Shifting-Weight Dive Control for Vertical Submersible Descent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing strategies for inducing a stable vertical dive in submersible conveyances, such as submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles, are inadequate due to their inefficiency, energy intensity, and inability to quickly adapt to dynamic situations, including methods like attaching droppable weights, ballast pumps, and helical paths.

Innovation Solution

A mass shifting apparatus and system using a track with a shifting weight that traverses along a slide path, providing a balancing moment when adjacent to the proximal end and a dive moment when moved towards the distal end, driven by mechanisms like direct drive belt feed wheels, rotary actuators, or linear motors, allowing for a direct vertical dive without changing buoyancy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If ballast pumps are used to induce dive, then the submersible can achieve vertical dive, but the system is energy intensive and slow to react

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedive response speedVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional ballast pump mechanical system with a mass shifting mechanism that uses a movable weight along a track. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for energy-intensive water pumping while achieving the same dive function through moment generation, directly resolving the contradiction between dive speed and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dynamically movable mass that can be repositioned along a track to generate dive moments. This dynamic mass shifting provides rapid response capability without the energy penalties of ballast pumps, as the system can quickly reposition the mass to induce dive trajectories when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If droppable weights are attached to induce dive, then the submersible can achieve vertical dive, but the weights require recovery and cause dramatic buoyancy changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedive response speedVSAvoidbuoyancy control

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a movable counterweight that shifts position along a track to generate dive moments. Unlike droppable weights, this counterweight remains attached and can be repositioned, providing continuous adaptability. The counterweight system maintains buoyancy equilibrium while enabling rapid dive initiation through moment generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Speed

If helical paths are used for dive, then the submersible can achieve vertical descent, but more space, time, and energy are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedive speedVSAvoidmaneuver complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using complex helical paths to achieve vertical descent, the patent inverts the approach by directly generating vertical dive moments through mass shifting. This eliminates the need for space-consuming and time-consuming helical maneuvers, achieving vertical descent directly through controlled moment application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 submersible conveyances to perform vertical dives efficiently and repeatedly, maintaining stability and buoyancy, and allowing for rapid adjustments in dive trajectories.

Implementation Method 1

the shifting weight provides a balancing moment to the submersible conveyance when adjacent to the proximal end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMoment:

Implementation Method 2

driving the shifting weight towards the distal end provides dive moment to the submersible conveyance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMoment:

Implementation Method 3

the means for driving the shifting weight along the slide path is a linear motor, wherein the track is magnetized with magnets placed adjacent to the slide weight

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLorentz Force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS12576955B2Mass shifting apparatus and system for inducing a vertical dive in submersible conveyances

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

AI summary

A mass shifting apparatus and system for inducing a vertical dive in submersible conveyances. Furthermore, an apparatus for inducing a submersible conveyance into a vertical dive, comprising a track, having a proximal end and distal end, defining a slide path wherein the track is fixed to an external surface of a submersible conveyance in alignment with a dive vector; a shifting weight operably engaged with the slide path to traverse between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the shifting weight provides a balancing moment to the submersible conveyance when adjacent to the proximal end, and wherein driving the shifting weight towards the distal end provides dive moment to the submersible conveyance; and a means for driving the shifting weight along the slide path. In one embodiment, a modular apparatus for inducing a modular submersible conveyance into a vertical dive.