Releasable Coupling for Underwater Ordnance Charge Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current underwater ordnance disposal systems are hazardous, time-consuming, and costly, with high attrition rates due to inaccurate identification and inability to securely attach and recover charges, especially in deep water environments.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a releasable coupling device with a trigger and retaining system that allows for safe, secure attachment and release of a clearance charge to ordnance, using a hydraulic or mechanical actuation mechanism to control the attachment device, ensuring accurate and precise operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a remotely operated single charge system is used to dispose of ordnance, then human safety is improved by eliminating diver placement, but the system becomes time-consuming and costly due to high attrition rates from inaccurate identification and inability to recover charges
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables recovery of the charge deployment vehicle after charge release by separating the charge release mechanism from the vehicle. The vehicle can be retrieved and reused, eliminating the need to discard the entire system after single-use, thereby reducing operational time and costs while maintaining remote operation safety benefits
2Productivity
If simultaneous activation of attachment device and charge release is used, then deployment speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates because failure to attach securely results in lost charge that cannot be recovered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the charge deployment system into separate functional components: the charge release mechanism is separated from the deployment vehicle. This allows sequential operation where attachment can be verified before charge release, and the vehicle can be recovered if attachment fails, thereby maintaining both deployment speed and reliability
3Productivity
If traditional mine sweeping vessels enter the ordnance area to drag lines or decoys, then ordnance disposal is achieved, but safety deteriorates as the vessel must enter the hazardous area
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary remote-operated deployment vehicle that can approach and attach charges to ordnance from a safe distance. This intermediary system enables ordnance disposal capability while eliminating the need for the main vessel to enter the hazardous area, thereby maintaining productivity while improving safety
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for attaching a device to an object, comprising: an attachment device for attaching the device to an object, the attachment device having a trigger for triggering activation of the attachment device; a releasable coupling device for releasably coupling the attachment device to a deployment system. The releasable coupling device comprising: a housing; a trigger system, configured to trigger the attachment device trigger; and a retaining system, configured to releasably retain the attachment device. The releasable coupling device is configured such that: in a first configuration, the trigger system is in a disarmed state; in a second configuration, the trigger system is in an armed state, such that movement of the attachment device relative to the housing of the releasable coupling device activates the trigger of the attachment device; and in a third configuration, the retaining system releases the attachment device. The invention is particular of use in attaching an ordnance clearance charge to underwater ordnance. The invention further relates to an unmanned underwater vehicle comprising such an attaching system.