underwater exploration vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an underwater exploration vehicle comprising (i) a hull delimiting an immersion chamber (4), (ii) a plurality of orifices (2) arranged on the hull, each orifice being in fluid communication with the environment external to the underwater exploration vehicle and being fluidly coupled with the immersion chamber (4), (iii) two propulsion assemblies located on either side of the immersion chamber (4), (iv) a single electric battery electrically coupled to an electric motor of each propulsion assembly, (v) a control unit electrically connected to the electric battery and to each propulsion assembly, so as to control said electric battery and the propulsion assemblies. According to the invention, the control screen is housed at a concavity (105) of an upper face (101) of the hull, said concavity (105) comprising a drain (19) configured to evacuate the water from the concavity (105).Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 8.

Description

Title of the invention: underwater exploration vehicle

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of underwater nautical vehicles, and more particularly underwater scooters making it possible to facilitate movement of a user in total or partial immersion. More particularly, the invention relates to such an underwater exploration vehicle.

[0002] In the state of the art, underwater exploration vehicles are known comprising a hull forming a surface against which a user can partially lie down at the level of the upper part of his body while holding onto control handles of said underwater exploration vehicle. Inside the hull, the known underwater exploration vehicles comprise at least one electric battery connected to an electric motor, an output shaft of which rotates a propeller used for their propulsion. In addition, the hull of the known underwater exploration vehicles delimits an immersion chamber connected to the outside by inlets and outlets in order to allow it to be filled with water. The immersion chamber thus acts as a ballast for the known underwater exploration vehicles, thus facilitating their immersion and their balancing in the water during their use.

[0003] In particular, document EP 2 945 854 B1 is known, which describes such an underwater exploration vehicle comprising a hull associated with a flow channel in a central position and in which extends a propulsion device of the underwater exploration vehicle - a motor rotating a propeller. The hull delimits the immersion chamber in communication with the environment outside the underwater exploration vehicle by means of inlet openings and outlet openings.

[0004] Such known underwater exploration vehicles further comprise a control screen located on an upper face of the hull and allowing the user to control certain operating parameters of the underwater exploration vehicle, such as for example its speed, its power, its autonomy or even a diving depth limit.

[0005] As is known, during their use on the surface, underwater exploration vehicles are exposed to direct sunlight, which is very present during the summer season when such underwater exploration vehicles are used. Thus, the brightness at the surface of the water sometimes makes the control screens less visible to the user. For this purpose, the use of a cap over the control screen is known in order to reduce direct sunlight on said control screen, as well as to limit reflections on the surface of said control screen.

[0006] Such known configurations are however incomplete and do not make it possible to prevent lateral reflections on the control screen.

[0007] For this purpose, the underwater exploration vehicle described in document EP 2 945 854 B1 implements a control screen associated with a concave conformation of the upper part of the hull of said underwater exploration vehicle. This concave conformation defines a cap located above the control screen as well as raised lateral edges which protect the control screen from direct illumination by sunlight.

[0008] A disadvantage of the solution implemented on the underwater exploration vehicle described in document EP 2 945 854 B1 lies in the fact that, when it is used on the surface of the water, and in particular at high speeds, the turbulence generated by the movement of the underwater exploration vehicle on the surface of the water generates significant splashes on the underwater exploration vehicle itself, and in particular in the direction of the upper part of the hull and the control screen. Also, due to the concave conformation of the upper part of the hull located near the control screen, the water projected by the turbulence accumulates and makes the visibility of the control screen more difficult, or even impossible after a certain time.

[0009] Of course, such a situation is not desired.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to propose a new underwater exploration vehicle in order to address at least a large part of the preceding problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to improve the visibility of the control screen during operation of the underwater exploration vehicle.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with an underwater exploration vehicle comprising:

[0013] - a hull delimiting an interior volume for the underwater exploration vehicle navy;

[0014] - a plurality of orifices arranged on the hull, each orifice being in common fluid communication with the environment external to the underwater exploration vehicle and being fluidically coupled with an immersion chamber housed in the hull;

[0015] - at least one propulsion assembly comprising an electric motor configured to generate a driving torque on a transmission shaft and a propeller rotatably coupled to the transmission shaft, the at least one propulsion assembly being housed in the interior volume, a portion of the transmission shaft and the propeller being housed in a casing forming a flow channel which extends into the immersion chamber, the flow channel of the at least one propulsion assembly being in fluid communication with the environment external to the underwater exploration vehicle via an inlet opening and an outlet opening provided on the hull;

[0016] - an electric battery electrically coupled to the electric motor of each less a propulsion unit, the electric battery being housed in the interior volume of the hull;

[0017] - a control unit electrically connected to the electric battery and to each at least one propulsion assembly, so as to control said electric battery and said at least one propulsion assembly;

[0018] - a control screen electrically connected to the control unit and configured to displaying functional parameters of the underwater exploration vehicle, said control screen being housed at a concavity of an upper face of the hull;

[0019] According to the invention, the concavity of the upper face of the hull comprises a drain configured to evacuate water which would fall or flow at the level of the concavity of the upper face of the hull.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis and a vertical axis are defined relative to the underwater exploration vehicle according to the first aspect of the invention. More particularly, the transverse axis is understood as a direction taken between a lateral side of the underwater exploration vehicle and an opposite lateral side of said underwater exploration vehicle. In other words, the transverse axis is understood as a direction which extends from a first lateral face of the hull towards a second lateral face of the hull. The adjectives lateral, inboard and outboard refer to such a transverse axis. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis extends as being taken along a direction which extends from front to back or from back to front of the underwater exploration vehicle. The longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the transverse axis.The longitudinal axis corresponds to a propulsion axis of the underwater exploration vehicle when it is in operation and under the effect of at least one propulsion assembly. The adjectives frontal, front and rear refer to this longitudinal axis. Finally, the vertical axis is understood to be taken along an axis which extends from a lower face to an upper face of the hull of the underwater exploration vehicle, the vertical axis being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis and to the longitudinal axis. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper refer to this vertical axis.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, the underwater exploration vehicle is of the type of nautical craft capable of moving on water or underwater. The underwater exploration vehicle may be piloted by a user intended to be lying on the upper face of the hull, or the underwater exploration vehicle is of the type of autonomous craft piloted entirely by the control unit. As by way of non-limiting example, the underwater exploration vehicle is preferably of the diving scooter type.

