JP2016120804A - Communication buoy, underwater observation device and method for using underwater observation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication buoy capable of moving up in water or floating on a water surface in a stable state with lateral swing or movement suppressed, and capable of reducing fluid resistance during underwater movement, an underwater observation device and a method of using the underwater observation device.SOLUTION: A communication buoy comprises a pressure-tight shell 29; and a storage container 45, which stores the pressure-tight shell 29, has a form of extension in a uniaxial direction, enables the pressure-tight shell 29 to move inside in a uniaxial direction with water coming into and out of the inside. During underwater movement toward a floatation direction or floatation on a water surface, the pressure-tight shell 29 is positioned toward the floatation direction in the storage container 45. During underwater movement toward a gravity direction, the pressure-tight shell 29 is positioned toward the gravity direction in the storage container 45.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication buoy that is used in an underwater observation device that acquires seismic motion, seawater temperature, and the like, and relates to a communication buoy that floats in the water or floats on the water surface, and also includes an apparatus main body connected to the communication buoy via a cable. The present invention relates to a method for using the apparatus and the underwater observation apparatus.

  An underwater observation device that is installed underwater on the seabed and acquires various information under the sea surface, such as seismic motion and seawater temperature, makes a communication buoy equipped with an antenna rise to the sea surface. Send or receive new information from outside. The transmission destination or the reception source is a communication satellite, an aircraft, a ship, or the like. In the underwater observation device, a communication buoy is accommodated in the main body unit except during communication, and only during communication, the communication buoy is levitated from the main body unit in the water and is collected by the main body unit when communication is completed. is there.

  Patent Document 1 listed below discloses an invention relating to an underwater observation device in which a reel is rotated so that tension is not applied to a high-tension cable when a high-tension cable connecting a communication buoy and an observation apparatus body is fed out. Further, in Patent Document 2 below, the invention relates to a buoy, and when the buoy floats on the water, the weight portion is held at the lowest position, and the weight portion faces upward toward the buoy body portion during storage or transportation. What is moved is disclosed. Thereby, when the buoy floats on the water, even if it receives a force from waves, winds, etc., the shaking of the antenna is relatively small, and it is easy to carry during transportation and easy to store during storage.

JP 2013-169864 A (paragraphs [0008] to [0010]) JP 2011-195139 A (paragraphs [0006] to [0008])

  When a buoy having an airtight container with an antenna does not have a weight portion as in Patent Document 2, the buoyancy center and the center of gravity are close to each other. Therefore, when the buoy floats up from the main body underwater without tension being applied to the cable connected to the buoy, the buoy swings in the lateral direction and floats upward with little positional deviation. Because it is not possible, it takes a long time to ascend to the surface of the water. Also, since the buoy's levitation route is not the shortest, it is difficult to predict the levitation position. Further, when the buoy floats on the water surface, the antenna located above the communication buoy and the upper part of the buoy appear on the water surface. Therefore, the position of the buoyancy center and the center of gravity are closer, and the buoy is easily shaken or moved in the lateral direction. As a result, when the waves are high, the antenna tends to fall down or be submerged, resulting in trouble with communication stability.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, suppresses horizontal shaking and movement, can float in the water in a stable state, can float on the water surface, and It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication buoy, an underwater observation apparatus, and a method for using the underwater observation apparatus that can reduce fluid resistance when moving underwater.

In order to solve the above problems, the communication buoy, the underwater observation apparatus, and the method of using the underwater observation apparatus of the present invention employ the following means.
That is, the communication buoy according to the present invention has a sealed container and a sealed container, has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, the sealed container is movable in a uniaxial direction, and water is supplied to the interior. The container is located on the buoyancy direction side inside the containment vessel and moves underwater in the direction of gravity when the container is moving toward the buoyancy direction in the water or floating on the water surface. When moving toward the side, the sealed container is located on the gravity direction side inside the storage container.

  According to this configuration, since the sealed container stored in the storage container is located on the buoyancy direction side inside the storage container while moving underwater in the buoyancy direction side, the storage container extends in the gravity direction of the sealed container. It will be in the existing state. Therefore, while moving underwater in the buoyancy direction side, the center of gravity of the communication buoy combining the sealed container and the storage container is a position shifted to the buoyancy direction side as compared with the communication buoy of only the sealed container. On the other hand, the buoyancy is almost the same when the combination of the sealed container and the containment container is compared with the case of only the sealed container, because water enters the containment container and the volume of the containment container hardly contributes to the buoyancy. Absent. Therefore, while moving underwater in the buoyancy direction side, a communication buoy that combines a sealed container and a containment container has a center of gravity and a buoyancy center that are far apart from a communication buoy that uses only a sealed container. Suppresses and stably ascends.

Similarly, while floating on the surface of the water, a communication buoy that combines a sealed container and a containment container has a separate center of gravity and buoyancy center compared to a communication buoy with only a sealed container. Suppresses and floats stably.
Furthermore, since the containment vessel has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, the shape of the containment vessel becomes long along the traveling direction while moving in water upward or downward, and the backward flow is rectified.

  In the said invention, it is further provided with the floating body which is provided in the buoyancy direction side rather than the airtight container, and has the shape extended in the uniaxial direction, and is floating on the water surface when moving underwater toward the buoyancy direction side. When the floating body protrudes outward from the end portion on the buoyancy direction side of the storage container and moves toward the gravity direction side in the water, the floating body may be stored in the storage container.

According to this configuration, while moving underwater in the buoyancy direction side, it has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction by the storage container and the floating body, and while moving underwater in the gravity direction side, only by the storage container Since it has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, it becomes a long shape along the traveling direction, and the backward flow is rectified.
Since the floating body is provided above the airtight container while floating on the water surface, the buoyancy is increased by the floating body in a state where the airtight container is temporarily submerged compared to the case of only the airtight container.

