Having Attitude Control Patents (Class 114/330)
  • Publication number: 20120180712
    Abstract: A submersible vehicle for use in a body of liquid includes a vehicle body, a pair of fins coupled to the vehicle body on-opposed sides thereof, and a dihedral angle control system. The dihedral angle control is system operative to vary a fin dihedral angle of each of the fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Frederick Vosburgh, Ryan Moody
  • Patent number: 8220408
    Abstract: An underwater vehicle including an axi-symmetric framing system rotatable about a centerline to define a shell of revolution having a uniformly-convex outer boundary. A narrow-beam sonar array is mounted on the axi-symmetric framing system, and includes a multitude of simultaneously-fireable and/or asynchronously-fireable transducers distributed substantially evenly over a 4?-steradian viewing angle. The present invention provides the necessary configuration for a vehicle wherein an internal algorithm can compare a “new” geometry to an “old” geometry collected earlier to construct a best fit of the new world map with the old world map and locate the vehicle within the context of the new world map. This then provides a completely independent mechanism for correction of the gradual drift in x and y that is not dependent on any form of external navigation aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventors: William C. Stone, Bartholomew P. Hogan
  • Patent number: 8205570
    Abstract: An autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle (“AUV”) includes a body, a controller, a buoyancy engine, a rotary propulsion system and pitch control surface(s). The buoyancy engine is for alternately ingesting and expelling ambient water to change the mass of the AUV and thereby cause the AUV to alternately descend and ascend in the water. The pitch control surface(s) are for causing the AUV to move forward while alternately descending and ascending in the water. The rotary propulsion system includes a motor for rotating a propeller in the water to provide thrust. The controller is operative for responsively, automatically switching between at least the glider and rotary propulsion modes. In the glider mode, the buoyancy engine and the pitch control surface(s) are cooperative for causing the AUV to move forward while alternately descending and ascending. In the rotary propulsion mode, the rotary propulsion system is operative for causing the AUV to move forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Vehicle Control Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Tureaud, Douglas E. Humphreys
  • Publication number: 20120137949
    Abstract: An unmanned submersible vehicle for use in a body of liquid having a top surface and in air overlying the top surface includes a hull, an integral antenna, and an antenna positioning system. The hull has first and second opposed ends. The hull includes a first hull portion adjacent the first end and a second hull portion adjacent the second end. The antenna is disposed within the first hull portion and/or is mounted on the first hull portion. The antenna positioning system is configured to reorient the hull from a transit position to a signal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Frederick Vosburgh
  • Publication number: 20120103245
    Abstract: A method for detecting anomalies on a submarine object, in particular in the submarine region on a hull of a moored warcraft, which method carries out very reliable sensing of the submarine object by way of an unmanned small submarine vehicle that is equipped with simple sensor equipment, such as an acoustic sensor for measuring distances and a barometric cell for determining depth, and which method obtains a profile of the submarine object by navigating the small submarine vehicle with a constant transversal distance to the submarine object, in which profile an anomaly present on the submarine object becomes is apparent from the profile line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Atlas Elektronik GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Lambertus
  • Patent number: 8136470
    Abstract: Buoyancy is controlled in a tethered object by pumping fluids, either of a first or second specific gravity, from an external source into either a first or second containment chamber to change the respective volumetric capacities of the first and second containment chambers. The containment chambers are configured such that the second chamber is at least partially enclosed within the first chamber. The second chamber is configured to expand and retract within the first chamber, which has a fixed housing. Expansion or contraction of the second chamber results in a corresponding inverse change in a volumetric capacity of the first chamber. The fluid chambers may be separate or contained within the same housing, and may be located on a towing vessel. Sensor data from the tethered object's environment may be used to control the transfer of fluid to the first and second chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James Buescher, Peter Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8132525