[0022] In the context of the present invention, the hull delimits an outer skin of the underwater exploration vehicle. The hull is formed from a material comprising plastic and / or a composite material comprising a carbon filler in order to increase its rigidity and lightness. Advantageously, the hull is formed from several parts which are assembled with respect to each other so as to together form the interior volume of the underwater exploration vehicle. Of course, the electrical or electronic components forming the underwater exploration vehicle are housed in the interior volume, the hull forming an outer body for said underwater exploration vehicle. Typically, the hull forms a skin a few millimeters thick.

[0023] The hull delimits a lower face of the underwater exploration vehicle, an upper face opposite the lower face relative to the vertical axis, and two lateral faces opposite one another relative to the transverse axis and connecting the upper face to the lower face. A user of the underwater exploration vehicle is intended to lie down partly on the upper face of said underwater exploration vehicle in order to grasp control handles and pilot said underwater exploration vehicle. In order to allow him to control functional parameters of the underwater exploration vehicle, the latter comprises the control screen arranged in the upper part of the underwater exploration vehicle, at the level of the upper face of the hull.Due to the flow of air or water against the underwater exploration vehicle, depending on its use respectively on the water surface or in the water, the screen is housed in the concavity of the upper face of the hull.

[0024] According to the invention, the concavity of the upper face forms a depression located directly behind the control screen, relative to the longitudinal axis, so as to offer the user of the underwater exploration vehicle an optimal viewing angle on said control screen. The concavity of the hull also offers a protective geometry for said user, in the manner of a windshield for example on a motorcycle in the automotive field.

[0025] In the context of the present invention, the orifices form openings arranged on the hull, so as to allow - depending on the situations prior to the use of the underwater exploration vehicle, such as for example when launching or removing the underwater exploration vehicle from the water - an air inlet and / or an air outlet and / or a water inlet and / or a water outlet. In a preferred but non-limiting manner of the invention, during the situations of use of the underwater exploration vehicle, that is to say during the propulsion of the exploration vehicle underwater and its advancement underwater or out of the water, the orifices are configured so that water does not penetrate through, once the immersion chamber is filled after the underwater exploration vehicle has been launched. Generally speaking, the orifices form exchange interfaces between the immersion chamber and the environment outside the underwater exploration vehicle. In the context of the present invention, due to the numerous situations of use of the underwater exploration vehicle that exist, all the orifices are multidirectional orifices, which can successively serve as water inlet or outlet. In other words, in the context of the present invention, the orifices are not unidirectional.

[0026] In the context of the present invention, each propulsion assembly is a turbine device for accelerating the water in the associated flow channel and generating a water current in said flow channel, so as to propel the underwater exploration vehicle. The flow channel of each propulsion assembly is delimited by the casing which extends mainly along the longitudinal axis of the underwater exploration vehicle.

[0027] In the context of the present invention, the electric battery is an energy accumulator making it possible to guarantee a certain energy autonomy for the underwater exploration vehicle. The electric battery makes it possible to supply electrical energy to all the electrical components of the underwater exploration vehicle. The electric battery is preferably of the type comprising at least one lithium cell, or even lithium-ion. Of course, the electric battery is housed in a waterproof case.

[0028] In the context of the present invention, the control unit comprises a microcontroller and / or a printed circuit and / or a microprocessor. Additionally, the control unit also possibly comprises a memory. Of course, the control unit is housed in a waterproof case.

[0029] According to the invention, the concavity of the upper face of the hull comprises the drain in order to evacuate the water which would fall or which would flow at the level of the concavity of the upper face of the hull. The drain thus makes it possible to evacuate the water out of the area formed by the concavity, directly behind the control screen. Indeed, in the event of prolonged use on the surface, the turbulence created by the movement of the underwater exploration vehicle itself and / or the swell of the water can lead to water being splashed onto or in the direct vicinity of the control screen, and therefore into the concavity of the upper face of the hull. As a result, this accumulation of water leads to harming the good visibility of the control screen by the user of the underwater exploration vehicle, a volume of water then being able to interpose itself along the user's line of vision. In addition, the presence at the level of the The concavity of a water reservoir is also not desirable because it can lead to splashes on the face of the user controlling his underwater exploration vehicle, which affects the comfort of use.

[0030] Thus, the underwater exploration vehicle solves the aforementioned technical problem in that it makes it possible to improve the visibility of the control screen during operation of the underwater exploration vehicle.

[0031] The underwater exploration vehicle according to the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0032] - the drain is located behind the control screen, relative to a longitudinal axis of the underwater exploration vehicle;

[0033] - the hull has, at the level of its upper face, lateral sidewalks which laterally frame the control screen, relative to a transverse axis, the sidewalks and the control screen itself delimiting the concavity of the upper face of the hull of the underwater exploration vehicle. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to prevent water from entering at the level of the concavity. Typically, the concavity is delimited by a floor which extends from the foot of the control screen and behind said control screen. The sidewalks of the upper face of the hull overhang the floor of the concavity. A height of the sidewalks with respect to the floor is for example greater than 5 cm;

[0034] - the hull has, at the level of its upper face, a cap which overhangs the control screen. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to prevent water from entering at the concavity when the underwater exploration vehicle is navigating on the surface, and it also makes it possible to act as a deflector for the water, when the underwater exploration vehicle is moving underwater;

