Patent ID: 6195057
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
A submarine antenna assembly comprising:a tubular body having a removable end cap at a first end thereof;a mast stowable in said body and extendible therefrom upon release from confinement in said tubular body, said mast having elements pivotally mounted thereon, and said mast comprising a metal ribbon coil;a penetrator stowable in said body and movable out of said body by said extendible mast upon removal of said end cap, said penetrator being adapted to bore through an ice layer;an inflatable ring stowable in said body proximate said end cap and movable out of said body by said extendible mast upon the removal of said end cap;first and second capsules in said body proximate said end cap for retaining and releasing gas, said first capsule being adapted upon opening thereof to pressurize said body to blow off said end cap to permit movement of said mast, said ring, and said penetrator out of said body, and said second capsule being adapted upon opening thereof to inflate said ring to hold said penetrator in engagement with an undersurface of said ice layer;an electronic assembly disposed in said body and including message transmitting means in communication with said mast, and timer means in communication with said capsules;a spool mounted in said mast and adapted for rotation;a tether wound on said spool and fixed at a first end to said spool and fixed at a second end to said body; andclutch means engagable with said spool to stop rotation of said spool, whereby to stop paying out of said tether from said spool, said clutch means being activated by said penetrator breaking through said layer of ice.