    Abstract: A water navigable vessel or glider can transport cargo across oceans and other bodies of water without the use of fossil or nuclear fuels. The vessel includes a housing, a cargo or payload area within the housing, one or more control fins attached to the housing, a ballast within the housing, an expandable and contractible container configured to receive a clathrate and maintain a minimum amount of pressure on the clathrate within the housing in proximity to the ballast, and an intake valve coupled to the ballast. The clathrate changes state, thereby changing the buoyancy of the glider, and causing the glider to move through the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Herbek, Robert Dietzen, Braden Powell, Sean Day, Kenneth Blanchette, Matthew Gries, Matthew B. Ascari, John W. Rapp, Robert J. Howard
  • Publication number: 20120056038
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a structure having a first side, a second side substantially opposite to the first side, a flexible skin, and a plurality of deformable assemblies. The flexible skin is attached to the first side and the second side of the structure. The plurality of deformable assemblies is moveably connected to the structure, in which each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies has a vertex and a base. The each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies has a height that is capable of changing to change a shape of the structure and a shape of the flexible skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert Erik Grip
  • Publication number: 20120048172
    Abstract: A remotely controlled submersible with a circular profile. A shaft crosses the submersible at the center on the pitch axis that is fixed to the external shell holding the thrusters. From this shaft the framework of the submersible hangs with all of the essential components and any additional weight required gaining the desired buoyancy. A motor such as a servo motor is mounted to the framework and is coupled to a gear, sprocket or pulley that is fixed on the center shaft. When activated the motor rotates the shell of the submersible along with the thrusters to the desired pitch while the internal frame remains low. The design of the submersible external body in relation with the internal body allows the submersible to pitch and maintain stability with a fixed center of buoyancy and center of gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffrey Paul LOTZ
  • Patent number: 8082870
    Abstract: Designs and techniques for fluid thrusters and vehicles that are powered by propelling fluids with fluid thrusters. Multiplex-thruster (MT) systems are disclosed that include a single thruster and a flow multiplexer with multiple channels to deliver thrusting flow in various directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventor: Wei-Min Shen
  • Publication number: 20110297070
    Abstract: An underwater vehicle is provided to move in various orientations and directions, including pitch, yaw, roll, heave, surge and sway. The underwater vehicle comprises an upper body and a lower body, wherein both bodies are separated by two rudders. One rudder is positioned towards the fore of the underwater vehicle, while the other is positioned towards the aft. Each rudder forms the basis of a propulsion system, such that the underwater vehicle has at least two independently controlled propulsion systems. Each propulsion system further comprises an elevator extending horizontally from the sides of each rudder and a thrust generator attached to the elevator. The elevator and thrust generator are able to pitch about an axis extending horizontally through the sides of the rudder, and the rudder is able to yaw about an axis extending vertically through the top and bottom of said rudder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Neil P. Riggs, Ralf Bachmayer, Christopher D. Williams
  • Patent number: 8047154
    Abstract: The attitude of a submerged array of sensing elements can be changed using a fixed quantity of transferable ballast fluid having density different than water. In one embodiment, a non-rigid array of sensor elements is equipped with two expandable reservoirs connected between a flexible conduit which allows the ballast fluid to be transferred back and forth. Pumping fluid between the two reservoirs causes one reservoir to expand while the other contracts. Due to the density difference between the pumped fluid and water, the difference in volume between the two expandable reservoirs causes a shift in the center of buoyancy of the array system. The center of buoyancy in this way becomes offset from the center of gravity of the array system, causing a shift in the attitude of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James Buescher, V. Keyko McDonald, Peter Sullivan, Brian J. Granger, David A. Bultman, Peter Smith, Aaron Bratten
  • Patent number: 8025021
    Abstract: A submersible vehicle having an outer hull which defines a hull axis and appears substantially annular when viewed along the hull axis, the interior of the annulus defining a duct which is open at both ends so that when the vehicle is submerged in a liquid, the liquid floods the duct. The vehicle further comprising means for rolling the vehicle about the hull axis. A buoyancy control system may be provided, and the outer hull may be swept with respect to the hull axis. Various methods of deploying and using the vehicle are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: GO Science Limited
    Inventor: Harry George Dennis Gosling
  • Publication number: 20110226175
