Abstract: An underwater craft is considerably less likely to be detected by sonar if the underwater craft includes an outer hull as disclosed herein, which outer hull may extend in a longitudinal direction through a stern section, through a midship section, and through a bow section. The outer hull in the midship section may have a polygonal cross section. The outer hull of the midship section may also have curvature along the longitudinal direction throughout the midship section. A ratio of a radius of curvature to a total length of the underwater craft in the longitudinal direction may be between 5 and 1000. Further, a cylindrical pressure vessel may be disposed under the outer hull.

Abstract: A submarine is designed for combating oil when submerged. The submarine includes a snout (14, 36) which is conduit-connected to a conduit leading into the submarine. The snout (14, 36) is part of an oil suction device and/or part of a device for bringing out an oil decomposition substance. The snout (14) may be designed in a rigid manner and be pivotable from a position between a pressure hull (6) of the submarine and an outer hull (10) forming an upper deck (12) of the submarine, into a position outside the outer hull (10). The snout (36) may also be designed in a flexible manner, wherein the snout (36) is fastened in a section adjacent to a free end, on an ROV (40).

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.

Abstract: The submarine is equipped with a fluid gas pressure container, in particular for storing liquid oxygen. The liquid gas pressure container is arranged within the pressure hull of the submarine and is surrounded by an outer pressure container which is likewise stored within the pressure hull of the submarine. A device is provided which on exceeding a predefined pressure within one pressure container leads fluid from the pressure container out of the pressure hull.

Abstract: An anti-terrorist ship control system includes satellites that automatically take control of a waterborne vessel when the vessel's position or speed deviate from planned tracks or when the vessel transmits a distress signal or when the vessel stops reporting its status to the satellites.

Abstract: A submersible or submarine vessel having a unique pressure hull formed from a plurality of truncated spherical cells having at least one opening, wherein said cells are connected together in a generally loop array with said openings in confronting relation to define a interconnected internal space for utilization by personnel, equipment, or machinery. When said connected cells define a loop array having an open central area, dome means enclose the central area permitting utilization thereof, or, a further spherical cell or cells are disposed in the central area with access thereinto from a cell in the loop array for utilization, whereby at all times convexly curved spherical surfaces are exposed to high hydrostatic pressures, thereby to provide a maximum strength pressure hull.

Abstract: A double hull structure includes a controllably crushable stand-off struce for maintaining a separation between inner and outer hulls and may be retrofit onto existing hulls either in modular and/or break-away sections or as a complete "shoe" enclosing the existing hull. This retrofittable hull is preferably of a non-metallic composite material which reduces or eliminates corrosion of the existing hull, extending the usable lifetime thereof. The controllably crushable stand-off structure is designed to provide sequential failure, preferably by sequential energy absorbing brittle fractures with little elastic deformation, to provide protection of the existing hull during collisions and/or groundings and thus enhance cargo containment. The brittle fracture is preferably provided by the use of non-metallic composite material in beams of the stand-off structure and/or the inclusion of syntactic foams.

Abstract: A device for carrying out works under water includes a twin hull submarine (1,2) which can be combined with a number of specially adapted cargo modules (12), in which the twin hull submarine between its two hulls (1,2) is provided with a cargo holder (15) for carrying cargo modules in the compartment between the two hulls (1,2). This provides a modularized system for subsea operations, whereby a twin hull submarine, in combination with a number of specially adapted cargo modules, forms a device for carrying out various tasks under water.

Abstract: A vessel designed for deep-sea diving or for outer-space exploration has a hull divided into a multiplicity of concentric spherical shells separated by clearances in which air or some other fluid is maintained at a pressure constituting a fraction of the overall pressure differential between the interior of the vessel and the surrounding body of water or empty space. The fractional pressures, whose sum equals the overall differential, can be maintained by valves closing whenever the predetermined fractional differential of the respective clearance is reached; alternatively, a controller responsive to signals from individual pressure sensors in the several clearances can control a pressure pump with separate outlets to these clearances.

Abstract: A manned submarine includes first and second side-by-side chambers extending in a fore-to-aft direction. The first chamber is maintained at substantially atmospheric pressure and includes sleeping and eating compartments for ship-based personnel, and a galley. The second chamber is maintained at greater than atmospheric pressure and includes sleeping and eating compartments for diver personnel. Passages interconnect the chambers, enabling ship-based personnel from the first chamber to service diver personnel in the second chamber. The submarine carries guides which can be mated with corresponding guides on a piece of underwater equipment to stabilize the submarine against lateral movement and allow the equipment to be attached to the submarine for transport. The submarine carries weights which are placed on the water bed and connected to the submarine by initially slackened lines.