Abstract: An underwater self-propelled surface-adhering robotically operated vehicle capable of being navigated through a volume of water and of adhering itself to an underwater surface and traversing along the surface. The vehicle has a main body with an interior suction chamber and a motor driven impeller disposed in the chamber to draw water through the bottom end of the chamber and expel it at the top end and thereby create a negative pressure force at the bottom end to maintain the vehicle in contact with the underwater surface. Thrusters on the main body allow the vehicle to be driven through a volume of water before and after attachment to the underwater surface as well as to hold station in mid water for tasks and inspections. The vehicle may be provided with an evacuable enclosure to provide an environment for task accomplishment and with measurement and inspection devices and tools for underwater hull cleaning, welding, and other underwater tasks.

Abstract: A pumpskid comprises a frame adapted for connection to a remotely operated vehicle for positioning thereby. A male connector mounted on the frame is adapted for engagement with the suction port on a suction anchor. Clamping apparatus is provided for securing the male connector in engagement with the suction port of the suction anchor and thereby clamping the pumpskid in engagement with the suction anchor. A pump mounted on the frame is connected in fluid communication with the male connector by piping sections which include a port open to the surrounding sea. Valves and valve actuators are provided for causing the pump to cause water flow out of or into the suction anchor, as required.

Abstract: A cargo submarine has a cargo section (2) between tapered peripheral buoyancy sections (2-5) and an on-board cargo-handling components (32-49) capable of rapid loading and unloading of large volumes of cargo. A hydrodynamic tower (14) conveys fresh air in and exhaust gasses out while traveling submerged sufficiently deep to avoid wave undulation. Dual electronic controls (51-57) in a tower bridge (27) and in a main bridge (50) are provided for large vessels. A crane (32) with automatically-adjustable weight balancing and electronic controls is telescoped from within the vessel. A shore ramp (47) and a ship ramp (44) are provided for fast and convenient motorized or manual handling of commercial or military cargo at beaches and shores without docks. Special hydrodynamic configuration and contouring result in less drag-per-length coefficient of marine vessels, resulting in less ton-mile propulsion costs than for optimized displacement-hull ships.

Abstract: An explosive cutter for severing a mooring of a moored mine includes a securing apparatus for attaching the explosive cutter to a mooring and for detaching the explosive cutter from an underwater vessel. The securing apparatus includes a mooring capturing jaw; a clamping lever having a withdrawn position in which it is clear of the capturing jaw and a clamping position in which it closes off the capturing jaw for holding the mooring captive in the capturing jaw; and a slidable shuttle having a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A water vessel comprising a hull, at least one retractable hydrofoil apparatus configured for disposition in an extended orientation for vessel operation in a hydrofoil mode and for disposition in a retracted orientation for vessel operation in an undersea mode and propulsion apparatus providing propulsion of the vessel in both the undersea mode and the hydrofoil mode.

Abstract: In a method and a device for tracking an object (2a), especially a subsea object, while utilizing a mother vessel (1) or an intermediate craft (101) equipped with sonars (3a) for the transmission and reflection of searching rays (3b, 3n) which on a display on the vessel (1) indicate one or more objects (2a) in the subsea search area, there is provided a searching unit (2) which is controlled from the vessel (1), and which comprises at least one transponder/responder (10, 13) or the like, for the transmission of signals corresponding to the searching rays (3b). The signal(s) is registered on the display on the mother vessel (1) and is used for guiding the searching unit (2) towards a selected object (2a) along the searching rays (3b, 3n) of the sonars.

Abstract: A diving boat wherein an air tank, water tank and navigating apparatus are provided, air within the air tank is fed into the watertight boat body and excess air produced thereby is discharged into water outside the boat body through an automatic balance type pressure regulating valve so that the air pressure within the boat body may be kept substantially the same as the water pressure outside the boat body.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out operations under water having a twin hull autonomous submarine which in the space between two pressure hulls is provided with a cargo hold having an apparatus for receiving and carrying cargo units. The compartment between the pressure hulls is outwardly limited by inward hatches in the submarine's hydrodynamic outer hull (form hull). In the hold longitudinal running levels on both of the pressure hulls for at least one traverse crane and at least one cargo carrying wagon, as well as, preferably, a belly manipulator. The apparatus is used to carry out various operations in an underwater production system.

Abstract: An underwater window for vessels which is provided to cover an opening made on the hull has a first transparent plate curved to form a convex surface bulging toward the outside of hull outwardly from the hull. One or two additional transparent plates are provided to cover the concave space which is formed on the cabin side by the first curved plate. The space formed by the curved plate and the additional plate, or plates, is filled with a liquid. The liquid contains distilled water and an algaecide, such as CuSO.sub.4 and has its pH adjusted to with the range of 7.0-7.6.

