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 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: The method of providing in excess of 60 kilowatts of electrical power to the electrical motor of a subterranean electric drilling machine through a substantially neutrally buoyant composite umbilical containing electrical conductors to reduce the frictional drag on the neutrally buoyant umbilical. Drilling and casing subterranean monobore wells are contemplated to distances of 20 miles from a wellsite. For drilling applications, the umbilical possesses a drilling fluid conduit. The umbilical also possesses high speed data communications such as a fiber optic cable or a coaxial cable that is used in the feedback control of the downhole electric drilling motor. Such umbilicals are also useful to provide power to remotely operated vehicles for subsea well servicing applications.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a generally cylindrical or sleeve-like or tubular housing 2 having an opening at one end which is locatable to be in sealing engagement with the outer surface of part of the hull 3 of a submarine with said housing 2 forming a water evacuable space around the propulsor unit 1 of the submarine, and access passages or ducts 4,5 for work personnel in communication with said space and extending upwardly from said housing 2 such as to, in use, to be above the surface of the water in which the submarine is floating.

Abstract: A system that is usable with subsea wells that extend beneath a sea floor includes a station that is located on the sea floor and an underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle is housed in the station and is adapted to service at least one of the subsea wells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an unmanned underwater vehicle for tracking and homing in on submarines. The unmanned underwater vehicle comprises a propulsion unit and at least one attachment device for attaching the vehicle to the hull of a submarine. The at least one attachment device may comprise at least one movable corkscrew and/or at least one movable permanent magnet. The at least one corkscrew may be used when the submarine hull is coated with an elastomeric material. The at least one permanent magnet may be used when the submarine hull is ferrous and uncoated or thinly coated. A method for intercepting and covertly reporting the activities of a submarine using the unmanned underwater vehicle is also described.

Abstract: A device for launching and recovering an underwater vehicle comprises a submersible assembly comprising a lower chassis and an upper chassis, which are connected by a flexible connection so that the distance between them is adjustable. The flexible connection and the lower and upper chassis form a receiving cage provided with an opening, whose vertical dimension can be adjusted. Moving the lower and upper chassis apart makes it possible to enlarge the vertical dimension of the opening. Moving the lower and upper chassis closer together makes it possible to support the underwater vehicle on the lower chassis and hold it in place using the upper chassis.

Abstract: A system of sensors and weapons in the form of individual cells forming a multi-functional cellular skin is provided to cover the outer surface of an underwater vehicle. The cells are engineered to have specific functional capabilities, e.g., acoustic sensing cells, communications cells, munitions cells, control cells and motive cells, and are electromagnetically attached to the vehicle. The functional arrangement of the cells types and the number of layers will be dependent on the desired capabilities and the overall mission of the vehicle. Cells may be deployed from the vehicle individually or in functional groups by decoupling appropriate cells from the vehicle. Once decoupled, motive cells can transport themselves and other cells as necessary, to positions remote from the vehicle. Groups of cells can be deployed to specific locations and arrayed in specific configurations by motive cells, allowing the vehicle to remain in a standoff position.

Abstract: An arrangement and pull-in method for fluidly coupling a steel riser to a flowline of a turret on a FSO/FPSO. The riser is pulled into a connector by a pull-in line inside the flowline. A pull-in head is releasable secured inside the upper end of the riser. The pull-in head is released from the riser after the riser is locked into the connector. A flex joint is placed above the connector to provide alignment of the connector to the riser during installation.

Abstract: A remotely operated filtering system for ballast tanks used on naval vessels. A basket shaped filtering net is used in connection with the tanks and is controlled by a remote control operated by a human operator. The operator controls the movement and the operation of the filter when filtering is needed. The system includes a video monitor and an illumination means in connection with the filter structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for deploying, recovering, and servicing an AUV are disclosed. The apparatus includes a linelatch system that is made up of a tether management system connected to a flying latch vehicle by a tether. The linelatch system can be connected to a surface vessel by an umbilical on one end and to an AUV on the other end. In addition to providing a mechanical connection, between the AUV and a surface vessel, the linelatch system can also carry power and data between the surface vessel (i.e., through the umbilical) and the AUV.

Abstract: Apparatus for gripping and moving underwater craft and the like (101,102) comprising a crane (103) mounted on-board a ship (100) and provided with articulated arms (1,2) and a crane cable (214), said crane being connected at its free end to a device (200) for gripping the craft to be recovered, wherein said device (200) essentially consists of:

Abstract: An umbilical constraint mechanism. The mechanism keeps the umbilical line near the center of the payload bay opening when the umbilical line is deployed. The mechanism will transfer lateral umbilical loads into the drone vessel frame near the bottom of the payload bay. A modified cone shaped structure is provided in the payload bay above the normal storage position of the ROV. The cone is mounted on a frame that is capable of sliding up or down in the drone vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for deploying, recovering, and servicing an AUV are disclosed. The apparatus includes a linelatch system that is made up of a tether management system connected to a flying latch vehicle by a tether. The linelatch system can be connected to a surface vessel by an umbilical on one end and to an AUV on the other end. In addition to providing a mechanical connection, between the AUV and a surface vessel, the linelatch system can also carry power and data between the surface vessel (i.e., through the umbilical) and the AUV.

Abstract: An underwater apparatus for performing subsurface operations adapted to be operated from a remote location above the surface of a body of water is disclosed. The apparatus includes a underwater vehicle that is made up of a tether management system connected to a detachable flying craft by a tether. The tether management system controls the amount of free tether between itself and the detachable flying craft. The detachable flying craft interfaces with various underwater structures. Also disclosed are methods of transferring power and/or data between two or more underwater devices using the underwater vehicle of the invention.