  In the above invention, the antenna unit is provided to project from the end of the sealed container on the buoyancy direction side, and the cable is connected to the end of the sealed container on the gravity direction side and connected to the apparatus main body unit, and is stored The container is provided so as to penetrate the end portion on the buoyancy direction side, the first through hole through which the antenna portion can be inserted, and the second penetrating through the end portion on the gravity direction side, through which the cable is inserted. You may have a through-hole.

  According to this configuration, when the sealed container stored in the storage container is positioned on the buoyancy direction side inside the storage container while moving underwater in the buoyancy direction side or while floating on the water surface, The antenna portion passes through the first through hole and protrudes outside the storage container. On the other hand, when the sealed container stored in the storage container is located on the gravity direction side inside the storage container while moving in the gravity direction side, at least a part of the antenna portion has the first through hole. Passed and stored inside the containment vessel. Further, since the cable is inserted through the second through hole, the sealed container and the apparatus main body can be always connected regardless of the position of the sealed container inside the storage container.

  The communication buoy according to the present invention includes a sealed container and a uniaxially extending shape, and is provided on the buoyancy direction side of the sealed container, and includes a floating body through which water enters and exits, and the buoyancy direction in the water When moving toward the side or the direction of gravity, water enters the inside of the floating body, and when floating on the water surface, water is discharged from the inside of the floating body.

According to this configuration, while the water is moving to the buoyancy direction side or the gravity direction side, water is infiltrated into the floating body provided on the buoyancy direction side of the sealed container. However, since it has a shape extending in the uniaxial direction, the shape becomes long along the traveling direction, and the backward flow is rectified.
Since the water is discharged from the inside of the floating body while floating on the water surface, the buoyancy is increased by the floating body in the state where the sealed container is temporarily submerged compared to the case of only the sealed container.

  An underwater observation apparatus according to the present invention includes the communication buoy described above, and an apparatus main body that is connected to the communication buoy and a cable and acquires information in water.

  The method of using the underwater observation apparatus according to the present invention includes a sealed container, a sealed container that has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, and the sealed container is movable in a uniaxial direction. The underwater observation apparatus having a communication buoy having a storage container in and out of the storage container, wherein the communication buoy moves in water toward the buoyancy direction side with the sealed container positioned on the buoyancy direction side inside the storage container The communication buoy floats on the water surface with the sealed container positioned on the buoyancy direction side inside the containment vessel, and the communication buoy underwater with the sealed container located on the gravity direction side inside the containment container. When the communication buoy moves in the water toward the buoyancy direction side, or when the communication buoy floats on the water surface, the sealed container is not equipped with a containment container. Compared to the communication buoy not stored in the container, the buoyancy center of the communication buoy and the center of gravity of the communication buoy, characterized in that a long gap distances.

  A method of using an underwater observation apparatus according to the present invention includes a sealed container, a communication having a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, a buoyancy direction side of the sealed container, and a floating body through which water enters and exits. A method of using an underwater observation apparatus including a buoy, wherein the communication buoy moves in water toward the buoyancy direction side with water entering the floating body, and the water is discharged from the floating body, The communication buoy has a step of floating on the water surface, and a step of moving the communication buoy toward the direction of gravity in the water in a state where water has entered the floating body.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress lateral shaking and movement, to float underwater in a stable state, or to float on the water surface, and to reduce fluid resistance during movement in water. .

It is a block diagram which shows the underwater observation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state by which the communication buoy is accommodated in the main-body part. It is a lineblock diagram showing the underwater observation device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention, and shows the state where a communication buoy is separated. It is a block diagram which shows the underwater observation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the state which the communication buoy of the underwater observation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention started to surface. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the state which the communication buoy of the underwater observation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention is communicating with the communication satellite in the sea surface. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the state which the communication buoy of the underwater observation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention is communicating with the communication satellite in the sea surface. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the state which has collect | recovered the communication buoy of the underwater observation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the communication buoy of the underwater observation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which the communication buoy is rising in the sea. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the communication buoy of the underwater observation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which the communication buoy has floated on the sea surface. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the communication buoy of the underwater observation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state by which the communication buoy is collect | recovered in the sea. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the modification of the communication buoy of the underwater observation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which the communication buoy is rising in the sea. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the modification of the communication buoy of the underwater observation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state by which the communication buoy is collect | recovered in the sea. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the communication buoy of the underwater observation apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which the communication buoy is rising in the sea. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the communication buoy of the underwater observation apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state by which the communication buoy is collect | recovered in the sea. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the communication buoy of the underwater observation apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which the communication buoy is rising in the sea. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the communication buoy of the underwater observation apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the state which the communication buoy has floated on the sea surface.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an underwater observation apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the underwater observation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a communication buoy 11, an observation apparatus main body 12, and the like. The underwater observation apparatus 10 is installed in seawater or on the seabed, and acquires various information below the sea level, such as earthquake motion and seawater temperature. The underwater observation apparatus 10 may be fixedly installed on the seabed 52 (see FIG. 4 and the like) or may be installed on a moving body that travels underwater.

  The underwater observation apparatus 10 transmits information acquired under the sea surface to the outside by receiving a communication buoy 11 having an antenna 21 on the sea surface, receives new information from the outside, and transmits information to the observation apparatus body 12. Or communicate. The transmission destination or the reception source is the communication satellite 43, an aircraft (not shown), a ship, or the like. In the underwater observation apparatus 10, the communication buoy 11 is accommodated in the observation apparatus body 12 during times other than communication, and the communication buoy 11 is released from the observation apparatus body 12 only during communication, and when the communication is completed, the observation apparatus body 12. To be recovered.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the communication buoy 11 includes an antenna 21, a pressure-resistant shell 29, a communication device 28, a non-contact charger 26, a non-contact communication device 27, and the like.

