Having Propulsion Unit Patents (Class 114/337)
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Publication number: 20120145066Abstract: High velocity subsurface craft, apparatus or method positively affecting propulsion and limiting drag by the use of a rotating body with selected Surface Treatment. The Active Hull Platform provides Apparent Flows that allow for shorter more dispersed blade arrays and boundary layer management that impacts vorticity on skin surfaces by controlling the angular momentum of the vortices formed. By converting drag forces into thrust, vortices need not be avoided and an even non pulsating distributed thrust is the result.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Inventor: Ron M. King
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Publication number: 20120137951Abstract: A streamline submersible vehicle having an internal propulsion system and a multidirectional thrust vectoring mechanism for steering.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventors: Maurizio Porfiri, Vladislav Kopman, Nicholas Cavaliere
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Publication number: 20120137950Abstract: An underwater vehicle includes systems for harvesting ambient hydrostatic pressure and storing the same as a gas pressure in a compressed gas system and as a water pressure in a pressurized electrolysis system. The gas pressure is used to perform mechanical work or to generate electrical power via a prime mover. The water pressure is used to release pressurized hydrogen and oxygen gases via electrolysis. The pressurized hydrogen and oxygen gases are used in a combustion chamber to generate propulsion power for the underwater vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2010Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: John W. Rapp, Louis J. Larkin
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Publication number: 20120118218Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIAInventor: Wei-Min Shen
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Publication number: 20120111994Abstract: The present invention includes improvements to cross-flow fans and cross-flow fan propelled aircraft including improved control, a dynamically adjustable vortex wall and internal housing, a vortex tube, vertical takeoff and landing rotorcraft configurations, the inclusion of an optimized oscillating blade fan, a wavy vortex wall, power plant refinements, dual leading and trailing edge configurations, stability improvements, tip plates, tapered wings, tapered fans, a fan construction method, and underwater applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2011Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: PROPULSIVE WING, LLCInventors: Joseph Kummer, Jimmie B. Allred, III
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Patent number: 8127705Abstract: A water entry system increases the drag of an underwater vehicle by disrupting the cavity that forms during high-speed transit of the vehicle through the water. A series of inlet ports are positioned in regions of the vehicle where pressure stagnation occurs during transit. Flow passages connect these inlets to outlet ports at regions of lower pressure. Pressure differences cause jets to flow in the respective passages. The jets produce a high flow rate normal to the original cavity boundary. The jets serve to increase drag in at least two manners. In one case, a flow jet normal to the cavity interface broadens the cavity to increase drag and slow the vehicle. In a second case, a jet can cause waves on the cavity interface to break down the stable cavity. As a result, the vehicle surface is wetted, producing skin friction drag and slowing vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Robert Kuklinski
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Patent number: 8109224Abstract: A submarine or surface watercraft is equipped with at least one, preferably supercharged charging diesel engine, which serves to charge the vessel's batteries and which is operated in a controlled and regulated manner during submarine snorkeling mode or during the normal operation of surface watercraft. In at least one embodiment, the exhaust gases produced during the operation of the charging diesel engine are mixed with a flow of water, which is drawn from the water surrounding the vessel and delivered in a regulated manner by a pump while interacting with a negative-pressure generating device, and, in a mixed state, are discharged under water. The operation of the formed negative-pressure generating and mixing device ensues while interacting with the controlling and regulating of the charging diesel engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2005Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Moustafa Abdel-Maksoud, Rainer Hartig, Stefan Jungnitz, Hannes Schulze Horn
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Publication number: 20120024216Abstract: In one aspect, a submarine with a boat hull and a propulsion drive for the submarine the propulsion drive is arranged outside the boat hull and comprises a housing and a first electric motor, with the housing embodying a channel for a flow of water through the channel in a main direction of flow from an inlet to an outlet of the channel, and with the first electric motor featuring a rotor which is arranged in the channel and is supported rotatably around an axis of rotation in the housing, with the rotor being embodied in the shape of a ring with a ring inner side and a ring outer side, and with blades for propelling the submarine being arranged on the ring inner side of the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Inventor: Dierk Schröder
