Abstract
The Underwater Magnetic Release (UMR) System is a device developed by Jackson State University research team that can be programmed to release a float at a future point in time, which can be from a minute to many months. Although this device can work in all environments, it was designed primarily for underwater use. The idea is that if an arbitrary device is to be deployed underwater for future retrieval, a float is generally used to mark the location of the device. So, rather than having this float on the surface for all the time, the float is sunk attached to the UMR device, which is programmed to release it at a certain time. This UMR should be of interest for scientists that run underwater experiments. The equipment and float are completely concealed underwater until the time of their retrieval, which minimizes the risk of theft and/or vandalism. The UMR device is attached to the underwater apparatus where a float is attached to the UMR. Prior to underwater deployment, a smart device app is used to program the release time of the UMR. At the programmed time, the UMR releases the float. The release mechanism of the UMR remains in a locked state through the attraction of a metal disc to a permanent electro-magnet (PEM). At the pre-programmed time, a microcontroller issues a signal to activate a relay, which allows the appropriate current to energize the PEM. Once energized, the PEM releases the metal disc, which is attached to the float, allowing the float to surface.
