System for the deployment of marine payloads
AssigneeWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution
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.
Claims20
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 internal wall defining a wet space, the wet space configured to be contiguous with and exposed to the fluid environment;
- ii. at least one payload, each payload comprising at least a first surface wherein at least one payload 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;
- 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 internal 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;
- 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.
The payload of claim 15, wherein the leg assembly is further configured to enable transition between the first position and the second position while the payload is resting on a surface.
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 deployment chamber is configured to exclude the fluid environment and comprises at least one internal wall;
- wherein said at least one internal 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 deployment chamber, the payload comprising at least 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 internal wall;
- c. using the vacuum mechanism to establish a vacuum in the wet space;
- d. holding the payload in the deployment chamber solely by the vacuum force in the wet space;
- e. placing the system in the fluid environment;
- and
- f. releasing at least one payload.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.