Linear cutting assembly, linear cutting system, and net penetrating method
AssigneeAdaptive Methods, Inc.
InventorsJames Wiggins, Walter Allensworth, Conrad Zeglin, Chris Norkoski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The problem of penetrating through nets and other objects is solved by cutting the object using a linear cutting assembly having a linear cutter arm that moves in an arc and pivots about an attachment point. The object is cut by a severing action caused by a moveable blade of the linear cutting arm moving back and forth across a stationary blade of the linear cutter arm. An underwater vehicle modified to incorporate an embodiment of the linear cutting assembly can cut a sufficiently large opening in the object to allow the vehicle to pass through.
Claims36
A cutting unit, comprising:
- a cutter arm comprising a first blade pivotally attached to a drive shaft and a second blade parallel to the first blade and capable of moving linearly back and forth across the first blade, the first and second blades having substantially the same length and a plurality of reciprocating teeth;
- and
- an assembly for moving the second blade linearly back and forth across the first blade and for rotating the linear cutter arm in a forward arc about the drive shaft.
A cutting apparatus for an underwater vehicle comprising a housing structure attached at a forward end and outside of the underwater vehicle, the housing structure containing a cutting unit wherein the cutting unit comprises an elongated opening on a surface of the housing structure to enable a cutter arm to rotate out of the housing structure in a forward arc.
A method of penetrating an object by an underwater vehicle using a linear cutting assembly attached to the outside of the underwater vehicle, the linear cutting assembly comprising a linear cutter arm having a first blade pivotally attached to a drive shaft and a second blade in contact with and parallel to the first blade, the method comprising the steps of:
- detecting the object in a path of the underwater vehicle;
- deploying the linear cutting assembly such that the cutter arm rotates from an initial position in a forward arc about the drive shaft and the second blade moves linearly back and forth across the first blade;
- cutting the object as the cutter arm contacts the object, the first and second blades having reciprocating teeth that cause a shearing action when the second blade moves linearly back and forth across the, first blade;
- and
- retracting the cutter arm to the initial position.
An unmanned underwater vehicle, comprising:
- an outer hull;
- a circular cutting assembly located within the outer hull, the circular cutting assembly comprising a stationary cutter having a cylindrical body and a floating cutter axially aligned with the stationary cutter, the floating cutter being able to rotate concentrically about the stationary cutter;
- and
- a linear cutting assembly comprising a linear cutter arm having a first blade pivotally attached to a drive shaft and a second blade parallel to the first blade and capable of moving linearly back and forth across the first blade.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.