UNMANNED VESSEL

Abstract

Unmanned marine vessels are disclosed featuring various structural properties. A raised deck leveling with the upper side of the vessel allows for larger compartments below deck and implicates special hatching considerations. A upper appliance support frame is provided for positioning external appliances on board the vessel. Air sucked in by the engine may be used to cool compartments of the vessel. Tie points of the vessel may be position on the deck.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to unmanned vessels and structural aspects of such vessels relating to the efficient usage of their internal space. The invention also relates to other structural features of such vessels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Unmanned airplanes have been in service for a number of years, mainly for reconnaissance operations. Unmanned ground vehicles and sea vessels are being developed to minimize risk to crew members and provide for low cost operations.

The use of unmanned aquatic and marine vessels has been proposed for purposes such as mapping ad surveillance.

A unique seafaring vessel structure is presented to improve the desired performance typical to unmanned vessels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic isometric description of a boat of the invention showing general external shape;

FIG. 1B is a schematic cross sectional view of a vessel of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric view of an appliance support frame of a vessel of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic longitudinal cross sectional view of a boat of the invention showing compartments;

FIG. 3B is a schematic top side view of a boat of the invention showing appliance support frame and air intake.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Several structural features characterize a boat of the present invention. A raised deck is one such feature, further described with reference to FIG. 1A. Boat 20 features raised deck 22 typically substantially leveling with the top of tubes 24. In boats having no tubes, the deck of a boat of the invention is substantially level with the upper edge of the side of the boat, sometimes referred to as the gunwale. In some embodiments of the invention, another visibly prominent feature of the vessel of the invention is appliance support frame (ASF) 26. The ASF is used to attach payload appliances and components, secure them and render them available for use or transportation. In FIG. 1B a cross section in such a vessel shows that deck 22 is raised to substantially the same level as the top of tubes 24, or even above them. Had the boat been manned the deck would be set to a considerably lower level, for example as marked by line 28. Exemplary ASF 26 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2. Flange 30 has four faces such as face 32 in one of which two bolts 34 are shown appended which exemplify a host fixing and securing mechanisms that can be applied in order to attach various appliances to be deployed on the vessel. The ASF of the invention can occupy a central position on the deck of the vessel and even span the width of the deck in some embodiments. The structural and dimensional features of the ASF which occupies a considerable space on board the vessel are free from limitations relating to the movement of personnel on board the vessel. Payload to be attached to the ASF includes typically reconnaissance appliances, arms, and communications gear. In some embodiments of the invention the ASF has a void forming an opening 36 through which air can be conveyed to the interior of the vessel.

The mere raising of the deck of a vessel of the prior art brings about several advantageous features with respect to a boat with a low deck. Some such advantages will be described infra. Below the raised deck one or more secluded compartments are disposed. The entrance door to such a compartment (hereinafter referred to as a hatch door) is typically located in the deck and can form a watertight closure with the deck to keep water out of the compartment, thus maintaining the increased submersibility characteristics of the vessel of the invention. Typically, a coaming is employed in the entrance to each opened compartment, to prevent water entering the below—deck compartments.

Vessel Compartments and Hatches

The space under the deck may be compartmented so as to allow the coexistence of smaller separate spaces such as wholly or partially secluded compartments. As can be seen in the schematic longitudinal cross sectional view in FIG. 3A Compartment 50 harbors a water jet propulsion unit which is powered by a motor located in compartment 52. In this example three more compartments are shown, compartments 4, 56 and 58. In some embodiments, specialized compartments for human transport are allocated under the deck, with dimensional features and sustenance facilities that permit such an undertaking. Facilities for sustaining personnel in a compartment in a deck refer to electricity outlets, food, water and other necessary elements for sustaining a crew in a compartment within such a boat.

Payload

A boat of the invention can carry a diversity of payloads. Militarily oriented, for example, stabilized devices such as a weapon system and observation and recognition systems. Electronic warfare systems and ISR (intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance) are among such diversification of payloads. A general purpose payload includes various electrical systems for communications, control and navigation.

Some of the payload may be located in below deck compartments, and some may be attached to the ASF. The ASF typically harbors equipment which is to be exposed to the outside, for example, various weapons, antenna, loudspeakers and optical reconnaissance appliances. In the below deck compartments, components which are not dependent on outside exposure for proper functioning are typically disposed. As explained above, the automotive components of the vessel, typically engine, water jet system and the fuel tanks are typically stowed below deck.

The air intake associated with the action of the motor creates a continuous flow of air from the outside into the engine. This incoming airflow can be harnessed to cooling components on the vessel. The most obvious heat emitting object aboard such vessel is the engine. This is explained with reference to FIG. 3A. Air coming generally in the direction of arrow 64 enters the opening in ASF 66, and drawn towards the engine located in compartment 52, to be partially consumed by the engine. The flow produces a cooling effect that permits the inclusion of the vessel's batteries in juxtaposition with the engine, because the constant removal of heat from the engine diminishes the amount of heat affecting the batteries. In FIG. 3B the same is shown schematically from a top view of a vessel of the invention. Air coming into the void of ASF 66 flows generally in the direction of appliance 70, cooling it off. Hatch 72 is shut precluding entrance of air or water to the volume below the deck.

Advantages and Features of a Boat of the Invention

A vessel of the invention is submersible to a further extent than manned boat having equivalent dimensions, due to spatial restrictions linked to the operation of the crew members within the boat. The higher secluded volume of the vessel of the invention, out of reach of the surrounding water is interpreted as providing a lower overall specific weight to the boat, or in other words, such a vessel has a higher buoyancy than a boat of the prior art having a low deck.

Tie points or anchorage points in the boat of the invention can be positioned virtually randomly on the deck. One or more tie points visibly expressed as hooks or as cable loops, can be located in such a manner as to facilitate: securing the vessel from another vessel, hoisting the vessel for example by crane, or tying the boat to a docking site. An externally visible tie point is normally supported by strengthening members that structurally and mechanically permit force to be exerted by external devices without risking the vessel's structure. Such strengthening members are internal beams or a cable system. For example, if a vessel of the invention is to be hoisted by a crane at one tie point, the location of such a tie point is different than if four tie point are used. Also different tie points may be disposed on the same boat for different methods of hoisting and/or capturing and docking.

Claims

1. An unmanned boat comprising:

a raised deck;

at least one compartment below said deck having at least one hatch at said deck, and wherein said hatch is capable of forming a watertight closure of said compartment;

an engine in a compartment under said deck wherein said engine is ventilated through said hatch in said deck.

2. An unmanned boat as in claim 1 further comprising an appliance support frame.

3. An unmanned boat as in claim 2 and wherein a void of said appliance support frame forms an opening connecting the outside with at least one compartment under said deck.

4. An unmanned boat as in claim 2 wherein payload is affixed on said appliance support frame.

5. An unmanned boat as in claim 1 wherein two hatches both form a water tight closure with at least one compartment below said deck.

6. An unmanned boat as in claim 3 wherein an engine of said boat consumes air and wherein some of said air taken in through the void of said appliance support frame, and wherein said air is used to cool said engine.

7. An unmanned boat as in claim 6 wherein an engine of said boat consumes air taken in through the void of said appliance support frame, and wherein said air is used to cool said engine and the batteries of said boat.

8. An unmanned boat as in claim 1 carrying military oriented payload.

9. An unmanned boat as in claim 1 carrying general purpose payload.

10. An unmanned boat as in claim 1 having at least one compartment for sustaining crew members.

11. An unmanned boat as in claim 1 wherein said boat is adapted for being hoisted at one tie point.