Autonomous unmanned underwater vehicles
US10106233B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 21, 2016 |
| Grant date | Oct 23, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 9, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63G2008/008
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Autonomous underwater vehicles are described that are stackable with other like autonomous underwater vehicles on a suitable launch platform, such as within a vertical missile launch tube of a submarine, waiting to be deployed into the water. The underwater vehicles can be deployed or launched individually, in groups, or all together into the water. While stacked together, the stacked autonomous underwater vehicles can connect to one another or to external structure of the launch platform. In addition, the underwater vehicles can be positively buoyant or can be made to have controllable buoyancy to allow the underwater vehicles to float up and out of the launch platform during deployment without an external deployment force.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.