[0035] - the cap extends from an upper edge of the control screen and from front to rear from the upper face of the hull, relative to the longitudinal axis. The cap thus allows it to overlook the control screen with which it is associated, relative to the vertical axis;

[0036] - the cap extends between the sidewalks, relative to the transverse axis. Advantageously, the cap connects one side walkway to the other side walkway. The side walkways extend from the control screen and towards a rear portion of the underwater exploration vehicle, relative to the longitudinal axis;

[0037] - the shell comprises, at the level of the upper face forming the concavity, a groove extending from the control screen and towards the drain, said groove being inclined towards said drain. The groove is provided on the floor of the concavity. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to direct the water which would be present at the level of the concavity towards the drain so that it is evacuated;

[0038] - in the context of the present invention, the drain can take several forms in order to evacuate the water present on the floor of the concavity. According to a first embodiment, the drain comprises a cavity which extends from the concavity of the upper face of the hull. In other words, the cavity forming the drain is fluidically coupled - directly or indirectly - to the floor of the concavity and / or to the concavity itself. The drain can then take the form of a drain which, by capillarity for example, or by simple fluid conduction, conducts the water which was present in the concavity towards the cavity. In the context of the present invention, the cavity forms a reservoir for the water thus evacuated. Optionally, the cavity opens directly onto the floor of the concavity. In this case, the cavity forms a low point of the floor, relative to the vertical axis. In this case, advantageously, the cavity is distinct from the immersion chamber;

[0039] - according to a second embodiment, the drain comprises at least one conduit which extends from the concavity of the upper surface of the shell, a distal end of the at least one conduit opening away from the upper face. In this embodiment, the at least one conduit transports water present in the concavity towards the distal end of the conduit. The distal end can be anywhere, outside the concavity itself;

[0040] - in particular, according to a first example of the second embodiment, the distal end of the at least one conduit forming the drain is located at a lateral face of the underwater exploration vehicle, each at least one conduit being fluidically coupled to the outside of said underwater exploration vehicle. In this exemplary embodiment, the water present on the floor is evacuated outside of said floor by at least one drain transporting the water towards the lateral face closest to the scooter, so as to allow the water to flow there and return to the external environment when the underwater exploration vehicle navigates on the surface of the water;

[0041] - alternatively, according to a second example of the second embodiment, the underwater exploration vehicle comprises a container to which the distal end of the at least one conduit forming the drain is fluidically coupled. In this exemplary embodiment, the water discharged from the concavity is sent to and stored in the container forming a reservoir for the water thus discharged. Thus, the water which falls behind the control screen, at the concavity of the upper face of the hull of the underwater exploration vehicle, is discharged towards and into the container so as to keep said concavity always empty of water;

[0042] - the container is housed in the interior volume delimited by the hull of the vehicle underwater exploration. Preferably, the container is separate from the chamber immersion of the underwater exploration vehicle;

[0043] - according to a third embodiment, the orifices comprise second orifices formed on the concavity of the upper face of the hull, the second orifices forming through openings and opening into the immersion chamber of the underwater exploration vehicle, said second orifices forming the drain.

[0044] - the second orifices form through openings of the upper face of the hull - and more particularly the concavity of the upper face - which open into the immersion chamber of the underwater exploration vehicle. The second orifices allow fluid communication between the external environment and the immersion chamber. More particularly, the second orifices are configured to allow the air contained in the immersion chamber before launching the underwater exploration vehicle to be expelled from said immersion chamber when it is filled during launching of the underwater exploration vehicle, and only during this step. Thus the second orifices collaborate with first orifices located at a lower face of the hull, in order to facilitate the filling of the immersion chamber with water when launching the underwater exploration vehicle by simultaneously allowing the entry of water through the first orifices, and an exit of air through the second orifices.The second orifices then play a dual role because, when the underwater exploration vehicle is used for navigation on the surface of the water, the second orifices are used in reverse as evacuation openings for water that would be contained at the level of the concavity of the upper face of the hull, due to certain projections of water during the operation of the underwater exploration vehicle. Of course, we are only talking here about volumes of water evacuated by the drain which are extremely lower than the capacity of the immersion chamber.For example, the volume of water evacuated by the drain represents a few milliliters while the volume of the immersion chamber is of the order of several units of liters! Also, such a flow of water through the second orifices used as a drain for the concavity of the upper face of the hull could not establish a flow in the immersion chamber, nor modify the volume or the pressure of said immersion chamber in effective orders of magnitude, that is to say capable of producing a technical effect in the sense of the present invention; .

[0045] - an axis perpendicular to the opening surface of the second orifices is oriented or substantially oriented along the vertical axis of the underwater exploration vehicle. In other words, the second orifices are oriented or substantially oriented in the direction of the vertical axis, so as to extend tangentially to a flow of water during the movement of the underwater exploration vehicle, relative to the axis longitudinal. By substantially oriented, it is understood that an angle between the axis perpendicular to the opening surface of the second orifices and the vertical axis of the underwater exploration vehicle is between -45° and +45°, preferably between -10° and +10°. Thus, if this configuration is particularly useful for collecting water present in the concavity or on the floor when the underwater exploration vehicle is on the surface of the water, so that the water flows through the drain formed by the second orifices by simple gravity flow, this orientation does not make it possible to insert water into the immersion chamber and through said second orifices when the underwater exploration vehicle is used while diving;

[0046] - advantageously, the second orifices comprise at least one slot which extends along the transverse axis of the underwater exploration vehicle. In other words, each at least one slot forming the second orifices extends in an elongated manner - preferably in a rectangular or oblong manner - relative to the transverse axis of the underwater exploration vehicle. Preferably, the second orifices comprise a plurality of slots which all extend along the transverse axis of the underwater exploration vehicle and parallel to each other, the slots being located adjacent to each other, relative to a longitudinal axis of said underwater exploration vehicle. The slots are regularly distributed relative to each other, relative to the longitudinal axis of the underwater exploration vehicle. The slots extend between the lateral sidewalks delimiting the concavity, relative to the transverse axis;

