US2048811A - Buoyant cable - Google Patents

Description

W. T. PEIRCE July 28, 1936.

BUOYANT CABLE Filed March 27, 1933 LCS Invenfo: Wl/ E/Q 7". P RC5 Patented July 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEl BUOYANT CABLE Appuauon maren 21, 19:3, serai No. seam 4 clam. (ci. 11s-zw This invention relates to radio antennae, one of the objects being to provide an antenna suitable i'or use. with submarine boats. Other objects may be inferred.

5 Generally speaking, the new antenna includes a conductor covered by insulation. It is characterized in that the ratio of its weight to its vol urne is proportioned to render it inherently buoyant. Therefore, when released from a submarine,

whether submerged or afloat, the antenna immediately seeks the waters surface. 'Ihere it should ride at a sutilcient height for proper reception. This height may be determined experimentally, and the weight to volume relationship oi' the antenna varied accordingly.

An example of the above is illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view. Here the parts are spaced more closely than practice indicates as desirable, to secure a better illustrative eiIect.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional enlargement.

l Figures 3 and 4 are lcross-sections from the lines III-III and IV-IV in Figure 2.

A hollow conductor I is provided externally with insulation 2 and internally at spaced points with water-tight partitions l. The proper floating height may be obtained by varying the diameter and material of the conductor I, the thickness and material of the insulation 2 and the length and material of the partitions, 3. Of

course, the outside diameter should be kept within reasonable limits to permit proper handling and carriage by a submarine.

More specifically, the conductor I is made from a length of coiled aluminum strip having interlocked edges. This may generally follow the construction of armoring on cables commonly known by the term B- The strip may be perforated, ii necessary to diminish its weight. The insulation 2 and partitions 3 are of rubber stock and may be applied in any manner found preferable. The partitions are illustrated as rubber plugs over which the conductor I is formed. and they fit sufllciently close to be water-tight, 'I'heir function is to prevent complete flooding of the antenna when it is only locally damaged.

Although a specific form oi' this invention has 6 been shown and described in accordance with the patent statutes, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention exactly thereto, except as defined by the following claims.

I claim: l0

1. A cable including a longitudinally flexible laterally rigid hollow conductor, and water-tight insulation covering said conductor, the weight to volume ratio of said conductor and insulation being proportioned to render said cable buoyant. 15

2. A cable including a longitudinally flexible laterally rigid hollow conductor, water-tight insulation covering said conductor and water-tight partitions arranged Inside said conductor at spaced points. the weight to volume ratio of said 20 conductor and insulation being proportioned to render said cable buoyant.

3. A cable for communication or power transmission to a submerged or floating vessel including a length o! coiled aluminum strip, rubber 25 insulation applied over said length and rubber plugs tightly fitted in said length at spaced points, said cable having such a weight to volume ratio as will render it buoyant and said plugs having solid end faces forming water-tight partitions 30 in said length.

4. A-.cable for communication or power transmission to a submerged or floating vessel including a length of coiled aluminum strip having interlocked edges, rubber insulation applied over 35 'y said length and rubber plugs tightly fitted in said length at spaced points, said cable having such a weight to volume ratio as will render it buoyant and said plugs having solid end faces forming water-tight partitions in said length. 40

WALTER v T. PEIRCE.

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