# US 11,993,355 B2 · Structures and methods for mitigating implosion pressure spikes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,993,355 B2 - Document ID: US11993355B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/515,933 - Filed: 2021-11-01 - Published: 2022-05-12 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2020-11-07 - Assignees: University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees - Applicants: University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees - Inventors: Dillon Fontaine; Arun Shukla - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11993355B2 ## CPC - B63G 8/04: Superstructure - B63B 3/13: Hulls built to withstand hydrostatic pressure when fully submerged, e.g. submarine hulls - B63G 2008/002: {unmanned} - B63G: OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS (means of attack or defence in general, e.g. turrets F41H) - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) ## Abstract Structures designed to mitigate implosion pressure spikes through the use of an external sacrificial confining structure. Such improved structures can, in some embodiments, completely surround the existing structures that are at a high risk of imploding. The improved structures can slow the rate at which the surrounding fluid media volume is consumed by providing resistance to flow into the enclosure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A protective assembly for mitigating implosion pressure spikes, the protective assembly comprising, an inner hollow structure; an outer confining structure shaped to mirror the inner hollow structure and offset outwardly from the inner hollow structure defining a fluid media space therebetween; and at least one opening in the outer confining structure configured to allow fluid media to pass therethrough. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The protective assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening is circular. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The protective assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one opening is a plurality of openings. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The protective assembly of claim 2, wherein a total area of the at least one opening does not exceed 30% of a surface area of the outer confining structure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The protective assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening is a plurality of openings. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The protective assembly of claim 1, wherein a total area of the at least one opening does not exceed 25% of a surface area of the outer confining structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The protective assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner hollow structure is a portion of an unmanned underwater vehicle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The protective assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer confining structure is made of a stainless steel, an aluminum alloy, a nickel based super-alloy, carbon steel, or a copper alloy. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The protective assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer confining structure is monolithic. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The protective assembly of claim 1, where in the outer confining structure is made of a plurality of pieces. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The protective assembly of claim 10, wherein the plurality of pieces are fixed together. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The protective assembly of claim 1, wherein a fluid is disposed between the inner hollow structure and the outer confining structure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The protective assembly of claim 2, wherein a fluid is disposed between the inner hollow structure and the outer confining structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 5) The protective assembly of claim 5, wherein a fluid is disposed between the inner hollow structure and the outer confining structure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 6) The protective assembly of claim 6, wherein a fluid is disposed between the inner hollow structure and the outer confining structure. ### Claim 16 A protective assembly for mitigating implosion pressure spikes in a hollow structure, the protective assembly comprising: an outer confining structure shaped to mirror an outer surface of the hollow structure and offset outwardly from the inner hollow structure defining a fluid media space therebetween; and at least one opening in the outer confining structure configured to allow fluid media to pass therethrough. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The protective assembly of claim 16, wherein the at least one opening is circular. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The protective assembly of claim 17, wherein the at least one opening is a plurality of openings. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The protective assembly of claim 17, wherein a total area of the at least one opening does not exceed 30% of a surface area of the outer confining structure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The protective assembly of claim 16, wherein the at least one opening is a plurality of openings.