| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 114330000 | Having attitude control | 58 |
| 20080196651 | Towing Device - An apparatus for towing behind an underwater vehicle has a body and a yoke pivotally connected to the body at a pivot point and having a tether remote from the pivot point by which the apparatus us towed. The yoke has wings which generate a resultant force on the body when the apparatus is towed. By varying the orientation of the yoke relative to the body, the magnitude of the resultant force may be varied. The resultant force tends to reduce the displacement of the tether relative to the pivot point in at least one plane, thereby generating a force to counter the buoyancy of the apparatus, and so stabilize the apparatus when it is being towed. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080264323 | Submersible Vehicle - A submersible vehicle having an outer hull which defines a hull axis and appears substantially annular when viewed along the hull axis, the interior of the annulus defining a duct which is open at both ends so that when the vehicle is submerged in a liquid, the liquid floods the duct. The vehicle further comprising means for rolling the vehicle about the hull axis. A buoyancy control system may be provided, and the outer hull may be swept with respect to the hull axis. Various methods of deploying and using the vehicle are described. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20090031940 | Underwater Vehicle With Sonar Array - An underwater vehicle including an axi-symmetric framing system rotatable about a centerline to define a shell of revolution having a uniformly-convex outer boundary. A narrow-beam sonar array is mounted on the axi-symmetric framing system, and includes a multitude of simultaneously-fireable and/or asynchronously-fireable transducers distributed substantially evenly over a 4π-steradian viewing angle. The present invention provides the necessary configuration for a vehicle wherein an internal algorithm can compare a “new” geometry to an “old” geometry collected earlier to construct a best fit of the new world map with the old world map and locate the vehicle within the context of the new world map. This then provides a completely independent mechanism for correction of the gradual drift in x and y that is not dependent on any form of external navigation aid. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090241826 | SUBMERSIBLE VEHICLES AND METHODS FOR TRANSITING THE SAME IN A BODY OF LIQUID - A submersible vehicle for use in a body of liquid includes a vehicle body, a pair of fins coupled to the vehicle body on opposed sides thereof, and a dihedral angle control system. The dihedral angle control is system operative to vary a fin dihedral angle of each of the fins. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20100199907 | BOUYANCY CONTROL DEVICE - A device having: a chamber having a gas inlet, a gas vent, and a liquid vent; and a float and a weight coupled to the chamber. The float has a lower density than the chamber. The weight has a higher density than the chamber. The aggregate density of the chamber, the float, and the weight is greater than the density of the chamber. The gas inlet, the gas vent, the liquid vent, the float, and the weight are positioned on the chamber such that: when the chamber is filled with and submerged in a liquid in which the chamber is neutrally-buoyant, the chamber is oriented to place the gas vent below the gas inlet; and when a gas is introduced through the gas inlet into the chamber that is filled with the liquid, the chamber pivots to raise the gas vent until a portion of the gas escapes from the chamber through only the gas vent. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20110094433 | UNDERWATER POSTURE STABILIZATION SYSTEM AND DIVING APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME - Provided is an underwater posture stabilization system which, by being attached to various underwater equipment such as undersea equipment and underwater vehicles having different shapes and positions of the center of gravity according to their purpose and the like, allows simply and reliably setting their posture in water (basic posture), is excellent in versatility, is not only excellent in posture stability since, when the posture inclines under the effect and the like of tidal currents and pulsating currents, a moment to restore the posture to its original posture naturally acts, but is also capable of easily changing the posture as needed, and also is capable of stably controlling the posture even in the presence of complicated tidal currents and pulsating currents, and is excellent in reliability, stability, and certainty of posture control. The underwater posture stabilization system includes a frame to be attached to an apparatus body of the underwater equipment, a pair of sliding portions arranged so as to be freely movable back and forth on both side portions of the frame, a support member freely movable up and down which is fixed at a lower end thereof to each sliding portion, and arranged upward or obliquely upward, and a floating body arranged at a tip of each support member. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110226175 | SUBMERSIBLE VEHICLE WITH SWEPT HULL - A submersible vehicle having an outer hull which defines a hull axis and appears substantially annular when viewed along the hull axis, the interior of the annulus defining a duct which is open at both ends so that when the vehicle is submerged in a liquid, the liquid floods the duct. At least part of the outer hull is swept with respect to the hull axis A buoyancy control system may be provided. Various methods of deploying and using the vehicle are described. