Submersible vehicle launch and recovery system

• US 20050257731A1
• Filed: 03/24/2005
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ECA Robotics (Groupe Gorgé SA)
• Original Assignee: ECA Co.
• Inventors: Le Bigot, Pierre-Yves Eugene Jean, Bouchaud, David Laurent Claude
• Granted Patent: US 7,028,627 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 114/313
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 23/58 with tackle engaging or release gear
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 27/36 Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for floating cargo deployment or recovery of underwater vehicles using lifts of hoists B63B27/16

Abstract

A submersible vehicle launch and recovery system comprises a grab comprising at least two arms capable of moving relative to each other, the arms being rotatable between an open position and a closed position, in which closed position the jaws of the arms are able to grip a handling feature on a submersible vehicle. The arms comprise attachment means so arranged that the arms tend to close when the system is suspended by the said attachment means, at least one arm comprising buoyancy means so distributed as to tend to open the said arm when the system is submerged.

Claims

1. Submersible vehicle launch and recovery system comprising a grab comprising at least two arms capable of moving relative to each other, the arms being rotatable between an open position and a closed position, in which closed position the jaws of the arms are able to grip a handling element on a submersible vehicle, the arms comprising attachment means so arranged that the arms tend to close when the system is suspended by the said attachment means, at least one arm comprising buoyancy means so distributed as to tend to open the said arm when the system is submerged.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the arms are arranged in a cross and connected rotatably about a hinge pin at the intersection of the arms.

3. System according to claim 2, wherein each arm comprises, at a first end situated on one side of the hinge pin, a jaw and a buoyancy means, and, at a second end situated on the other side, arm attachment means.

4. System according to claim 1, wherein a buoyancy means is provided in the form of a hollow float equipped with fluid filling and evacuation means, wherein the fluid is air and/or water.

5. System according to claim 1, wherein the arms are provided with guide means for acting on a handling feature provided on a submersible vehicle.

6. System according to claim 5, wherein the guide means comprises a V guide converging on a space situated between the jaws of the arms.

7. System according to claim 5, wherein the guide means comprises at least one end stop located on an arm designed to horizontally arrest a handling element situated on a submersible vehicle.

8. System according to claim 7, wherein the end stops are provided with protuberances arranged so as to prevent a reverse movement of a handling element once the latter is engaged against the end stops.

9. System according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises means for limiting the opening of the grab formed by the arms.

10. Submersible vehicle launch and recovery system comprising a grab comprising at least two arms capable of moving relative to each other, the arms being rotatable between an open position and a closed position, in which closed position the jaws of the arms are able to grip a handling element on a submersible vehicle, the arms being supported so that the arms tend to close when the system is suspended, at least one arm comprising a buoy so configured as to tend to open the said arm when the system is submerged.

11. Assembly comprising a launch and recovery system comprising a grab comprising at least two arms capable of moving relative to each other, the arms being rotatable between an open position and a closed position, in which closed position the jaws of the arms are able to grip a handling element on a submersible vehicle, the arms comprising attachment means so arranged that the arms tend to close when the system is suspended by the said attachment means, at least one arm comprising buoyancy means so configures as to tend to open the said arm when the system is submerged and a handling element designed to be attached to a submersible vehicle and configured so as to engage with the jaws of the launch and recovery system.

12. Assembly according to claim 11, wherein the handling element comprises a T-shaped profile having a web designed to be gripped by the jaws and a transverse bar for vertical support.