System for the deployment of marine payloads
OwnerThomas Austin, Michael Purcell +4inventors
InventorsThomas Austin, Michael Purcell, Robin Littlefield, Frederic Jaffre, Gwyneth Packard, Glenn McDonald
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention involves a system for the release of low relief, self-orienting deployable payloads from a platform such as a submersible vehicle and a mechanism of passive buoyancy compensation of the vehicle. The system secures one or more payloads by a vacuum force without an additional mechanical restraining mechanism and deployment of a payload is accomplished by disengaging the vacuum hold to release the payload for its intended function. Once deployed, the payload may reorient itself to a functional orientation without additional assistance.
Claims21
A system for payload deployment in a fluid environment, comprising:
- a. at least one deployment chamber, configured to exclude the fluid environment, further comprising:
- i. at least one inner wall defining a wet space, the wet space configured to be contiguous with and exposed to the fluid environment;
- ii. at least one payload, said at least one payload comprising a first surface and a body housing, wherein the first surface is configured to comprise a portion of a sealing zone;
- b. a vacuum mechanism connected to the wet space and configured to generate a vacuum force within the wet space;
- c. a vacuum breaker connected to the wet space;
- wherein the at least one payload is configured to fit at least partially within the wet space of the deployment chamber;
- wherein the first surface is exposed to the fluid environment;
- wherein the sealing zone forms a fluid-tight seal with a portion of the at least one inner wall, allowing the wet space to hold a vacuum;
- wherein the at least one payload is held within the deployment chamber by the vacuum force;
- and
- wherein the vacuum breaker is configured to remove the vacuum force from the wet space.
A payload for use in fluid environments, comprising:
- at least one surface;
- and
- a sealing zone;
- wherein a portion of the payload is configured to fit into a deployment system, comprising a deployment chamber;
- wherein the sealing zone is configured to form a vacuum seal with a portion of the deployment system;
- wherein the deployment system is configured to generate a vacuum force;
- and
- wherein the payload is held within the deployment system by the vacuum force.
A method for payload deployment in a fluid environment, comprising:
- a. selecting a system comprising:
- at least one deployment chamber;
- a vacuum mechanism;
- and
- a vacuum breaker;
- wherein the at least one deployment chamber is configured to exclude the fluid environment and comprises at least one inner wall;
- wherein said at least one inner wall defines a wet space and said wet space is configured to be contiguous with and exposed to the fluid environment;
- b. placing at least one payload into the at least one deployment chamber, the at least one payload comprising a first surface and a portion of a sealing zone;
- wherein a fluid-tight seal is formed between the sealing zone and a portion of the at least one inner wall;
- c. using the vacuum mechanism to establish a vacuum in the wet space;
- d. holding the at least one payload in the at least one deployment chamber solely by the vacuum force in the wet space;
- e. placing the system in the fluid environment;
- and
- f. releasing the at least one payload.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.