    Abstract: A submersible vehicle having an outer hull which defines a hull axis and appears substantially annular when viewed along the hull axis, the interior of the annulus defining a duct which is open at both ends so that when the vehicle is submerged in a liquid, the liquid floods the duct. At least part of the outer hull is swept with respect to the hull axis A buoyancy control system may be provided. Various methods of deploying and using the vehicle are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: GO SCIENCE LIMITED
    Inventor: Harry George Dennis Gosling
  • Patent number: 7987805
    Abstract: The invention provides a means by which the attitude or orientation of a submerged object can be changed or altered using a fixed quantity of transferable ballast fluid which has a density less than that of the surrounding fluid in which the object is submerged. In one embodiment, the process utilizes a static negatively buoyant material (which could be a lead weight) to offset the net negative buoyancy of the transferable ballast fluid. In this way, the total overall buoyancy of the system does not change, but by transferring ballast fluid into expandable reservoirs which are physically separated from the static negatively buoyant material, the separation between the center of buoyancy and the center of mass of the object can be changed, and thus the attitude or orientation of the object, if it is unrestrained, may be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James Buescher, Peter Sullivan, Aaron Bratten
  • Patent number: 7984685
    Abstract: The system provides a means by which the attitude or orientation of a submerged object can be changed using a fixed quantity of transferable ballast fluid which has a density greater than that of the surrounding fluid in which the object is submerged. In one embodiment, the process utilizes a static flotation shell offset the net negative buoyancy of the transferable ballast fluid. In this way, the total overall buoyancy of the system does not change, but by transferring fluid into expandable reservoirs which are physically separated from the static flotation shell, the separation between the center of buoyancy and the center of mass of the object can be changed, and thus the attitude or orientation of the object, if it is unrestrained, may be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: James Buescher
  • Publication number: 20110094433
    Abstract: Provided is an underwater posture stabilization system which, by being attached to various underwater equipment such as undersea equipment and underwater vehicles having different shapes and positions of the center of gravity according to their purpose and the like, allows simply and reliably setting their posture in water (basic posture), is excellent in versatility, is not only excellent in posture stability since, when the posture inclines under the effect and the like of tidal currents and pulsating currents, a moment to restore the posture to its original posture naturally acts, but is also capable of easily changing the posture as needed, and also is capable of stably controlling the posture even in the presence of complicated tidal currents and pulsating currents, and is excellent in reliability, stability, and certainty of posture control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Kitakyushu Found for the Adv of Ind, Sci & Tech
    Inventors: Akihito Shoda, Tohru Harada, Ikuo Yamamoto, Kazuo Ishii, Amir Ali Forough Nassiraei
  • Patent number: 7845303
    Abstract: A remotely operated underwater vehicle includes a case to which is attached a camera for transmitting video to a remotely located base station. A tether having four pairs of twisted wire operably connects the underwater vehicle, and the camera to the base station. Video is transmitted from the camera to the base station on a pair of twisted wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Calvert T. Hawkes
  • Patent number: 7822552
    Abstract: A control device or “bird” for controlling the position of a marine seismic streamer is provided with an elongate, partly flexible body which is designed to be electrically and mechanically connected in series with a streamer. In its preferred form, the bird has two opposed wings which are independently controllable in order to control the streamer's lateral position as well as its depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventor: Simon H. Bittleston
  • Publication number: 20100199907
    Abstract: A device having: a chamber having a gas inlet, a gas vent, and a liquid vent; and a float and a weight coupled to the chamber. The float has a lower density than the chamber. The weight has a higher density than the chamber. The aggregate density of the chamber, the float, and the weight is greater than the density of the chamber. The gas inlet, the gas vent, the liquid vent, the float, and the weight are positioned on the chamber such that: when the chamber is filled with and submerged in a liquid in which the chamber is neutrally-buoyant, the chamber is oriented to place the gas vent below the gas inlet; and when a gas is introduced through the gas inlet into the chamber that is filled with the liquid, the chamber pivots to raise the gas vent until a portion of the gas escapes from the chamber through only the gas vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: The Government of The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Bradley R. Ringeisen, Peter K. Wu, Barry J. Spargo, Justin C. Biffinger, Lisa A. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 7752988