[0047] - the second orifices are advantageously located directly above the first orifices formed on the underside of the hull. This advantageous configuration makes it easier to submerge the underwater exploration vehicle by facilitating the expulsion of air present in the immersion chamber when water enters it through the first orifices during the launching of the underwater exploration vehicle;

[0048] - the control unit, the electric battery and the electric motor of each at least a propulsion assembly are housed in the immersion chamber. This advantageous configuration allows for better regulation of the interior temperature of the underwater exploration vehicle as well as that of its electrical and electronic components;

[0049] - according to a particularly advantageous configuration, the exploration vehicle An underwater vehicle comprises a single electric battery and two propulsion assemblies, the electric motor of each propulsion assembly being electrically coupled to each electric battery. Relative to a transverse axis of the underwater exploration vehicle, the electric battery is located centrally in the immersion chamber, while the propulsion assemblies are located on either side of the electric battery, in said immersion chamber. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to better balance the underwater exploration vehicle by reducing its sensitivity to rolling. Indeed, the electric battery being a particularly massive component, placing it at the level of the central longitudinal axis of the underwater exploration vehicle and placing the propulsion assemblies - less massive - on the lateral sides of said underwater exploration vehicle makes it more stable and more maneuverable;

[0050] - relative to a longitudinal axis of the underwater exploration vehicle, the electric battery is located on the side of a front part of the underwater exploration vehicle, and the propulsion assemblies are located on the side of a rear part of said underwater exploration vehicle. This configuration is particularly interesting for balancing the underwater exploration vehicle relative to the longitudinal axis, in order to easily allow said underwater exploration vehicle to be pitched upwards in order to raise it or keep it flat for a given movement, on the surface or underwater, and finally to dive said underwater exploration vehicle. This configuration makes it possible to compensate the weight of the electric battery - located at the front - by that of the control unit - located in the middle position - and the propulsion assemblies located at the rear;

[0051] - the control unit is located in a central position in the immersion chamber, re relative to the transverse axis, and behind the electric battery relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0052] - according to a particularly original design of the invention, relative to the axis longitudinal, at the level of the propulsion assemblies, the immersion chamber is exclusively located between the two propulsion assemblies. In other words, at the level of the propulsion assemblies, relative to the transverse axis, the immersion chamber is delimited by the casing delimiting the flow channel of each propulsion assembly. In the context of the invention, the volumes located between the flow channels and the hull are non-existent: either because the hull is pressed against the corresponding flow channels, or because a foam is placed between the flow channel and the hull located opposite, so that all of these volumes are occupied by the foam. The foam is preferably of the waterproof foam type. Preferably again, the foam is painted in order to reinforce this impermeability.Preferably again, the foam is bonded to the hull and to the casing delimiting the corresponding flow channel by means of an adhesive joint or a sealing joint which separates and isolates each volume occupied by the foam from the immersion chamber.

[0053] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics. exhibited here.

[0054] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several exemplary embodiments given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0055] [Fig-1] illustrates a perspective and front view of an underwater exploration vehicle marine conforming to the first aspect of the invention;

[0056] [Fig.2] illustrates a perspective and rear view of the underwater exploration vehicle illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0057] [Fig.3] illustrates a top view of the underwater exploration vehicle illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0058] [Fig.4] illustrates a bottom view of the underwater exploration vehicle illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0059] [Fig.5] illustrates a longitudinal and side sectional view of the underwater exploration vehicle illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0060] [Fig.6] illustrates a longitudinal sectional and top view of the underwater exploration vehicle illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0061] [Fig.7] illustrates a perspective and detail view, seen from the rear of a control screen of the underwater exploration vehicle illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0062] [Fig.8] illustrates a sectional and detailed view of the underwater exploration vehicle illustrated in [Fig.l], taken at the level of the control screen.

[0063] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0064] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0065] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0066] In the FIGURES described below, a longitudinal axis X, a lateral axis and a vertical axis Z are defined relative to the underwater exploration vehicle 1 according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0067] More particularly, the transverse axis Y is understood as a direction taken between a lateral side of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 and an opposite lateral side of said underwater exploration vehicle 1. In other words, the transverse axis Y is understood to be in a direction which extends from a first lateral face 102 of the hull 10 towards a second lateral face 102 of the hull 10. The adjectives lateral, interior and exterior refer to such a transverse axis Y.

[0068] Furthermore, the longitudinal axis X extends as taken along a direction that extends from front to rear or from back to front of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. The longitudinal axis X is perpendicular to the transverse axis Y. The longitudinal axis X corresponds to a propulsion axis of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 when it is in operation and under the effect of the at least one propulsion assembly 7. The adjectives frontal, front and rear refer to this longitudinal axis X.

[0069] Finally, the vertical axis Z is understood as being taken along an axis which extends from a lower face 108 towards an upper face 101 of the hull 10 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1, the vertical axis Z being simultaneously perpendicular to the transverse axis Y and to the longitudinal axis X. The adjectives above and below, or lower and upper refer to this vertical axis Z.

