US 4,713,896 A · Inshore submersible amphibious machines

Abstract

A submersible unit comprises a portable, open or closed bottomed pneumatic chamber mounted on flexible drive tracks controlled by personnel from the chamber for operation along the bottom of a body of water, on the surface, at intermediate levels, in the air and on land. A safety chamber, connected to the submersible unit by an extendable linkage, can limit the depth of submergence of the submersible unit, stores cargo and carries power. Flooded compartments in the submersible unit and the safety chamber are supplied with compressed air to control the supported load and depth of submergence. Various accessories carried by the underwater unit enable the performance of a number of different on and under the water and land based tasks. A special pneumatic circuit enables equipment and propulsion to be controlled by touch control panels. A majority of operations are contained within the machine to minimize contamination of surrounding areas.

Claims57

Dependent claims

A submersible amphibious vehicle comprising:

as a self-contained unit means, at least one open-bottomed pneumatic chamber means adapted to house personnel and equipment on land, on water or underwater;
a propulsion unit means connected by means to said chamber and provided with means for propelling it on land, in the air, on the floor of a body of water, on the surface of the water, and anywhere in between;
a safety chamber unit means resting on said propulsion unit means and connected thereto by an extendable linkage means whereby as said vehicle progresses from dry land into deeper water said propulsion unit means remains on the bottom of said water;
said safety chamber means remains on said water surface as said linkage means extends, said safety chamber means being of sufficient displacement to carry said propulsion unit means and said open-bottomed pneumatic chamber means, whreby said propulsion unit means and its attached open-bottomed pneumatic chamber means are lifted from the bottom through said linkage means as the depth of water exceeds the maximum extension of said linkage means.

1 more element

A self-contained, free ranging vehicle capable of travelling on land, in the air, on water, and under water, comprising:

endless track driving means for travelling on said land, on and under said water, and along the floor of a body of water;
a power unit means for providing motive power to said vehicle on said land, in said air, on and under said water, and along said floor of a body of water;
at least one open-bottomed pneumatic chamber means permitting personnel inside to make observations or carry out work under water in conditions compatible with human requirements for extended periods of time, not requiring special clothing or breathing equipment, with unobstructed access to the surrounding water through the bottom of said open-bottomed pneumatic chamber means;
a control station means from where personnel can drive said vehicle either on said land, in said air, on or under said water, and along said floor of a body of water in human compatible conditions;
means for accomodating personnel in said open-bottomed pneumatic chamber means as said vehicle travels on said land, in said air, on and under said water;
means for continuously providing sufficient air pressure to said open-bottomed pneumatic chamber means to force water out of said open-bottomed pneumatic chamber means to maintain said human compatible conditions whereby said personnel can enter said open-bottomed pneumatic chamber means on dry land and remain therein, while wearing normal land type clothing and have unobstructed access to the exterior of said vehicle through the bottom of said open-bottomed pneumatic chamber means as said vehicle travels on or under said water;
a safety chamber means which rests on said vehicle when on and out of said water and which is connected to said driving means by an extendable linkage means;
said safety chamber means having a buoyancy sufficient to carry the weight of said vehicle, whereby as said vehicle enters said water said safety chamber means remains on the surface, with said linkage means extending until it reaches its maximum extension, at which point said safety chamber means prevents said vehicle from going any deeper into said water.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Inshore submersible amphibious machines

Life of this patent

Inshore submersible amphibious machines

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims57