Aquatic structures with adjustable buoyancy constructed in part with a vent valve for a buoyancy control device suitable for divers, where the vent valve may be opened by any combination of over-pressure, manual pressure relief or a powered means, where a force to a valve plug is applied by means of a spring that is constrained to prevent entirely lateral and angular movement but in which movement of the plug in the axis of the seat is unconstrained.

Aquatic structures with adjustable buoyancy constructed in part with a vent valve for a buoyancy control device suitable for divers, where the vent valve may be opened by any combination of over-pressure, manual pressure relief or a powered means, where a force to a valve plug is applied by means of a spring that is constrained to prevent entirely lateral and angular movement but in which movement of the plug in the axis of the seat is unconstrained.

Buoy apparatus and buoy control system for identifying an underwater object, and method for identifying an underwater object are disclosed. A buoy apparatus for use underwater, comprises a buoy securely connected to a first end of a rope; a spool structure securely connected to a second end of the rope; a retractable head for engaging the spool structure; and a spool control device for actuating retraction of the retractable head, wherein in response to an instruction from the spool control device, the retractable head disengages the spool structure, and the spool structure releases the rope when the buoy raises toward a surface of water.

Buoy apparatus and buoy control system for identifying an underwater object, and method for identifying an underwater object are disclosed. A buoy apparatus for use underwater, comprises a buoy securely connected to a first end of a rope; a spool structure securely connected to a second end of the rope; a retractable head for engaging the spool structure; and a spool control device for actuating retraction of the retractable head, wherein in response to an instruction from the spool control device, the retractable head disengages the spool structure, and the spool structure releases the rope when the buoy raises toward a surface of water.

Aquatic structures with adjustable buoyancy constructed in part with a vent valve for a buoyancy control device suitable for divers, where the vent valve may be opened by any combination of over-pressure, manual pressure relief or a powered means, where a force to a valve plug is applied by means of a spring that is constrained to prevent entirely lateral and angular movement but in which movement of the plug in the axis of the seat is unconstrained.

Aquatic structures with adjustable buoyancy constructed in part with a vent valve for a buoyancy control device suitable for divers, where the vent valve may be opened by any combination of over-pressure, manual pressure relief or a powered means, where a force to a valve plug is applied by means of a spring that is constrained to prevent entirely lateral and angular movement but in which movement of the plug in the axis of the seat is unconstrained.

Buoy apparatus and buoy control system for identifying an underwater object, and method for identifying an underwater object are disclosed. A buoy apparatus for use underwater, comprises a buoy securely connected to a first end of a rope; a spool structure securely connected to a second end of the rope; a retractable head for engaging the spool structure; and a spool control device for actuating retraction of the retractable head, wherein in response to an instruction from the spool control device, the retractable head disengages the spool structure, and the spool structure releases the rope when the buoy raises toward a surface of water.

Buoy apparatus and buoy control system for identifying an underwater object, and method for identifying an underwater object are disclosed. A buoy apparatus for use underwater, comprises a buoy securely connected to a first end of a rope; a spool structure securely connected to a second end of the rope; a retractable head for engaging the spool structure; and a spool control device for actuating retraction of the retractable head, wherein in response to an instruction from the spool control device, the retractable head disengages the spool structure, and the spool structure releases the rope when the buoy raises toward a surface of water.

A bathythermograph buoy and an associated method of operation are provided to measure temperature and/or optionally other parameter(s) within an ocean or another body of water. A bathythermograph buoy includes a housing and one or more sensors carried by the housing and configured to repeatedly measure one or more respective parameters as the bathythermograph buoy descends. The bathythermograph buoy of one example also includes a memory carried by the housing and configured to store representations of the one or more respective parameters measured by the one or more sensors. The bathythermograph buoy further includes a buoyancy modification device configured to increase buoyancy of the bathythermograph buoy to permit the bathythermograph buoy to ascend.

A bathythermograph buoy and an associated method of operation are provided to measure temperature and/or optionally other parameter(s) within an ocean or another body of water. A bathythermograph buoy includes a housing and one or more sensors carried by the housing and configured to repeatedly measure one or more respective parameters as the bathythermograph buoy descends. The bathythermograph buoy of one example also includes a memory carried by the housing and configured to store representations of the one or more respective parameters measured by the one or more sensors. The bathythermograph buoy further includes a buoyancy modification device configured to increase buoyancy of the bathythermograph buoy to permit the bathythermograph buoy to ascend.