    Abstract: An apparatus for towing behind an underwater vehicle has a body and a yoke pivotally connected to the body at a pivot point and having a tether remote from the pivot point by which the apparatus us towed. The yoke has wings which generate a resultant force on the body when the apparatus is towed. By varying the orientation of the yoke relative to the body, the magnitude of the resultant force may be varied. The resultant force tends to reduce the displacement of the tether relative to the pivot point in at least one plane, thereby generating a force to counter the buoyancy of the apparatus, and so stabilize the apparatus when it is being towed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Thales Holding UK PLC
    Inventor: Nigel Axford
  • Patent number: 7707958
    Abstract: A propulsion system is provided for an underwater vehicle such as a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV). Two propellers are independently driven by motors, while the orientation of the propellers is simultaneously controlled by a third motor. A means is provided for reprogramming the control electronics that can be disabled when the vehicle is underwater. The control electronics also provides that all signals including video are transmitted to a base station without requiring coaxial cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Calvert T. Hawkes
  • Publication number: 20090241826
    Abstract: A submersible vehicle for use in a body of liquid includes a vehicle body, a pair of fins coupled to the vehicle body on opposed sides thereof, and a dihedral angle control system. The dihedral angle control is system operative to vary a fin dihedral angle of each of the fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Frederick Vosburgh, Ryan Moody
  • Patent number: 7540255
    Abstract: A propulsion system is provided for an underwater vehicle such as a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV). Two propellers are independently driven by motors, while the orientation of the propellers is simultaneously controlled by a third motor. A means is provided for reprogramming the control electronics that can be disabled when the vehicle is underwater. The control electronics also provides that all signals including video are transmitted to a base station without requiring coaxial cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Inventor: Calvert T. Hawkes
  • Publication number: 20090031940
    Abstract: An underwater vehicle including an axi-symmetric framing system rotatable about a centerline to define a shell of revolution having a uniformly-convex outer boundary. A narrow-beam sonar array is mounted on the axi-symmetric framing system, and includes a multitude of simultaneously-fireable and/or asynchronously-fireable transducers distributed substantially evenly over a 4?-steradian viewing angle. The present invention provides the necessary configuration for a vehicle wherein an internal algorithm can compare a “new” geometry to an “old” geometry collected earlier to construct a best fit of the new world map with the old world map and locate the vehicle within the context of the new world map. This then provides a completely independent mechanism for correction of the gradual drift in x and y that is not dependent on any form of external navigation aid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: William C. Stone, Bartholomew P. Hogan
  • Publication number: 20080264323
    Abstract: A submersible vehicle having an outer hull which defines a hull axis and appears substantially annular when viewed along the hull axis, the interior of the annulus defining a duct which is open at both ends so that when the vehicle is submerged in a liquid, the liquid floods the duct. The vehicle further comprising means for rolling the vehicle about the hull axis. A buoyancy control system may be provided, and the outer hull may be swept with respect to the hull axis. Various methods of deploying and using the vehicle are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: GO SCIENCE LIMITED
    Inventor: Harry George Dennis Gosling
  • Publication number: 20080196651
    Abstract: An apparatus for towing behind an underwater vehicle has a body and a yoke pivotally connected to the body at a pivot point and having a tether remote from the pivot point by which the apparatus us towed. The yoke has wings which generate a resultant force on the body when the apparatus is towed. By varying the orientation of the yoke relative to the body, the magnitude of the resultant force may be varied. The resultant force tends to reduce the displacement of the tether relative to the pivot point in at least one plane, thereby generating a force to counter the buoyancy of the apparatus, and so stabilize the apparatus when it is being towed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: THALES UK PLC
    Inventor: Axford Nigel
  • Publication number: 20080105188
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a submersible housing and a propulsion mechanism, which is coupled to drive the housing over an interior surface of a container in which the housing is submerged. A hollow tube is fixed to the housing and is configured to be filled with a fluid having a first specific gravity. One or more objects, which have a second specific gravity that is less than the first specific gravity, are contained within and capable of moving inside the hollow tube so as to stabilize the housing in response to changes of an angle of the interior surface over which the vehicle travels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: Aquatron Robotic Systems LTD.
