Abstract: A field configurable vehicle includes bladders located interior of the vehicle hull walls. One or more of the bladders can be filled with fluids of varying densities to manage the buoyancy, mass properties, and thermal heat dissipation of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inspecting an underwater vehicle. In embodiments, a system receives a SAR image for at least a portion of an exterior surface of an underwater vehicle and performs CCD processing to compare a baseline SAS image for the underwater vehicle with the received SAR image of the underwater vehicle to generate a CCD output corresponding to a measure of similarity of the baseline SAS image and the received SAS image. The system determines whether there was tampering of the underwater vehicle based on the measure of similarity.

Abstract: An inflation device is provided including a shell, a pin, a restraining element, and a moveable element. The shell is adapted to be coupled to an inflation canister. The pin is positioned within the shell. The pin is adapted to open a seal of the inflation canister. The restraining element is positioned within the shell. The moveable element includes a shape memory alloy. The moveable element is moveable from a first position to a second position responsive to electrical energy sent to the moveable element. While the moveable element is in the first position, the restraining element is secured within the shell to restrain the pin from opening the seal of the inflation canister. While the moveable element is in the second position, the pin is releasable to open the seal of the inflation canister.

Abstract: A boat cradle assembly is adapted for dry storage of a pontoon boat having a deck and a hull. The hull includes a tubular midline pontoon. The boat cradle assembly comprises first and second spaced apart longitudinal side beam. A plurality of crossbeams extends between the first and second side beams. Each crossbeam has a substantially V-shaped bottom structure and a top structure. The V-shaped bottom structure is configured to reside between and engage spaced apart frame members of a dry storage rack. The top structure defines an intermediate arcuate formation configured to accommodate a rounded underside of the midline pontoon.

Abstract: A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The main body of the vehicle is a spherical body.

Abstract: A torpedo recovery system is provided with a hull and a float conformable on a host vehicle and lifting wire coiled on a spool attached by an extension spring as well as with an anchor to the float. An oval hole penetrates the recovery system hull at positions lined with a watertight sleeve. The spool can accommodate a locking pin. The extension spring allows compliance for take-up of the spool by having the locking pin mate with an aperture and adds a wire pre-tension. Upon vehicle shutdown; the locking pin is retracted to free the spool from a rotational constraint. The float buoyancy translates into pulling the wire from the spool with the float and extension spring continuing to the water surface. Once the float reaches the surface; the float provides a visual location for the host vehicle. The float is retrieved and a winch can recover the lightweight torpedo.

Abstract: A tool interchange for a submersible remote operated vehicle (ROV) arm includes a first interchange body that affixes to an ROV arm. A second interchange body is carried by the first interchange body to rotate on a rotation axis. The second interchange body includes a tool mount actuable between gripping an ROV tool to the second interchange body and releasing the ROV tool from the second interchange body. An inductive power coupling part is provided in the tool mount. The inductive power coupling part is presented outwardly in the tool mount opposite the first interchange body, resides on the rotation axis and is fixed with respect to the first interchange body while the second interchange body rotates. The inductive power coupling part is adapted to inductively communicate power with a corresponding inductor power coupling part of the ROV tool when the ROV tool is docked in the tool mount.

Abstract: A method comprising: providing an autonomous vehicle (AV) with a first estimated position of a target; directing the AV to travel toward the first estimated position at a constant velocity; receiving echo signals of transmitted sonar signals, the echo signals indicating a range and an azimuth of the target; determining a depth difference of the AV and the target based on the received echo signals, the depth difference being determined based on changes to the range and azimuth of the target over time; and in response to a depth difference existing, re-directing the AV toward a second estimated position of the target generated from the depth difference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement (100) for a sailing boat furling system, and for reception of or comprising an outgoing shaft (11) exposed to external torque loads. It comprises a furling drive unit (20) with a gear mechanism (22) and a motor unit (23) connected to an ingoing, motor, shaft (21) and a ratchet mechanism (10) comprising a locking functionality. The ratchet mechanism comprises a housing (17A,17B) and takes up the outgoing shaft (11). The furling drive unit (20) is connectable to ratchet mechanism (10) and is so arranged that the motor unit (23) will be located distant from the outgoing shaft (11), and it further comprises a control unit (30) arranged to control the motor unit (23) driving the ingoing shaft (21).

Abstract: A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The main body of the vehicle is a spherical body.

Abstract: A projectile launch detector, including a body, a mast and a blade rigidly connected to the mast; the mast being capable of sliding between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, and capable of pivoting between a first and a second angular position. The detector may further includes a first elastic return element to return the mast to the deployed configuration relative to the body; and a first associated sensor; and a second elastic return element to return the mast to the first angular position relative to the body; and a second associated sensor.