  The antenna 21 radiates radio waves into the air and receives radio waves transmitted through the air. The antenna 21 is provided on one end side of the rod 46. The other end side of the rod 46 is provided in the pressure resistant shell 29. The antenna 21 shown in FIG. 1 and the like has a rod shape, but may have other shapes such as a disk shape.

  The pressure shell 29 is a pressure vessel having pressure resistance, and a communication device 28 is accommodated therein. The pressure-resistant shell 29 is a sealed container in which water cannot enter from the outside to the inside. The pressure-resistant shell 29 has, for example, a combination of a cylindrical shape and a hemispherical shape or a streamlined shape provided at both ends of the cylindrical shape so as to reduce resistance when moving in water. In addition to the communication device 28, the pressure-resistant shell 29 may house a levitation detector such as a pressure gauge and an accelerometer, a control navigation device for estimating the levitation route, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the communication device 28 includes a satellite communication device 22, a controller 23, a secondary battery 24, a recorder 25, and the like.
The satellite communicator 22 receives a signal from the outside via the antenna 21 and transmits a signal related to data recorded in the recorder 25.

  The controller 23 controls the satellite communication device 22, the recorder 25 and the non-contact communication device 27. For example, the controller 23 performs control to record data received by the satellite communication device 22 or the non-contact communication device 27 in the recording device 25. Further, the controller 23 performs control to transmit the data recorded in the recorder 25 to the outside via the satellite communication device 22 or to the observation apparatus main body 12 via the non-contact communication device 27. .

  The recorder 25 records data received via the non-contact communication device 27 and data received from the outside via the antenna 21.

  The satellite communication device 22, the controller 23, and the recorder 25 use the secondary battery 24 as a power source. The secondary battery 24 is charged from a secondary battery 32 provided in the observation apparatus body 12. When the communication buoy 11 is accommodated in the accommodating cylinder 37, the secondary battery 32 is charged from the secondary battery 32. Charging is performed using a mutual dielectric action through a non-contact charger 26 provided in the communication buoy 11 and a non-contact charger 31 provided in the observation apparatus main body 12. The non-contact charger 26 includes a power reception side coil, and the non-contact charger 31 includes a power transmission side coil.

  The non-contact communication device 27 transmits / receives data to / from the non-contact communication device 34. Data transmission / reception is performed when the communication buoy 11 is accommodated in the accommodating cylinder 37. The non-contact communication method is, for example, optical communication using light as a carrier wave. Note that data transmission / reception may be performed between the communication buoy 11 and the observation apparatus body 12 by wireless communication, infrared communication, or the like.

  The non-contact charger 26 and the non-contact communication device 27 are installed on the rod 47. The rod 47 is a rod-like member connected to the lower end portion of the pressure resistant shell 29. A swivel 42 to which a high tension cable 41 is connected is provided at the tip of the rod 47. The swivel 42 prevents the high-tension cable 41 from being twisted when the communication buoy 11 rotates around an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction. In addition, in the high tension cable 41, when the material strong against a twist is employ | adopted, the rod 47 and the high tension cable 41 may be directly connected without installing the swivel 42.

  The non-contact charger 31 and the non-contact communication device 34 have, for example, a cylindrical shape, and a rod 47 can be inserted therein. In addition, the shapes of the non-contact chargers 26 and 31 and the non-contact communication devices 27 and 34 are not limited to the above-described examples, and may be other shapes such as a disk shape.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the observation apparatus main body 12 includes a housing cylinder 37, a housing 38, and the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a non-contact charger 31 and a non-contact communication device 34 are provided at the lower portion of the housing cylinder 37. Inside the housing 38, a secondary battery 32, a controller 33, a motor / tensioner 35, a recorder 36, a reel 44, various sensors A, B,. The casing 38 is a pressure vessel having pressure resistance.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the accommodating cylinder 37 is a cylindrical member that has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the communication buoy 11 and accommodates the communication buoy 11 therein. A guide 39 for guiding the communication buoy 11 into the accommodation cylinder 37 when the communication buoy 11 is accommodated is provided at the top of the accommodation cylinder 37. A seat 40 for seating the lower surface of the communication buoy 11 when the communication buoy 11 is housed is provided at the lower end of the housing cylinder 37.

  When the communication buoy 11 is housed and seated inside the housing cylinder 37, the non-contact charger 26 of the communication buoy 11 is disposed at a position close to the non-contact charger 31 provided at the lower end of the housing cylinder 37. Similarly, the non-contact communication device 27 of the communication buoy 11 is disposed at a position close to the non-contact communication device 34 provided at the lower end portion of the housing cylinder 37.

  The secondary battery 32 is a power source for the controller 33, the recorder 36, various sensors A, B,. The secondary battery 32 supplies power to the communication buoy 11 via the non-contact charger 31. Note that the observation apparatus main body 12 may include a device such as a fuel cell that generates its own power in addition to the secondary battery 32.

  The controller 33 controls the non-contact communication device 34, the motor / tensioner 35, and the recorder 36. For example, the controller 33 performs control to record data detected by the various sensors A, B,... X and data received by the non-contact communication device 34 in the recorder 36. In addition, the controller 33 performs control to transmit the data recorded in the recorder 36 to the communication buoy 11 via the non-contact communication device 34. Further, the controller 33 controls the rotation of the motor / tensioner 35 in order to release the communication buoy 11 from the observation apparatus main body 12 and collect it in the observation apparatus main body 12. When releasing the communication buoy 11, the high-tension cable 41 may be extended freely so as not to prevent the communication buoy 11 from rising by removing the ratchet.

