Abstract: A charging system for an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is disposed within a submerged docking station. The charging system includes a battery, a fuel cell, a fuel source, and a charge controller. The battery supplies electrical power to an electrical distribution bus in the docking station. The charge controller monitors the charge state of the battery and, when needed, activates the fuel cell to recharge the battery. The charge controller also activates the fuel cell when a UUV is docked in the docking station for recharging of its power plant.

Abstract: An integrated power and attitude control system and method for a vehicle efficiently supplies electrical power to both low voltage and high voltage loads, and does not rely on relatively heavy batteries to supply power during the vehicle initialization process. The system includes an energy storage flywheel, and a solar array that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The energy storage flywheel is spun up, using electrical power supplied from a low voltage power source, to a rotational speed sufficient to provide attitude control. Then, after the solar array is moved to its deployed position, the energy storage flywheel is spun up, using electrical power supplied from a second power source, to a rotational speed sufficient to provide both attitude control and energy storage.

Abstract: An object ejection system uses an energy storage flywheel to drive the fluid pump that is used to pressurize the ejection tubes. The energy storage flywheel is periodically spun-up using an electric motor. The energy stored in the energy storage flywheel is used, when needed, to drive the fluid pump and supply pressurized fluid to an impulse tank. The pressurized fluid in the impulse tank is used to eject an object, such as a weapon, from one or more ejection tubes.

Abstract: A charging system for an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is disposed within a submerged docking station. The charging system includes a battery, one or more generators, and a charge controller. The battery supplies electrical power to an electrical distribution bus in the docking station. The charge controller monitors the charge state of the battery and, when needed, activates one or more of the generators to recharge the battery. The charge controller also activates one or more of the generators when a UUV is docked in the docking station for recharging of its power plant.

Abstract: A bearing for a high-speed and high-momentum rotating flywheel system for satellite or other applications that enables better recovery when unintended physical contact occurs. This better recovery is achieved through increased impact resistance and wear resistance by using a flat annulus connected to the main shaft of the primary bearing and secondary metal bearing and coating both annuli with rhenium or its alloys. Rhenium has a very high melting point but in the annealed condition is ductile so the rhenium coating is hardened to a very high strength and wear resistance but the rhenium beneath is still ductile. This combination of hard and soft material provides good wear resistance and impact resistance for those times when the primary bearing ceases to operate and contact is made with the secondary bearing.

Abstract: A health monitoring system for an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is disposed within a submerged docking station. The health monitoring system receive signals representative of performance of the docking station equipment and uses the data to determine the health status of the docking station equipment, to generate health status data representative thereof, and transmits the health status data to a remote station. The health monitoring system also retrieves health status data from UUVs that are periodically docked in the docking station, and transmits this data to the remote station.

Abstract: A docking station for an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) includes a tether control system to minimize movement of the docking station when the UUV is docking therein. The docking station is a submerged station that is tethered to a floating structure via a tether line. The tether control system selectively loosens and tightens the tether line during UUV docking, to thereby minimize movement of the docking station during UUV docking operations.

Abstract: A system and method for removing energy from the rotating group in an energy storage flywheel system during flywheel system testing includes one or more sensors is operable to sense operational parameters of the energy storage flywheel and to supply a sensor signals representative thereof. A primary control circuit is coupled to receive the sensor signals and, in response thereto, selectively supplies a primary brake activation signal to a brake. The brake, in response to the brake activation signal, selectively supplies a brake force to the energy storage flywheel.

Abstract: A containment vessel used to enclose an energy storage flywheel system during certification testing of the energy storage flywheel system includes a plurality of concentrically disposed vessels. One or more intermediate shields are freely disposed within an outer shield, and an inner shield is freely disposed within the intermediate shields. The inner shield includes a deflector rim disposed proximate one of its ends that is configured to absorb the energy of ejected material, in the highly unlikely event of a flywheel failure during testing.

Abstract: A valve actuator assembly that is implemented in a fully-electric configuration includes two rails and an armature that is moveably disposed between, and electrically coupled to, each of the rails. The armature is configured to couple to a valve element and is moveable between at least a first position and a second position, to thereby move the valve element to at least the open and closed positions, respectively. Upon application of an electrical potential of a first or second polarity across the rails, a current flows through the armature in a first or a second direction, respectively, to thereby generate a Lorentz force. The Lorentz force acts on the armature to move it to the first or second position, and thus move the valve element to the open or closed position, respectively.

Abstract: A communication system for an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) is disposed at least partially within a submerged docking station. The communication system receives communication requests from a remote station, and transmits requested data to and from the remote station. The data transmitted from the remote station may be further transmitted to a submerged UUV, either via a data port or wirelessly, depending on whether the UUV is docked in the docking station.

Abstract: An energy storage flywheel system includes a shaft, one or more primary bearing assemblies, and one or more secondary bearing assemblies. A secondary bearing control circuit determines the operability of the primary bearing assemblies and, based on this determination, selectively engages the secondary bearing assemblies to rotationally support the flywheel shaft.

Abstract: An energy storage flywheel system includes a flywheel assembly that is rotationally mounted in a housing assembly, and one or more actuator assemblies. The actuator assemblies are configured to selectively engage and disengage the flywheel assembly. When the actuator assemblies engage the flywheel assembly, the actuator assemblies provide support for, and inhibit rotation of, the flywheel assembly. When the actuator assemblies disengage the flywheel assembly, the actuator assemblies no longer support the flywheel assembly, and no longer inhibit its rotation.

Abstract: A bearing for a high-speed and high-momentum rotating flywheel system for satellite or other applications that enables better recovery when unintended physical contact occurs. This better recovery is achieved through increased impact resistance and wear resistance by using a flat annulus connected to the main shaft of the primary bearing and secondary metal bearing and coating both annuli with rhenium or its alloys. Rhenium has a very high melting point but in the annealed condition is ductile so the rhenium coating is hardened to a very high strength and wear resistance but the rhenium beneath is still ductile. This combination of hard and soft material provides good wear resistance and impact resistance for those times when the primary bearing ceases to operate and contact is made with the secondary bearing.