    Inventors: Boris Gorelik, Tzachi Shpitzer, Amir Yakobovitch
  • Patent number: 7347158
    Abstract: A safety system for underwater propulsion devices operated by scuba divers includes sensors that detect the vertical velocity of the device. If the descent or ascent is greater than 60 feet per minute, the system reduces the vertical speed by changing the pitch of the device or reducing the speed of the device. By regulating the vertical speed, the device can be used safely with less chance of injury to the scuba diver due to rapid compression or decompression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Inventor: Graham Hawkes
  • Patent number: 7131389
    Abstract: A winged submersible having a neutral to positive buoyancy utilizes an inverted wing structure to allow the wings to create downward force on the submersible in response to forward movement. Internal pressure pods are provided to allow an occupant to maintain a recumbent sitting position. The pressure pods are maintained at a constant pressure with life support systems, while the remainder of the hull is not pressurized. Acrylic domes are positioned to allow access to each internal pressure pod and when closed, the occupant's head is positioned within the center of the dome for optimal optics under water. Wings with adjustable control surfaces provide the submersible with the ability to roll about a longitudinal axis 0–360 degrees in either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Inventor: Graham Hawkes
  • Patent number: 7124698
    Abstract: The hull of a submerged sea craft adjacent its stern end is provided with auxiliary facilities for controlled maneuvering operations under low speed conditions, including steering, stopping and negative thrust backing performed independently of main propulsion of the craft. The auxiliary maneuvering control facilities include a curved channel pipe connected to two angularly related sub-channel pipe sections for selectively controlled outflow of fluid which is pressurized by a maneuvering control pump within the curved channel pipe before outflow through exit openings in the hull in different directions, as negative angle thrust jets and as steering control jets perpendicular to the hull centerline. By use of a sub-channel flow diverting flapper and gate valves at the inlet and exit outlet openings in the hull, all of the maneuvering operations may be performed under selective control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Young T. Shen, Robert J. Etter
  • Patent number: 7059260
    Abstract: A steering system is provided for a hydrodynamically shaped vehicle having a nose end, a tail end, and forward propulsion. The steering system includes an internal supply of drag-reducing medium, at least one ejector ring positioned adjacent a nose end of the vehicle, and a plurality of ejector sections formed in the at least one ejector ring. Each ejector section includes an opening arrangement for ejecting drag-reducing medium to an external surface of the vehicle. A control unit selectively supplies drag-reducing medium to at least one of the plurality of ejector sections. The drag-reducing medium ejected from selected ejector sections causes a reduced-drag surface on said vehicle body and an increased speed thereof relative to a remainder of the vehicle body and thereby imparting a directional motion to the vehicle in the form of pitch and/or yaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: James R. Quartarone
  • Patent number: 6973893
    Abstract: A submersible vehicle comprising a plurality of rigid submersible vessels 2, 3, some of which, 2, include propulsion means and some of which, 3, do not include propulsion means, the rigid submersible vessels being coupled by resilient couplings which are adapted to transmit pulling and braking forces between adjacent rigid submersible vessels. Steering means and position sensing means is provided on at least some of the submersible vessels whereby to ensure that the following submersible vessels follow exactly the lead vessel to avoid fixed obstructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Ian Charles Holmes
  • Patent number: 6932013
    Abstract: The stern hull portion of a sea craft through which main exit flow channels extend to projecting jet propulsion nozzles, is provided with facilities for controlled maneuvering of the sea craft, including steering, stopping, negative thrust backing and docking without substantial hydrodynamic loading and with facilitated installation. Such maneuvering control facilities include a secondary flow channel extending from each of the main exit flow channels having two angularly related subchannel branches for pressurized water outflow through gated openings in the hull from which propulsion jets emerge under maneuvering control. Either control of a subchannel diverting flapper, or by use of selective closure gates and a flow diverting flap within the main exit flow channel, maneuvering may be effected in response to inflow through inlet openings in the hull of water that is pressurized before supply to the main exit flow channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Young T. Shen, Charles M. Dai, Bruce D. Cox
  • Patent number: 6928947
    Abstract: A remotely controlled submersible vehicle comprises a fore section and an aft section. In use, they are held apart from each other, such as by telescopic arms, in order to define a gap within which a payload is received. This keeps the payload near the center of the vehicle, improving the balance of the vehicle and minimizing any threat of disruption to the wash path of thrusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Coflexip, SA
    Inventor: Paul David Clapham
  • Patent number: 6845728