Abstract: A transmission system for a hybrid power plant, such as a hybrid propulsion system of a marine vessel, is described. The transmission is configured to selectively couple a primary mover and/or a secondary mover to an output of the transmission for providing a power output, and optionally selectively couple the primary mover to the secondary mover, decoupling the output, for electrical energy generation in a compact and light-weight design.

Abstract: Equipment for the conversion of a sailboat hull, having a substantially rectangular cockpit, into a rowing boat includes a frame that is substantially rectangular. Such frame is shaped to be arranged with the two major sides at the two major sides of the cockpit and is provided with a removable locking system of the frame to the hull of the boat. Two cantilever members jut out beyond the sides of the hull and are connected to the frame at one end and are provided with rowlocks on the other end. A seat is also provided, slidable along at least one couple of guides parallel to the major sides of the frame.

Abstract: A method is for making a marine drive for propelling a marine vessel in water. The method includes providing a gearcase; installing a propeller shaft assembly that extends forwardly from the gearcase; coupling front and rear propellers to the propeller shaft assembly, forwardly of the gearcase, such that rotation of the propeller shaft assembly causes rotation of the front and rear propellers, respectively, which thereby propels the marine vessel in the water; and reducing deleterious effects of cavitation on the gearcase by the combination of forming the gearcase with a wide trailing end portion, in particular to maintain pressure alongside the gearcase, and configuring the front and rear propellers so that the front propeller absorbs more torque/thrust load than the rear propeller during said rotation.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a device for acting on water flow as a watercraft moves through the water. The device is generally comprised of a primary plate having two downward angled tabs and a handle. Device is installed on the stern of watercraft, preferably engaged to a prior art ladder. The angular tabs and primary plate delay a portion of the wake from reaching the surface of the water, thereby allowing time for the converging water flow from either side of the watercraft to merge more seamlessly with the wake. This convergence creates a more laminar surf wave.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for sealing a propeller shaft located under water. The propeller shaft is arranged at a pod of a ship and an air chamber is provided circumferentially around the propeller shaft. The method includes supplying compressed air from a compressed air source to the air chamber, discharging compressed air from the air chamber in an air return line and colleting liquid present in the compressed air discharged from the air chamber in an intermediate leakage tank that is provided in the air return line. The method includes closing the air return line upstream of the intermediate leakage tank, and supplying compressed air to the intermediate leakage tank to effect flowing of liquid present in the intermediate leakage tank to a leakage tank.

Abstract: The present application discloses an automatic water surface skimmer, belonging to the technical field of water surface cleaning. For the existing anti-collision structure, most of impact force is transmitted to a hull through an anti-collision wheel, resulting in that the anti-collision wheel and the hull are damaged, the anti-collision effect is poor, and the service life of the anti-collision wheel and the hull is influenced. Further, garbage collected by adopting the existing solution is easily scatteredly fallen from an opening, and the collection effect is not good. The body of the automatic water surface skimmer is provided with an accommodating cavity running through upper and lower portions, such that a storage member can be placed from the top to the bottom, and it is convenient for a user to disassemble and assemble the storage member.

Abstract: A system for deploying and recovering an autonomous underwater device (AUD) using a surface carrier ship, includes, in addition to the carrier ship, a subaquatic vehicle (SV) guided by a connection wire connected to the carrier ship, the SV able to be positioned in a storage configuration wherein the SV is fixedly but removably joined to the carrier ship in a storage zone, or in a configuration for use, in which the SV, separated from the carrier ship, is in the water and at a distance from the carrier ship while remaining connected by the connection wire, the SV including propulsion, guiding and stabilizing systems and a station for receiving the AUD allowing it to be removably attached to the SV, the receiving station and the AUD including a complementary automated docking unit allowing the AUD to automatically dock with the receiving station during recovery and attach itself thereto.

Abstract: Watersport board fins with fin retention systems and associated watersport boards and methods. A fin includes a hydrodynamic blade and a fin base extending from the hydrodynamic blade. The hydrodynamic blade defines a fin plane and includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a foil surface. The fin further includes a fin retention system with a selective retention system that includes a retainer and an actuator coupled to the retainer via a pivot shaft. The actuator forms a portion of the hydrodynamic blade when the selective retention system is in a locked configuration and is configured to rotate away from the fin plane when the selective retention system transitions from the locked configuration to an unlocked configuration. The retainer is configured to rotate away from the fin plane when the selective retention system transitions from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for attaching a device to an object, comprising: an attachment device for attaching the device to an object, the attachment device having a trigger for triggering activation of the attachment device; a releasable coupling device for releasably coupling the attachment device to a deployment system. The releasable coupling device comprising: a housing; a trigger system, configured to trigger the attachment device trigger; and a retaining system, configured to releasably retain the attachment device. The releasable coupling device is configured such that: in a first configuration, the trigger system is in a disarmed state; in a second configuration, the trigger system is in an armed state, such that movement of the attachment device relative to the housing of the releasable coupling device activates the trigger of the attachment device; and in a third configuration, the retaining system releases the attachment device.