Underwater craft less likely to be detected across great distances
AssigneesThyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmbH, thyssenkrupp AG
InventorsTom Avsic, Randolf Teppner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An underwater craft is considerably less likely to be detected by sonar if the underwater craft includes an outer hull as disclosed herein, which outer hull may extend in a longitudinal direction through a stern section, through a midship section, and through a bow section. The outer hull in the midship section may have a polygonal cross section. The outer hull of the midship section may also have curvature along the longitudinal direction throughout the midship section. A ratio of a radius of curvature to a total length of the underwater craft in the longitudinal direction may be between 5 and 1000. Further, a cylindrical pressure vessel may be disposed under the outer hull.
Claims20
An underwater craft comprising:
- an outer hull that extends in a longitudinal direction through a stern section, a midship section, and a bow section, wherein with respect to a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal direction the outer hull in the midship section has a polygonal cross section, wherein the midship section has a length extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the outer hull has curvature along the longitudinal direction over the length of the midship section, wherein the curvature comprises a radius of curvature, wherein a ratio of the radius of curvature to a total length of the underwater craft in the longitudinal direction is between 5 and 1000;
- and
- a substantially cylindrical pressure vessel disposed under the outer hull.
An underwater craft comprising:
- an outer hull that extends in a longitudinal direction through a stern section, a midship section having a length in the longitudinal direction, and a bow section, wherein a cross section of the outer hull in the midship section is polygonal-shaped, wherein the outer hull has curvature along the longitudinal direction throughout the length of the midship section, wherein the curvature of the outer hull along the longitudinal direction throughout the length of the midship section has a radius of curvature, wherein a ratio of the radius of curvature to a total length of the underwater craft in the longitudinal direction is between 10 and 250;
- and
- a cylindrical pressure vessel disposed under the outer hull.
An underwater craft comprising:
- an outer hull that extends in a longitudinal direction through a stern section, a midship section, and a bow section, wherein with respect to a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal direction the outer hull in the midship section has a polygonal cross section, wherein a center of the polygonal cross section is half of a height of the polygonal cross section, wherein a widest point of the polygonal cross section is disposed below or above the center, wherein the widest point of the polygonal cross section is at least 10% of half of the height of the polygonal cross section below or above the center, wherein the midship section has a length extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the outer hull has curvature along the longitudinal direction over the length of the midship section;
- and
- a substantially cylindrical pressure vessel disposed under the outer hull.
An underwater craft comprising:
- an outer hull that extends in a longitudinal direction through a stern section, a midship section, and a bow section, wherein with respect to a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal direction the outer hull in the midship section has a polygonal cross section, wherein all planes of the polygonal cross section comprise an inclination of at least 10° relative to a perpendicular, wherein the midship section has a length extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the outer hull has curvature along the longitudinal direction over the length of the midship section;
- and
- a substantially cylindrical pressure vessel disposed under the outer hull.
An underwater craft comprising:
- an outer hull that extends in a longitudinal direction through a stern section, a midship section, and a bow section, wherein with respect to a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal direction the outer hull in the midship section has a polygonal cross section, wherein the midship section has a length extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the outer hull has curvature along the longitudinal direction over the length of the midship section, wherein the outer hull is substantially reflecting and/or absorbing for soundwaves in a frequency range of 100 Hz to 100 kHz;
- and
- a substantially cylindrical pressure vessel disposed under the outer hull.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.