    Abstract: A submarine mast simulator as part of a buoyant tow body having a hydrodynamically shaped shell. The mast simulator includes a rigid lower mast section and an inflatable upper mast section extendable from the tow body. A plurality of stabilizer fins extend radially from the tail of the tow body, the fins being actuated to cause the ascent and descent of the tow body. A pressure sensor is positioned on an outer surface of the tow body for detecting a depth of the tow body, and a motor with controller is housed within the tow body, the controller initiating extension of the mast simulator in response to a depth indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Duane M. Horton
  • Publication number: 20040065248
    Abstract: A control surface system is particularly well suited to provide improved control for undersea vehicles having integrated motor propulsors (IMP). The control surface system is deployable beyond lateral peripheral dimensions of the IMP and undersea vehicle. A plurality of arc-shaped control elements is disposed in a stowed position in an annular intake recess inside of an annular duct on the undersea vehicle. Struts connect each of the control elements to the annular duct. A deployment device rotates each of the control elements and the struts radially outwardly beyond lateral peripheral dimensions of the vehicle to a fully deployed position. A latching mechanism selectively engages and disengages the struts to hold the control elements in the stowed position and the fully deployed position, respectively. Launch tubes sized for the undersea vehicles can launch undersea vehicles provided with control surface system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gieseke
  • Patent number: 6640740
    Abstract: A bottom activated retractable control device includes a fin member having a front edge, a trailing edge opposite to the front edge, a bottom edge between the front edge and the trailing edge, and an arm portion extending from and coextensive with the leading edge and away from the bottom edge. The arm portion includes a pivot pin extending in a perpendicular direction from each side of the arm portion. A pivot housing having an aperture is provided for receiving the pivot pin of the arm portion, the housing enabling both a vertical pivot of the fin member upon contact of the fin with, an object and axial rotation of the fin about the arm portion of the fin member. A well is formed in the bottom surface of an underwater vehicle corresponds in depth to a fully retracted position of the fin member and in width to any rotated position of the fin member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Daniel W. French, John J. Vaillancourt, Thomas W. Hedly, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030192465
    Abstract: A submersible catamaran made of two parallel submergible floats, each having a triangular bow, a float midsection, a tail, and stern, a solid support surface forming a top to the two submergible floats adapted for supporting heavy loads, two movable columns disposed on the solid support surface, a fixed column on each submergible float, a ballast system disposed in each submergible float to raise and lower the catamaran with respect to the waterline, a horizontal positioning system with maneuvering winches and maneuvering lines connected to the winch and an object at sea, a controller for orienting the catamaran relative to the object at sea, and a vertical positioning system with two lines secured substantially vertically to the object at sea, two motion compensation systems disposed for monitoring the line tensions, and a control system to control the tension between the two motion compensation systems and the object at sea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Joop Roodenburg
  • Publication number: 20030167998
    Abstract: The invention involves underwater vehicles utilizing submersible electricity generation and storage systems involving flywheel devices. These underwater vehicles include autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles, and supporting mobile and stationary tools, stations, and equipment. The underwater vehicle utilizes a pressurizable waterproof enclosure that contains a novel combination of: electricity generation devices, flywheel power sources, energy collection control circuitry and power distribution control circuitry. The underwater vehicle combines these elements to generate and store electricity underwater or at the surface of the water to meet the dynamic electrical requirements of autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles and stationary underwater structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Dwight David Huntsman
  • Publication number: 20030154900
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an underwater vehicle (1,2). According to said method, the pressure difference between a container (4) which can be filled with water and/or a gas, especially air, in order to alter the weight of the vehicle, and the water pressure outside the vehicle, is regulated to a predeterminable set value. The invention also relates to a suitable device for carrying out this method, comprising a circuit for regulating the pressure difference between the pressure inside the container and the water pressure outside the vehicle to a predeterminable set value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Harald Freund, Rudiger Kutzner, Hauke-Hein Schulz
  • Publication number: 20010025594
    Abstract: A submersible and semi-submersible watercraft for swimmers and divers having a body shaped in the form of a stingray. The watercraft has at least one interior shell or ballaster for stabilizing the vehicle during a submerged mode. The weight of a user is used in combination with the weight of the vehicle to simultaneously semi-submerge the vehicle or alternatively prime the motors. A dual in-line motor system is used for providing propulsion and is electrically connected to a throttle hand control unit with illumination switches disposed adjacent thereto for speed control and night illumination respectively. The hand control(s) provide at least one of rotatable and angular control of the water craft as well. A processing unit is optionally provided for digital readouts of time, pressure and voltage readings, including an on/off control switch for activating and deactivating the watercraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Paul A. M. Daniels
