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Submersible drone having active ballast system

  • US 10,583,905 B2
  • Filed: 12/07/2017
  • Issued: 03/10/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for in-situ inspection comprising:

  • a remotely operated submersible having a ballast system which includes a pump, a pressure vessel reservoir, and an inflatable bladder, the pressure vessel reservoir in fluid communication via the pump with the inflatable bladder, the pump circulating a fluid to the pressure vessel reservoir from the inflatable bladder to achieve variable buoyancy, wherein movement of the fluid out of the pressure vessel reservoir alters a density of the pressure vessel reservoir to provide a buoyant force for the remotely operated submersible;

    wherein the fluid is transferred from the pressure vessel reservoir to the inflatable bladder by a pressure of the fluid in the pressure vessel reservoir; and

    wherein the fluid is transferred back from the inflatable bladder to the pressure vessel reservoir by pumping the fluid with the pump.

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