[0070] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 6, the invention primarily relates to an underwater exploration vehicle 1 comprising:

[0071] - a hull 10 delimiting an interior volume for the underwater exploration vehicle marine 1;

[0072] - a plurality of orifices 2 arranged on the shell 10, each orifice being in common fluidic connection with the environment external to the underwater exploration vehicle 1 and being fluidically coupled with an immersion chamber 4 housed in the hull 10;

[0073] - two propulsion units 7 housed in the interior volume and located on either side other of the hull 10 relative to the longitudinal axis X, each propulsion assembly 7 comprising an electric motor 70 configured to generate a driving torque on a transmission shaft 72 and a propeller 73 coupled in rotation to the transmission shaft 72, a portion of the transmission shaft 72 and the propeller 73 being housed in a casing 71 forming a flow channel 3 which extends into the immersion chamber 4, the flow channel of the at least one propulsion assembly 7 being in fluid communication with the environment external to the underwater exploration vehicle 1 by means of an inlet opening 16 and an outlet opening 17 arranged on the hull 10;

[0074] - an electric battery 5 electrically coupled to the electric motor 70 of each at least one propulsion assembly 7, the electric battery 5 being housed in the interior volume of the hull 10;

[0075] - a control unit 6 electrically connected to the electric battery 5 and to each at least one propulsion unit 7, so as to control said electric battery 5 and said at least one propulsion assembly 7;

[0076] - a control screen 18 electrically connected to the control unit 6 and configured to display functional parameters of the underwater exploration vehicle 1, said control screen 18 being housed at a concavity 105 of an upper face 101 of the hull 10;

[0077] - control handles 13 located on either side of lateral faces 102 of the hull 10, the control handles 13 allowing the underwater exploration vehicle to be controlled and maneuvered.

[0078] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 6, the underwater exploration vehicle is of the diving scooter type. Thus, the underwater exploration vehicle is configured to be able to move on the surface of the water but also underwater. On such an underwater exploration vehicle, the user is intended to lie on his stomach on the upper face 101 of the underwater exploration vehicle, so as to have his head facing the control screen 18 and so as to be able to grasp the control handles 13 located on either side of the screen, at the level of the lateral faces 102 of the underwater exploration vehicle, this position is particularly comfortable for using and controlling the underwater exploration vehicle according to the invention.

[0079] The hull 10 of the underwater exploration vehicle forms an outer skin of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. Advantageously, the hull 10 is formed of several parts which are assembled with respect to each other so as to form together the interior volume of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. The different parts of the hull 10 are connected to each other and / or to an internal frame making it possible in particular to stiffen the underwater exploration vehicle 1.

[0080] The hull 10 delimits a profile for the underwater exploration vehicle 1 which is particularly well suited to its use on and in the water. In particular, the hull 10 delimits, at a front face 106 and a bow 12 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1, a portion of smaller dimensions, both along the transverse axis Y and along the vertical axis Z. This configuration thus makes it possible to ensure better penetration of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 in the water, and thus to improve its performance as well as the user experience.

[0081] As visible in FIGURES 1, 3 and 4, the underwater exploration vehicle 1 has a wider section, relative to the transverse axis Y, located directly behind the bow 12. This configuration makes it possible both to have a wider upper face 101 for greater user comfort, but also to define an interior volume large enough to be able to house all the electronic elements necessary for the operation of the underwater exploration vehicle 1.

[0082] As visible in [Fig.l] in particular, this widening of the transverse profile of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is accompanied by the creation of passages 130 located on either side of the lateral faces 102 of said underwater exploration vehicle 1, at the level of the control handles 13. These passages 130 allow the water to circulate between the arms of the user which are positioned on either side of a central body 100 of the diving vehicle.

[0083] As visible in [Fig.5], this part located directly behind the bow 12 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is also the one which has the greatest elevation, relative to the vertical axis Z. This conformation makes it possible to house bulky electronic components, such as in particular the electric battery 5, but also to place the control screen 18 in good optical alignment with respect to the user of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. Thus, the upper face 101 of the hull 10 has an upwardly inclined section which extends from the front face 106 - and the bow 12 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 - to a cap 103 overhanging the control screen 18.

[0084] The cap 103 thus makes it possible to form a visor which prevents both the sun's rays from directly striking the control screen 18 when the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is used on the surface of the water, but also to form a protective bubble when said underwater exploration vehicle 1 is used underwater, so that the water flowing all around the underwater exploration vehicle 1 slides back and away from the control screen 18.

[0085] The cap 103 and the control screen 18 are associated with a particular shape of the upper face 101 of the hull 10, forming a concavity 105 which makes it possible to protect the screen and to form a “vision corridor” for the user of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. The concavity 105 thus makes it possible to protect the control screen 18 and the user from the sun's radiation - and the reflections created on the control screen 18 - as well as to limit the projections of water onto the screen or directly behind it when the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is used on the surface of the water. Additionally, when the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is used underwater, the concavity 105 makes it possible to reduce the flow of water behind the control screen 18 and improves its visibility by the user of the underwater exploration vehicle 1.Such a concavity 105 is delimited by lateral sidewalks 104 which extend on either side of a floor 1051 which itself extends behind the control screen 18. The lateral sidewalks 104 extend behind the control screen 18 and the cap 103, and overhang the floor 1051.

[0086] Beyond the control screen 18, the lateral dimensions of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 decrease again in order to reduce its size and to optimize the flow around the underwater exploration vehicle 1, with the aim of optimizing its hydrodynamic coefficient. Relative to the vertical axis Z, the rear part of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is of lesser thickness, in particular at the level of its propulsion assemblies 7. Thus, at the level of a rear face 107 of the hull 10 - forming the stern 11 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 - the interior volume delimited by the hull 10 is minimal, said hull 10 having a minimal height, relative to the vertical axis Z.

[0087] As mentioned previously, the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is manipulated by control handles 13s located on either side of the central body 100 of said underwater exploration vehicle 1, and at a depression in the corresponding lateral face 102 of the hull 10, said depression forming a concave surface, relative to the transverse axis Y. These depressions make it possible to improve the handling of the underwater exploration vehicle 1, and they also make it possible to define passages 130 on either side of the central body 100 for better flow of water around the underwater exploration vehicle 1. Thus, each control handle 13 extends opposite and at a distance from the corresponding depression, opposite the lateral face 102 of the hull 10.

[0088] The control handles 13 carry control buttons 133 which enable the underwater exploration vehicle 1 to be driven, that is to say in particular to control the on-board propulsion units 7.

