Abstract: A transport landing vehicle for transferring an astronaut to and from an extraterrestrial mass such as a moon, asteroid, or small planet is disclosed. The transport landing vehicle has a cage that is substantially open to the outside environment.

Abstract: An essentially cylindrical, elongate pressure hull includes at least one pressure antechamber arranged essentially transversely to a longitudinal axis of the pressure hull. The pressure antechamber includes an access opening to the pressure hull which is closable in a pressure-tight manner and an access opening to the outside which is closable in a pressure-tight manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting vessels which have equal or different internal pressures, or which are surrounded by equal or different pressures to permit transport between the connected vessels. An articulating apparatus for connecting vessels which comprises: (a) a first vessel having on one side thereof an orifice; (b) a first rotary bearing and seal associated with the circumference of the orifice; (c) a first hollow wedge shaped segment having first and second sides with a first side thereof rotationally associated with the first rotary bearing and seal; (d) a second rotary bearing and seal associated with the second side of the first hollow wedge-shaped segment; and (e) a second hollow wedge-shaped segment having first and second sides with a first side associated with the second rotary bearing and seal, the second hollow wedge-shaped segment being capable of rotation relative to the first hollow wedge-shaped segment.

Abstract: An unmanned, self-propelled minesweeping apparatus, capable of sweeping at ubstantial depths, is described, comprising a torpedo-like submarine vehicle that deploys and tows a string of explosive mooring cable cutters terminating in a sea anchor. The sea anchor serves as a carrier for the cutters and the towline and, after ejection as a package from the vehicle, is actuated to an expanded condition and displaces the cutters and coils of towline therefrom.

Abstract: A one-atmosphere underwater modular system is provided. The modular system comprises components which can be manipulated and attached to one another through use of a submarine or the like. A variety of components are provided including: a maneuvarable submarine component; a bottom frame; a two-connection module; a one-connection module; and christmas tree modules. A variety of means and methods for connection in various orientations is disclosed. The system is specifically adapted for use in the recovery of natural resources, such as for oil and gas recovery.

Abstract: This invention relates to a small scale semi-submersible boat for naval combat comprising a hull of which a first, water-tight part is insubmersible and a second part is submersible.In the submersible part of the hull is accommodated at least one balloon or caisson serving as float which has a wall capable of being perforated and is inflated by means of a gas to enable the boat to float, the said boat also having a device for perforating the wall of the aforesaid balloon or caisson of a similar boat of an opponent, so as to damage the buoyancy of the opponent's boat.

Abstract: An improved transfer chamber for a space vehicle has an enclosure mounted on the hull of a spacecraft, and is provided with inner and outer doors. Two bladders are placed within this transfer chamber, and are selectively movable toward and away from one another. Conduits communicate these bladders with an outer reservoir exposed to space pressure, and with an inner reservoir exposed to cabin pressure. The conduits, bladders and reservoirs are all filled with liquid. When it is desired to egress an object from the cabin to space, liquid is pumped into the bladders, which move toward one another and deform about the object. This reduces the volume of air which is lost to space when the outer door is opened.

Abstract: A submersible watercraft has at least one watertight hull and a diver-exit vessel adapted to accommodate a diver is detachably connected to the watercraft by a sealable diver-exit port which enables divers to pass between the diver-exit vessel and the watercraft. The diver-exit vessel has a buoyancy and hauling apparatus such as a pair of ropes link the diver-exit vessel to the watercraft when the diver-exit vessel is not docked at the diver-exit port.

Abstract: A manned submarine includes first and second side-by-side chambers extending in a fore-to-aft direction. The first chamber is maintained at substantially atmospheric pressure and includes sleeping and eating compartments for ship-based personnel, and a galley. The second chamber is maintained at greater than atmospheric pressure and includes sleeping and eating compartments for diver personnel. Passages interconnect the chambers, enabling ship-based personnel from the first chamber to service diver personnel in the second chamber. The submarine carries guides which can be mated with corresponding guides on a piece of underwater equipment to stabilize the submarine against lateral movement and allow the equipment to be attached to the submarine for transport. The submarine carries weights which are placed on the water bed and connected to the submarine by initially slackened lines.

Abstract: A high speed ground transportation system, is suspended in an underground vacuum tube by a frictionless magnetic suspension system and propelled by gravity. The tubes are suspended inside deep underground tunnels from anchor points near each adjacent station and follow smooth catenary curves similar to the main suspension cables of a suspension bridge. Gravity propulsion is accomplished by allowing the vehicle to coast down the descending arc of the tube, during which time it is accelerated by gravity, and decelerating by gravitational braking while coasting up the tube's ascending arc. Thus, the trip is accomplished by transforming the vehicle's gravitational potential energy at one station into kinetic energy and back into gravitational potential energy at the next station. Excess kinetic energy arising from coasting between stations having different elevations is supplied or absorbed by on-board linear motor/generators that provide supplementary propulsion or regenerative braking.