Method and apparatus for retrieving an unmanned underwater vehicle
US6600695B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63G8/42
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system and method is disclosed for retrieving an untethered submarine tube-retrievable UUV in which the untethered submarine tube-retrievable UUV may be retrieved through the torpedo tube of a submarine. The untethered submarine tube-retrievable UUV has a capture cable extending therefrom with a transducer to produce a homing signal. A tethered homing signal seeking UUV is guided toward the homing signal. Capture arms on the tethered homing signal seeking UUV engage the capture cable and guide the capture cable to one of several cable snagging eye-members. The winching cable is then winched back into the torpedo tube thereby drawing the untethered submarine tube-retrievable UUV into the torpedo tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.