US Patent 9853360 Inflatable radar signal device

An inflatable RADAR signal device that is capable of rising above the surface of the water when deployed and that reflects RADAR emissions. The signal device is a self-contained, small, independent system that can withstand being present in a maritime environment, including being submerged in the water and/or being located on a vessel in the water, for an extended amount of time. The device includes a housing that houses one or more deflated balloons that are constructed of a material that, when inflated, rise above the level of the water and that reflect RADAR emissions. The device includes at least one gas cylinder for inflating the balloon(s), and a mechanism to trigger release of the balloon(s) from the housing including a mechanism to trigger release of the gas from the gas cylinder(s) to inflate the balloon(s).