Abstract: The invention relates to a propulsion device comprising a platform that is arranged so as to accommodate a passenger and cooperates with a thrust unit comprising a main nozzle, advantageously oriented from the bow to the stern of the device, and two secondary nozzles that are lateral and are positioned essentially at the bow of the propulsion device. The secondary nozzles are mounted so as to be mobile about a transverse axis so as to be moved by actuators controlled by a processing unit that implements a method for controlling the secondary nozzles, thus providing automatic control assistance to the passenger.

Abstract: An orb or body deployable from a launch tube serves as a countermeasures system. Where used, a tow rocket may be used to tow the orb or body to a desired location generally in front of an oncoming threat, and the tow rocket is released. Multiple line tow rockets are then launched from the orb in every direction, each extending a line connected to the orb to define a spherical volume within which the orb and lines operate. Each line may include at least one of sensors for sensing acoustic, magnetic or other disturbances, countermeasures systems including explosives, antenna, and radiating countermeasures transducers. Explosives or transducers may also be mounted in or to the orb. Magnetic, acoustic or electrical signals or the like may be emitted to confuse a threat, and explosives may be triggered when the threat enters the spherical volume defined by the extended lines.

Abstract: A self-propelled microbial fuel cell apparatus includes a microbial fuel cell with a cathode electrode and an anode electrode wherein the anode electrode is enclosed within an enclosure that has an opening in it. The microbial fuel cell is positioned within a self-propelled delivery vehicle so that the electrodes of the fuel cell are exposed to interface with a microbial environment.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a weapon clearance device for clearing weapons by detonating the weapon, a combined weapon clearance device comprising the weapon clearance device and an unmanned underwater vehicle, and a method associated therewith for clearing weapons. The weapon clearance device comprises a retaining device for fixing the weapon clearance device to the weapon or in the surrounding area of the weapon. The weapon clearance device is a driveless attachment for the unmanned underwater vehicle comprising a means for the releasable connection to the unmanned underwater vehicle. The mass of the weapon clearance device under water is invariably less or greater than the mass of the water displaced by the weapon clearance device under water. The weapon clearance device is thus not neutral in terms of buoyancy, which provides advantages when clearing sunk ground mines as well as floating mines by approaching the mine from above and/or from below.

Abstract: A diving toy having hydrostatic depth control adapted to cause said diving toy to continuously seek a predetermined depth in water. The diving toy includes a sealed main body with a motor and a battery compartment for receiving at least one battery positioned inside the sealed main body. A propeller is attached to an axle of the motor protruding through the sealed main body so that when the motor is activated the propeller spins. The sealed main body has a flexible portion disposed substantially rearward on the sealed main body. The flexible portion is hydrostatic pressure sensitive varying the fluid displacement volume and volumetric center of the toy as it dives or climbs. The toy may be adapted to have positive, negative or neutral buoyancy when placed in water.

Abstract: An interdiction device that includes a net for trapping and containing a target swimmer, diver or water-borne vessel. The net is deployed from the interdiction device that is either initially submerged in a body of water or floating on the surface of the body of water. The net is deployed either below the surface of the water in one embodiment or on the surface of the water depending on the desired function.

Abstract: A method and device for impeding the progress of a swimmer or a diver included a plurality of tendrils that can be launched into the path of a target and entangle the target.

Abstract: A weapon storage device (10) which is to be attached to an external face (8) of a hull (4) of a submarine (2) and which is capable of containing weapons (14), such as ammunition or weapon carriers, which are to be deployed from the storage device on receipt of a deployment signal transmitted from inside the submarine, includes a compensation element (16, 18, 30, 40) which allows the variation in mass of the storage device (10) resulting from the deployment of at least one weapon to be compensated for, partially or wholly, by replacing a volume of gas initially contained in the storage device by an identical volume of water introduced into the storage device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for lifting and lowering a load in water, including a hoisting gear with a first hoisting rope and a storage drum with a second hoisting rope, which preferably are arranged on a floating unit. In accordance with the present disclosure, a hoisting gear frame is fastened to the first hoisting rope, whose buoyancy in water is variably adjustable. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a method for lifting and lowering a load in water by using such a device.

