Patent ID: 6772705
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: B63C,B63G

Abstract:
Apparatus having variable buoyancy for controlling the depth and motion of an object in water, comprising:a buoyancy chamber configured to hold a volume of gas, wherein the buoyancy chamber is an ambient pressure container; gas control means for adding gas to and removing gas from the buoyancy chamber; processor means for receiving signals from and sending signals to the gas control means for controlling the volume of gas within the buoyancy chamber in order to control the buoyancy, depth, and motion of the buoyancy chamber and an object associated with the buoyancy chamber; volume-determining means for determining the volume of gas within the buoyancy chamber and providing signals to the processor indicative of the volume; depth-determining means for determining the depth of the buoyancy chamber and providing signals to the processor indicative of the depth; and input means for allowing a user to input instructions to the processor, the input means receiving signals from and sending signals to the processor.