  In the recording device 36, data detected by various sensors A, B,... X and data received via the non-contact communication device 34 are recorded. The various sensors A, B,... X are, for example, sensors that detect earthquake motion, sensors that detect seawater temperature, sensors that detect the flow velocity of ocean currents, and the like.

  The motor / tensioner 35 rotates the reel 44. The motor / tensioner 35 is also provided with a tachometer, a ratchet, and the like.

  A high tension cable 41 having a predetermined length is wound around the reel 44. The high-tension cable 41 is made of, for example, an aromatic polyamide resin fiber (for example, Kevlar (registered trademark)) or carbon fiber, and is a thin wire having a diameter of about 1 mm. One end of the high tension cable 41 is fixed to a swivel 42 provided at the tip of the rod 47 of the pressure resistant shell 29, and the other end of the high tension cable 41 is fixed to the reel 44.

  The length of the high-tension cable 41 is determined in consideration of the depth of the sea area where the underwater observation apparatus 10 is installed, the speed of the ocean current / tidal current, and the like. The length of the high-tension cable 41 is sufficient to prevent the high-tension cable 41 from being cut by excessive tension when the communication buoy 11 is rising in the water or floating on the water surface. It is desirable to set the length to be small.

Next, the operation of the underwater observation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the motor / tensioner 35 releases the reel 44, as shown in FIG. 4, the communication buoy 11 is separated from the observation apparatus body 12 by buoyancy, and the communication buoy 11 starts to float. At this time, the data acquired by the observation apparatus main body 12 is recorded in the recorder 25 of the communication buoy 11. Note that it is desirable that the communication buoy 11 is directed upward in the vertical direction from the observation apparatus main body 12 in as short a time as possible, and rises with little displacement. According to the present embodiment, as will be described later, the communication buoy 11 can be raised in a short time with less positional deviation than the conventional communication buoy.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the communication buoy 11 rises to the sea surface 51, the communication buoy 11 starts communication with the communication satellite 43. At this time, data recorded in the recorder 25 of the communication buoy 11 is transmitted, or new information is received from the communication satellite 43. In addition, transmission / reception with the exterior by the communication buoy 11 may be performed with the aircraft, ship, etc. which are not illustrated other than the communication satellite 43. FIG.

  In addition, when the communication buoy 11 floats toward the sea surface 51 and when the communication buoy 11 floats on the sea surface 51, the motor / tensioner 35 is provided so that an excessive tension that causes the high-tension cable 41 to be cut is not applied. The reel 44 is controlled.

  The communication buoy 11 keeps a posture as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, that is, keeps the state where the buoyancy center and the center of gravity of the communication buoy 11 are located on substantially the same vertical line, and floats or floats. It is desirable to do.

  When the communication with the communication satellite 43 is completed, or when the high tension cable 41 is extended to the maximum and tension is applied to the high tension cable 41, as shown in FIG. 44 is rotated to collect the communication buoy 11 in the observation apparatus main body 12. When the collected communication buoy 11 receives new information, the communication buoy 11 transmits information to the observation apparatus main body 12.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the communication buoy 11 according to the present embodiment will be described.
The storage container 45 stores the pressure-resistant shell 29. Further, the storage container 45 has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, for example, a cylindrical shape long in the uniaxial direction, and a hemispherical shape provided at both ends of the cylindrical shape so as to reduce resistance when moving in water, The pressure-resistant shell 29 has a shape combined with a streamline shape, and the pressure-resistant shell 29 can move in the axial direction. That is, the uniaxial length of the storage container 45 is longer than the uniaxial length of the pressure-resistant shell 29, and the inner diameter of the storage container 45 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pressure-resistant shell 29. Thus, the pressure shell 29 can move smoothly in the uniaxial direction.

  Since the storage container 45 has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, the communication buoy 11 has a long shape along the traveling direction while the communication buoy 11 is moving upward or downward in the water, and the backward flow is rectified. .

  A through hole 45a is formed on one end side of the storage container 45, that is, on the buoyancy direction side when the communication buoy 11 is floating. The through hole 45a has a diameter through which the antenna 21 and the rod 46 can pass. On the other hand, the through hole 45 a is smaller than the diameter of the pressure-resistant shell 29, and the pressure-resistant shell 29 is held on one end side inside the storage container 45.

  A through hole 45b is formed on the other end side of the storage container 45, that is, on the gravity direction side when the communication buoy 11 is floating. The through hole 45b has a diameter through which the rod 47 can pass. On the other hand, the through-hole 45 b is smaller than the diameter of the pressure-resistant shell 29, and the pressure-resistant shell 29 is held on the other end side inside the storage container 45. The high tension cable 41 is inserted into the through hole 45b. Thereby, the high-tension cable 41 can keep the pressure-resistant shell 29 and the observation apparatus main body 12 always connected regardless of the position of the pressure-resistant shell 29 inside the storage container 45.

  The storage container 45 allows water to enter from the outside to the inside, and discharges water from the inside to the outside. Water enters and exits through the through holes 45a and 45b. It should be noted that through holes may be provided in places other than the through holes 45a and 45b of the storage container 45 so that water can enter and exit.

  The one end side and the other end side of the storage container 45 each have a hemispherical shape as shown in FIG. Thereby, when the shape of one end side or the other end side has a wide flat plate surface, for example, compared with the case where the storage container 45 has a cylindrical shape, the generation of vortices that cause vibration can be reduced, and the resistance in the front in the traveling direction is reduced. It becomes smaller and the rectification effect tends to occur at the rear of the traveling direction. The shape of the one end side and the other end side of the storage container 45 is not limited to a hemispherical shape, and may be a conical shape, a truncated cone shape, or the like.

