Patent ID: 8512088
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
1. A recoverable communications buoy for use in a tethered communications buoy system providing communications function to a submerged submarine vessel, wherein: the buoy has a main body and a communications antenna, the buoy is connected to a tether line, the buoy has a moveable mass positioned inside the main body, the mass being moveable back and forth between a first position in which a centre of mass is offset from a centre of buoyancy of the buoy and a second position in which the centre of mass is closer to the centre of buoyancy, the buoy is operable in a first mode of operation in which the moveable mass is in the first position and in which the buoy floats in a generally upright orientation with an upper end of the buoy being held substantially clear of the water thus enabling the buoy to send and receive data via the communications antenna, and the buoy is operable in a second mode of operation in which the moveable mass is in the second position and in which the buoy is able to be towed underwater and recovered to the submarine by the tether line, the buoy being so configured that when the moveable mass is in the second position and the buoy is towed by the tether line, the long axis of the buoy substantially aligns with the direction of towing motion, to facilitate recovery via the tether line.