Disk-Shaped AUV Stacking and Buoyant Launch from Submarine Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater vehicles lack efficient deployment mechanisms and configurations for stacking and launching from submarine missile launch tubes, limiting their versatility and operational flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The development of disk-shaped or pancake-shaped autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) with releasable attachment mechanisms and positive buoyancy, allowing for stacking and deployment from submarine missile launch tubes, equipped with multiple thrusters for propulsion and various sensors for mission-specific tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional underwater vehicle configurations are used, then deployment from missile launch tubes is complex and requires external forces, but the patent achieves autonomous deployment using positive buoyancy
Solution Approach 1:
The AUV employs positive buoyancy as a counterweight mechanism to offset its own weight, enabling it to autonomously float up and out of the missile launch tube without requiring external deployment forces. This buoyancy-based counterweight system replaces complex mechanical ejection apparatus, simplifying the deployment mechanism while maintaining operational effectiveness.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple AUVs are stacked in a missile launch tube, then deployment space is optimized, but releasable attachment mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The AUV's positive buoyancy enables self-service deployment where the vehicle automatically detaches and ascends from the launch tube stack without requiring complex external release mechanisms. The buoyant force naturally separates the AUV from the stack, eliminating the need for sophisticated attachment and release systems while maintaining the ability to deploy multiple vehicles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If AUVs are designed for stacking in missile launch tubes, then deployment flexibility is improved, but vehicle configuration is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The AUV employs a modular disk-shaped configuration that segments the vehicle into functional components (propulsion system, sensor suite, payload bay, buoyancy control) that can be independently optimized. This segmentation allows the vehicle to maintain a compact stacking form factor while preserving adaptability for various mission configurations and sensor arrangements.
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
Enables efficient stacking and deployment of multiple AUVs from a single launch tube, facilitating autonomous operations with enhanced propulsion and sensor capabilities, improving mission flexibility and reducing deployment apparatus requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The underwater vehicles can be positively buoyant or can be made to have controllable buoyancy to allow the underwater vehicles to float up and out of the vertical missile launch tube during deployment without an external deployment force provided by the submarine
Data Source
AI summary
Autonomous underwater vehicles are described that are stackable with other like autonomous underwater vehicles on a suitable launch platform, such as within a vertical missile launch tube of a submarine, waiting to be deployed into the water. The underwater vehicles can be deployed or launched individually, in groups, or all together into the water. While stacked together, the stacked autonomous underwater vehicles can connect to one another or to external structure of the launch platform. In addition, the underwater vehicles can be positively buoyant or can be made to have controllable buoyancy to allow the underwater vehicles to float up and out of the launch platform during deployment without an external deployment force.