Patent ID: 6807856
Filing Date: 2004-10-26
Classification: B63B,G01C

Abstract:
An ocean profiler adapted to descend to a plurality of depths within a body of water and adapted to ascend to a plurality of depths including a surface of said body of water, comprising:a pressure hull having a bottom from which a side wall extends vertically upward terminating in a top, said top and bottom defining a pressure hull longitudinal axis, said top, bottom and side wall defining a pressure hull interior, said pressure hull having an aperture formed therein; an external flexible bladder connected to said pressure hull aperture; a sensing, control and communications apparatus contained within said pressure hull; a pumping system contained within said pressure hull and connected to said sensing, control and communications apparatus and to said external flexible bladder, said pumping system adapted to change the depth of said pressure hull; and a compensator system contained within said pressure hull and connected to said external flexible bladder, said compensator system adapted to store energy by compression of gas during a descent of said pressure hull and adapted to release said energy during an ascent of said pressure hull.