Abstract: A weapon storage device (10) which is to be attached to an external face (8) of a hull (4) of a submarine (2) and which is capable of containing weapons (14), such as ammunition or weapon carriers, which are to be deployed from the storage device on receipt of a deployment signal transmitted from inside the submarine, includes a compensation element (16, 18, 30, 40) which allows the variation in mass of the storage device (10) resulting from the deployment of at least one weapon to be compensated for, partially or wholly, by replacing a volume of gas initially contained in the storage device by an identical volume of water introduced into the storage device.

Abstract: A device for countermeasuring an underwater target is provided. The device generally comprises a module having inflatable buoyancy chambers that allow the module to hover at a desired water depth, at least one acoustic array to detect the underwater target, a propulsor system for orienting the module with respect to the underwater target, and a gun for firing one or more projectiles at the underwater target.

Abstract: An elastomeric disk for use in an elastomeric ejection system in which a thickened curvature protrudes from both sides of a central plane of the disk. Integral to each curvature is an annulet which dovetails from the curvatures to a periphery of the disk. The thickness of the annulet in regard to the central plane is greater on the fluid pressure side of the disk thereby shifting material strain to the center of the disk during expanding deformation. The annulet shape is attachable to the elastomeric ejection system by a clamp of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling fluid pressure recovery includes an elongated housing having an opening at a first end thereof, an opening at a second end thereof, an inner peripheral surface, and a fluid flow passageway therethrough. The apparatus further includes a plurality of choke members fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the housing, each of the plurality of choke members being spaced from an adjacent choke member and projecting a predetermined distance into the fluid flow passageway of the longitudinal housing. The plurality of choke members sequentially produce a reduced turbulent free shear fluid layer from the first end to the second end of the elongated housing.

Abstract: A flexible nose assembly for an underwater vehicle provides increased energy-absorbing capabilities and facilitates recovery and handling of the vehicle. The flexible nose assembly includes a flexible nose cap, at least one retrieval device, and at least one cable that is strong in tension, yet weak in compression which is coupled between the retrieval device and the UUV body. The flexible nose cap has a gap formed therein allowing the communication of environmental water into the region between the vehicle body and the nose cap. Optionally, the retrieval device may be recessed into the flexible nose assembly, thereby reducing hydrodynamic drag and overall vehicle length. Energy-absorbing ballast can be positioned within the nose cap in order to further enhance survivability.

Abstract: Two-way pressure release valves in a shutter reduce the force needed to rotate it from a torpedo tube while the submarine is underway at high speeds. The valves are each mounted in a separate aperture in the shutter and have a pair of biasing springs that hold opposite end surfaces coplanar with outer and inner surfaces of the shutter to prevent generation of objectionable flow-noise while underway. When the shutter is rotated to expose a muzzle door of a torpedo tube, the valves are automatically displaced by pressure differentials created to free pathways for pressure equalization. The water flowing through the valves eliminates the pressure differentials, and consequently, reduces the total amount of force that would otherwise be needed to rotate the shutter.

Abstract: A system for equalizing buoyancy of a submersible vehicle. The buoyancy elization system includes a submersible vehicle having a plurality of releasable objects. Ballast release means are positioned on the submersible vehicle, and a plurality of ballast vessels are joined to said submersible vehicle by the ballast release means. One ballast vessel is released upon release of one of said releasable objects in order to equalize buoyancy.

