Self Contained Underwater Vehicle Modules

a self-contained, underwater technology, applied in the direction of prefabricated subunit hulls, special purpose vessels, hulls, etc., can solve the problems of high development cost, impede the application of other purposes, and the architecture does not lend itself to being easily reconfigured for other purposes

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-02-21
NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYST CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention is a design for standardized UUV modules that can be combined in any way to make an unmanned underwater vehicle. This standardization allows the same technology to be used in multiple configurations. The reuse of technology significantly lowers the cost of development of a UUV. Therefore, a module only needs to be designed once, but can be reused in many vehicles with different purposes. The present invention discloses standardized modules than can be combined any way a user needs to make vehicles appropriate for a desired mission profile.

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, the high cost of development hinders their application for other purposes.
This results in an architecture that does not lend itself to be easily reconfigured for other purposes.

Method used

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  • Self Contained Underwater Vehicle Modules
  • Self Contained Underwater Vehicle Modules
  • Self Contained Underwater Vehicle Modules

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0018]So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained can be understood in detail, more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiment thereof that is illustrated in the appended drawings. In all the drawings, identical numbers represented the same elements.

[0019]The present invention relates to co-pending patent application entitled “Encapsulated Underwater Vehicle Modules,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth.

[0020]An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) V includes a steering unit or segment 10 with an exterior surface 12 and at least one interchangeable operational module component 14. The steering unit 10 functions to provide for or assist in directional control or stability of the UUV V. The interchangeable module or modules 14 house one or more desired operational units 16 appropriate for a chosen mission ...

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Abstract

An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) (V) includes a steering unit (10) for directional control of the UUV (V) with an exterior surface (12) and at least one interchangeable module component (14) for housing a desired operational unit (16) appropriate for a chosen mission profile. The interchangeable module (14) has an exterior surface (18) preferably impervious to the intrusion of water (20). A frontal portion (22) may be adapted for fluid flow. The exterior surfaces (10, 18, and 24) of the steering unit (10), the interchangeable module component (14) and the frontal portion (22) form a substantially smooth surface envelope (26).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The invention relates to the field of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) and more particularly to forms of such UUVs that are adaptable to multiple mission profiles.[0003]2. Background Art[0004]Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) are a well known tool used in military and non-military operations. UUVs are currently designed for a single mission. Additionally, the high cost of development hinders their application for other purposes. UUVs are typically designed as a metallic pressure vessel with cables running from its extremities to the central processor. This results in an architecture that does not lend itself to be easily reconfigured for other purposes.[0005]Exemplary UUVs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,578,751; 5,786,545; 6,058,874; 6,536,365; and 7,000,560.[0006]The present invention enhances the functionality of the above cited patents by utilizing a modular system to rapidly combine single or multiple purpose or u...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B63G8/00
CPCB63B3/08B63G8/42B63G8/001
Inventor DIORIO, RICHARD A.TINTNER, RYAN J.KUNKLER, BRANDON M.
Owner NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYST CORP
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