Unmanned autonomous submarine
First Claim
1. An unmanned autonomous submarine, comprising:
- a hull formed by at least two hull sections and defining an interior cabin therein, said cabin adapted to retain pressurized air;
a plurality of fasteners affixed to said hull sections and adapted for joining said at least two hull sections, said plurality of fasteners being one of internally and externally affixed to opposing connecting ends of said hull sections;
a plurality of hydrofoils attached to opposed external side surfaces of said hull sections for providing stability and maneuverability of said hull;
a propulsion system for providing propelling force to said hull; and
a ballast system for raising and submersing said hull, said ballast system comprising;
a ballast tank adapted to receive a predetermined level of water externally from the submarine and a predetermined amount of the pressurized air from said cabin; and
a compressor coupled to said ballast tank to form a closed loop system, said compressor adapted to force air into said cabin from said ballast tank to increase the water level in the tank and thereby cause said hull to submerge, and said compressor being adapted to force air into said ballast tank from said cabin to decrease the water level in the tank and thereby cause the submarine to ascend.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An unmanned autonomous submarine which can float, dive and move in water to perform various tasks. The submarine includes a pressurized cabin which is necessary for the diving and flotation system to work properly. This also helps to increase its sealing power against water leakage into the cabin. The submarine is autonomous, that is automatic and self controlled. It is propelled by water jet propulsion. It can be programmed to dive to preset depths, move along preset trajectories, and return to the base after completing the assigned tasks. A remote control option is provided in order to perform special tasks. The submarine is equipped with several sensors that can measure depth, orientation, attitude, location and speed. It is also equipped with an underwater video camera that can send wireless video pictures from underwater to a monitor above water surface.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. An unmanned autonomous submarine, comprising:
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a hull formed by at least two hull sections and defining an interior cabin therein, said cabin adapted to retain pressurized air;
a plurality of fasteners affixed to said hull sections and adapted for joining said at least two hull sections, said plurality of fasteners being one of internally and externally affixed to opposing connecting ends of said hull sections;
a plurality of hydrofoils attached to opposed external side surfaces of said hull sections for providing stability and maneuverability of said hull;
a propulsion system for providing propelling force to said hull; and
a ballast system for raising and submersing said hull, said ballast system comprising;
a ballast tank adapted to receive a predetermined level of water externally from the submarine and a predetermined amount of the pressurized air from said cabin; and
a compressor coupled to said ballast tank to form a closed loop system, said compressor adapted to force air into said cabin from said ballast tank to increase the water level in the tank and thereby cause said hull to submerge, and said compressor being adapted to force air into said ballast tank from said cabin to decrease the water level in the tank and thereby cause the submarine to ascend. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. An unmanned autonomous submarine, comprising:
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a hull formed by at least two hull sections and defining an interior cabin therein, said cabin adapted to retain pressurized air;
a plurality of fasteners affixed to said hull sections and adapted for joining said at least two hull sections, said plurality of fasteners being one of internally and externally affixed to opposing connecting ends of said hull sections;
a plurality of hydrofoils attached to opposed external side surfaces of said hull sections for providing stability and maneuverability of said hull;
a propulsion system for providing propelling force to said hull, said propulsion system comprises;
a first water pump positioned in said cabin;
a forward inlet port formed in a forward hull section of said hull sections and coupled to said pump via a first conduit;
an aft outlet port formed in an aft hull section of said hull sections and coupled to an output of said first pump via an aft conduit;
wherein said first pump draws water external to said hull through said forward inlet port and first conduit, and forces said water through said aft outlet port to propel said submarine in a forward direction;
a ballast system for raising and submersing said hull, said ballast system comprising;
a ballast tank adapted to receive a predetermined level of water externally from the submarine and a predetermined amount of the pressurized air from said cabin;
a compressor coupled to said ballast tank to form a closed loop system, said compressor adapted to force air into said cabin from said ballast tank to increase the water level in the tank and thereby cause said hull to submerge, and said compressor being adapted to force air into said ballast tank from said cabin to decrease the water level in the tank and thereby cause the submarine to ascend;
a programmable controller for controlling operations of said submarine; and
one or more sensors for providing electrical signals to said controller for further controlling said submarine operations
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Specification