US 12,747,002 B2 · Unmanned trans-surface vehicle

Abstract

A watercraft comprises a vehicle payload bay; a sail connected to the payload bay for propelling the watercraft in a foiling mode; and three or more hydrofoils connected to the payload bay. The hydrofoils are configured to provide control of the roll, pitch, and yaw of the watercraft and to elevate the vehicle payload by above a water surface when the watercraft is in the foiling mode. The hydrofoils can also provide control of roll, pitch, yaw, and elevation of the watercraft during the transition from a prone mode to a foiling mode. A mechanical propulsive system can be used for propelling the watercraft at least during transition from the prone mode to the foiling mode. The watercraft may not include a hull such that during the transition from the prone mode to the foiling mode, pitch and roll control are not substantially provided through the actions of gravity and buoyancy.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A watercraft that is selectively operable in one of a submerged mode and a foiling mode, the watercraft comprising:

a vehicle payload bay;
a sail connected to the vehicle payload bay for propelling the watercraft in the foiling mode;
three or more hydrofoils connected to the vehicle payload bay, the hydrofoils configured to provide control of a roll, a pitch, and a yaw of the watercraft and to elevate the vehicle payload bay above a water surface when the watercraft is in the foiling mode;
and
a hybrid-electric propulsion and generation system configured to propel the watercraft in the submerged mode and generate electricity from movement of the watercraft,
wherein the sail comprises a rigid sail having a plurality of sections that nest when stowed, and
wherein the watercraft is configured to be foldable to fit within a torpedo tube.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Unmanned trans-surface vehicle

Life of this patent

Unmanned trans-surface vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11