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Patent number: 8082870Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 25, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: University of Southern CaliforniaInventor: Wei-Min Shen
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Patent number: 8065972Abstract: An underwater vehicle comprising an electrical power generation system that converts thermal energy from a body of water into electrical energy is disclosed. The vehicle comprises the electrical power generation system and a thermal mass whose temperature is based on the temperature of water at a first depth of a body of water. The vehicle is moved to a second depth of the body of water, wherein water at the second depth is a different temperature that the water at the first depth. The electrical power generation system generates electrical energy based on the difference between the temperature of the water at the second depth and the temperature of the thermal mass. The electrical power generation system is able to generate electrical energy when the temperature difference is negative as well as when the temperature difference is positive.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2009Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Robert James Howard, John W. Rapp
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Patent number: 8042483Abstract: The invention as disclosed is an apparatus that controls the wake of stator blades on an underwater vehicle. The apparatus comprises one or more stator blades each with a movable trailing edge that when actuated in a controlled manner produces a periodic flapping motion upstream of a propulsion rotor. The controlled periodic flapping of the trailing edge the fills the stator blade wake enough to overcome the stator blade's own drag and fill its wake deficit. This has the effect of reducing the blade rate tonal noise of the propulsion rotor.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Stephen A. Huyer, Daniel L. Macumber, Anuradha Annaswamy, David N. Beal
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Publication number: 20110179988Abstract: An underwater vehicle comprising an electrical power generation system that converts thermal energy from a body of water into electrical energy is disclosed. The vehicle comprises the electrical power generation system and a thermal mass whose temperature is based on the temperature of water at a first depth of a body of water. The vehicle is moved to a second depth of the body of water, wherein water at the second depth is a different temperature that the water at the first depth. The electrical power generation system generates electrical energy based on the difference between the temperature of the water at the second depth and the temperature of the thermal mass. The electrical power generation system is able to generate electrical energy when the temperature difference is negative as well as when the temperature difference is positive.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2009Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Robert James Howard, John W. Rapp
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Publication number: 20110126752Abstract: A submarine or surface watercraft is equipped with at least one, preferably supercharged charging diesel engine, which serves to charge the vessel's batteries and which is operated in a controlled and regulated manner during submarine snorkeling mode or during the normal operation of surface watercraft. In at least one embodiment, the exhaust gases produced during the operation of the charging diesel engine are mixed with a flow of water, which is drawn from the water surrounding the vessel and delivered in a regulated manner by a pump while interacting with a negative-pressure generating device, and, in a mixed state, are discharged under water. The operation of the formed negative-pressure generating and mixing device ensues while interacting with the controlling and regulating of the charging diesel engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2005Publication date: June 2, 2011Inventors: Moustafa Abdel-Maksoud, Rainer Hartig, Stefan Jungnitz, Hannes Schulze Horn
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Publication number: 20110107955Abstract: An underwater traveling vehicle includes: a vehicle body 2; an endless track means 3 which is rotatably mounted to the vehicle body 2; a drive means which is provided in the vehicle body 2 so as to drive the endless track means 3; and a thruster 4 which is provided in the vehicle body 2.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and TechnologyInventor: Tomoya Inoue
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Patent number: 7938077Abstract: A hydrogen generation apparatus for an underwater vehicle is presented, the apparatus including a hydrolysis reaction compartment, a mass of solid lithium hydride disposed in the compartment, inlet and outlet structure for passing sea water through the compartment to generate steam, lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas, a condenser for condensing out the steam and retaining the condensate and lithium hydroxide, and a tank for collecting the hydrogen gas, the tank having outlet structure for discharging the hydrogen gas to a vehicle propulsion system.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1993Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Paul M. Dunn, Gerald K. Pitcher
