Simplified image of an underwater object captured by a surface vessel

Abstract

The present invention relates to an underwater body 10, wherein the underwater body 10 has a lifting attachment device 20, wherein the lifting attachment device 20 is designed for attachment to a lifting device of a surface vessel, wherein the underwater body 10 has a main body 12, at least one vertical tail fin 14 and at least two laterally arranged wing elements 16, characterized in that the tail fin 14 has a linear tail light device 30 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the tail fin 14, wherein each lateral wing element 16 has a linear side light device 32 on its upper surface or leading edge, wherein the two side light devices 32 are arranged perpendicular to the tail light device 30.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the optimization of an underwater body for capture by a surface vehicle.

[0002] A large number of underwater objects are deployed and retrieved, particularly from surface vessels. These objects include towed underwater objects, such as towed sonar systems, remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). A critical point during retrieval is lifting the object out of the water and handling it with a retrieval device, as uncontrolled movements can occur during this process. Therefore, the operator, usually a crane operator, who controls the retrieval, must time the process precisely when the underwater object is correctly positioned relative to the retrieval device to avoid damage to the object and / or the device.

[0003] From DE 10 2023 126 291 B3 a towing device, a recovery device and system for recovering a cable-connected, unmanned underwater vehicle from the water is known.

[0004] From DE 10 2023 126 293 A1 a device for deploying and / or recovering an unmanned underwater vehicle from the water is known.

[0005] The close-range tracking of underwater vehicles using light beacons is known from BOSCH, Josep [et al.]: Close-range tracking of undennrater vehicles using light beacons. In: Sensors, Vol. 16, 2016, No. 4, Article no. 429, pp. 1-26. ISSN 1424-8220. https: / / doi.org / 10.3390 / s16040429 [accessed on 2026-01-07].

[0006] The purpose of the invention is to optimize the underwater body so that the recording process can be simplified and thus made safer.

[0007] This problem is solved by the underwater body with the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawing.

[0008] The underwater body according to the invention has a lifting attachment device, wherein the lifting attachment device is designed for connection to a lifting device of a surface vessel. This is to be understood very broadly within the meaning of the invention. In the case of a towed underwater body, for example a towed sonar, the lifting attachment device is the connection of the towing device to the underwater body, for example the slack sonar. This allows the underwater body to be easily taken on board a surface vessel. If the underwater body is, for example, an autonomous underwater vehicle, there is no permanent connection between the underwater body and the surface vessel. In this case, the lifting attachment device is often a hook or an eyelet to establish the corresponding connection. The underwater body has a main body.The main body has at least one vertical tail fin and at least two laterally arranged wing elements. These wing elements can be, for example, rudders or fins.

[0009] According to the invention, the tail fin has a linear tail light device arranged longitudinally along the tail fin. Furthermore, each lateral wing element has a linear side light device on its upper surface or leading edge. The two side light devices are arranged perpendicular to the tail light device.

[0010] This right-angled arrangement and the active lighting make it much easier to assess the position, even in poor visibility conditions. In particular, pendulum movements are very easy to detect, allowing an operator to much more accurately time the insertion of the underwater body into a receiving device, such as those known from DE 10 2023 126 291 B3 or DE 10 2023 126 293 A1, i.e., to choose the moment when the position corresponds to the correct orientation.

[0011] Another advantage is that only the underwater body is designed according to the invention; the above-water vessel remains unchanged, which facilitates integration into existing systems.

[0012] Preferably, the rear light device is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the underwater body, i.e., in its direction of travel underwater.

[0013] LED lights are preferred for the taillights and sidelights. Since underwater hulls are not normally exposed to sunlight, phosphor strips are ineffective; therefore, active lighting devices are required. LEDs are ideally suited in terms of both form factor and energy consumption.

[0014] Preferably, the two side lighting devices are arranged in a straight line.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the linear taillight device arranged on the tail fin is positioned at the leading edge of the tail fin. This results in optimal visibility during filming.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one linear body lighting device is arranged on the main body. The linear body lighting device is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the underwater body.

[0017] In another embodiment of the invention, the underwater body is a towed body, a remotely controlled underwater vehicle, or an autonomous underwater vehicle. Preferably, the underwater body is a towed body or a remotely controlled underwater vehicle. Particularly preferably, the underwater body is a towed body.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the lifting attachment device establishes a permanent connection between the underwater body and a surface vessel. For example, this could be a towed body at the end of a towed sonar system. The towed sonar is permanently connected to the surface vessel, and the surface vessel pulls the towed sonar system, and thus also the underwater body, while underway. The underwater body can also be easily retrieved via this connection.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the stern light device and the side light devices are switchable. Particularly preferably, these are switchable from the surface vessel and are therefore only switched on when being picked up.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one of the rear lighting device, one of the side lighting devices, and one of an optional body lighting device is color-changing. Different colored lighting elements, for example LEDs, or intrinsically color-changing lighting elements can be used. For example, at least one or even all of the rear lighting device, the side lighting devices, and one of the optional body lighting devices can be switched between red and green, preferably between red, yellow, and green. This makes it possible to perform a functional test during deployment or retrieval and to display the result by changing the color.This can also be used, for example, to indicate critical conditions, such as strong oscillations, in order to interrupt the retrieval process until the oscillation has subsided, which can then be indicated by a color change towards green.

[0021] The underwater body according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Fig. 1 underwater body

[0022] In Fig.Figure 1 shows a top view of an underwater body 10 according to the invention. In the example shown, the underwater body 10 is a towed body, for example, of a towed sonar. The underwater body 10 has a main body 12 and, attached to it, a tail fin 14 and two wing elements 16. In the example shown, the tail fin 14 projects upwards out of the plane of the drawing, and the tail light device 30 is arranged at its leading edge. This gives it an orientation component in the direction of travel, which is determined by the tow rope 40, and an orientation component upwards. This makes the tail light device 30 particularly easy to see. Sidelight devices 32 are arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction on the upper surface of each of the wing elements 16, so that they are clearly visible when the underwater body 10 reaches the water's surface before being lifted out.Additionally, the underwater body 12 has two body lighting devices 34 arranged longitudinally along the underwater body 10. The lifting attachment device 20 is, in this case, designed as the attachment point for the tow rope 40. Reference sign 10 underwater bodies 12 main bodies 14 tail fin 16 wing elements 20 Lifting attachment device 30 Rear light device 32 Side lighting device 34 Body lighting device 40 tow rope

Claims

[1] Underwater body (10), wherein the underwater body (10) has a lifting attachment device (20), wherein the lifting attachment device (20) is designed for attachment to a lifting device of a surface vessel, wherein the underwater body (10) has a main body (12), at least one vertical tail fin (14) and at least two laterally arranged wing elements (16), characterized by , that the tail fin (14) has a linear tail light device (30) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the tail fin (14), wherein each lateral wing element (16) has a linear side light device (32) on its upper surface or leading edge, wherein the two side light devices (32) are arranged perpendicular to the tail light device (30). [2] Underwater body (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the linear tail light device (30) arranged on the tail fin (14) is arranged on the leading edge of the tail fin (14). [3] Underwater body (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one linear body lighting device (34) is arranged on the main body (12), wherein the linear body lighting device (34) is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the underwater body (10). [4] Underwater body (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the underwater body (10) is a towed body, a remotely operated underwater vehicle or an autonomous underwater vehicle. [5] Underwater body (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the lifting attachment device (20) establishes a permanent connection between the underwater body (10) and a surface vessel. [6] Underwater body (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the rear light device (30) and the side light devices (32) are switchable. [7] Underwater body (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one of the rear light device (30) and the side light device (32) is designed to be color-changing.

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