Flying underwater imager with multi-mode operation for locating and approaching underwater objects for imaging

• US 10,065,715 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2016
• Issued: 09/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Li Fang
• Original Assignee: Li Fang
• Inventors: Fang, Li
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J
• Application Number:
  US15/376,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20180043978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 21/66 Equipment specially adapted for towing underwater objects or vessels, e.g. fairings for tow-cables paravanes for dragging fishing nets A01K73/02; salvaging underwater vessels or objects B63C7/00; towed underwater vessels B63G8/42
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/52 Tools specially adapted for working underwater, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 2008/007 by means of a physical link to a base, e.g. wire, cable or umbilical
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/001 Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vessels; Equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. docking stations self-propelled or direction controlled diving chambers with mechanical link to a base B63C11/42
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/18 by hydrofoils
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/38 Arrangement of visual or electronic watch equipment, e.g. of periscopes, of radar periscopes, optical aiming or sighting devices per se G02B23/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/39 Arrangements of sonic watch equipment, e.g. low-frequency, sonar
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/42 Towed underwater vessels

Abstract

A flying underwater imager device operates in two modes, a tow mode and a free fly mode. In the tow mode for locating underwater objects, the imager device opens foldable wings for remaining depressed below the surface when the wings generate a negative buoyancy. Otherwise, neutral buoyancy characteristics bring the imager device back to surface. In the free fly mode for approaching and imaging underwater objects, the imager device closes the foldable wings and uses thrusters for moving into position to image the underwater objects.

Claims

1. A flying underwater device with multi-mode operation, comprising:

a frame with a hitch for connecting by a towing device;

a pair of wings attached to the frame and controlled by a drive system; and

a control module in a housing and communicatively coupled to the drive system,

wherein in a tow mode, the drive system unfolds the pair of wings to a specific angle to maintain a desired depth as determined by downward pressure generated from a speed of towing and natural buoyancy of the flying underwater imaging device, and

wherein in a free fly mode, the drive system folds the pair of wings to permit deployment for remote operations and movement.

2. The flying underwater device of claim 1, further comprising:

a sonar transducer attached to the frame and communicatively coupled to the control module, the sonar transducer to locate underwater objects with echo location; and

at least one thruster attached to the frame and communicatively coupled to the control module,

wherein the control module comprises a location module and an auto-pilot module,

wherein in the tow mode, the location module determines location coordinates of the at least one underwater object from data received from the sonar transducer, and

wherein in the free fly mode, the auto-pilot module activates the at least one thruster to position the flying underwater imaging device proximate to the at least one underwater object.

3. The flying underwater device of claim 1, wherein, in a tow mode, the towing device connects to the hitch and, in a deployment mode, the towing device disconnects from the hitch.

4. The flying underwater device of claim 1, further comprising:

a data line connected to the housing to transfer commands from a remotely located computer to the control module, wherein at least one command switches from the tow mode to the free fly mode that is executed to disconnect the hitch from the towing device.

5. The flying underwater device of claim 1, further comprising:

a data line connected to the housing to transfer commands from a remotely located computer display to the control module, wherein at least one command sends a selection of an underwater object to approach in the free fly mode.

6. The flying underwater device of claim 1, further comprising:

an image camera attached to the frame, the image camera to capture an image or a video of at least one underwater object.