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110297070 | Propulsion System for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle - An underwater vehicle is provided to move in various orientations and directions, including pitch, yaw, roll, heave, surge and sway. The underwater vehicle comprises an upper body and a lower body, wherein both bodies are separated by two rudders. One rudder is positioned towards the fore of the underwater vehicle, while the other is positioned towards the aft. Each rudder forms the basis of a propulsion system, such that the underwater vehicle has at least two independently controlled propulsion systems. Each propulsion system further comprises an elevator extending horizontally from the sides of each rudder and a thrust generator attached to the elevator. The elevator and thrust generator are able to pitch about an axis extending horizontally through the sides of the rudder, and the rudder is able to yaw about an axis extending vertically through the top and bottom of said rudder. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20120137949 | UNMANNED SUBMERSIBLE VEHICLES AND METHODS FOR OPERATING THE SAME IN A BODY OF LIQUID - An unmanned submersible vehicle for use in a body of liquid having a top surface and in air overlying the top surface includes a hull, an integral antenna, and an antenna positioning system. The hull has first and second opposed ends. The hull includes a first hull portion adjacent the first end and a second hull portion adjacent the second end. The antenna is disposed within the first hull portion and/or is mounted on the first hull portion. The antenna positioning system is configured to reorient the hull from a transit position to a signal position. When the hull is in the signal position: the first hull portion and the antenna are disposed above the second hull portion a greater vertical distance than when the hull is in the transit position; the first hull portion and the antenna are disposed above the top surface and in the air while at least the second hull portion remains submerged in the body of liquid; and the antenna is operative to emit signals through the air above the top surface and/or to receive signals through the air above the top surface. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120180712 | SUBMERSIBLE VEHICLES AND METHODS FOR TRANSITING THE SAME IN A BODY OF LIQUID - A submersible vehicle for use in a body of liquid includes a vehicle body, a pair of fins coupled to the vehicle body on-opposed sides thereof, and a dihedral angle control system. The dihedral angle control is system operative to vary a fin dihedral angle of each of the fins. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20130239869 | UNDERWATER VEHICLE FOR UNCOVERING SUBMERGED OBJECTS AND UNDERWATER SYSTEM WITH AN UNDERWATER VEHICLE OF THIS TYPE - An underwater vehicle configured to be remote-controllable and maneuverable includes a device which is configured to uncover a submerged object. The device comprises a working nozzle configured to conduct a water flow and a counter pressure nozzle configured to counteract the working nozzle. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130263770 | SURFACE-CLEANING DEVICE AND VEHICLE - A remotely operated underwater vehicle for cleaning surfaces submerged in water, the underwater vehicle having a first side, a second side, a propulsion means, a plurality of trimming means, a first buoyancy means attached to the first side and a second buoyancy means attached to the second side. Elements of the plurality of trimming means are arranged on opposite sides of the centre of gravity of the vehicle and at least one of the plurality of trimming means has a movable mass and a displacement region into which the movable mass can move. The centre of gravity of the vehicle is automatically shifted when the vehicle is accelerating or changes orientation, in which the first buoyancy means provides more buoyancy than the second buoyancy means such that the centre of buoyancy is located above the centre of gravity of the vehicle irrespective of the orientation of the vehicle. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130291782 | SMOOTH, SPHEROIDAL, APPENDAGE FREE UNDERWATER ROBOT CAPABLE OF 5 DOF MOTIONS - An underwater robot includes a body including a first end, and a second end, opposite the first end, and first and second actuation units positioned inside the body. Each actuation unit includes a pump and two valves connected to the pump. The first and second actuation units generate jets of fluid that are discharged through the first and second ends to propel the underwater robot, and the first and second ends are smooth. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20140090590 | Towable pressurized dry personal submersible using surface air replenishment - A submersible able to maintain one atmosphere of pressure throughout its operating envelope with the capacity to maintain a habitable atmosphere through its capability of rapid transit between underwater operating areas and the water's surface so as to replenish habitable air via a system of ducting, valves, and fans. The submersible is comprised of a towing and stability system that can vary stability about the submersible's longitudinal axis by selectively clutching or declutching the submersible's minimally stable crew compartment to the submersible's more stable bow hull, as controlled by the submersible's operator. The towing and stability system also provides the ability to propel the submersible underwater along a path of the operator's selection by aligning the tow vector within proximity of the center of gravity and then steering the submersible in three dimensions by articulating a plurality of hydroplanes which enact moments upon the submersible, thereby controlling its path. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20150144051 | Methods, Systems, and Apparatuses for Inverting a Submersible Craft - Autonomous, unmanned submersible can turn upside down in order to use instrumentation placed on one side only. Batteries ( | 05-28-2015 |