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Publication number: 20110061583Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for the adaptation of a subsea vehicle, such as an ROV, and in particular a hydraulically powered construction or maintenance work ROV. In one embodiment the vehicle is provided with a module or modules which provide further propulsion means that have reduced noise at high speed in comparison to the vehicle's main propulsion means. The module or modules also optionally provide greater performance and decreased drag. An ROV adapted in such a way is therefore suitable for high speed survey work. In another embodiment a hydraulic ROV is adapted to enable it to be able to directly drive electrically powered tools.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2007Publication date: March 17, 2011Inventor: Calum MacKinnon
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Publication number: 20110061584Abstract: A water entry system increases the drag of an underwater vehicle by disrupting the cavity that forms during high-speed transit of the vehicle through the water. A series of inlet ports are positioned in regions of the vehicle where pressure stagnation occurs during transit. Flow passages connect these inlets to outlet ports at regions of lower pressure. Pressure differences cause jets to flow in the respective passages. The jets produce a high flow rate normal to the original cavity boundary. The jets serve to increase drag in at least two manners. In one case, a flow jet normal to the cavity interface broadens the cavity to increase drag and slow the vehicle. In a second case, a jet can cause waves on the cavity interface to break down the stable cavity. As a result, the vehicle surface is wetted, producing skin friction drag and slowing vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Inventor: Robert Kuklinski
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Publication number: 20110023768Abstract: A device capable of adhering to and moving along the surface of an object, comprising: the main casing comprising an outer casing and an inner casing; an outer sealing member mounted at the opening of the outer casing, part of which is caused to contact the surface of the object; an inner sealing member mounted at the opening of the inner casing, part of which is caused to contact the surface of the object; and a means for moving along the surface of the object while maintaining the distance between the main casing and the surface of the object at a certain distance; wherein the outer casing, the outer sealing member and the inner sealing member, together with the surface of the object, define Area I, and the inner casing and the inner sealing member, together with the surface of the object, define Area II; wherein the pressure of fluid in Area I is maintained at a lower level than the pressure of fluid surrounding the Device, and the pressure of fluid in Area II is maintained at a higher level than the pressType: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2007Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventor: Fukashi Urakami
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Publication number: 20100301168Abstract: The present invention relates to a propulsion system of a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft or vehicle moving in any fluid or vacuum and more particularly to a vector control system of the vehicle propulsion thrust allowing an independent displacement with six degrees of freedom, three degrees of translation in relation to its centre of mass and three degrees of rotation in relation to its centre of mass. The aircraft displacement ability using the propulsion system of the present invention depends on two main thrusters or propellers and which can be tilted around pitch is (I) by means of tilting mechanisms and, used to perform a forward or backward movement, can be tilted around roll axis (X) by means of tilting mechanisms and, used to perform lateral movements to the right or to the left and to perform upward or downward movements (Z), the main thrusters being further used to perform rotations around the vehicle yaw axis (Z) and around the roll is (X).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2006Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventor: Severino Raposo
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Patent number: 7841290Abstract: In one general aspect, a shaftless external propulsion system as described herein provides a sleeve configured to be externally mounted over a hull of a marine vehicle. In addition, the shaftless propulsion system provides a rotor and a first stator mounted on the sleeve. The rotor includes a rotor hub that cooperates with a rotor bearing to enable the rotor to rotate about the sleeve, the rotor further comprising rotor blades attached to the rotor hub. The rotor and the first stator are disposed between a collar located at a first end of the sleeve and a collar hub located at an opposite end of the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Ronald P. Reitz, Gus F. Plangetis
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Patent number: 7789723Abstract: An unmanned, autonomous, waterborne vehicle (500) for marine use capable of operating on and below the surface of water, said vehicle (500) including an enclosed hull (501) having a payload bay (506), a hybrid propulsion system having energy collection means (504) in the form of a wing sail (503) covered with photovoltaic cells and energy storage means (511) for utilizing at least solar energy and wind energy, a plurality of sensors (508, 514) for detecting predetermined environmental parameters and a communications system (509, 515) for transmitting data from said sensors (508, 515) to and for receiving command signals from one or more remote stations and/or cooperating vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Solar Sailor Pty LtdInventors: Robert A. Dane, Edward Payne Kilbourn
