Modular submersible survey vehicle

A modular submersible survey vehicle (MSSV) comprising:

• a pair of continuous tracks, wherein each of the pair of continuous tracks comprises a hydraulic motor that is driven by a hydraulic pump actuated by a variable speed electric motor;
• a chassis mounted on the pair of continuous tracks, wherein the chassis has a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end, first and second sides, a top side, and a bottom side, and wherein the chassis has an open frame structure that allows water to freely pass through;
• a shell attached to the chassis and comprising a top wall extending between side walls on the first and second sides of the chassis that define an interior and an open bottom portion, wherein the shell comprises one or more vents;
• a watertight hydraulic power unit (HPU) module comprising an electric motor and a hydraulic pump;
• a watertight control processing unit (CPU) module comprising a CPU for controlling the movement of the MSSV and/or for controlling surveying equipment, wherein the CPU module further comprises electronic components for wireless communication with a tablet computer or lap top computer, a global position system, an inclinometer, and/or a laser distance measuring device;
• and
• one or more watertight conduits connecting the HPU module and the CPU module, wherein the open frame structure of the chassis, the open bottom portion of the shell and the one or more vents in the shell allow water to freely flow into and out of the interior when the MSSV moves into and out of a body of water.

A modular submersible survey vehicle (MSSV) comprising:

• a pair of continuous tracks, wherein each of the pair of continuous tracks comprises a hydraulic motor that is driven by a hydraulic pump actuated by a variable speed electric motor;
• a chassis mounted on the pair of continuous tracks, wherein the chassis has a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end, first and second sides, a top side, and a bottom side, and wherein the chassis comprises a plurality of elongate members extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and between a first bulkhead at the first end and a second bulkhead at the second end and a plurality of transverse ribs attached to the plurality of elongate members that defines an open frame structure that allows water to freely pass through the chassis;
• a shell attached to the chassis and comprising a top wall extending between side walls on the first and second sides of the chassis, the top wall and the side walls define an interior and an open bottom portion, wherein the shell comprises one or more vents, a bow wedge-shaped section that is attached to the first end of the chassis and a stern wedge-shaped section that is attached to the second end of the chassis, wherein the bow wedge-shaped section and the stern wedge-shaped section each has a top surface that slopes downwardly at an angle of from 20 degrees to 40 degrees from the top side of the chassis and a bottom surface that slopes upwardly at an angle of from 20 degrees to 40 degrees from the bottom side of the chassis;
• a watertight hydraulic power unit (HPU) module comprising an electric motor and a hydraulic pump;
• a watertight control processing unit (CPU) module comprising a CPU for controlling the movement of the MSSV and/or for controlling surveying equipment, wherein the CPU module further comprises electronic components for wireless communication with a tablet computer or lap top computer, a global position system, an inclinometer, and/or a laser distance measuring device;
• and
• one or more watertight conduits connecting the HPU module and the CPU module, wherein the open frame structure of the chassis, the open bottom portion of the shell and the one or more vents in the shell allow water to freely flow into and out of the interior when the MSSV moves into and out of a body of water.