US 12,012,184 B1
Spar transmitter
Christopher P. Henry, Thousand Oaks, CA (US); Walter S Wall, Calabasas, CA (US); and Carson R. White, Agoura Hills, CA (US)
Assigned to HRL LABORATORIES, LLC, Malibu, CA (US)
Filed by HRL Laboratories, LLC, Malibu, CA (US)
Filed on Sep. 11, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/018,870.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/964,072, filed on Jan. 21, 2020.
Int. Cl. B63B 35/44 (2006.01); H01Q 1/04 (2006.01); H01Q 1/30 (2006.01); H01Q 1/34 (2006.01); H01Q 9/36 (2006.01)
CPC B63B 35/44 (2013.01) [H01Q 1/04 (2013.01); H01Q 1/30 (2013.01); H01Q 1/34 (2013.01); H01Q 9/36 (2013.01); B63B 2035/442 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A spar buoy for very low frequency (VLF) or low frequency (LF) transmission comprising:
a first portion of the spar buoy extending above a mean water line comprising:
a conductive structure comprising a coaxial feed; and
an antenna coupled to the coaxial feed and extending above the conductive structure; and
a second portion of the spar buoy below the mean water line comprising:
a transmitter coupled to the coaxial feed; an energy storage subsystem coupled to the transmitter; and
an electric power generation subsystem coupled to the energy storage subsystem;
wherein the conductive structure comprises:
a horn flaring upward toward the antenna,
a nonconductive sealing cap over the horn to contain a gas or a liquid within the horn; and
a device on the nonconductive sealing cap for filling or evacuating the gas or liquid;
wherein the gas comprises an inert gas, SF6, dry N2, or a vacuum; and
wherein the liquid comprises a dielectric liquid, silicone oil, or mineral oil.