Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for interconnecting an underwater vehicle and a free-floating pod

US5291194A · kind A · utility

26Cited by

7References

18Claims

0Family size

Assignee

United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force · US

Inventor

Gregory H. Ames · Gales Ferry, US

Key dates

Filing date	Apr 12, 1993
Grant date	Mar 1, 1994
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Apr 12, 2013

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB63G2008/008
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for interconnecting an unmanned underwater vehicle V) and a free-floating pod, the apparatus comprising a communications cable extending between the pod and a less buoyant buoy, the buoy being in communication with a distal station, a mobile UUV in communication with a control vessel, connector structure on the UUV adapted to intercept the cable and adapted to slide along the cable toward the pod, and complementary engagement structure on the UUV and the pod adapted to cause the UUV to engage the pod in a preselected orientation and azimuth, to place the control vessel in communication with the distal station.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.