  A rod 46 is provided on one end side of the pressure-resistant shell 29 so as to penetrate the inside and outside of the pressure-resistant shell 29, and the antenna 21 is installed at the tip of the rod 46. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the antenna 21 and the rod 46 are stored inside the storage container 45. Therefore, if the communication buoy 11 is attached to the observation apparatus main body 12 or the communication buoy 11 is transported on land with the pressure-resistant shell 29 positioned on the through hole 45b side inside the storage container 45, the antenna 21 and There is no mechanical damage to the rod 46.

  The length from one end of the storage container 45 to the other end is substantially the same as the length from the tip of the antenna 21 to the lowest part of the pressure-resistant shell 29. When the pressure-resistant shell 29 is positioned below inside the storage container 45, the antenna 21 extends from the storage container 45 to the antenna 21 as long as the tip of the antenna 21 is inserted into the through hole 45 a as shown in FIG. 2. Does not protrude too much, and when the pressure-resistant shell 29 moves inside the storage container 45, the antenna 21 is not caught and broken.

Next, the operation of the communication buoy 11 according to the present embodiment will be described.
In a state where the underwater observation apparatus 10 does not communicate with the outside, the communication buoy 11 is accommodated in the observation apparatus body 12.
When the underwater observation apparatus 10 communicates with the outside, communication is started when the communication buoy 11 is released from the observation apparatus main body 12 and floats in the sea and floats on the sea surface 51. And when communication is complete | finished, the communication buoy 11 which has floated on the sea surface 51 is collect | recovered by the observation apparatus main body 12. FIG. The communication buoy 11 descends in the sea and is finally accommodated in the observation apparatus main body 12.

When the communication buoy 11 moves from the observation apparatus main body 12 in the seabed or seawater toward the sea surface direction side, the communication buoy 11 is lifted only by the buoyancy of the communication buoy 11.
At this time, since water has entered the storage container 45 and the buoyancy of the pressure-resistant shell 29 is larger than the buoyancy of the storage container 45, the pressure resistance stored in the storage container 45 is shown in FIG. The shell 29 is located on the buoyancy direction side inside the storage container 45. The antenna 21 and the rod 46 are in a state of protruding to the outside of the storage container 45 through the through hole 45a. On the other hand, the rod 47 is housed in the storage container 45, and the high-tension cable 41 passes through the through hole 45a.

  While the communication buoy 11 moves underwater toward the buoyancy direction, the high tension cable 41 is prevented from being cut by the excessive tension generated in the high tension cable 41 by the motor / tensioner 35. The tension should be sufficiently small. As a result, the communication buoy 11 floats in a free state, and the load generated in the direction opposite to the floating direction with respect to the pressure-resistant shell 29 is almost due to the weight of the cable, excluding the fluid resistance force in water. It is smaller than the buoyancy of the communication buoy 11.

  Since the storage container 45 has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, the storage container 45 has a long shape along the traveling direction while moving underwater toward the buoyancy direction, and the backward flow of the communication buoy 11 is rectified. .

  When the communication buoy 11 is moving in water toward the buoyancy direction side, the storage container 45 extends to the rear side (gravity direction side) in the traveling direction of the pressure-resistant shell 29. Therefore, the center of gravity of the communication buoy 11 in which the pressure resistant shell 29 and the storage container 45 are combined is a position where the distance from the center of buoyancy (described later) is longer than that of the communication buoy having only the pressure resistant shell 29. In FIG. 8, the gravity center position of the communication buoy 11 according to the present embodiment is indicated by a black circle, and the gravity center position of the communication buoy having only the pressure-resistant shell 29 is indicated by a two-dot broken line. Note that the communication device 28 built in the pressure-resistant shell 29 is taken into consideration for the center of gravity of both.

  On the other hand, when the pressure-resistant shell 29 and the storage container 45 are combined with the case of only the pressure-resistant shell 29, the buoyancy is such that water enters the storage container 45 and the volume of the storage container 45 hardly contributes to the buoyancy. That is almost the same. Therefore, while the communication buoy 11 is moving in water toward the buoyancy direction side, the communication buoy 11 in which the pressure-resistant shell 29 and the storage container 45 are combined has a center of gravity and a buoyancy center as compared with the communication buoy having only the pressure-resistant shell 29. Since the distance between the head and the head becomes longer, lateral shaking or movement is suppressed, and the surface is stably lifted.

  When the communication buoy 11 is floating on the water surface, the communication buoy 11 combining the pressure-resistant shell 29 and the storage container 45 is similar to that when the communication buoy 11 is moving in the water toward the buoyancy direction side. As shown in FIG. 4, since the distance between the center of gravity and the center of buoyancy is longer than that of the communication buoy having only the pressure-resistant shell 29, the lateral swaying or movement is suppressed, and a stable floating state is obtained. In FIG. 9, similarly to FIG. 8, the center of gravity of the communication buoy 11 according to the present embodiment is indicated by a black circle, and the center of gravity of the communication buoy having only the pressure-resistant shell 29 is indicated by a two-dot broken line. As a result, the communication buoy 11 stabilizes communication because the horizontal swaying is much smaller even if it is affected by the lateral force due to waves and the like, and the vertical movement with respect to the sea surface is the main. To do.

  When the communication buoy 11 is collected, that is, when it moves underwater from the sea surface toward the observation device main body 12 under the sea, the communication buoy 11 is applied with tension to the high tension cable 41 by the motor / tensioner 35. Move. At that time, the tension applied to the pressure-resistant shell 29 via the high-tension cable 41 is greater than the buoyancy applied to the communication buoy 11 and can be recovered while reducing the lateral shaking.

  At this time, since the tension of the high-tension cable 41 applied to the communication buoy 11 is not directly applied to the storage container 45, the pressure-resistant shell 29 stored in the storage container 45 is not contained in the storage container 45 as shown in FIG. Located on the gravity direction side. The rod 47 protrudes outside the storage container 45 through the through hole 45b. On the other hand, the antenna 21 and the rod 46 are accommodated in the storage container 45.