| 20160176485 | AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER VEHICLE WITH EXTERNAL, DEPLOYABLE PAYLOAD | 06-23-2016 |
| 114331000 | Depth control | 42 |
| 20100064958 | WET Buoyancy Engine - Technologies such as stealth buoys and underwater gliders need to modify their own buoyancy in order to operate. Strategies such as pumping fluid are typically used to change the device's net volume. This in turn requires a mechanically sophisticated apparatus, increasing the cost of the vehicle while diminishing its reliability. The concept of a buoyancy engine that exploits the enormous volume and pressure changes accompanying the reversible electrochemical interconversion of water to hydrogen and oxygen gases is applied to stealth buoys and underwater gliders. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100294192 | BUOYANCY SYSTEM FOR AN UNDERWATER DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS FOR OPERATING THE SAME - A buoyancy system includes a chamber having a volume associated therewith, and bladders within the volume of the chamber. Each bladder contains a clathrate mixture in a liquid state. The chamber includes an opening to allow surrounding water to circulate within the volume and contact the bladders. As the chamber is submerged in the surrounding water, the bladders expand based on the clathrate mixture changing from the liquid state to a solid state. This changes buoyancy by allowing less water to circulate within the volume of the chamber. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20110005452 | Buoyancy device and a method for stabilizing and controlling the lowering or raising of a structure between the surface and the bed of the sea - A method of using a buoyancy fluid presenting density that is less than that of sea water, and that is confined in a rigid or flexible leaktight casing, so as to constitute an immersed buoyancy element, wherein the buoyancy fluid is a compound that is naturally in a gaseous state at ambient atmospheric temperature and pressure, and in a liquid state at the underwater depth to which the buoyancy element is immersed. A method is also disclosed for placing a buoyancy element in place between the surface and the bed of the sea, wherein fluid is stored in a tank on a surface ship as a liquid in the cooled or compressed liquid state, and is injected in the liquid state into a pipe from the surface where it is stored to an immersed casing at an underwater depth at which the underwater pressure is not greater than the vapor pressure of the gas corresponding to the compound at the temperature at the depth. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110061583 | Apparatus and Method for Adapting a Subsea Vehicle- - Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for the adaptation of a subsea vehicle, such as an ROV, and in particular a hydraulically powered construction or maintenance work ROV. In one embodiment the vehicle is provided with a module or modules which provide further propulsion means that have reduced noise at high speed in comparison to the vehicle's main propulsion means. The module or modules also optionally provide greater performance and decreased drag. An ROV adapted in such a way is therefore suitable for high speed survey work. In another embodiment a hydraulic ROV is adapted to enable it to be able to directly drive electrically powered tools. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110232558 | SUBMERSIBLE VEHICLE WITH SWEPT HULL - A submersible vehicle having an outer hull which defines a hull axis and appears substantially annular when viewed along the hull axis, the interior of the annulus defining a duct which is open at both ends so that when the vehicle is submerged in a liquid, the liquid floods the duct. At least part of the outer hull is swept with respect to the hull axis. A buoyancy control system may be provided. Various methods of deploying and using the vehicle are described. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110297071 | Underwater Vehicle Bouyancy System - A multiple stage buoyancy changing system, or variable buoyancy device, for an underwater vehicle. The multiple stage buoyancy changing system comprises: a pressure hull containing a flexibly-sized internal fluid reservoir; a flexibly-sized external fluid reservoir attached to the pressure hull and connected to the internal reservoir; a system of devices and channels configured to move fluid between the internal fluid reservoir and the external fluid reservoir to change a displaced volume of the vehicle. Each stage of the variable buoyancy device can be optimized for maximum energy efficiency while changing the vehicle's displaced volume within an ambient pressure range. A control system for the variable buoyancy device engages different stages depending on ambient external pressure such that maximum energy efficiency is achieved over a large range of pressures/depths. