Bow clamp

A system for selectively securing components of an underwater vehicle, the system comprising:

• an access plate secured to the bow of the vehicle and having a flange;
• a nose cone having a flange;
• and
• a bow clamp configured to selectively attach the nose cone to the access plate, the bow clamp comprising:
• a circular body comprising two semi-circular parts joined by a hinge, the hinge being operable to open the bow clamp;
• a vehicle mating flange configured to integrate with the flange of the access plate;
• a nose cone mating flange configured to integrate with the flange of the nose cone;
• and
• a clamp configured to selectively secure the bow clamp to the access plate and the nose cone.

A method of attaching a nose cone to an underwater vehicle, the method comprising:

• attaching an access plate secured to a bow of the vehicle and having a flange to a a nose cone having a flange by using a bow clamp configured to selectively attach the nose cone to the access plate via the flanges, the bow clamp comprising:
• a circular body comprising two semi-circular parts joined by a hinge, the hinge being operable to open the bow clamp;
• a vehicle mating flange configured to integrate with the flange of the access plate;
• a nose cone mating flange configured to integrate with the flange of the nose cone;
• a clamp configured to selectively secure the bow clamp to the access plate and the nose cone.
• wherein at least one of the vehicle mating flange and the nose cone mating flange comprises an intermittent pattern of open portions and solid portions, such that the nose cone is secured to the vehicle with at least one flange having the intermittent pattern of open portions and solid portions.