Patent Document ID: 9162740
Application ID: 14170197
Patent Flag: 1

Claim One:
1. A free vehicle for ocean exploration comprising: a) a first housing having an inside, an outside, an inside surface, and, an outside surface, the first housing sealed against passage of water from the outside to the inside, b) an area on the inside of the first housing for carrying cargo, c) at least one of a magnetically actuated switch attached to an inner wall of the first housing and the magnetically actuated switch positioned such that the magnetically actuated switch can be activated by placing a magnet on the outside of the first housing and near the magnetically actuated switch, d) at least one of a pressure activated switch attached to the first housing and extending from the outside to the inside, said at least one pressure activated switch including at least one flexible dome embedded in a polymer matrix, the polymer matrix having a modulus, and, the polymer matrix exposed to the outside of the first housing, the at least one flexible dome in contact with a switch mechanism such that pressing on the at least one flexible dome activates the switch mechanism, and pressure applied to the polymer matrix causes the at least one flexible dome to flex, thereby activating the switch mechanism, and, a quantity of the at least one flexible domes and the modulus of the polymer matrix both selected to cause activation of the switch mechanism at a pre-selected pressure, as a pressure on the outside of the first housing changes as the first housing is submerged in an ocean environment, e) a control board located on the inside of the first housing, the control board including a pulsed switching mechanism that provides a single electrical pulse of a pre-selected duration and with a pre-selected delay after power is supplied to the control board from a power supply that is connected in series with one of: the at least one magnetic switches and the at least one pressure activated switches, f) a global position sensor that is activated by the single electrical pulse of the control board, said global position sensor including a satellite sensor to determine a location of the first housing, and, a VHF radio that broadcasts the position of the first housing, g) a mechanical release mechanism attached to and located on the outside of the first housing, said mechanical release mechanism comprising at least one pelican hook and a hinge, the at least one pelican hook attached to the hinge such that the at least one pelican hook may be rotated about the hinge to a closed position and thereby latching at least one of: an eye, a hook, and, a loop, to the first housing, and, said release mechanism including a fusible link that locks the at least one pelican hook in the closed position, and, breaking the fusible link releases the pelican hook to an open position thereby releasing the at least one: eye, hook, and, loop, from the first housing.