tyfon

The term "tyfon" refers to a specific type of diaphragm horn used as a fog signal at sea. These signals are crucial for navigation, especially in conditions of low visibility like fog or mist, helping to indicate shorelines, channels, or dangerous waters, as well as a vessel's position.12

Fog signals are legally required for all vessels in inclement weather, with their characteristics (type, number, length, and timing of blasts) indicating the vessel's size and location according to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. While early fog signals used bells, gongs, or explosives, modern systems, including the tyfon, are typically powered by compressed air or electricity. The tyfon, in particular, uses a metal diaphragm vibrated by differential air pressure, making it a more compact and efficient design compared to earlier compressed air signals like the siren and diaphone.23