  Since the storage container 45 has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, the storage container 45 has a long shape along the traveling direction while moving underwater toward the observation device main body 12 in the sea. Is rectified. As a result, the communication buoy 11 can be moved and collected more stably than in the case of the pressure-resistant shell 29 alone. Further, the fluid resistance can be reduced by the rectifying effect, and the power for generating the tension can also be reduced.

  In addition, when the communication buoy 11 is moving underwater toward the observation apparatus main body 12 on the seabed or underwater, the storage container 45 extends to the rear side in the traveling direction of the pressure-resistant shell 29. Therefore, when the communication buoy 11 is moving in the water, it is guided in the direction of travel by the high-tension cable 41, so even if the distance between the center of gravity and the center of buoyancy is narrow, stability is not lost. This is preferable because the guiding direction of the tension cable 41 is easily followed. In FIG. 10, the gravity center position of the communication buoy 11 according to the present embodiment is indicated by a black circle, and the gravity center position of the communication buoy having only the pressure-resistant shell 29 is indicated by a two-dot broken line.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the pressure-resistant shell 29 can move in the uniaxial direction (vertical direction) along the inner wall of the storage container 45 in the storage container 45. Since the storage container 45 rectifies the backward flow while moving underwater toward the buoyancy direction side or the gravity direction side, the movement of the communication buoy 11 is stabilized. Further, when the communication buoy 11 is moving underwater toward the buoyancy direction side, or when the communication buoy 11 is floating on the sea surface 51, the distance between the center of gravity and the buoyancy center is increased. Can suppress shaking.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the one end side and the other end side of the storage container 45 have a hemispherical shape as illustrated in FIG. 1 and the like has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, as shown in FIG.11 and FIG.12, the cylindrical shape which has a disk on the one end side and other end side of the storage container 55 may be sufficient. In that case, when the communication buoy 11 moves in the water, the fluid resistance force by the storage container 55 increases. However, when the movement speed in the water is slow or the movement distance from the water is short, the storage container having a hemispherical shape. 45 and not much different. Moreover, if a mesh plate or a punch metal plate is used for the discs installed on one end side and the other end side of the storage container 55, fluid freely passes through the disc, so that the fluid resistance hardly increases. Thereby, the storage container 55 is easier to manufacture than the storage container 45 described above. A through hole 55a is formed on one end side of the storage container 55, and a through hole 55b is formed on the other end side.

  FIG. 11 shows a state in which the communication buoy 11 is moving in water toward the buoyancy direction side, and the pressure-resistant shell 29 stored in the storage container 55 is located on the buoyancy direction side inside the storage container 55. FIG. 12 shows a state where the communication buoy 11 is moving in the water toward the gravity direction, and the pressure-resistant shell 29 stored in the storage container 55 is located on the gravity direction side inside the storage container 55.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the communication buoy 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration of the underwater observation apparatus 10 other than the communication buoy 11 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
In the present embodiment, the floating body 66 is provided integrally with the pressure resistant shell 29 above the pressure resistant shell 29. That is, the communication buoy 11 has a shape in which the pressure-resistant shell 29 and the floating body 66 are combined.

  The floating body 66 is, for example, hollow and has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction. An antenna 21 and a rod 46 are built in the floating body 66. The floating body 66 has a thin structure within a range where there is no problem in strength, or a material having a small specific gravity (for example, syntactic foam) is applied even if the thickness is somewhat thick, thereby reducing the overall weight. Thereby, it is possible to suppress lateral shaking while floating on the sea surface 51.

  As shown in FIG. 13 and the like, one end side of the floating body 66 has a truncated cone shape whose one end side is tapered. Thereby, when the shape of one end side or the other end side has a wide flat plate surface, for example, compared with the case where the floating body has a cylindrical shape, the resistance in the forward direction of the traveling direction becomes small, and the rectifying effect tends to occur in the backward direction of the traveling direction. The shape of the one end side of the floating body 66 is not limited to the truncated cone shape, and may be a cone shape, or a combination of the truncated cone shape and the hemispherical shape.

  The storage container 65 can also store the pressure-resistant shell 29 and the floating body 66 integrated with the pressure-resistant shell 29. Further, the storage container 65 has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, and the pressure-resistant shell 29 and the floating body 66 are movable in the axial direction. That is, the uniaxial length of the storage container 65 is longer than the uniaxial length of the pressure-resistant shell 29, and the inner diameter of the storage container 65 is larger than the outer diameter of the pressure-resistant shell 29. In the example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the combined length of the pressure-resistant shell 29 and the floating body 66 is longer than that of the storage container 65. On the contrary, the storage container 65 may be longer than the combined length of the pressure-resistant shell 29 and the floating body 66.

  Since the storage container 65 has a shape extending in the uniaxial direction, the communication buoy 11 becomes long along the traveling direction while the communication buoy 11 is moving in the water toward the buoyancy direction side or the gravity direction side. Is rectified.

  A through hole 65a is formed on one end side of the storage container 65, that is, on the buoyancy direction side when the communication buoy 11 is floating. The through hole 65a has a diameter through which the antenna 21, the rod 46, and the floating body 66 can pass. On the other hand, the through hole 65 a is smaller than the diameter of the pressure-resistant shell 29, and the pressure-resistant shell 29 is held on the buoyancy direction side inside the storage container 65.

  A through hole 65b is formed on the other end side of the storage container 65, that is, on the gravity direction side when the communication buoy 11 is collected. The through hole 65b has a diameter through which the rod 47 can pass. On the other hand, the through-hole 65 b is smaller than the diameter of the pressure-resistant shell 29, and the pressure-resistant shell 29 is held on the gravity direction side inside the storage container 65.

