Variable Geometry Hull Underwater Vehicle for Speed and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater vehicles face challenges in achieving both efficient hydrodynamic shape for fast transport and high hovering stability, as well as ease of movement in various directions, especially when transitioning between surveying and intervention tasks, due to limitations in thruster orientation and vehicle configuration.
Innovation Solution
An underwater vehicle with a modular, automatically guided hull composed of articulated elongated elements that form a closed polygonal structure, allowing for two configurations: an elongated shape for low hydrodynamic resistance during cruising and an isotropic shape for stable hovering, with thrusters that can adjust their direction to counteract currents, and the ability to integrate robotic arms and tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the vehicle uses an elongated torpedo shape for fast transport, then hydrodynamic resistance is reduced and cruising speed is improved, but hovering stability and ease of movement in various directions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle employs a variable geometry hull that can dynamically change its configuration between an elongated torpedo shape for cruising and a more isotropic expanded shape for hovering. The hull includes movable elements such as expandable lateral sections or articulated segments that alter the overall vehicle shape according to the operational phase, thereby optimizing both speed and stability characteristics as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The hull is divided into multiple separable segments or modules that can be independently positioned or configured. This segmentation allows the vehicle to reconfigure its shape by adjusting the relative positions of hull segments, enabling transition from a streamlined elongated form during cruising to a more stable isotropic form during hovering operations.
2Loss of energy
If the vehicle uses an elongated torpedo shape, then hydrodynamic resistance is reduced, but maneuverability in various directions and counteraction of underwater currents deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle incorporates movable hull elements that can dynamically adjust the vehicle's cross-sectional area and overall shape. During cruising, the hull maintains a streamlined elongated configuration to minimize drag. During maneuvering or hovering, the hull can expand laterally or change orientation to improve maneuverability and current counteraction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle changes its geometric parameters such as length-to-diameter ratio, cross-sectional area, and overall shape configuration based on operational requirements. This parameter variation allows the vehicle to optimize hydrodynamic efficiency during cruising while achieving better maneuverability characteristics during intervention tasks.
3Device complexity
If the vehicle adopts a fixed configuration, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different operational needs (surveying vs. intervention) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle features a dynamically reconfigurable hull structure that can transform between different geometric configurations suitable for various operational modes. This dynamic capability allows a single vehicle design to perform both surveying functions (requiring speed and efficiency) and intervention functions (requiring stability and maneuverability), thereby achieving multi-functionality without requiring multiple specialized vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable geometry hull design enables the vehicle to serve multiple operational purposes within a single platform. By adjusting its shape, the same vehicle can be optimized for autonomous surveying operations, wire-guided intervention tasks, or hybrid modes, making it a universal solution for diverse underwater operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The underwater vehicle with variable configuration (1) comprises: a hull (2) consisting of at least four elongated elements (20), mutually articulated by means of joints (21), to form a first closed polygonal structure (F1), arranged on a plane; thrusters (3), associated in parallel with said elements (20) of the hull (2); actuating means (22), associated with said joints (21), provided for automatically modifying said first closed polygonal structure (F1), from an elongated shape configuration (AF1) to an expanded shape (EF1), corresponding to an elongated conformation of said hull (2), to determine a low hydrodynamic resistance and a longitudinal thrust of the thrusters (3) in the cruising of said underwater vehicle (1), and to a substantially isotropic conformation, wherein the same elements (20) of the hull (2), as well as the thrusters (3) are mutually angled, intended for the hovering of the same underwater vehicle (1), respectively. The latter can be suitably equipped with robotic arms (4) intended for performing maintenance or similar interventions in underwater locations.