Variable buoyancy device

• US 7,096,814 B1
• Filed: 12/31/2005
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teledyne Instruments Incorporated (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Douglas C. Webb
• Inventors: Webb, Douglas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): AVILA, STEPHEN P
• Application Number:
  US11/323,613
• Time in Patent Office: 241 Days
• Field of Search: 441/1, 114/312, 114/357
• US Class Current: 114/312
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/60 using internal forming surfaces, e.g. mandrels
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/32 on a rotating mould, former or core
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/18 having means to control attitude or position, e.g. reaction surfaces or tether
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2231/52 Fibre reinforced plastics materials
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 3/13 Hulls built to withstand hydrostatic pressure when fully submerged, e.g. submarine hulls
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 5/24 made predominantly of plastics surf boards B63B32/57
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/14 Control of attitude or depth of torpedoes F42B19/00

Abstract

The method of constructing a hull for ocean profiling or gliding vehicles which reduce the energy required to make vertical excursions. Composite materials are used in constructing the hull, specifically a fiber reinforced matrix, wherein the choice of the fiber material and orientation allows a balance of strength and elastic properties optimized for oceanic profilers and gliders thereby allowing operations with minimum energy expenditure.

Claims

1. A method of optimizing the compressibility and pressure resistance of an ocean submersible vehicle to minimize the work required to change depth, said vehicle having a vertical ascent and descent cycle, comprising the steps of:

forming a hollow pressure resistant hull constructed of a plurality of layers, each said layer comprising a plurality of strong and stiff linear fiber filaments embedded in a matrix;

forming each said layer by winding said filaments in a helical pattern at a desired winding helix angle, said helically wound filaments having a different stiffness in an axial and a circumferential direction;

adjusting the helix angle to obtain a division of load axial and orthogonal to the filaments to obtain a desired overall hull compressibility; and

adding sequential layers.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

selecting said winding helix angle from the range of 55 to 75 degrees.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising the step of:

selecting said fiber filaments from the group consisting of fiberglass, synthetic fibers, aramid yarns, and graphite.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising the step of:

selecting said matrix from the group consisting of epoxy resin and other resins.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising the step of:

comprising said fiber filaments embedded in a matrix as graphite filaments in an epoxy resin matrix.