SUBMERSIBLE VEHICLE WITH SWEPT HULL
First Claim
1. 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, the vehicle further comprising a buoyancy control system.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
19 Claims
- 1. 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, the vehicle further comprising a buoyancy control system.
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18. A method of operating 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, the vehicle further comprising a buoyancy control system comprising a buoyancy engine housed within the outer hull, the method comprising:
- submerging the vehicle in a liquid whereby the liquid floods the duct, and deriving a motive force for the vehicle from the buoyancy engine.
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19. A method of controlling 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, the vehicle further comprising a buoyancy control system, the method comprising:
- submerging the vehicle in a liquid whereby the liquid floods the duct; and
dynamically adjusting the centre of buoyancy of the vehicle by operation of the buoyancy control system.
- submerging the vehicle in a liquid whereby the liquid floods the duct; and
Specification