[0089] In a particularly clever manner, the underwater exploration vehicle 1 according to the invention comprises two propulsion assemblies 7 located on either side of the median longitudinal axis X. In other words, the propulsion assemblies 7 are located close to the lateral faces 102 of the hull 10. Relative to the longitudinal axis X, the propulsion assemblies 7 are located behind the electric battery 5, at a rear part of the underwater exploration vehicle 1.

[0090] The propulsion assemblies 7 make it possible to generate a flow of water in the respective flow channels. This flow of water is sucked into the corresponding flow channel 3 via an inlet opening 16 located on the lower face 108 of the hull 10 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1, and at a rear portion of said underwater exploration vehicle 1, as visible in [Fig. 4]. The inlet openings 16 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 are not located on, at or near the front face 106 of the hull 10. Conversely, the inlet openings 16 are located under the underwater exploration vehicle 1, at the lower face 108 of the hull 10.

[0091] In order to facilitate the insertion of water into the inlet openings 16s, the lower face 108 of the hull 10 has a concave region, relative to the vertical axis Z, at the level of said inlet openings 16. This advantageous configuration makes it easier for water to flow at the level of the lower face 108 when the vehicle underwater exploration 1 is moving in or under water, to better penetrate the corresponding flow channel 3.

[0092] However, the main reason why water infiltrates into the inlet opening 16 is related to the depression produced in the flow channel 3 at the inlet opening 16 and due to the rotation of the propeller 73 driven by the transmission shaft 72 and the electric motor 70 of the corresponding propulsion assembly 7. Thus, despite the slight inclination of the inlet opening 16 relative to the lower face 108 of the hull 10 and the flow of water along said lower face 108, which is not conducive to such insertion, it is indeed the operation of the corresponding propulsion assembly 7 which generates a depression and a current which sucks the water into the flow channel 3.

[0093] The propulsion assemblies 7 are cleverly placed at the lateral edges of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 so that the outlet openings 17 of the corresponding flow channels are located close to the lateral faces 102 of the hull 10, at the stern 11. Indeed, this advantageous configuration makes it possible to prevent the flow of water generated by each propulsion assembly 7 from being propelled directly onto the user's body, which is particularly uncomfortable during prolonged use of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. Conversely, the configuration proposed here makes it possible to generate such a flow of water on either side of the user, which improves both performance and comfort of use.

[0094] In a particularly advantageous manner, the electric battery 5 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is placed in a forward position and in a central position, relative to the longitudinal axis X. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to optimize the balancing of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 and to improve its maneuverability, in particular in terms of rotational movements of the rolling or yaw type. Indeed, the electric battery 5 being one of the heaviest electrical components, it is clever and preferable to place it along the longitudinal axis X. In addition, the more forward position of the electric battery 5 is compensated by a more rearward position of the control unit 6 and the propulsion assemblies 7. These particularly advantageous arrangements make it possible to perfectly balance the underwater exploration vehicle 1 according to the invention, relative to the longitudinal axis X and relative to the transverse axis Y.

[0095] As mentioned previously, and as can be seen more particularly in FIGURES 5 and 6, the interior volume of the hull 10 delimits the immersion chamber 4. The immersion chamber 4 is a ballast chamber which allows the underwater exploration vehicle 1 to be filled when it is launched in order to achieve a balancing essential for its proper use in and on the water, in order to compensate for the Archimedes' thrust forces on the hull 10.

[0096] In the underwater exploration vehicle 1 according to the invention, the immersion chamber 4 here forms a single volume in the interior volume, without sub-volumes. In other words, the immersion chamber 4 is simply delimited by the hull 10 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 and by certain foams 9 placed between the hull 10 and certain electronic components. More particularly still, at the level of the propulsion assemblies 7 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 according to the invention, the immersion chamber 4 is located exclusively between the flow channels. In other words, at a longitudinal position located between the two propulsion assemblies 7, and in particular between the propeller 73 and the outlet opening 17, the immersion chamber 4 is exclusively located between and delimited by the casings of the two propulsion assemblies 7.In other words, the immersion chamber 4 is not located between the casing 71 of the propulsion units 7 and the hull 10 located around it, relative to the transverse axis Y.

[0097] Optionally, the residual space formed by the casing 71 and the part of the hull 10 located directly opposite is filled with foam 9 in order to prevent water from being present there. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to improve the buoyancy and balance of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 when it is submerged.

[0098] Optionally, the foams 9 housed between the casing 71 and the part of the shell 10 located directly opposite are associated with one or more sealing joints in order to isolate the residual space filled by the foams 9 from the immersion chamber 4. The objective here is not to make such residual spaces communicate with the immersion chamber 4.

[0099] For this purpose, the immersion chamber 4 is in fluid communication with the environment outside the underwater exploration vehicle 1 by means of several orifices 2 cleverly arranged and oriented on the hull 10:

[0100] - first orifices 21 2 located on a lower face 108 of the shell 10 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. The first orifices 212 form through openings of the lower face 108 of the hull 10, which open directly into the immersion chamber 4 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. The first orifices 212 allow fluid communication between the external environment and the immersion chamber 4. More particularly, the first orifices 212 are configured to allow filling of the immersion chamber 4 when the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is launched into the water, and only during this step. Conversely, when the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is taken out of the water, the first orifices 21 2 are configured to allow water to flow out of the immersion chamber 4 by simple gravity effect;