Abstract: An underwater and land travel system comprising an underwater and land travel vehicle which is capable of being reliably and safely moved from on the land into the water and which may also be used for viewing the sight in the water with delight and safety irrespective of the weather or the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for attaching one or more unmanned, hydroamically shaped, autonomous, undersea platforms to the bow of a submarine. An array of depressions, each matching the shape of the platforms, is provided in the bow of the submarine, equally spaced about the circumference of the submarine. Once seated in the depressions and attached to the submarine, the platforms provide a smooth, hydrodynamic shape to the bow of the submarine. Additionally, conformal arrays on the platforms mate with conformal arrays on the bow of the submarine to form a continuous conformal array and the platforms' weapons systems provide the submarine with forward deployed weapons when the platforms are attached. A platform is launched by detaching it from the submarine bow and raising the leading edge of the platform slightly into the water flow around the bow. Hydrodynamic forces lift the platform away from the submarine for an acoustically quiet launch.

Abstract: An underwater apparatus release mechanism disposed on an unmanned underwa vehicle. A launcher body is joined to the underwater vehicle with a fixed release guide thereon. A shroud is positioned over the front of the underwater apparatus which is disposed on the fixed release guide. A holddown strap is fastened about the shroud, underwater apparatus, and fixed release guide assembly and releasably joined to the launcher body by to release pins. The release pins are joined to a sliding plunger. The plunger is in turn connected to a solenoid which can cause movement of the plunger to release the holddown strap. Hydrodynamic forces cause the shroud and underwater apparatus to slide along the fixed release guide until they are free of the underwater vehicle.

Abstract: The submersible vehicle system of the present invention comprises a unitary ndersea vehicle composed of a rigid hull submersible mated to an inflated auxiliary submersible. Both the rigid hull submersible and the auxiliary submersible may be initially stored aboard a mother vessel. The auxiliary submersible is provided with one or more compartments for storing fuel and/or ballast, either positive or negative.

Abstract: Mechanically cooperating assemblies on an undersea vehicle and an instrumation target assure the making of a rigid coupling for passing electrical, optical or fluid information between the vehicle and the instrumentation and reduce the complexity of such a coupling from a three-dimensional to a two-dimensional maneuver by the vehicle. An undersea vehicle locates a pair of spaced-apart vertical cables which are attached to an instrumentation target assembly and engages them anywhere along their length with a converging grabber assembly mounted on the forward moving underwater vehicle. After engaging the cables, the grabber assembly merely slides along the cables toward the instrumentation target assembly.

Abstract: The launching of a vehicle having front and back ends, from the submerged ll of a vessel that is moving forward through water by allowing the vehicle to pivot outboard clear of the hull, preferably from a launchway cavity, into the flow stream where it is released to move under its own propulsion and/or buoyancy forces. A first mechanism is carried on a submerged exterior surface of the hull and connected to the front portion of the vehicle, for initially supporting the vehicle front portion adjacent to the hull in the direction of hull travel, and then selectively releasing the front portion of the vehicle from the hull so that the front portion can move laterally away from the hull into the flow stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for launching and recovering a submersible vessel from a ship, and includes a gantry that pivots in an arc extending over and beyond the aft deck of the ship. A lift line passes about a head sheave that pivots from the top of the gantry and threads through a saddle that also pivots from the top of the gantry. The saddle is clamped to the vessel. The lift line is connected to the top of the submersible vessel and passes about a ram tensioner which may be mounted on the deck. After a winch pays out the lift line to lower the vessel into the ocean, the saddle is disconnected from the vessel and the lift line is rethreaded back out of the saddle. A tether provides a communicative link between the ship and the vessel, and may pass about a hanging sheave suspended from the gantry when the vessel is in the ocean. Recovery of the vessel is the reverse of deployment.

Abstract: A one-atmosphere underwater modular system is provided. The modular system comprises components which can be manipulated and attached to one another through use of a submarine or the like. A variety of components are provided including: a maneuvarable submarine component; a bottom frame; a two-connection module; a one-connection module; and christmas tree modules. A variety of means and methods for connection in various orientations is disclosed. The system is specifically adapted for use in the recovery of natural resources, such as for oil and gas recovery.

Abstract: A submersible watercraft has at least one watertight hull and a diver-exit vessel adapted to accommodate a diver is detachably connected to the watercraft by a sealable diver-exit port which enables divers to pass between the diver-exit vessel and the watercraft. The diver-exit vessel has a buoyancy and hauling apparatus such as a pair of ropes link the diver-exit vessel to the watercraft when the diver-exit vessel is not docked at the diver-exit port.

Abstract: A hydraulic power and control system which includes a pump which is mounted n a sealed housing. The pump is mounted in the sealed housing along with a pilot operated power valve. The pump has an inlet within the housing for intaking oil therein and is connected to the pilot operated power valve for operating components in a functional system, such as a submersible docking apparatus. The pilot operated power valve discharges oil into the sealed housing and is connected to a control valve which is located exterior of the housing. The control valve will pilot operate the power valve and discharges oil within the sealed housing. The control valve may be mounted within a pressure casing which receives a reduced oil pressure from the pump within the sealed housing. The sealed housing may be pressure compensated to ambient so that the pressure casing is maintained at a specific pressure level above ambient.

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: Immersion apparatus for carrying out submarine works, comprising a master chamber connected to a surface unit and intended to be lowered to the area of submarine work, self-propelled work units branching out from said master chamber and having atmospheric pressure therein and being connected thereto by a so-called umbilical cord, the work units being provided with work arms operable from inside thereof by pushbuttons and pedals.