ring, 100 receiving unit, 101 control unit, 105 transmitting unit (transmitting / receiving unit).

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuyoshi Miyazaki 2-1-1 Kotani, Samukawa-cho, Koza-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Toyo Tsushinki Co., Ltd. (72) Akira Matsuda 2-chome Kotani, Samukawa-cho, Koza-gun, Kanagawa No. 1 in Toyo Communication Equipment Co., Ltd.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A drift type or mooring type buoy arranged in a water area such as the ocean, wherein the buoy includes a hollow buoy main body, a power supply and a self-sinking device housed in the buoy main body, The self-sinking device has a plug member filled in a hole provided on the outer wall of the buoy main body, an electric heating element for melting the plug member disposed in contact with the plug member, and a switch for bringing the power supply and the electric heating element into a conductive state. Switch operating means for operating the switch;
A buoy, wherein when the switch operating means operates the switch, the electric heating element generates heat by the current supplied from the power supply to melt the plug member and open the hole. Self-sinking device. 2. A drift type or mooring type buoy disposed in a water area such as the ocean, wherein the buoy includes a hollow buoy main body, a power source and a self-sinking device housed in the buoy main body, A self-sinking device, a plug member for opening and closing a hole provided on the outer wall of the buoy body, a male screw member screwed into a screw hole provided in the plug member, a drive source for rotating the male screw member,
A switch for turning on the power supply and the drive source, and switch actuation means for actuating the switch, wherein a current supplied from the power supply when the switch actuation means turns on the switch. A buoy self-separation device, wherein the drive source operates to rotate the male screw member and release the state in which the plug member closes the hole. 3. A drift type or mooring type buoy arranged in a salty water area such as the ocean, wherein the buoy comprises at least a hollow buoy main body and an auto-sedimentation device accommodated in the buoy main body. The self-sinking device is provided with at least two metal plugs that are respectively filled into two holes for self-sink provided on the outer wall of the buoy main body, and a part of which is brought into contact with seawater. An insulating member that insulates each of the plug members, a DC power supply in which an anode and a cathode are electrically connected to each plug member, and a switch that turns ON / OFF the energization of each plug member from the DC power source,
And a switch actuating means for actuating the switch, wherein the switch actuating means turns on the switch, the DC power supply supplies current to each plug member when the switch is turned on, and the anode side The metal material constituting the plug member is eluted into seawater as metal ions and deposited on the plug member on the cathode side, so that a part of the plug member on the anode side is melted and perforated. A buoy self-sinking device. 4. A drift type or mooring type buoy disposed in a salty water area such as the ocean, wherein the buoy comprises at least a hollow buoy main body and an auto-sedimentation device accommodated in the buoy main body. The self-sinking device is provided with one metal plug member that is filled in one hole for self-sink provided in the metal outer wall of the buoy body and makes a part of the self-sink contact seawater, A DC power supply in which the anode is conductively connected and the cathode is conductively connected to the metal outer wall, a switch for turning ON / OFF the energization of the plug member and the metal outer wall from the DC power supply, and a switch operating means for operating the switch; Wherein the switch actuating means actuates the switch to constitute the plug member by a current supplied from the anode of the DC power supply to the plug member. A buoy self-sedimentation apparatus characterized in that a part of the plug member is melted and perforated by dissolving a metal material as metal ions into seawater and depositing the metal material on a metal outer wall on the cathode side. . 5. The plug member according to claim 3, wherein at least a portion in contact with seawater is made of copper.
The buoy self-sinking device as described. 6. The switch actuating means includes a receiving unit and a control unit, wherein the control unit activates the switch when the receiving unit receives an external self-desertion command signal. Item 6. The buoy self-sedimentation apparatus according to any one of Items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. 7. The switch actuating means includes a transmission unit and a control unit, and when the remaining power of the power supply reaches a predetermined value, the control unit transmits a notification to the outside from the transmission unit. The buoy auto-sedimentation device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. 8. The switch operation means according to claim 1, wherein said switch operation means includes a control unit, said control unit activating said switch when the remaining power of said power supply reaches a predetermined value. The buoy self-sedimentation apparatus according to any one of 4, 5, 6, and 7. 9. The switch operating means operates on the basis of a timer for measuring the expiration of the life of the observation device and the power supply and a type-up signal output when the timer expires to activate the switch. And a control unit that operates.
The buoy self-sedimentation apparatus according to any one of 4, 5, 6, and 7.