[0101] - second orifices 22 2 located on an upper face 101 of the shell 10 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1, behind the control screen 18. In particular, the second orifices 22 2 are located on the floor 1051 of the concavity 105 of the upper face 101 of the hull 10, behind and below the control screen 18. The second orifices 22 2 form through openings of the upper face 101 of the hull 10, which open into the immersion chamber 4 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. The second orifices 22 2 allow fluid communication between the external environment and the immersion chamber 4. More particularly, the second orifices 22 2 are configured to allow the air contained in the immersion chamber 4 before the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is launched to be expelled from said immersion chamber 4 during its filling during the launching of underwater exploration vehicle 1, and only during this stage.Thus, the second orifices 22 2 collaborate with the first orifices 21 2 to facilitate the filling of the immersion chamber 4 with water when the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is launched into the water by simultaneously allowing the entry of water through the first orifices 212, an exit of air through the second orifices 22 2. Conversely, when the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is taken out of the water, the second orifices 22 2 are configured to allow an entry of air into the immersion chamber 4, while the water which was present in the immersion chamber 4 flows out of said immersion chamber 4 by simple gravity effect and under the effect of the pressure of the incoming air.Thus, the second orifices 22 2 collaborate with the first orifices 212 to facilitate the emptying of water from the immersion chamber 4 when the underwater exploration vehicle 1 leaves the water by simultaneously allowing the entry of air through the second orifices 22 2 and an entry of water through the first orifices 21 2; .

[0102] - third orifices 23 2 located on the lateral faces 102 of the shell 10 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. In particular, the third orifices 23 2 are located on each lateral face 102 of the hull 10 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1, at the level of the control screen 18 and the control handles 13. The third orifices 23 2 form through openings of each lateral face 102 of the hull 10 on which they are formed, and which open into the immersion chamber 4 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. The third orifices 23 2 allow fluid communication between the external environment and the immersion chamber 4. More particularly, the third orifices 23 2 are configured to allow filling of the immersion chamber 4 when the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is launched into the water, and only during this step.Thus the third orifices 23 2 collaborate with the first orifices 212 to facilitate the filling of the immersion chamber 4 with water when the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is launched by accelerating the filling of the immersion chamber 4. and by allowing such a more balanced filling between a front zone of the immersion chamber 4 and a rear zone of said immersion chamber 4, relative to the longitudinal axis X.

[0103] All the electronic components of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 are advantageously housed in the immersion chamber 4, so that they are all immersed in the immersion chamber 4 during operation of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. This advantageous configuration also makes it possible to thermalize the electronic components during operation of the underwater exploration vehicle 1.

[0104] However, due to the use of an electric battery 5 of the type of a battery comprising lithium, excessive cooling is not desired. Consequently, the immersion chamber 4 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 according to the invention is not crossed by a current of water during the use of the underwater exploration vehicle 1, and in particular during its movements on the water or underwater. For this purpose, the various orifices 2 present in the hull 10 and putting the immersion chamber 4 in fluid communication with the outside are not configured to allow such a flow of water in the immersion chamber 4 during the advance of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 because:

[0105] - no orifice serving as an inlet orifice for the immersion chamber 4 is located on the front face 106 or in the bow area 12 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. Conversely, all the orifices 2 serving as water inlet orifices for the immersion chamber 4 are located at a central area of ​​the underwater exploration vehicle 1, relative to the longitudinal axis X, and located between the bow area 12 and the stern area 11, excluding the latter;

[0106] - no orifice serving as an outlet orifice for the immersion chamber 4 is located on the rear face 107 or in the stern area 11 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. Conversely, all the orifices 2 serving as water outlet orifices for the immersion chamber 4 are located at a central area of ​​the underwater exploration vehicle 1, relative to the longitudinal axis X, and located between the bow area 12 and the stern area 11, excluding these;

[0107] - no orifice directly faces the flow of water around the vehicle underwater exploration vehicle 1 during its movement on the water or underwater. Conversely, all the orifices 2 have an orientation which is tangential or substantially tangential to the flow of water around the underwater exploration vehicle 1 during its movement on the water or underwater.

[0108] Consequently, during the movement of the underwater exploration vehicle 1 under water or on water, the water present in the immersion chamber 4 remains immobile and forms a static or quasi-static mass in the interior volume delimited by the shell 10.

[0109] In addition, at the level of the lateral faces 102 and close to the lower face 108, the hull 10 delimits openings forming gripping handles 14 of the underwater exploration vehicle 1.

[0110] At the level of the upper face 101, in the rear part of the floor 1051 of the concavity 105, relative to the longitudinal axis X, the underwater exploration vehicle 1 comprises a plug 15 which seals an electrical connector 8 making it possible to update internal software embedded in the control unit 6, or certain of the functional parameters of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to make updates easily and to facilitate the wired connection between the underwater exploration vehicle 1 and a remote server.

[0111] The invention here specifically addresses the presence of the control screen 18 at the level of the concavity 105 provided by the upper face 101 of the hull 10, said concavity 105 comprising a drain 19 configured to evacuate the water which would fall or which would flow at the level of the concavity 105 of the upper face 101 of the hull 10. The presence of such a drain 19 makes it possible to evacuate the water which would fall or which would flow at the level of the concavity 105 of the upper face 101 of the hull 10 when the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is used on the surface of the water. The drain 19 is arranged on the floor 1051 of the concavity 105. The drain 19 thus makes it possible to evacuate the water out of the area formed by the concavity 105, directly behind the control screen 18.

[0112] For this purpose, the drain 19 is located behind the control screen 18, relative to a longitudinal axis X of the underwater exploration vehicle 1. By way of non-limiting example, the drain 19 is located a few centimeters from the control screen 18, relative to the longitudinal axis X.

[0113] Preferably, in order to promote the flow of water towards the drain 19, the upper face 101 of the shell 10 comprises, at the level of the floor 1051, a groove which extends from the control screen 18 and towards the drain 19, relative to the longitudinal axis X. The groove thus forms a depression inclined towards the drain 19. The groove is arranged directly on the floor 1051 of the concavity 105.

