Systems and methods for the modular attachment of additively manufactured components on vehicles

A device, comprising:

• an additively manufactured housing having an exterior surface, the housing having an interior;
• a plurality of additively manufactured connectors each having a first end, the first end of at least one of the additively manufactured connectors adapted to attach to the exterior surface of the device, the first end of the at least one additively manufactured connector further adapted to detach from the exterior surface of the device;
• a plurality of additively manufactured members, at least one of the additively manufactured members adapted to attach to a second end of the at least one of the additively manufactured connector, the at least one additively manufactured member further adapted to detach from the second end of the at least one additively manufactured connector, wherein the at least one additively manufactured member comprises a shroud, and wherein the at least one additively manufactured connector comprises a shroud connector adapted to mount the shroud onto the exterior surface of the device, wherein the first end of the shroud connector comprises at least one female-type connector, the at least one female-type connector adapted to engage a corresponding male-type connector, the corresponding male-type connector located on the exterior surface of the device, wherein the corresponding male-type connector located on the exterior surface of the device comprises alignment teeth additively manufactured on the exterior surface of the device, the alignment teeth adapted to be received by the at least one female-type connector located at the first end of the shroud connector, wherein the at least one female-type connector is adapted to slide over the alignment teeth in a first linear direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the alignment teeth;
• and,
• electronic components that control the device, wherein the device comprises a vehicle, the electronic components located within the interior of the device, the electronic components comprising a processor for executing instructions to operate the device.

A device, comprising:

• an additively manufactured housing having an exterior surface, the housing having an interior;
• a plurality of additively manufactured connectors each having a first end, the first end of at least one of the additively manufactured connectors adapted to attach to the exterior surface of the device, the first end of the at least one additively manufactured connector further adapted to detach from the exterior surface of the device;
• a plurality of additively manufactured members, at least one of the additively manufactured members adapted to attach to a second end of the at least one of the additively manufactured connector, the at least one additively manufactured member further adapted to detach from the second end of the at least one additively manufactured connector, wherein the at least one additively manufactured member comprises a shroud, and wherein the at least one additively manufactured connector comprises a shroud connector adapted to mount the shroud onto the exterior surface of the device, wherein the second end of the shroud connector comprises a male-type connector, the male-type connector adapted to engage a corresponding female-type connector located on the shroud, wherein the male-type connector is t-block shaped and the corresponding female-type connector is track-shaped, the t-block shaped male-type connector adapted to slide within the track-shaped female-type connector in a linear manner parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shroud;
• and,
• electronic components that control the device, wherein the device comprises a vehicle, the electronic components located within the interior of the device, the electronic components comprising a processor for executing instructions to operate the device.

A device, comprising:

• an additively manufactured housing having an exterior surface, the housing having an interior;
• a plurality of additively manufactured connectors each having a first end, the first end of at least one of the additively manufactured connectors adapted to attach to the exterior surface of the device, the first end of the at least one additively manufactured connector further adapted to detach from the exterior surface of the device;
• a plurality of additively manufactured members, at least one of the additively manufactured members adapted to attach to a second end of the at least one of the additively manufactured connector, the at least one additively manufactured member further adapted to detach from the second end of the at least one additively manufactured connector, wherein the at least one additively manufactured member comprises a propeller assembly, and wherein the at least one additively manufactured connector comprises a ball bearing assembly adapted to mount the propeller assembly onto the exterior surface of the device;
• and,
• electronic components that control the device, wherein the device comprises a vehicle, the electronic components located within the interior of the device, the electronic components comprising a processor for executing instructions to operate the device.

A device, comprising:

• an additively manufactured housing having an exterior surface, the housing having an interior;
• a plurality of additively manufactured connectors each having a first end, the first end of at least one of the additively manufactured connectors adapted to attach to the exterior surface of the device, the first end of the at least one additively manufactured connector further adapted to detach from the exterior surface of the device;
• a plurality of additively manufactured members, at least one of the additively manufactured members adapted to attach to a second end of the at least one of the additively manufactured connector, the at least one additively manufactured member further adapted to detach from the second end of the at least one additively manufactured connector, wherein the at least one additively manufactured member comprises an optical communications assembly, wherein the optical communications comprises a nephelometer;
• and,
• electronic components that control the device, wherein the device comprises a vehicle, the electronic components located within the interior of the device, the electronic components comprising a processor for executing instructions to operate the device.

A device, comprising:

• an additively manufactured housing having an exterior surface, the housing having an interior;
• a plurality of additively manufactured connectors each having a first end, the first end of at least one of the additively manufactured connectors adapted to attach to the exterior surface of the device, the first end of the at least one additively manufactured connector further adapted to detach from the exterior surface of the device;
• a plurality of additively manufactured members, at least one of the additively manufactured members adapted to attach to a second end of the at least one of the additively manufactured connector, the at least one additively manufactured member further adapted to detach from the second end of the at least one additively manufactured connector, wherein the at least one additively manufactured member comprises an optical communications assembly, wherein the optical communications comprises a turbidimeter;
• and,
• electronic components that control the device, wherein the device comprises a vehicle, the electronic components located within the interior of the device, the electronic components comprising a processor for executing instructions to operate the device.

A device, comprising:

• an additively manufactured housing having an exterior surface, the housing having an interior;
• a plurality of additively manufactured connectors each having a first end, the first end of at least one of the additively manufactured connectors adapted to attach to the exterior surface of the device, the first end of the at least one additively manufactured connector further adapted to detach from the exterior surface of the device;
• a plurality of additively manufactured members, at least one of the additively manufactured members adapted to attach to a second end of the at least one of the additively manufactured connector, the at least one additively manufactured member further adapted to detach from the second end of the at least one additively manufactured connector, wherein the at least one additively manufactured member is selected from a group consisting of a propeller assembly and an optical communications assembly that comprises a nephelometer or a turbidimeter, wherein the at least one additively manufactured connector comprises a ball bearing assembly adapted to mount the propeller assembly onto the exterior surface;
• and,
• electronic components that control the device, wherein the device comprises a vehicle, the electronic components located within the interior of the device, the electronic components comprising a processor for executing instructions to operate the device, wherein the vehicle is selected from a group of vehicles consisting of:
• an underwater vehicle, an aircraft, a drone, a boat, a ship, and a truck.

A device, comprising:

• an additively manufactured housing having an exterior surface, the housing having an interior;
• an additively manufactured connector adapted to attach to an interior surface of the device, wherein the exterior surface is attached to a first end of a second additively manufactured connector, the first end of the second additively manufactured connector adapted to detach from the exterior surface;
• an additively manufactured member, the additively manufactured member adapted to attach to the additively manufactured connector, the additively manufactured member further adapted to detach from the additively manufactured connector;
• a second additively manufactured member comprising a propeller assembly, the propeller assembly adapted to attach and detach to a second end of the second additively manufactured connector, wherein the second additively manufactured connector comprises a ball bearing assembly adapted to attach the propeller assembly onto the exterior surface;
• and,
• electronic components that control the device, wherein the device comprises a vehicle, the electronic components located within the interior of the device, the electronic components comprising a processor for executing instructions to move the device.