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Publication number: 20100186656Abstract: A vessel for transporting a payload through water having a body which travels below the surface of the water and carries the payload, fins extending laterally from the body below the surface of the water a telescoping tower which extends above the surface of the water from the body, a wing extending laterally above the water from an upper portion of the tower, engines mounted on the wing for propelling the body through the water, and propellers mounted on the under sides of the fins for lifting the vessel and holding the vessel in a raised position with the body at the surface of the water while loading and unloading the payload.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventors: Awsabe Shifferaw, Tessema Dosho Shifferaw
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Publication number: 20100139545Abstract: A submersible apparatus (10) which can be fully submerged in a liquid medium, includes: a sealed hollow body (12) having a longitudinal main axis (A); at least one driving member (14, 36, 52) for moving the apparatus (10) horizontally and/or vertically, which can co-operate with the medium in which the apparatus (10) is submerged and which can move in relation to the hollow body (12) through an opening (22, 44, 56) provided in the wall of the body (12); and elements (18, 40, 64) for actuating the driving member (14, 36, 52), which are disposed inside the hollow body (12). The invention is characterized in that the opening (22, 44, 56) is sealed by a flexible membrane (24, 50, 58) which can deform and co-operate with the driving member (14, 36, 52) as the driving member (14, 36, 52) moves through the opening in order to move the apparatus (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Christophe Tiraby, Pascal Caestecker, Frederic Segonds
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Publication number: 20100139544Abstract: Variable Speed Drive (1) for subsea installations (20), subsea vessels or subsea vehicles, as well as to a corresponding subsea installation (20), subsea vessel or subsea vehicle, has an alternating current/alternating current converter (2) having a current-controlled capacitor-less direct current link (7).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2006Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventor: Ove Bø
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Publication number: 20090293794Abstract: A shaft seal pressure compensation system for an underwater device such a remotely operated vehicle powered by motor driven thrusters where the shaft of the motor extends from a motor housing into the surrounding water and is sealed by a shaft seal by automatically supplying air to pressurize the thrusters to balance the internal pressure of the thrusters to match the ambient water pressure. The air is supplied by a variable volume container that responsive to a pressure differential between the external ambient pressure and an internal pressure within the variable volume gas container for adjusting the volume of the variable volume gas container so that the internal pressure equals the ambient pressure, and thus balancing the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventor: Calvert Hawkes
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Patent number: 7597811Abstract: Pollutants such as hydrocarbons which have settled on the bed of a body of water are removed to the surface using a submersible vehicle positioned above the bed of a diver supported on a platform above the pollutant. A wand at one end of a pipe evacuated by a centrifugal pump is manipulated to draw the pollutant to the surface for treatment or disposal.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2007Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Inventor: David Usher
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Publication number: 20090241826Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventors: Frederick Vosburgh, Ryan Moody
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Publication number: 20090235870Abstract: An open-ocean fish-growing platform has a submersible cage structure for growing fish, an antenna for receiving positioning signals transmitted from an external source, a position-correction apparatus for calculating a position error signal from a target geostatic position, and an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system for generating electric power for thruster units to maintain the cage structure in the target geostatic position. The OTEC system inducts colder ocean water from a deeper ocean depth for driving its heat exchange cycle, and is also of hybrid type using a fuel-fired unit as a heat source. The cold water effluent from the OTEC system is directed into the cage for flushing wastes generated by the growing fish. The self-positioning, self-powered open-ocean platform enables unmanned, extended marine deployment in deeper ocean waters without the need for tethering or anchoring to the ocean floor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2007Publication date: September 24, 2009Inventor: Paul James Troy
