Deployable Rim-Driven Thruster for Underwater Vessel Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional underwater vessels require heavy or complex systems for stability and depth control, which increase size, complexity, and weight, and can lead to catastrophic failures.
Innovation Solution
An underwater vessel equipped with a deployable and stowable rim-driven thruster system, operated by an actuator assembly that can change its orientation to produce either vertical or horizontal thrust, providing a secondary propulsion system in case of primary system failure and reducing the need for complex stability maintenance systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ballasts and control surfaces are used for stability and depth control, then the vessel can maintain stability and control position, but the system becomes heavy and complex, increasing size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the stability control function from the main body by using a separate deployable thruster system. The thruster can be deployed only when needed for stability control, removing the need for permanent heavy ballast and control surface systems integrated into the vessel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The thruster system transitions from a static integrated design to a dynamic deployable configuration. The actuator assembly enables the thruster to move between a retracted stowed position and a deployed operational position, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs rather than being permanently complex.
2Reliability
If heavy ballasts and pump systems are used for depth control, then the vessel can control position and depth, but the weight and size of the vessel increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical ballast systems with an electromechanical thruster system. The thruster uses electromagnetic or electric motor propulsion to generate thrust for depth control, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical ballast weights and associated pump systems that traditionally controlled depth by moving water.
3Productivity
If conventional propulsion systems are used, then the vessel can maintain primary propulsion, but failure can be catastrophic without redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsion system is segmented into a primary propulsion system and a secondary thruster system. The secondary thruster, activated through the actuator assembly, provides independent propulsion capability that can be deployed if the primary system fails, creating functional redundancy without requiring a completely separate duplicate system.
4Productivity
If fixed propulsion systems are integrated into the body, then the vessel has continuous propulsion capability, but the spatial volume and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thruster system employs dynamic deployment through the actuator assembly, allowing the thruster to transition between a compact retracted position within the body and an extended operational position. This dynamic configuration enables propulsion capability only when needed, reducing the permanent spatial volume occupied by the propulsion system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system allows for efficient and stable operation with reduced weight and complexity, enabling constant depth maintenance and providing redundancy, thus enhancing safety and performance while minimizing the need for large spatial volumes and heavy equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a thruster operable to produce thrust
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the present invention there is provided an underwater vessel comprising: a body; a thruster operable to produce thrust, wherein the thruster is deployable from the body; an actuator assembly connected to the thruster and operable to deploy the thruster, wherein the actuator assembly is operable to deploy the thruster in a first configuration in which the thruster is oriented to produce a thrust having a vertical component when the thruster is operated.