  The storage container 65 allows water to enter from the outside to the inside, and discharges water from the inside to the outside. Water enters and exits through the through holes 65a and 65b. Note that through holes may be provided at locations other than the through holes 65a and 65b of the storage container 65 so that water can enter and exit.

Next, the operation of the communication buoy 11 according to the present embodiment will be described.
Similar to the first embodiment, the communication buoy 11 according to the present embodiment moves underwater to the buoyancy direction side and the gravity direction side and floats the sea surface 51.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the communication buoy 11 is moving in the water toward the buoyancy direction, the pressure-resistant shell 29 is stored in the storage container 65 and the floating body 66 is in the buoyancy direction of the storage container 65. It will be in the state which protruded outside from the side. The pressure-resistant shell 29 stored in the storage container 65 is located on the buoyancy direction side inside the storage container 65. While moving underwater toward the buoyancy direction side, the communication buoy 11 has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction by the storage container 65 and a floating body 66 protruding outward from the buoyancy direction side of the storage container 65, It becomes a long shape along the traveling direction, and the backward flow is rectified.

  When the communication buoy 11 is floating on the water surface, the floating body 66 protrudes from the buoyancy direction side of the storage container 65 while the pressure-resistant shell 29 is stored in the storage container 65. Since the floating body 66 is provided on the buoyancy direction side of the pressure-resistant shell 29, when the pressure-resistant shell 29 is completely submerged, the buoyancy is increased by the floating body 66 compared to the case where the floating body 66 is not installed and only the pressure-resistant shell 29 is provided. To do.

  Further, when the communication buoy 11 is moving toward the buoyancy direction side and when the communication buoy 11 is floating on the water surface, the storage container 65 extends to the gravity direction side of the pressure-resistant shell 29. Therefore, the center of gravity of the communication buoy 11 in which the pressure resistant shell 29 and the storage container 65 are combined is a position where the distance from the buoyancy center is longer than that of the communication buoy having only the pressure resistant shell 29.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the floating body 66 is stored in the storage container 65 when the communication buoy 11 is moving toward the direction of gravity in the water. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the communication buoy 11 is collected in water, and the pressure-resistant shell 29 stored in the storage container 65 is located on the gravity direction side inside the storage container 65. Since the communication buoy 11 has a shape extending in the uniaxial direction by the storage container 65 while moving underwater in the direction of gravity, the communication buoy 11 has a long shape along the traveling direction, and the backward flow is rectified.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the pressure-resistant shell 29 can move in the uniaxial direction (vertical direction) along the inner wall of the storage container 65 in the storage container 65. Since the storage container 65 rectifies the backward flow while moving underwater toward the buoyancy direction side or the gravity direction side, the movement of the communication buoy 11 is stabilized. Further, when the communication buoy 11 is moving underwater toward the buoyancy direction side, or when the communication buoy 11 is floating on the sea surface 51, the center of gravity and the buoyancy center are separated from each other, thereby suppressing lateral shaking. it can.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the floating body 66 is a sealed container and water does not enter from the outside to the inside of the floating body 66 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, a through hole may be formed in each of the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the floating body 66 so that water enters the inside from the outside of the floating body 66 or water is discharged from the inside of the floating body to the outside. When the communication buoy 11 moves to the buoyancy direction side or the gravity direction side, water enters the inside of the floating body 66. On the other hand, when the communication buoy 11 is floating on the sea surface 51, water is discharged from the inside of the floating body 66 to the outside, and the portion appearing on the sea surface can contribute to the weight reduction of the floating body 66, and the lateral shaking is caused. Can be suppressed.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a communication buoy according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration of the underwater observation apparatus 10 other than the communication buoy overlaps with that of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.
A floating body 76 is provided integrally with the pressure shell 29 above the pressure shell 29. In the present embodiment, the storage container as in the first to third embodiments is not provided around the pressure-resistant shell 29.

  The floating body 76 is hollow and has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction. Inside the floating body 76, the antenna 21 and the rod 46 are built. A through hole 76 a is formed in the upper part of the floating body 76, and a through hole 76 b is formed in the lower part of the floating body 76. The floating body 76 enters water from the outside to the inside, and discharges water from the inside to the outside. Water enters and exits the inside of the floating body 76 through the through holes 76a and 76b.

  As shown in FIG. 15 and the like, one end side of the floating body 76 has a truncated cone shape whose one end side is tapered. Thereby, when the shape of one end side or the other end side has a wide flat plate surface, for example, compared with the case where the floating body has a cylindrical shape, the resistance in the forward direction of the traveling direction becomes small, and the rectifying effect tends to occur in the backward direction of the traveling direction. The shape of the one end side of the floating body 76 is not limited to the truncated cone shape, and may be a cone shape, or a combination of the truncated cone shape and the hemispherical shape.

  The floating body 76 has a thin structure within a range where there is no problem in strength, or a material having a small specific gravity (for example, syntactic foam) is applied even if the thickness is somewhat thick, thereby reducing the overall weight. Thereby, it is possible to suppress lateral shaking while floating on the sea surface 51.

  Since the communication buoy 11 has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, the communication buoy 11 has a long shape along the traveling direction while the communication buoy 11 is moving in water toward the buoyancy direction side or the gravity direction side. Is rectified.