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Publication number: 20090211511Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Inventor: Wei-Min Shen
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Patent number: 7533625Abstract: With an unmanned underwater vessel having a pressure hull, drive assembly and at least one ancillary device arranged on the pressure hull, for example a propeller protection apparatus (15), the at least one ancillary device (15) is fixedly connected to a lifting body (16), which has a lower density than the density of the water, in order to make it possible to replace the ancillary devices or to arrange additional ancillary devices on the pressure hull without changing the trim of the underwater vessel as a result. The density and volume of the lifting body (16) are selected such that the lifting force acting in the water on the ancillary device (15) and the lifting body (16) compensates for the force of gravity acting on the ancillary device (15) and the lifting body (16).Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Atlas Elektronik GmbHInventors: Detlef Lambertus, Ralf Richter
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Publication number: 20090031940Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Inventors: William C. Stone, Bartholomew P. Hogan
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Publication number: 20090013691Abstract: An energy producing device, for example a submersible vehicle for descending or ascending to different depths within water or ocean, is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a temperature-responsive material to which a hydraulic fluid is associated. A pressurized storage compartment stores the fluid as soon as the temperature-responsive material changes density. The storage compartment is connected with a hydraulic motor, and a valve allows fluid passage from the storage compartment to the hydraulic motor. An energy storage component, e.g. a battery, is connected with the hydraulic motor and is charged by the hydraulic motor when the hydraulic fluid passes through the hydraulic motor. Upon passage in the hydraulic motor, the fluid is stored in a further storage compartment and is then sent back to the area of the temperature-responsive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Inventors: Jack A. JONES, Yi Chao, Thomas I. Valdez
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Patent number: 7476456Abstract: A submarine boat provided with a fuel cell (30) for power generation by supply of hydrogen and oxidizing agent, a hydrogen generating device (10) for generating a gas containing hydrogen to be supplied to the fuel cell, and propelling device driven by electricity generated by the fuel cell, characterized in that the hydrogen generating device is to generate a gas containing hydrogen by decomposing a fuel containing an organic compound, comprising a partition membrane (11), a fuel electrode (12) provided on one surface of the partition membrane, means (16) for supplying a fuel containing the organic compound and water to the fuel electrode, an oxidizing electrode (14) provided on the other surface of the partition membrane, means (17) for supplying an oxidizing agent to the oxidizing electrode, and means for generating and collecting the gas containing hydrogen from the fuel electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2005Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: GS Yuasa CorporationInventors: Ryoichi Okuyama, Yoshihiro Yamamoto, Masashi Motoi, Katsuji Ashida
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Publication number: 20080264323Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2006Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: GO SCIENCE LIMITEDInventor: Harry George Dennis Gosling
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Patent number: 7441509Abstract: An ice fishing submarine for carrying an end portion of a fishing line radially away from an ice fishing hole comprising: i) a hull enclosing a propulsion system which includes a battery which powers an electric motor which turns a propeller; ii) a power switch to begin propulsion away from the ice hole; and, iii) a tether having an unfixed end secured to the submarine and configured to interrupt power to the propulsion system when the tether becomes taut. When the submarine travels the distance of the length of the tether radially away from the ice hole the tether then becomes taut thereby automatically switching power off to the propulsion system of the submarine, and thereby eliminating the necessity of running control wires extending down through the ice hole to the submarine and monitoring the travel of the submarine to turn off power at an appropriate time.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Inventor: Mark T. Piska
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Publication number: 20080149016Abstract: A submarine has a pressure hull (20) which includes a number of adjoining transparent viewing sections (21 and 22) in the shape of truncated spheres. The sections (21 and 22) are clamped to a body section (23, 24) by a cage (40) and tension rods (44) which pass slidably through a thrust ring (38) interposed between the transparent sections. Access to a passenger compartment within the pressure hull is obtained via a hatch (32) in a mid section (23). The pressure hull is housed in an external hull designed for surface cruising. Ballast tanks are formed between pressure hull and the external hull, and the tie rods pass through low pressure seals to pivotal anchorage points within the ballast tanks.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2005Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: ALICIA SUBMARINES, LLCInventor: Paul P. Moorhouse