Abstract: An unmanned undersea vehicle system includes a remote-controlled, unmanned ndersea vehicle and a mother vehicle interconnected by a communication link. The unmanned undersea vehicle includes a weapon compartment, an erectable observation mast and a control element. Within the weapon compartment are a plurality of weapon deployment devices situated about a central core, each weapon deployment device having a weapon canister for carrying a weapon. The weapon deployment devices are pivotable between a retracted position and an extended position. Each weapon canister includes end caps at opposing ends which are discharged when the weapon contained therein is fired to allow seawater to enter. The erectable observation mast obtains environmental information. The control element controls pivoting of the weapon deployment devices between the retracted, non-deployed position and the extended, deployed position to facilitate firing of a weapon, and retraction after firing.

Abstract: An unmanned undersea vehicle system includes a remote-controlled, unmanned ndersea vehicle and a mother vehicle interconnected by a communication link. The unmanned undersea vehicle includes a weapon compartment and a control element. Within the weapon compartment are a plurality of weapon deployment devices situated about a central core, each weapon deployment device having a weapon canister for carrying a weapon. The weapon deployment devices are pivotable between a retracted position and an extended position. Each weapon canister includes end caps at opposing ends which are discharged when the weapon contained therein is fired to allow seawater to enter. The control element controls pivoting of the weapon deployment devices between the retracted, non-deployed position and the extended, deployed position to facilitate firing of a weapon, and retraction of the weapon deployment devices after firing.

Abstract: An unmanned undersea vehicle system comprises a remote-controlled, unmanned ndersea vehicle and a mother vehicle interconnected by a communication link. The unmanned undersea vehicle includes a weapon compartment, an erectable observation mast and a control element. Within the weapon compartment are a weapon and a buoyancy chamber positioned axi-symmetrically therein. The buoyancy chamber is initially empty and has sufficient capacity so that it can be loaded with seawater whose mass approximates mass of the weapon. The weapon compartment further includes controllable intake valving for enabling seawater surrounding the vehicle to fill the buoyancy chamber. The erectable observation mast obtains environmental information. The control element controls the deployment of the weapon by expelling the weapon from the weapon compartment and thereafter controls the firing of the weapon. The control element cooperates with the intake valving to maintain a predetermined distribution of mass as the weapon is deployed.

Abstract: An unmanned undersea vehicle system includes an axi-symmetrical cylindricy-shaped self-propelled undersea deployment vehicle of predetermined diameter having an amidships undersea weapon bay. The amidships undersea weapon bay includes a number of weapon deployment devices symmetrically disposed about a central core, each weapon deployment device having a weapon canister for carrying a weapon. The weapon deployment devices are pivotable between a retracted, non-deployed position and an extended, deployed position, and have a surface which, when the weapon deployment devices are in their retracted, non-deployed positions, conforms to the vehicle's cylindrical shape, and when in their extended, deployed positions place the weapon canisters beyond the vehicle's diameter. Each weapon canister has a sidewall conforming to the shape of the weapon contained therein, and end caps at opposing ends.

Abstract: An object deployment unit for use under various sea states which allows deployment of objects (1) in any required sequence the deployment unit comprising a flexible tube shaped elongate body, means (2) to releasably attach objects to the body, one or more ballast members (3a, b), one or more buoyancy members (4) and a means for automatic buoyancy control. Preferably the deployment unit also includes a remotely actuated release mechanism for the release of objects. The automatic buoyancy control means ensures maintenance of depth. Typical usage is the deployment of mines.

Abstract: A safety diving backpack, specifically a one-piece, detachable diving backpack, that may serve to dispose water-resistant handlights, life buoys, kettles and spin reel, complete with wires or ropes in the hollow cylinder and in the spaces as provided on both sides and on the underside thereof respectively. The linkage as provided by such wire-ropes to fellow divers allows divers to ask for help from such fellow divers in case of an emergency that befalls a diver equipped accordingly. In addition, by virtue of the striking marks and alarm signals of the headlights and life buoys released at the outbreak of fatal tides or other dangerous situations to the diver, the rescue teams can detect them in time so as to give necessary help to the endangered diver.