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20120103245 | Method for Detecting Anomalies on a Submarine Object - A method for detecting anomalies on a submarine object, in particular in the submarine region on a hull of a moored warcraft, which method carries out very reliable sensing of the submarine object by way of an unmanned small submarine vehicle that is equipped with simple sensor equipment, such as an acoustic sensor for measuring distances and a barometric cell for determining depth, and which method obtains a profile of the submarine object by navigating the small submarine vehicle with a constant transversal distance to the submarine object, in which profile an anomaly present on the submarine object becomes is apparent from the profile line. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120118218 | Multiplex-Thruster Systems for Delivering Thrusting Flow - Designs and techniques for fluid thrusters and vehicles that are powered by propelling fluids with fluid thrusters. Multiplex-thruster (MT) systems are disclosed that include a single thruster and a flow multiplexer with multiple channels to deliver thrusting flow in various directions. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120137950 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRESSURE HARVESTING FOR UNDERWATER UNMANNED VEHICLES - An underwater vehicle includes systems for harvesting ambient hydrostatic pressure and storing the same as a gas pressure in a compressed gas system and as a water pressure in a pressurized electrolysis system. The gas pressure is used to perform mechanical work or to generate electrical power via a prime mover. The water pressure is used to release pressurized hydrogen and oxygen gases via electrolysis. The pressurized hydrogen and oxygen gases are used in a combustion chamber to generate propulsion power for the underwater vehicle. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120312221 | Submersible vehicles and methods for propelling and/or powering the same in an underwater environment - A submersible vehicle for use in water includes a vehicle body and a hybrid vehicle propulsion system to propel the vehicle body through the water. The hybrid vehicle propulsion system includes a passive thrust system and an active thrust system. The passive thrust system includes a force redirector and a buoyancy control system. The buoyancy control system is operable to selectively generate vertical thrust by varying a buoyancy of the submersible vehicle and the force redirector is configured to generate a glide thrust responsive to changes in the elevation of the submersible vehicle in the water. The active thrust system includes a thruster mechanism operable to selectively propel and/or steer the vehicle body through the water. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20130032078 | Sea Glider - A sea glider that includes a pressure hull and fore and aft fairings encapsulating the pressure hull. At least one of the fore and aft fairings defines an Ogive profile. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130074759 | Telescopic submarine - A telescopic submarine includes: a front submarine unit ( | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130228117 | Fluid-Based Buoyancy Compensation - Systems and methods for buoyancy compensation are provided. Both active and passive buoyancy compensation can be provided using a compressible mixture made of a liquid along with a hydrophopic material such as a powder, electrospun fiber, or foam. The compressible fluid compresses as pressure is applied or expands as pressure is released thereby substantially maintaining an overall neutral buoyancy for a vessel. This allows the vessel to ascend and descend to water depths with minimal active buoyancy change. As a result, the energy usage and the reliance on higher pressure air and oils can be minimized. | 09-05-2013 |
| 20130269585 | UNDERWATER MOVING APPARATUS AND MOVING METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed are an underwater moving apparatus and a moving method thereof. The underwater moving apparatus of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a body; a propelling device installed on a rear side of the body; a thruster unit including an up and down directional thruster and a left and right directional thruster installed at the body; and a plurality of leg units positioned at both side portions of the body and including a multi-joint module. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130305979 | SEMI-RIGID CRAFT, THE BUOYANCY OF WHICH IS ADJUSTABLE - A craft includes a rigid hull ( | 11-21-2013 |
| 20140060418 | Methods and Apparatus for Mitigating Vortex Rings Affecting Submersible Vehicles - A method for operating a submersible vehicle includes, responsive to detection of a vortex ring undesirably affecting the vehicle and/or at least one vehicle condition indicating the presence of a vortex ring undesirably affecting the vehicle, initiating at least one control action to mitigate the effect of the vortex ring on the vehicle. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140290554 | SELF-BURYING AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR MARINE SEISMIC SURVEYS - An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The AUV includes a body having a base and sides; a propulsion system for guiding the AUV to a final target on the ocean bottom; a pump-jet connected to an inlet and plural base outlets, wherein the plural base outlets are distributed on the base; a processor connected to the pump-jet and configured to activate the pump-jet when the base in on the ocean bottom; and a seismic sensor configured to record seismic signals. The pump-jet has a first low speed so that water jets expelled at the plural base outlets fluidize the ocean bottom underneath the base and buries the AUV. