Submersible drone having active ballast system
US10583905B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 2017 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63G2008/005
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A submersible inspection drone used for inspection can include a ballast system used to control depth of the submersible inspection drone. The submersible can be configured to communicate to a base station using a wireless transmitter and receiver. The ballast system can include a pressure vessel for storing fluid and a bag for inflating and deflating as it receives a fluid. Buoyancy of the submersible inspection drone can be provided by change in density of the pressure vessel as a compressible gas is expanded when the ballast bag is caused to inflate or deflate. A pump can be used to draw fluid from the ballast bag and store the fluid in the pressure vessel. In one form the pressure vessel can include a compressible fluid and an incompressible fluid, where the incompressible fluid is used to inflate and deflate the bag.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.