Underwater self-propelled surface adhering robotically operated vehicle

US5947051A · kind A · utility

Inventor

• Michael Geiger · Starnberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 4, 1997
• Grant date: Sep 7, 1999
• Expiry date: Jun 4, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B63C11/42
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An underwater self-propelled surface-adhering robotically operated vehicle capable of being navigated through a volume of water and of adhering itself to an underwater surface and traversing along the surface. The vehicle has a main body with an interior suction chamber and a motor driven impeller disposed in the chamber to draw water through the bottom end of the chamber and expel it at the top end and thereby create a negative pressure force at the bottom end to maintain the vehicle in contact with the underwater surface. Thrusters on the main body allow the vehicle to be driven through a volume of water before and after attachment to the underwater surface as well as to hold station in mid water for tasks and inspections. The vehicle may be provided with an evacuable enclosure to provide an environment for task accomplishment and with measurement and inspection devices and tools for underwater hull cleaning, welding, and other underwater tasks.