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20150090175 | System for Attitude Control of Underwater Vehicle and Method for Attitude Control of Underwater Vehicle - A system for attitude control of an underwater vehicle | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150128842 | VARIABLE BUOYANCY PROFILING FLOAT - In various embodiments a variable buoyancy profiling float is disclosed. The variable buoyancy profiling float may comprise a spherical glass housing comprising a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere. The first and second hemispheres may be coupled by a partial vacuum within the spherical glass housing. A buoyancy system may be located at least partially within the spherical glass housing. The buoyancy system may be configured to provide variable buoyancy control to the variable buoyancy profiling float. A sensor bundle may be mounted to the spherical glass housing and may be configured to measure at least one environmental parameter. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20160001860 | OCEAN EXPLORATION APPARATUS AND OCEAN EXPLORATION METHOD - An ocean exploration apparatus including: a probe body; a buoyancy adjusting section that adjusts buoyancy generated in the probe body; a posture adjusting section that adjusts a posture of the probe body; a position information acquiring section that acquires position information of the probe body; a wing section that moves the probe body using a lifting force applied from seawater; a sensor section that is provided in the probe body and measures an electromagnetic field; and a control section that controls operations of the buoyancy adjusting section, the posture adjusting section, the position information acquiring section, and the sensor section according to predetermined conditions. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160023733 | POSITIVELY BUOYANT, VERTICAL THRUST, MANNED SUBMERSIBLE - The present invention is directed towards a fixed positively buoyant manned submersible that includes a plurality of vertical thrusters and a sealed enclosure(s) that can support one or more human passengers. The vertical thrusters can include vertically aligned propellers that are coupled to motors that control the rotational velocity of the propellers. The vertical thrusters to generate a negative vertical thrust to allow the submersible to dive within a body of water. Horizontal movement can be achieved through horizontal thrusters or directing the thrust vectoring of the vertical thrusters. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160059944 | SUBSEA SYSTEM FOR SEABED OPERATIONS - Methods and systems relate to seabed operations, such as well intervention or capping, involving subsea equipment and subsea handling of the equipment, which may be associated with hydrocarbon wells or pipelines. A subsea system submerges during deployment and is landed on the seabed. The system may include a suspension assembly coupled to a frame structure for carrying equipment used in the operations. The deployment of the system may include deploying the frame structure with the equipment from a floating vessel connected to an anchored tether and moving the frame structure under water along the tether toward where anchored and the location for the seabed operations. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160068244 | RECOVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UNMANNED UNDERWATER VEHICLES - Embodiments described herein provide a highly reliable UUV recovery systems and methods that utilize multiple independent release mechanisms that can detach a load and allow the UUV to float to the surface of the water. One embodiment is a recovery system for a UUV. The recovery system includes a detachable load that renders the UUV neutrally buoyant in water. The recovery system further includes a plurality of release mechanisms that detach the load to render the UUV positively buoyant in the water. The release mechanisms include a first, second, and third release mechanism. The first release mechanism detaches the load in response to a command signal. The second release mechanism detaches the load in response to the UUV being submerged in the water beyond a threshold time. The third release mechanism detaches the load in response to the UUV exceeding a maximum depth in the water. | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160090160 | UNDERWATER MOBILE BODY - An underwater mobile body capable of acquiring information on hydrosphere and moving between a position under water and a water surface includes: a body unit provided with a data acquisition device that acquires hydrosphere information, and a specific gravity adjusting device that adjusts the position of the underwater mobile body under water; and an antenna unit arranged at a tail of the body unit and provided with an antenna that transmits the acquired hydrosphere information, wherein the antenna unit holds the antenna such that the antenna is able to turn in a vertical direction. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160096597 | PRESSURE BALANCE TYPE FLOATING BODY AND INSTALLATION METHOD THEREOF - The present invention relates to the technical field of ships, and particularly relates to a pressure balance type floating body and an installation method thereof. The floating body includes water cabins, gas cabins, gas cabin inflation valves, underwater even pressure control systems, water cabin water supply systems and water cabin ventilating systems. The buoyant center of the floating body and the gravity center of the floating body are located on the same vertical line, and the position of the buoyant center of the floating body is higher than the position of the gravity center of the floating body. The gas cabin inflation valve is arranged on each gas cabin, and the gas cabin inflation valve is connected with each underwater even pressure control system. The water cabin water supply system and the water cabin ventilating system are arranged on each water cabin. | 04-07-2016 |