Abstract: An underwater fuel transfer system for the transfer of liquid fuels such as crude oil from an off-shore underwater mooring to a submerged submarine oil tanker. There is provided a berthing guidance and control system including permanently moored acostic transponders interrogated by the tanker sonar equipment to provide input commands for azmith control along the on-tack position in conjunction with speed controls. The system also includes an arrestor mooring apparatus for decelerating the tanker as the tanker approaches the underwater station. This underwater station has the dual function use of providing mooring for the tanker and also reception of the tanker oil transfer device.

Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle driven by endless propulsion tracks. The wheels are sufficiently bouyant to maintain the upper section of the endless track above the water line when the vehicle is fully loaded. A series of generally linear cleat segments project from the outer surface of the endless track and extend substantially across the width of the track. The cleat segments are arranged in a zig-zag pattern about the length of the endless track in order to provide a combination of forward and lateral thrust components as the endless track is rotated about the wheels. The generally longitudinal character of the cleat pattern reduces the chance of mud and loose soil being carried on the cleats to the top portion of the endless track. In one embodiment of the invention, four pneumatic tire wheel assemblies are provided in longitudinally spaced relation along each side of the vehicle and a pair of endless tracks, each trained around two adjacent wheel assemblies, are provided on each side of the vehicle.

Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle driven by endless propulsion tracks. The wheels are sufficiently bouyant to maintain the upper section of the endless track above the water line when the vehicle is fully loaded. A series of generally linear cleat segments project from the outer surface of the endless track and extend substantially across the width of the track. The cleat segments are arranged in a zig-zag pattern about the length of the endless track in order to provide a combination of forward and lateral thrust components as the endless track is rotated about the wheels. The generally longitudinal character of the cleat pattern reduces the chance of mud and loose soil being carried on the cleats to the top portion of the endless track.

Abstract: Large vessel having an opening in the bottom of the hull said hull portion being provided with an upwardly and downwardly movable grid structure shielding the opening against ice flakes which pass along the bottom of the hull.

Abstract: A submarine vehicle for collecting and raising materials resting on the sea bed at great depths, of the type comprising a load-bearing structure, collecting elements for the materials, storage silos for storing the materials collected and/or the ballast material, transfer means between said collecting elements and said silos, and main propellers for advancing the vehicle on the sea bed, said vehicle being characterized in that said load-bearing structure is made of a buoyancy material, said structure being in the form of a ring having a longitudinal plane of symmetry and defining the stem, stern and sides of said vehicle, and defining between them a free central space, the outer surface of said structure forming the hull of said vehicle, said storage silos being arranged in the free central space and fixed to said load-bearing structure, said collecting elements being arranged in front of and below said stem, said main propellers also being fixed to the lower surface of said load-bearing structure.

Abstract: Polymetallic nodules are collected by means of a plurality of self-propelled vehicles which move upwards and downwards between the sea floor and a surface platform under the action of excess ballast which is partially and progressively released as the vehicle approaches the bottom. The vehicles are propelled along the sea floor by means of at least two supporting units each having at least one helical propulsion fin, the remainder of the ballast being released in order to return the vehicles upwards for docking, unloading and energy-recharging in the surface platform.

Abstract: An underwater cruise device is disclosed which is mounted to a vessel by a vertical telescoping boom. The device includes a diving chair mounted to the vertical boom which can be selectively submerged during diving operations or completely withdrawn from the water for long distance, surface cruising. A concave, transparent shell canopy is mounted to the diving chair, forming an enclosed upper cavity which can contain a breathable gas ambient to surround the head of the seated diver. Controls are provided on the diving chair to enable the submerged diver to control the extension of the vertical boom into the water and the propulsion and steering of the vessel itself. Radio and television communication with the surface can be provided so that the diver can monitor surface conditions while cruising in the submerged diving chair.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the invention for suspending a submarine on a submerged structure and comprising a preshaped semi-rigid strap wound onto a drum disposed in a casing fixed to said submarine, whereby the strap when unwound adopts the shape of a generally circular loop so as to pass round one of the cross-members of the submerged structure and has at its free end means for cooperating with a locking device disposed on the path adopted by the strap with respect to the casing, whereby the locking device comprises safety means for bringing about the release thereof in the case of a defect to the locking system.

Abstract: Polymetallic nodules are collected by means of a plurality of self-propelled vehicles which move upwards and downwards between the sea floor and a surface platform under the action of excess ballast which is partially and progressively released as the vehicle approaches the bottom. The vehicles are propelled along the sea floor by means of at least two supporting units each having at least one helical propulsion fin, the remainder of the ballast being released in order to return the vehicles upwards for docking, unloading and energy-recharging in the surface platform.

Abstract: A target ship includes a hull travelling at a predetermined depth below the water level, and a pair of poles between which a target is attached, the target being disposed above the water level.