Unmanned submersible vehicles and methods for operating the same in a body of liquid
US8418642B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 3, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63G2008/002
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An unmanned submersible vehicle for use in a body of liquid having a top surface and in air overlying the top surface includes a hull, an integral antenna, and an antenna positioning system. The hull has first and second opposed ends. The hull includes a first hull portion adjacent the first end and a second hull portion adjacent the second end. The antenna is disposed within the first hull portion and/or is mounted on the first hull portion. The antenna positioning system is configured to reorient the hull from a transit position to a signal position. When the hull is in the signal position: the first hull portion and the antenna are disposed above the second hull portion a greater vertical distance than when the hull is in the transit position; the first hull portion and the antenna are disposed above the top surface and in the air while at least the second hull portion remains submerged in the body of liquid; and the antenna is operative to emit signals through the air above the top surface and/or to receive signals through the air above the top surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.