| 114332000 | Diving plane | 2 |
| 20140261139 | Underwater Vessel with Above-Water Propulsion - A vessel for transporting a payload through water having a body which travels below the surface of the water and carries the payload, fins extending laterally from the body below the surface of the water a telescoping tower which extends above the surface of the water from the body, a wing extending laterally above the water from an upper portion of the tower, engines mounted on the wing for propelling the body through the water, and propellers mounted on the under sides of the fins for lifting the vessel and holding the vessel in a raised position with the body at the surface of the water while loading and unloading the payload. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20160016649 | Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Hover Apparatus, Method, and Applications - An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) including a deployable anchor and a method for operating an AUV having a deployable anchor in a hover mode. | 01-21-2016 |
| 114333000 | Water ballast | 15 |
| 20090277370 | WATER CRAFT - A water craft ( | 11-12-2009 |
| 20100043692 | FLOATATION DEVICE - A floatation device is disclosed that comprises a container | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100175606 | OFF-SHORE STRUCTURE, A BUOYANCY STRUCTURE, AND METHOD FOR INSTALLATION OF AN OFF-SHORE STRUCTURE - A buoyant submersible structure floating above the sea floor includes a support portion to support a load, and a gas-filled tank. The tank has an opening, and a connected tube. The tube is partially filled with seawater defining a water-gas interface at a first level. In operation, the structure is fully submerged below the water surface to a first depth. The second chamber is partially filled with seawater defining a water-gas interface at a first position inside the second chamber. Then, the buoyancy structure is moved to a second, greater depth. Water enters the second chamber to raise the water-gas interface to a second, higher level and without entering the first chamber. Subsequently, the buoyancy of the structure is adjusted to tension the cable, a support structure to support a load is attached to the structure, and then the buoyancy of the structure is readjusted. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100242826 | METHOD FOR INSTALLING AND SERVICING AN APPARATUS RECOVERING THE KINETIC ENERGY OF WATER, AND AN APPARATUS RECOVERING THE KINETIC ENERGY OF WATER - The object of the invention is a method for installing and servicing an apparatus module ( | 09-30-2010 |
| 20110226176 | CLATHRATE GLIDER WITH HEAT EXCHANGER - An apparatus includes a housing and a ballast disposed within the housing. The ballast is adapted to receive, store and expel a fluid. A bladder is operatively coupled to the ballast wherein an increase in the volume of the bladder causes a decrease in the free volume of the ballast available for the storage of the fluid therewithin and a decrease in the volume of the bladder causes an increase in the free volume of the ballast available for the storage of the fluid therewithin. A heat exchanger has a heat exchange duct thermally coupled to the bladder and is adapted to receive a fluid from outside the housing. The bladder is configured to receive a clathrate. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110253027 | BUOYANCY DEVICE FOR MARINE STRUCTURES - Disclosed is a buoyancy device for tensioning an elongate vertical (or quasi vertical) subsea structure at a point below the sea surface, anchored at its bottom. The device comprises as its main buoyancy elements a plurality of hollow elongate objects, and further comprises at least one auxiliary buoyancy element comprising a solid buoyant material. Ideally, the solid buoyant material provides enough uplift to maintain the device afloat should the main buoyancy elements be flooded. A riser apparatus comprising such a buoyancy device is also described. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20120145066 | Subsurface Vortex Assisted Distributed Propulsion Active Hull - High velocity subsurface craft, apparatus or method positively affecting propulsion and limiting drag by the use of a rotating body with selected Surface Treatment. The Active Hull Platform provides Apparent Flows that allow for shorter more dispersed blade arrays and boundary layer management that impacts vorticity on skin surfaces by controlling the angular momentum of the vortices formed. By converting drag forces into thrust, vortices need not be avoided and an even non pulsating distributed thrust is the result. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120291689 | AUTONOMOUS SYSTEM FOR BLOWING BALLAST FROM FAST DIVE TANK OF A SUBMARINE AND METHOD OF BLOWING BALLAST - An autonomous system for blowing ballast for eliminating negative buoyancy of a submarine and a method of blowing the same. The autonomous system includes air supply balloons arranged in an area of the submarine protected from mechanical damage; trunk pipelines connected to the balloons for supplying gas to FDT of the submarine; shutoff devices for regulating the supply of gas via the trunk pipelines. According to the method realized using the disclosed system, compressed gas is supplied from the compressed air balloon, over the trunk pipelines, and into the FDT of the submarine. