Patent GB-543124-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to light buoys
IPC: B63B22/16
Filed: 1940-07-06
Abstract: 543,124. Signalling apparatus for marine purposes. OLIVER, G. F. N. July 6, 1940, No. 11339. [Class 118 (ii)] A floating signal, for use as a distress signal or for locating nets or seaplane landing areas &c. comprises the combination with a buoyant container of an electric light signal and a device for emitting smoke without producing externally to the apparatus a tempera ture likely to cause combustion of inflammable liquids or gases. The casing 11 of the buoy is, adapted to float upright in the water with a portion 12 extending well above the surface. The casing con tains an electric battery 14 15, which is connected to an automatic switch, such as a curved tube 16 containing mercury, so that a circuit including a line 17 is completed when the buoy floats but' a broken when the buoy is in an horizontal position on deck. The circuit also in cludes an electric motor 18 which rotates a switch 20 that closes intermittently the circuit through an electric lamp 39. The casing also contains a bottle 22, for compressed air or gas, which is closed by a thin diaphragm 23. This diaphragm is in line with a hollow piercer 24 which slides into a valve box 25. The piercer is engaged by a pivoted lever 27 the free end of which is connected to a tension bar 30 made in two parts soldered together by easily fusible material. The bar is surrounded by a heating- coil 32 and when the circuit is completed through the line 17 by the switch 16, the heat from the coil 32 melts the solder so that the two parts of the bar 30 can be pulled apart by a spring 29. The lever 27 then forces the piercer 24 through the diaphragm 23 and the gas in the bottle 22 is admitted to the valve box 25. This box contains a piston valve 33 which is opened by a solenoid 36 each time the switch 20 is closed. The gas then escapes from the box 25 through a pipe 37 which terminates above the extension 12 of the casing. If the bottle is filled with nitrogen peroxide or .nitric oxide, the emission of the gas produces puffs of fumes that serve as a signal. The signal may be produced also by blowing solid powder out of a container, or by mixing of ammonia and hydrogen chloride contained in separate vessels. Alternatively, substances which lead to combustion at low temperatures and give off smoke may be used, combustion taking place in a chamber through which air from the bottle 22 passes. In a modified construction, the bottle 22 is replaced by a container provided with a connection that passes through the wall of the buoy and is connected by a chain to a portion of the buoy and is connected by a chain to a portion of the ship.. When the buoy is removed from its holder, the pull on the chain starts the operation of smoke-producing apparatus inside the container, for example by breaking a glass vessel containing acid, or sea water may be admitted to the container to start a chemical re-action. A manually operated switch may be used insted of, or in addition to, the switches 16, 20 to start or stop the signal. The switch 20 may be arranged to cause the emission of smoke in conformity with a code.