Next, the operation of the communication buoy 11 according to the present embodiment will be described.
The communication buoy 11 according to the present embodiment moves underwater toward the buoyancy direction side and the gravity direction side, and is in a state of floating the sea surface 51.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when the communication buoy 11 is moving underwater toward the buoyancy direction, water enters the inside of the floating body 76 through the through holes 76a and 76b. At this time, the communication buoy 11 has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction by the pressure-resistant shell 29 and the floating body 76 provided upward from the pressure-resistant shell 29, has a long shape along the traveling direction, and the backward flow is rectified. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when the communication buoy 11 is floating on the water surface, air enters from the through hole 76a, water is discharged from the through hole 76b, water is discharged from the inside of the floating body 76, and appears from the sea surface. The part which has contributed to the weight reduction of the floating body 76, and can suppress the shaking of a horizontal direction.

  When the communication buoy 11 is moving in the direction of gravity in the water, water enters the inside of the floating body 76 from the outside through the through holes 76a and 76b. At this time, the communication buoy 11 has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction by the pressure-resistant shell 29 and the floating body 76 provided upward from the pressure-resistant shell 29, has a long shape along the traveling direction, and the backward flow is rectified. Is done.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, while the communication buoy 11 is moving in the water toward the buoyancy direction side or the gravity direction side, water is supplied from the outside to the inside of the floating body 76 provided above the pressure-resistant shell 29. The floating body 76 hardly contributes to buoyancy because it has entered, but has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, so the communication buoy 11 has a long shape along the traveling direction, and the backward flow is rectified. .

10 Underwater observation device 11 Communication buoy 12 Observation device body (device body part)
21 Antenna (antenna part)
24, 32 Secondary battery 26, 31 Non-contact charger 27, 34 Non-contact communication device 29 Pressure-resistant shell (sealed container)
35 Motor / tensioner 37 Housing cylinder 41 High tension cable (cable)
42 Swivel 44 Reel 45, 55, 65 Storage container 45a, 45b, 55a, 55b, 65a, 65b Through hole 46, 47 Rod 66, 76 Floating body 76a, 76b Through hole

In order to solve the above problems, the communication buoy, the underwater observation apparatus, and the method of using the underwater observation apparatus of the present invention employ the following means.
That is, the sealed container according to the present invention and the sealed container are accommodated and have a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, the sealed container is movable in the uniaxial direction, and water enters and exits the interior. A storage container having a through-hole, and when the water moves toward the buoyancy direction or when floating on the water surface , water enters the storage container through the through-hole. by the buoyancy of the sealed container is greater than the buoyancy of the storage container, the sealed container is located in the buoyancy direction inside the storage container, when moving towards the water in the direction of gravity side, gravity The sealed container connected to the cable at the end on the direction side is located on the gravity direction side inside the containment container when a tension acts on the cable .

A communication buoy according to the present invention includes a sealed container, and a floating body having a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, provided on the buoyancy direction side of the sealed container, and having a through-hole through which water enters and exits. when that water moves toward the buoyant direction or gravity direction, through said through hole water enters inside the floating body, when floating on the water surface, the floating body interior through the through hole The water is discharged from.

Claims (7)

A sealed container;
Storing the closed container, having a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, the closed container being movable in the uniaxial direction inside, and a storage container through which water enters and exits;
With
When moving underwater toward the buoyancy direction side, or when floating on the water surface, the sealed container is located on the buoyancy direction side inside the containment vessel,
When moving underwater in the direction of gravity, the sealed container is a communication buoy positioned on the direction of gravity in the containment vessel. Further provided with a floating body provided on the buoyancy direction side of the sealed container and having a shape extending in a uniaxial direction;
When moving underwater toward the buoyancy direction side, or when floating on the surface of the water, the floating body projects outside from the end of the storage container on the buoyancy direction side,
The communication buoy according to claim 1, wherein the floating body is stored in the storage container when moving underwater in the direction of gravity. An antenna part protruding from the end of the sealed container on the buoyancy direction side;
A cable connected to the end of the sealed container on the gravity direction side and connected to the apparatus main body;
With
The storage container is provided to penetrate the end portion on the buoyancy direction side, the first through hole through which the antenna portion can be inserted, and the end portion on the gravity direction side to be provided, and the cable is inserted therethrough. The communication buoy according to claim 1, further comprising a second through hole. A sealed container;
A floating body having a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, provided on the buoyancy direction side of the sealed container, and in which water enters and exits the interior;
With
When moving underwater toward the buoyancy direction side or the gravity direction side, water enters the inside of the floating body,
A communication buoy that drains the water from inside the floating body when floating on the water surface. A communication buoy as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4;
An apparatus main body connected to the communication buoy and a cable for acquiring information in water,
An underwater observation device. Communication having an airtight container and a storage container that stores the airtight container and has a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, the airtight container is movable in the uniaxial direction, and water enters and exits the inside. A method of using an underwater observation device with a buoy,
The communication buoy moves underwater toward the buoyancy direction side in a state where the sealed container is located on the buoyancy direction side inside the containment vessel; and
The communication buoy floats on the water surface in a state where the sealed container is located on the buoyancy direction side inside the containment vessel;
The communication buoy moves underwater toward the gravity direction side in a state where the sealed container is located on the gravity direction side inside the containment vessel; and
Have
When the communication buoy moves underwater toward the buoyancy direction side, or when the communication buoy floats on the surface of the water, compared to a communication buoy that does not have the storage container and the sealed container is not stored inside the storage container, A method of using an underwater observation apparatus, wherein a distance between a center of gravity of the communication buoy and a buoyancy center of the communication buoy is long. It is a method of using an underwater observation apparatus including a sealed container and a communication buoy having a shape extending in a uniaxial direction, provided on the buoyancy direction side of the sealed container, and having a floating body through which water enters and exits. And
A step in which the communication buoy moves in water toward the buoyancy direction side in a state where water has entered the floating body;
The communication buoy floats on the water surface in a state where the water is discharged from the inside of the floating body;
The communication buoy moves underwater toward the direction of gravity in a state where water has entered the floating body; and
To use an underwater observation apparatus.

Images