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120304913 | SUPERFLUOUS SEALING, BUOYANCY AND IMMERSION CONTROLLING SYSTEM FOR FLOATING APPLIANCES - Superfluous sealing, buoyancy and immersion controlling system for floating appliances having a primary, secondary and tertiary buoyancy systems, a buoyancy system of devices and operation and maintenance plants, a set of submersible pumps, a console for controlling and automating the immersion operations and a set of programmable valves. This superfluous system allows any appliance or platform to be able of easily being towed to its final location at sea, ocean, lake . . . regardless of the size, shape or weight thereof, and weather conditions. Similarly, this system enables the immersion at a controlled rate once the platform is in its final location. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120318188 | Autonomous Underwater Vehicle - Multi-stage buoyancy changing system for an autonomous underwater vehicle comprises: an internal reservoir configured to hold a fluid; an external bladder connected to the internal reservoir and configured to exchange fluid with the internal reservoir via one or more channels; a first device configured to move fluid through a channel from the internal reservoir to the external bladder at an optimized efficiency for an ambient pressure of a first segment of a dive profile to increase apparent displacement and buoyancy of the vehicle; and a second device configured to move fluid through a channel from the internal reservoir to the external bladder at an optimized efficiency for an ambient pressure of a second segment of the dive profile to increase an apparent displacement and a buoyancy of the vehicle. The first segment of the dive profile includes a different ambient pressure range than the second segment of the dive profile. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20130055946 | Pumping System For Use On a Moveable Flood Control Barrier - A dual pumping system for use on a movable flood control barrier structure to allow the structure to be swung into the opening of a waterway and sunk to prevent flooding during storms and then floated and swung out of the waterway after the storm is disclosed. A buoyant generally rectangular barge may be employed as the movable flood control barrier. A centrifugal pumping system pumps water into compartments within the barrier structure so it sinks to the bottom of the waterway while the same pumping system pumps water back to the waterway to float the structure. A hydraulic pumping system operates hydraulic winches to move the structure into and out of the channel using cables. The two pumping systems are capable of operating both the water pumping system and hydraulic winch system simultaneously or independently with a single engine. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130239870 | Underwater Vehicle Bouyancy System - A multiple stage buoyancy changing system, or variable buoyancy device, for an underwater vehicle. The multiple stage buoyancy changing system comprises: a pressure hull containing a flexibly-sized internal fluid reservoir; a flexibly-sized external fluid reservoir attached to the pressure hull and connected to the internal reservoir; a system of devices and channels configured to move fluid between the internal fluid reservoir and the external fluid reservoir to change a displaced volume of the vehicle. Each stage of the variable buoyancy device can be optimized for maximum energy efficiency while changing the vehicle's displaced volume within an ambient pressure range. A control system for the variable buoyancy device engages different stages depending on ambient external pressure such that maximum energy efficiency is achieved over a large range of pressures/depths. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20140137789 | INSTALLATION VEHICLE FOR A TIDAL POWER PLANT AND METHOD FOR THE OPERATION THEREOF - An installation vehicle for a nacelle of a tidal power plant having a turbine-generator unit includes at least two floating devices with a plurality of ballast tanks, the buoyancy of which is settable, a drive device acting in different directions, and a controllable fastening device for holding the nacelle. The fastening device is connected at least indirectly to a support element, which produces a connection between the floating devices. The connection between the floating devices and the support element is embodied by a detachable coupling unit or the support element includes a device for size adaptation. | 05-22-2014 |
| 20160107735 | SUBMERSIBLE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A submersible designed so that a cabin for boarding an operator has a size just enough to accommodate the operator and even such a light weight of the submersible can cause the submersible to submerge. Furthermore, when an operator having a weight smaller than a design maximum operator's weight of the submersible is on board, and therefore the total weight of the submersible is reduced and the buoyancy thereof is increased, the buoyancy of the submersible is adjusted by pouring water having a weight corresponding to a difference between the design maximum operator's weight and the actual weight of the operator into an expansion container, disposed in the cabin, capable of expanding by containing water. In this manner, the net weight of the submersible is prevented from increasing. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160129979 | TRANSFORMER IN-SITU INSPECTION VEHICLE WITH A CAGE HULL - An inspection device for use in a fluid container includes at least one thrust device, at least one ballast device and a cage which carries the at least one thrust device and the at least one ballast device. The cage includes at least two bars. Each bar provides an opening, the openings forming a cage cavity to carry the at least one thrust device and the at least one ballast device. | 05-12-2016 |
