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US 2024/0101233 A1Published application
Device for the launch and recovery of large diameter uncrewed underwater vehicle
AssigneeHuntington Ingalls Incorporated
InventorsGregory W. Horshok, John A. Johnson, Jason May
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A launch and recovery vehicle can be towed by a water vehicle or ship. The launch and recover vehicle can ballast in order to retrieve an unmanned vehicle. The launch and recovery vehicle can deballast while holding the unmanned vehicle. The water vehicle or ship can retrieve or winch the launch and recovery vehicle onto a well deck. Additionally, the launch and recovery vehicle has wheels and can be pulled or towed onto land with a land-based vehicle, such as a truck.
Claims24
A launch and recovery vehicle, comprising:
- a frame having a plurality of connected materials that collectively form a rigid body, wherein the frame is elongated and has a set of wheels to carry an item;
- wherein the frame is pulled or towed on the set of wheels when the frame is located on a solid surface;
- wherein the frame can be immersed into water to retrieve the item, which is in the water;
- the frame having a portion that is a middle area with a semi-circular or similar shape at one end to hold the item in the portion of the frame;
- a capture mechanism that includes a pair of rails that run along each side of the frame, the capture mechanism secures the item to the frame;
- and
- the frame having at least one tank for ballasting and deballasting wherein when ballasting occurs and the launch and recovery vehicle is in the water, the launch and recovery vehicle sinks in the water, and when deballasting occurs and the launch and recovery vehicle is in the water, the launch and recovery vehicle rises toward a water surface in the water.
4 more elements
A method for a launch and recover vehicle, comprising:
- creating a frame having a plurality of connected materials that collectively form a rigid body;
- elongating the frame to carry an item;
- adding a set of wheels to the frame where the frame is pulled or towed on the set of wheels when the frame is located on a solid surface;
- immersing the frame into water to retrieve the item, which is in the water;
- including a portion in the frame that is a middle area with a semi-circular or similar shape at one end to hold the item in the portion of the frame;
- implementing a capture mechanism that includes a pair of rails that run along each side of the frame, the capture mechanism secures the item to the frame;
- and
- attaching at least one tank to the frame ballasting and deballasting such that when ballasting occurs and the launch and recovery vehicle is in the water, the launch and recovery vehicle submerges in the water, and when deballasting occurs and the launch and recovery vehicle is in the water, the launch and recovery vehicle rises toward a water surface in the water.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.