Towed antenna system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A towable antenna system for an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), comprising:
- a launch and recovery system securable to the UUV;
a towable body having an outer surface profile to substantially conform with an outer surface profile of the UUV, the towable body releasably attached to the UUV in a first position,a receptacle formed in the UUV that permits the towable body to engage the receptacle in the first position, the receptacle configured to receive an underside portion of the towable body including a keel and rudder portions such that when the towable body is in the first position the outer surface profile of the towable body and the outer surface profile of the UUV adjacent to the towable body are substantially flush relative to one another to minimize fluid dynamic drag during operation underwater;
a cable connecting the towable body to the launch and recovery system when the towable body is deployed from the UUV in a second position, the cable operable for transmitting data signals between the towable body and the UUV, the towable body being maneuverable with the rudder when deployed from the UUV; and
wherein a communication apparatus and an antenna are operably disposed with the towable body to communicate with at least one remote communication system when the towable body is in the second position.
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Abstract
A towable antenna system is deployable and retrievable from and tetherable to an underwater vehicle while the underwater vehicle is submerged under water. An underwater vehicle having a towable antenna system is capable of communicating with one or more remote communication systems, the towable antenna system acting as an intermediary for communications between a submerged underwater vehicle and the one or more remote communication systems.
51 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A towable antenna system for an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), comprising:
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a launch and recovery system securable to the UUV; a towable body having an outer surface profile to substantially conform with an outer surface profile of the UUV, the towable body releasably attached to the UUV in a first position, a receptacle formed in the UUV that permits the towable body to engage the receptacle in the first position, the receptacle configured to receive an underside portion of the towable body including a keel and rudder portions such that when the towable body is in the first position the outer surface profile of the towable body and the outer surface profile of the UUV adjacent to the towable body are substantially flush relative to one another to minimize fluid dynamic drag during operation underwater; a cable connecting the towable body to the launch and recovery system when the towable body is deployed from the UUV in a second position, the cable operable for transmitting data signals between the towable body and the UUV, the towable body being maneuverable with the rudder when deployed from the UUV; and wherein a communication apparatus and an antenna are operably disposed with the towable body to communicate with at least one remote communication system when the towable body is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A towable body for an underwater vehicle, comprising:
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a top section comprising at least one antenna for communicating with at least one remote communication system a bottom section connected to the top section, the bottom section comprising a cavity having at least one communication system removably housed therein for communicating with the at least one remote communication system through the at least one antenna and for communicating with the underwater vehicle, the bottom section having a keel and rudder extending therefrom; and wherein the towable body is carried in direct contact with the underwater vehicle in a non-deployed position such that the keel and rudder are nested in a receptacle having an inverse shape to the bottom section of the towable body and launched away from the underwater vehicle toward a surface of the water in the deployed position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A communication system for use with an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), comprising:
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a towable body connected to the UUV in a non-deployed configuration; a towable antenna system with the towable body; a drive system for retrievably deploying the towable body to and from the UUV, wherein the towable body is maneuverable with a rudder connected to the towable body when deployed from the UUV; and a launch and recovery communication system connected to the drive system for transmitting electrical power to the antenna system and transmitting communication data signals between the towable antenna system, the UUV, and an external communication system, wherein the launch and recovery communication system is operable below the surface of the water and the antenna system is operable when deployed proximate the surface of the water. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for an underwater vessel comprising:
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a towable body having a hydrodynamic shape structured to generate a lift at a towing velocity to cause the towable body to move upward toward a water surface; a tow cable connecting the towable body to the underwater vessel when the towable body is deployed away from the underwater vessel; a keel and rudder extending from a bottom section of the towable body; a receptacle formed in the underwater vessel, such that the bottom section including the keel and rudder is positionable therein; and an outer profile formed in a top section of the towable body substantially identical to an outer profile of the underwater vessel. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification