Modular Magnetic Spherical UUV for Field Configurable Missions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and autonomous vehicles are costly due to specialized designs for specific missions, limiting market size and requiring multiple vehicles for different tasks, with proprietary systems causing maintenance and operational challenges.

Innovation Solution

A modular design for UUVs and autonomous vehicles that allows users to assemble and configure modules such as propulsion, sensors, and control surfaces in the field, using magnetic attachments to eliminate the need for hull penetrations and enable easy replacement of components, with integrated data and power buses for connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If specialized designs are used for specific missions, then vehicle performance for specific tasks is improved, but production costs increase and market size is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle performance for specific tasksVSAvoidproduction costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle is divided into modular components that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each module (propulsion, sensors, control surfaces, payload) can be produced separately and then configured into different vehicle assemblies for various missions, reducing nonrecurring engineering costs while maintaining specialized performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A common platform with standardized interfaces and modular components enables the same base vehicle to perform multiple missions by simply changing payloads or task-specific modules. This universal design allows one vehicle type to replace multiple specialized vehicles, expanding market size while maintaining task-specific capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple specialized vehicles are purchased for different tasks, then mission versatility is improved, but operational costs and fleet management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemission versatilityVSAvoidfleet management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The modular vehicle platform provides a common chassis, propulsion system, and control architecture that can be configured for different missions. Operators maintain a single fleet type with interchangeable modules rather than multiple specialized vehicle types, simplifying training, maintenance, and logistics while achieving mission versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle configuration can be dynamically changed in the field by swapping modules. This dynamic reconfigurability allows a single vehicle to adapt to different mission requirements without requiring multiple pre-configured specialized vehicles, reducing fleet management complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If fixed configuration vehicles are manufactured, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to new missions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle configuration precisionVSAvoidmission adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle is segmented into standardized modules with precise manufacturing specifications for each component. This allows high manufacturing precision to be achieved for each module independently while the modular architecture enables flexible assembly configurations for different missions, combining precision with adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If proprietary systems are used in vehicle design, then system integration is simplified, but maintenance capabilities and operator flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem integration simplicityVSAvoidmaintenance capabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle uses standardized, non-proprietary interfaces and common commercial off-the-shelf components where possible. This universal approach simplifies maintenance by allowing parts to be sourced from multiple vendors and enables operators to work with familiar technologies, improving repair capabilities while maintaining system integration through standardized protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 flexible mission adaptation, reduces production costs, and enhances maintenance capabilities by allowing users to configure vehicles for specific tasks without needing multiple specialized units, while minimizing downtime and operational risks.

Implementation Method 1

magnetic attachments to eliminate the need for hull penetrations and enable easy replacement of components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11738839B1Magnetically configurable spherical autonomous underwater vehicles

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

AI summary

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The main body of the vehicle is a spherical body.