[0114] As previously discussed, the drain 19 may take several forms in the context of the present invention. The FIGURES depict a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the drain 19 is fluidically coupled to the immersion chamber 4 so that water discharged from the concavity 105 is directed toward and into said immersion chamber 4. For this purpose, the drain 19 is formed by the second orifices 22 2 of the underwater exploration vehicle. Thus, the second orifices 22 2 re- fulfill a dual functionality in the context of the present invention:

[0115] - that of being an air outlet for the air contained in the immersion chamber 4 when the underwater exploration vehicle is launched, as described above; and

[0116] - that of being an evacuation of the water present at the level of the floor 1051 of the concavity 105 when the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is used on the water surface.

[0117] It is recalled that, in this latter use, the shape of the upper face 101 of the hull 10 at the level of the concavity 105 protects the screen from water projections, so that very small volumes of water can be projected or trickle onto the floor 1051 and, consequently, be evacuated by the drain 19, in comparison with the volume of the immersion chamber 4. In other words, the volumes of water entering through the drain 19 into the immersion chamber 4 when the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is used on the surface of the water are negligible compared to the volume of the immersion chamber 4. Consequently, such a flow through the drain 19 cannot generate a flow in the immersion chamber 4.

[0118] Moreover, when the underwater exploration vehicle 1 is used on the surface of the water, it is sometimes observed that small quantities of water present in the immersion chamber 4 are evacuated through the drain 19.

[0119] In summary, the invention relates to an underwater exploration vehicle 1 comprising:

[0120] - a shell 10 delimiting an immersion chamber 4;

[0121] - a plurality of orifices 2 arranged on the shell 10, each orifice being in common fluidic connection with the environment external to the underwater exploration vehicle 1 and being fluidically coupled with the immersion chamber 4;

[0122] - two propulsion units 7 located on either side of the immersion chamber 4 ;

[0123] - a single electric battery 5 electrically coupled to an electric motor 70 of each propulsion unit 7;

[0124] - a control unit 6 electrically connected to the electric battery 5 and to each propulsion assembly 7, so as to control said electric battery 5 and the propulsion assemblies 7.

[0125] According to the invention, the control screen 18 is housed at a concavity 105 of an upper face 101 of the shell 10, said concavity 105 comprising a drain 19 configured to evacuate the water out of the concavity 105.

[0126] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and modes of embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other in various combinations provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Underwater exploration vehicle (1) comprising: - a hull (10) delimiting an interior volume for the underwater exploration vehicle (1); - a plurality of orifices (2) arranged on the hull (10), each orifice being in fluid communication with the environment external to the underwater exploration vehicle (1) and being fluidically coupled with an immersion chamber (4) housed in the hull (10); - at least one propulsion assembly (7) comprising an electric motor (70) configured to generate a driving torque on a transmission shaft (72) and a propeller (73) rotatably coupled to the transmission shaft (72), the at least one propulsion assembly (7) being housed in the interior volume, a portion of the transmission shaft (72) and the propeller (73) being housed in a casing (71) forming a flow channel (3) which extends into the immersion chamber (4), the flow channel of the at least one propulsion assembly (7) being in fluid communication with the environment external to the underwater exploration vehicle (1) via an inlet opening (16) and an outlet opening (17) arranged on the hull (10); - an electric battery (5) electrically coupled to the electric motor (70) of each at least one propulsion unit (7), the electric battery (5) being housed in the interior volume of the hull (10); - a control unit (6) electrically connected to the electric battery (5) and to each at least one propulsion assembly (7), so as to control said electric battery (5) and said at least one propulsion assembly (7); - a control screen (18) electrically connected to the control unit (6) and configured to display functional parameters of the underwater exploration vehicle (1), said control screen (18) being housed at a concavity (105) of an upper face (101) of the hull (10); characterized in that the concavity (105) of the upper face (101) of the shell (10) comprises a drain (19) configured to evacuate water which would fall or which would flow at the level of the concavity (105) of the upper face (101) of the shell (10).

2. Underwater exploration vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the drain (19) is located behind the screen of control (18), relative to a longitudinal axis (X) of the underwater exploration vehicle (1).

3. Underwater exploration vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hull (10) comprises: - at its upper face (101), lateral sidewalks (104) which laterally frame the control screen (18), relative to a transverse axis (Y), the lateral sidewalks (104) and the control screen (18) itself delimiting the concavity (105) of the upper face (101) of the hull (10) of the underwater exploration vehicle (1); - at its upper face (101), a cap (103) which overhangs the control screen (18); - at the upper face (101) forming the concavity (105), a groove which extends from the control screen (18) and in the direction of the drain (19), said groove being inclined in the direction of said drain (19).

4. An underwater exploration vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drain (19) comprises a cavity which extends from the concavity (105) of the upper face (101) of the hull (10).

5. An underwater exploration vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drain (19) comprises at least one conduit which extends from the concavity (105) of the upper surface (101) of the hull (10), a distal end of the at least one conduit opening at a distance from the upper face (101).

6. An underwater exploration vehicle (1) according to claim 5, wherein the distal end of the at least one conduit forming the drain (19) is located at a lateral face (102) of the underwater exploration vehicle (1), each at least one conduit being fluidically coupled outwardly of said underwater exploration vehicle (1).

7. An underwater exploration vehicle (1) according to claim 5, wherein the underwater exploration vehicle (1) comprises a container to which the distal end of the at least one conduit forming the drain (19) is fluidically coupled.

8. An underwater exploration vehicle (1) according to claim 7, wherein the container is housed in the hull (10) of the underwater exploration vehicle (1).

9. Underwater exploration vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the container is separate from the immersion chamber (4) of the underwater exploration vehicle (1).

10. Underwater exploration vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the orifices (2) comprise second orifices (22) (2) formed on the concavity (105) of the upper face (101) of the hull (10), the second orifices (22) (2) forming through openings and opening into the immersion chamber (4) of the underwater exploration vehicle (1), said second orifices (22) (2) forming the drain (19).

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