Modular UUV Center of Mass Adjustment via Magnetic Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and autonomous vehicles are highly specialized, leading to high production costs and limited adaptability, as they are designed for specific missions, making them expensive and inflexible, with proprietary systems that complicate maintenance and operation.

Innovation Solution

A modular design for UUVs and autonomous vehicles that allows users to assemble and configure modules such as command and control, propulsion, sensors, and buoyancy control, enabling customization for specific missions and allowing for in-field repairs and upgrades, using magnetic attachments to eliminate the need for hull penetrations and reduce maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UUVs are designed as highly specialized vehicles for specific missions, then mission performance is improved, but production cost increases and adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemission performanceVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The UUV is divided into multiple interchangeable mission modules (e.g., imaging module, inspection module, sampling module) that can be attached and detached from a common platform. This segmentation allows the base vehicle to remain the same while mission capabilities are changed by swapping modules, thereby maintaining high mission performance for specific tasks while enabling adaptability across different missions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A universal base platform is designed with standardized interfaces and mounting mechanisms that can accommodate various mission modules. The base vehicle includes common systems such as propulsion, power, and control that serve multiple mission types, allowing a single vehicle design to perform multiple functions across different missions, thus improving adaptability without sacrificing mission-specific performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If UUVs are designed as highly specialized vehicles for specific missions, then mission performance is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemission performanceVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the UUV into a common base platform and separate mission modules, the manufacturing process can be optimized for each component independently. The base platform can be mass-produced using standardized processes, while mission modules can be manufactured more economically as interchangeable units. This reduces nonrecurring engineering costs and allows for more efficient production compared to building entirely custom vehicles for each mission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The universal base platform design allows a single vehicle chassis to serve multiple missions, reducing the total number of vehicles that need to be manufactured for different applications. This consolidation decreases production costs by eliminating redundant manufacturing of complete specialized vehicles while maintaining the ability to perform multiple missions through module interchangeability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of repair

If magnetic attachments are used to eliminate hull penetrations, then maintenance requirements are reduced, but securing force requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance requirementsVSAvoidsecuring force

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional mechanical fastening systems that require hull penetrations and physical fasteners are replaced with magnetic attachment mechanisms. The magnetic system uses magnetic fields to secure mission modules to the base platform without creating openings in the hull, thereby reducing maintenance requirements related to seal integrity and penetration points while providing sufficient holding force through magnetic attraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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

This modular approach reduces production costs, enhances adaptability, and improves mission flexibility by enabling users to configure vehicles for specific tasks and allowing for in-field repairs, thereby reducing operational risks and costs.

Implementation Method 1

using magnetic attachments to eliminate the need for hull penetrations and reduce maintenance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attachment: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

buoyancy control, enabling customization for specific missions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy control: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS11541801B1Method and apparatus for positioning the center of mass on an unmanned underwater vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 OFFICE OF NAVAL RES

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 vehicle can include a module that enables the vehicle to adjust the position of the center of mass to trim the vehicle for efficient operations or to alter the stability and control parameters of the vehicle.