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Publication number: 20080141923Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventor: Calvert T. Hawkes
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Publication number: 20080135494Abstract: Pollutants such as hydrocarbons which have settled on the bed of a body of water are removed to the surface using a submersible vehicle positioned above the bed of a diver supported on a platform above the pollutant. A wand at one end of a pipe evacuated by a centrifugal pump is manipulated to draw the pollutant to the surface for treatment or disposal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2007Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventor: DAVID USHER
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Publication number: 20080127878Abstract: The present invention provides a submarine that is capable of surface operation with its passenger compartment completely or predominately above the waterline. The vessel is capable of high-speed, long-range surface navigation and seakeeping.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: REYNOLDS MARION, Ezra Eugene Mock, Scott Anthony Shamblin
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Publication number: 20080121165Abstract: With an unmanned underwater vessel having a pressure hull, drive assembly and at least one ancillary device arranged on the pressure hull, for example a propeller protection apparatus (15), the at least one ancillary device (15) is fixedly connected to a lifting body (16), which has a lower density than the density of the water, in order to make it possible to replace the ancillary devices or to arrange additional ancillary devices on the pressure hull without changing the trim of the underwater vessel as a result. The density and volume of the lifting body (16) are selected such that the lifting force acting in the water on the ancillary device (15) and the lifting body (16) compensates for the force of gravity acting on the ancillary device (15) and the lifting body (16).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2005Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: ATLAS ELECTRONIK GmbHInventors: Detlef Lambertus, Ralf Richter
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Publication number: 20080105188Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2007Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: Aquatron Robotic Systems LTD.Inventors: Boris Gorelik, Tzachi Shpitzer, Amir Yakobovitch
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Patent number: 7353768Abstract: An underwater vehicle includes a shaft with a propeller disposed thereon; a generator/motor having a stator and a rotor, the rotor being operable to rotate with the propeller; at least one energy storage device connected to the generator/motor; and a controller for setting the generator/motor in a charge mode, a propulsion mode and an idle mode.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2006Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Jack A. Jones, Yi Chao
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Patent number: 7226325Abstract: A stabilizing device for a supercavitating vehicle that isolates re-entrant jet flows of liquid from its cavity. The device has a receiving means positioned on the supercavitating vehicle where the re-entrant jet flow impinges on the supercavitating vehicle. An exit means is joined to the receiving means for carrying the received re-entrant jet flow out of interference with the cavity. The exit means includes an exhaust nozzle joined to the aft of the supercavitating vehicle and a re-entrant jet nozzle positioned in communication between the receiving means and said exhaust nozzle transferring said received re-entrant jet flow into the exhaust nozzle. This stabilizes the cavity and improves controllability and maneuverability of the supercavitating vehicles while also reducing the gas ventilation required to maintain the cavity. Furthermore, this reduces self-generated noise allowing improved operation of acoustical sensors incorporated in the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2001Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Ivan N. Kirschner, James S. Uhlman
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Patent number: 7128624Abstract: In an underwater vehicle, hydrogen and oxygen are fed into a combustion chamber of a combustor of the underwater vehicle to initiate a combustion reaction, which generates high-pressure steam. The high-pressure steam can be cooled with the injection of seawater, and can be condensed into high-pressure water by the addition of sufficient seawater. High-pressure water is then ejected out of the combustor, generating thrust for the underwater vehicle. Sensors that measure the combustor pressure and the external pressure could be used to adjust the combustor pressure, allowing for constant velocity as the depth of the underwater vehicle changes. Alternatively, the sensors could adjust the area of an exit nozzle of the combustor. Stored water can be converted back into hydrogen and oxygen by using electrical power external to the system. After regeneration of the water into hydrogen and oxygen, the propulsion system would be ready for operation again.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2005Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Jeffrey S. Goldmeer, William H. Girodet
