A delayed release device for a buoy engaged with an underwater lobster trap operates with a first magnet securing a buoy, such that the buoy is tethered to a deployed lobster trap submerged in lobster harvesting regions of the ocean. A second magnet secures the first magnet based on a magnetic field, and a displacement actuator is in communication with the second magnet for retracting the magnet in response to a predetermined condition. Based on the condition, such as a time delay, the actuator moves the second magnet distal from the first magnet for releasing the buoy when the distance reduces the magnetic field sufficiently. The actuator may include a drive screw having a threaded engagement with the second magnet, such that the drive screw is responsive to rotation for retracting the second magnet.

A delayed release device for a buoy engaged with an underwater lobster trap operates with a first magnet securing a buoy, such that the buoy is tethered to a deployed lobster trap submerged in lobster harvesting regions of the ocean. A second magnet secures the first magnet based on a magnetic field, and a displacement actuator is in communication with the second magnet for retracting the magnet in response to a predetermined condition. Based on the condition, such as a time delay, the actuator moves the second magnet distal from the first magnet for releasing the buoy when the distance reduces the magnetic field sufficiently. The actuator may include a drive screw having a threaded engagement with the second magnet, such that the drive screw is responsive to rotation for retracting the second magnet.

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.

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.

A release device for releasing another device in an environment includes a housing containing a material matrix. A member is restrained by the material matrix and extends outside the housing. The matrix is a solid in conditions of the environment to hold the member stationary in opposition to predetermined force. The matrix softens at a predetermined softening temperature to permit relative movement between the member and the material matrix. A heating element is disposed to heat the material matrix to the predetermined softening temperature. A method for releasing a device includes attaching the device to a member extending out of the release device. The device remains attached against the predetermined force. The matrix is heated to the softening temperature in response to a communication to permit movement of the member to fully or partially release the device.

A release device for releasing another device in an environment includes a housing containing a material matrix. A member is restrained by the material matrix and extends outside the housing. The matrix is a solid in conditions of the environment to hold the member stationary in opposition to predetermined force. The matrix softens at a predetermined softening temperature to permit relative movement between the member and the material matrix. A heating element is disposed to heat the material matrix to the predetermined softening temperature. A method for releasing a device includes attaching the device to a member extending out of the release device. The device remains attached against the predetermined force. The matrix is heated to the softening temperature in response to a communication to permit movement of the member to fully or partially release the device.

The invention is a system comprising an electrically controlled valve and subsystems that convert sound to electrical signals such that they can be compared to stored control signatures, and when a match occurs, convey a commensurate control signal to the valve. The valve also contains sensors for its state as well as pressure. That data is converted to sound signals and conveyed to remote sound-to-electric transducers. The invention permits remote control of underwater systems without wires that could include control, valve-state, valve pressure, depth, and location.

A pressurization processing system that performs pressurization processing on a target by immersing the target in the sea or a lake, includes a housing body that is configured to house the target, a buoyancy body that is configured to float the housing body, a weight body that has a specific gravity greater than that of seawater or lake water, and a separation mechanism that separably connects the housing body and the weight body. In the system, the buoyancy body includes a housing bag having water permeability, and the housing bag houses a plurality of hollow glass spheres, and is immersed in the seawater or the lake water so that a space between the plurality of hollow glass spheres housed in the housing bag is filled with the seawater or the lake water.