  • Patent number: 6223676
    Abstract: A direction control assembly for a vehicle, particularly a submarine, travelling through and below the surface of a fluid medium such as the sea. The vehicle has a body formed with a main axis running fore and aft, a contoured outer surface forming flow lines with the fluid medium and a plurality of planes movably secured relative to and extending out from said surface for contact with the fluid medium to permit and produce rising, diving or turning procedures. A movement control assembly including inner and outer gimbal rings are mounted within the body for selective mutual as well as independent movement. A first operating rod is connected to the outer ring for controlling the mutual movement of both the rings and a second operating rod is connected to the inner ring for moving the inner ring independently of the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company
    Inventor: Kevin Louis Lafountain
  • Patent number: 6158370
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Daniel W. French, Theodore C. Gagliardi, John J. Vaillancourt
  • Patent number: 6113312
    Abstract: A local remote operated vehicle for installing an elongated element (1)--such as a submarine cable--on a sea bed from a laying vessel or cable ship (2),--includes a guideweight/tracking gear (4) suspended from the ship and riding on the element (1). The gear (4) includes a garage (10) for hosting a local ROV (11) linked to the garage with a tether cable (12) long enough to enable the towed local ROV to monitor the element touchdown area (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: John .O slashed.ivind N.o slashed.rholmen
  • Patent number: 6095078
    Abstract: An underwater vehicle having a negative buoyancy and thrust units by which it can hover is described. Slow speed maneuverability while hovering is achieved by moving the position of a mass fore and aft and/or side to side such as to cause the vehicle to pitch or roll and thereby vector the otherwise vertical thrust such that the vehicle is propelled in the direction in which the mass has moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: GEC-Marconi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard Adams
  • Patent number: 6041728
    Abstract: A control tab on a submarine or the like is angularly displaced by a remote control actuator system featuring a pair of shape-memory cables consist of a superelastic actuating cable connected to the control tab and a force generating thermoelastic cable anchored to the submarine frame. A force transmitting lever interconnects the cables and is selectively locked by a releasable locking mechanism in a position holding the actuating cable fully stretched with the control tab displaced a maximum amount from its neutral position by the displacing force generated in the thermoelastic cable in response to heating thereof by electric current conducted therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: David Goldstein, Thang Dinh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6016763
    Abstract: A submersible unit having thrusters for changing a diving position based on a total work quantity, which is the sum of a first work quantity and a second work quantity. A proportional controller generates and outputs the first work quantity based on a difference between a position quantity indicating a desired target diving position and a diving position. A network controller uses a neural network data processing system to learn movement characteristics of the submersible unit based on the first work quantity and a diving position sampled over a plurality of times. The network controller generates a second work quantity using control coupling coefficients learned by minimizing an evaluation quantity determined from a difference between the learned movement characteristics and target movement characteristic values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Takahashi, Tadashi O-oi
  • Patent number: 5939665
    Abstract: A nautical vehicle for traveling in a fluid environment, the nautical vehe comprising a body having a dorsal fin mounted thereon. The body comprises a sidewall, a forward nose and a rear propulsor for propelling the vehicle in an axial direction. The dorsal fin is mounted on the sidewall, and includes a dorsal fin surface and camber generating element for generating a camber to provide a sideways thrust on said body to facilitate brisk maneuvering of the vehicle in the fluid environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Promode R. Banyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 5758592
    Abstract: An undersea vehicle propulsion and attitude control system is used to conl the forward/reverse movement, vertical up/down movement, lateral movement, pitch, roll and yaw of an undersea vehicle. The propulsion and attitude control system includes a forward port at a forward end of the undersea vehicle, an aft port at an aft end of the vehicle, and radial ports extending radially along the undersea vehicle. The propulsion and attitude control system further includes a single pump, either reversible or unidirectional, and a plurality of valves that, through a controller, selectively control fluid flow between the pump and the forward port, aft port, and radial outlet ports in the undersea vehicle, to provide accurate vehicle propulsion and attitude control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Robert A. Benson, Jr.