Methods and apparatus for marine deployment

• US 7,946,241 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2008
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems, Inc. (Ultra Electronics Holdings PLC)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Zerbe, Jeffrey N., Sampson, Ray, Bossert, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olson; Lars A
• Application Number:
  US12/233,328
• Publication Number:
  US 20090107386A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 114/261, 244/63, 244/49, 441/2, 441/7, 441/10, 441/32, 441/33, 89/18.02, 89/18.09, 89/18.1
• US Class Current: 114/261
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/003 adapted for being launched from an aircraft or water vehicle;, e.g. with brakes deployed in the water
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/24 container type, i.e. having provision for the storage of material
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 6/00 Laying of mines or depth charges; Vessels characterised thereby arrangements on submarines for mine laying B63G8/33
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/30 of artillery or missile launching means
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/70 in containers B64U80/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 80/84 Waterborne vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F41F 3/07 Underwater launching-apparatus

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for marine deployment according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a floatable housing adapted to be deployed by a marine vehicle. The floatable housing may be adapted to be launched from a marine vehicle and rise to the surface. Assets, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, may be deployed from the surfaced floatable housing.

Claims

1. A launch system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:

a floatable housing adapted to be deployed by a marine vehicle and configured to house the unmanned aerial vehicle prior to launch, wherein the floatable housing comprises a flotation system configured to selectively increase or decrease the buoyancy of the floatable housing;

an ejection system coupled to the floatable housing and adapted to selectively launch the unmanned aerial vehicle out of the floatable housing; and

a control system coupled to the ejection system, wherein the control system is adapted to;

calculate a launch window from a predetermined set of launch criteria, and

provide a launch signal to the ejection system within the calculated launch window.

2. A launch system according to claim 1, further comprising a secondary housing disposed substantially within the floatable housing, wherein:

the unmanned aerial vehicle is contained within and launched out of the secondary housing;

an end of the floatable housing is adapted to extend above a water line;

the floatable housing is adapted to float in a substantially vertical orientation; and

the secondary housing is configured to rotate into a non-vertical orientation relative to the floatable housing.

3. A launch system according to claim 1, further comprising an orientation system coupled to the floatable housing and configured to orient the floatable housing such that the unmanned aerial vehicle is launched into a prevailing wind.

4. A launch system according to claim 1, further comprising a surface detecting device coupled to the floatable housing and configured to determine whether at least a portion of the floatable housing extends above a water line.

5. A launch system according to claim 1, wherein the flotation system comprises an inflatable collar.

6. A launch system according to claim 1, wherein the flotation system is further configured to provide negative buoyancy after the unmanned aerial vehicle is launched.

7. A launch system according to claim 1, wherein the floatable housing further comprises a stabilization system configured to reduce movement of the floatable housing.

8. A launch system according to claim 7, wherein the stabilization system comprises a drogue extendable from a submerged end of the floatable housing.

9. A launch system according to claim 1, wherein the ejection system is adapted to eject the unmanned aerial vehicle with a pressurized gas.

10. A launch system according to claim 1, further comprising a communication system coupled to the floatable housing, wherein the communication system is adapted to provide a communicative link between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the marine vehicle.

11. A launch system according to claim 10, wherein the communication system comprises:

a radio frequency transponder attached to the floatable housing; and

a communication tether connecting the radio frequency transponder to the marine vehicle.

12. A launch system according to claim 10, wherein the communication system comprises a UHF antenna attached to the marine vehicle.

13. The launch system of claim 1 wherein the ejection system is further adapted to selectively launch the unmanned aerial vehicle by ejecting the unmanned aerial vehicle from the floatable housing in response to a triggering event.

14. The launch system of claim 1 wherein the ejection system is further configured to muffle sounds resulting from the launch of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

15. A submarine deployed launch system for an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising:

a floatable pressure vessel adapted to be released underwater;

a launch tube disposed within the floatable pressure vessel, wherein the launch tube is;

adapted to house the unmanned aerial vehicle; and

configured to be rotated into a non-vertical position prior to deployment of the unmanned aerial vehicle; and

an ejection system engaging the launch tube and configured to launch the unmanned aerial vehicle out of the launch tube in response to a triggering event.

16. A submarine deployable launch system according to claim 15, further comprising a control system coupled to the ejection system and configured to:

calculate a launch window from a predetermined set of launch criteria; and

provide a launch signal to the ejection system triggering activation of the ejection system.

17. A submarine deployable launch system according to claim 15, further comprising an orientation system coupled to the floatable pressure vessel and configured to orient the floatable pressure vessel such that the unmanned aerial vehicle is launched into a prevailing wind.

18. A submarine deployable launch system according to claim 15, further comprising a surface detecting device coupled to the floatable pressure vessel and configured to determine when a first end of the floatable pressure vessel extends above a water line.

19. A submarine deployable launch system according to claim 15, wherein the floatable pressure vessel further comprises a flotation system configured to selectively control the buoyancy of the floatable pressure vessel.

20. A submarine deployable launch system according to claim 19, wherein the flotation system comprises an inflatable collar.

21. A submarine deployable launch system according to claim 19, wherein the flotation system is further configured to provide negative buoyancy to the floatable pressure vessel after the unmanned aerial vehicle is launched.

22. A submarine deployable launch system according to claim 15, wherein the floatable pressure vessel further comprises a stabilization system configured to reduce movement of the floatable pressure vessel.

23. A submarine deployable launch system according to claim 22, wherein the stabilization system comprises a drogue extendable from a submerged second end of the floatable pressure vessel.

24. A submarine deployable launch system according to claim 15, wherein the ejection system is adapted to launch the unmanned aerial vehicle with a burst of pressurized air.

25. A submarine deployable launch system according to claim 15, further comprising a communication system, wherein the communication system is adapted to provide a communicative link between the unmanned aerial vehicle and the submarine.

26. A launch system according to claim 25, wherein the communication system comprises:

a radio frequency transponder attached to the floatable pressure vessel; and

a communication tether connecting the radio frequency transponder to the submarine.

27. A launch system according to claim 25, wherein the communication system comprises a UHF antenna attached to the submarine.

28. A deployment system for deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from an underwater vehicle having a trash disposal unit comprising:

a housing adapted to fit through the trash disposal unit;

a flotation system disposed on the housing;

a launch tube disposed within the housing, wherein the launch tube is adapted to contain the UAV; and

a UAV ejection system disposed within the housing and at a first end of the launch tube.

29. A deployment system according to claim 28, further comprising a control system coupled to the ejection system and configured to:

calculate a launch window from a predetermined set of launch criteria; and

provide a launch signal to the UAV ejection system triggering activation of the ejection system.

30. A deployment system according to claim 28, further comprising an orientation system coupled to the housing and configured to orient the housing such that the UAV is launched into a prevailing wind.

31. A deployment system according to claim 28, further comprising a surface detecting device coupled to the housing and configured to determine when a first end of the housing extends above a water line.

32. A deployment system according to claim 31, wherein the flotation system is further configured to provide negative buoyancy to the floatable pressure vessel after the UAV is launched.