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Patent number: 7007625Abstract: A remote operated vehicle system comprises a topside, a fish equipped with a GPS receiver, a transmitter for transmitting GPS position data, and a receiver operable to receive the transmitted position data. Transmission may be from the fish to the topside or from the topside to the fish. Alternatively, a second transmitter and receiver give two-way transmission. These arrangements allow the position of the fish to be monitored or tracked, so that it can be readily rescued in the event of damage or breakdown. Alternatively, predetermined position data can be sent to the fish, allowing it to automatically navigate a desired route. Particular embodiments include an umbilical cable for connecting the fish and the topside together and operable to carry signals, including position data, between the two, an additional GPS receiver on the topside so that the fish can navigate to the topside unaided, and a buoyancy control device which brings the fish to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: H2EYE (International) LimitedInventor: Chris D. Shelton
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Publication number: 20040200399Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for enhancing the internal combustion engine performance, particularly the performance of charged diesel engines for charging batteries for submarines in snorkel running, whereby the exhaust gasses generated by the internal combustion engines during snorkel running are introduced into the water that surrounds the submarine, and whereby a reduced water pressure is created in at least one region at the submarine via flow-oriented measures by way of the motion of the submarine through the surrounding water, and the exhaust gasses are introduced into this region, for which purpose mechanically actuated flow-directing elements are arranged at the submarine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Moustafa Abdel-Maksoud, Bernd Buehnemann, Harald Freund, Heinz Tiemens
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Publication number: 20040121664Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for producing propulsion underwater with minimal acoustical emission. In basic concept, the method comprises the expulsion and sucking of liquid into and out of a liquid port of a watercraft in a manner generating compression and expansion waves adjacent the liquid port. Such expansion and compression waves generate a positive net thrust on the watercraft in a direction opposite that of their expulsion. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing the drag caused by hull skin friction by actively increasing the momentum of the liquid stream boundary layer adjacent a watercraft via the expulsion of fluid (liquid or gas) from ports in the hull of such a watercraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2003Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Ahmed A. Hassan, David B. Domzalski
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Patent number: 6746287Abstract: An underwater propelling apparatus includes a body and a plurality of vibrating units. The plurality of vibrating units are placed in parallel to each other on a rear side of the body. Each of the plurality of vibrating units vibrates repeatedly and reciprocally to produce thrust.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Ikuo Yamamoto, Yuuzi Terada
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Patent number: 6736687Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for discharging signature free exhaust gas from underwater vehicles, the exhaust gas being a by-product of the production of electric energy in energy converters and being directed by means of pressure into a pipe length through which outboard water is flowing. Gas bubbles of the exhaust gas in the at least one pipe length are reduced using static mixers arranged inside of the pipe length through which water is flowing, with the gas being dissolved by the high turbulence of the fluid. As the exhaust gas is dissolved inside of the underwater vehicle, no gas bubbles that might be located are produced outside the vehicle. Since the working pressure of the method equals the immersion pressure in the pipe, the method consumes only a small amount of energy.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AGInventor: Peter Hauschildt
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Patent number: 6725797Abstract: A method and apparatus for propelling a surface vehicle through the water comprised of a submerged portion, including both a stern propulsion unit and a bow propulsion unit. Either unit may be a pumpjet, the bow unit may include a counter-rotating nose hub having attached spirally wound, twin centrifugal propeller blades. The foremost bow propeller is dedicated to stealth and the next-in-line bow propeller is dedicated to supercavitation. Specially-designed vortex loops that connect the pressure side to the intake side of a propulsion unit may be included in the blades, shroud or hub areas. Further, slightly diverged jet exhaust and variable special surface texturing reduce surface friction drag on the vehicle body. The submarine propulsion system is used to power a surface vessel, supported by two or more hydrofoils which combine a submerged midcraft foil with a wave-piercing variety. The surface craft has the capability of submerging and maneuvering.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Inventor: Terry B. Hilleman