SYSTEM FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF MARINE PAYLOADS

• US 20190100292A1
• Filed: 09/19/2018
• Published: 04/04/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• Original Assignee: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• Inventors: Austin, Thomas, Purcell, Michael, Littlefield, Robin, Jaffre, Frederic, Packard, Gwyneth, McDonald, Glenn
• Granted Patent: US 11,072,406 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2207/02 Variable ballast or buoyancy
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2211/02 Oceanography
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 2008/004 autonomously operating
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 2008/005 remotely controlled
• 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 8/22 Adjustment of buoyancy by water ballasting; Emptying equipment for ballast tanks conduits for emptying or ballasting on vessels in general B63B13/00; stabilising vessels using ballast tanks B63B43/06
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/33 of mine-laying means mine laying vessels other than submarines B63G6/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/42 Towed underwater vessels

Abstract

The present invention involves a system for the release of low relief, self-orienting deployable payloads from a platform such as a submersible vehicle and a mechanism of passive buoyancy compensation of the vehicle. The system secures one or more payloads by a vacuum force without an additional mechanical restraining mechanism and deployment of a payload is accomplished by disengaging the vacuum hold to release the payload for its intended function. Once deployed, the payload may reorient itself to a functional orientation without additional assistance.

Claims

1. A system for payload deployment in a fluid environment, comprising:

a. at least one deployment chamber, configured to exclude the fluid environment, further comprising;

i. at least one internal wall defining a wet space, the wet space configured to be contiguous with and exposed to the fluid environment;

ii. at least one payload, each payload comprising at least a first surface wherein at least one payload is configured to comprise a portion of a sealing zone;

b. a vacuum mechanism connected to the wet space and configured to generate a vacuum force within the wet space;

c. a vacuum breaker connected to the wet space;

wherein the at least one payload is configured to fit at least partially within the wet space;

wherein the first surface is exposed to the fluid environment;

wherein the sealing zone forms a fluid-tight seal with a portion of the at least one internal wall, allowing the wet space to hold a vacuum;

wherein the at least one payload is held within the deployment chamber by the vacuum force; and

wherein the vacuum breaker is configured to remove the vacuum force from the wet space.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one payload is held within the deployment chamber solely by the vacuum force.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the system and at least one payload comprise a first buoyant force and wherein the system comprises a second buoyant force, and wherein the second buoyant force does not differ more than 20 percent from said first buoyant force.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first buoyant force and second buoyant force are substantially equal.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the wet space further comprises an offset mechanism.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the offset mechanism, at least one payload, and system comprise a third buoyant force, and wherein the third buoyant force does not differ more than 20 percent from the second buoyant force.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the second buoyant force and third buoyant force are substantially equal.

8. A payload for use in fluid environments, comprising:

at least one surface; and

a sealing zone;

wherein a portion of the payload is configured to fit into a deployment system;

wherein the sealing zone is configured to form a vacuum seal with a portion of the deployment system;

wherein the deployment system is configured to generate a vacuum force; and

wherein the payload is held within the deployment system by the vacuum force.

9. The payload of claim 8, wherein payload is held within the deployment chamber solely by the vacuum force.

10. The payload of claim 8, wherein the payload has a low relief.

11. The payload of claim 8, wherein the payload comprises functionality of at least one member of a group comprising:

mine marking, storing an object, detecting electromagnetic signals, emitting electromagnetic signals, measuring a parameter of the fluid environment, receiving and relaying communications signals, guiding individuals, and mixtures thereof.

12. The payload of claim 8, wherein the sealing zone further comprises an O-ring.

13. The payload of claim 8, wherein the payload further comprises payload electronics, and a power source.

14. The payload of claim 8 further comprising:

a leg assembly, comprising at least one leg;

at least one leg attachment point;

a leg release mechanism;

wherein the each of the at least one leg is connect to the payload at the at least one leg attachment point; and

wherein the leg assembly is configured to be in at least a first position and a second position and the leg release mechanism is configured to enable transition between the first position and the second position.

15. The payload of claim 15, wherein the leg assembly is further configured to enable transition between the first position and the second position while the payload is resting on a surface.

16. A method for payload deployment in a fluid environment, comprising:

a. selecting a system comprising;

at least one deployment chamber;

a vacuum mechanism; and

a vacuum breaker;

wherein the deployment chamber is configured to exclude the fluid environment and comprises at least one internal wall;

wherein said at least one internal wall defines a wet space and said wet space is configured to be contiguous with and exposed to the fluid environment;

b. placing at least one payload into the deployment chamber, the payload comprising at least a first surface and a portion of a sealing zone;

wherein a fluid-tight seal is formed between the sealing zone and a portion of the at least one internal wall;

c. using the vacuum mechanism to establish a vacuum in the wet space;

d. holding the payload in the deployment chamber solely by the vacuum force in the wet space;

e. placing the system in the fluid environment; and

f. releasing at least one payload.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the vacuum breaker releases the at least one payload by allowing fluid to enter the wet space.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the fluid environment comprises a fluid bottom, wherein upon payload release, the at least one payload drops through the fluid environment to the fluid bottom.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one payload further comprises at least one leg, at least one leg attachment point, and a leg release mechanism, wherein the each of the at least one leg is connect to the payload at the at least one leg attachment point, wherein the at least one leg is configured to be in at least a first position and a second position and the leg release mechanism is configured to enable transition of the at least one leg between said first position and said second position.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one leg is further configured to enable transition between the first position and the second position while the at least one payload is on the fluid bottom.