Retrieval mechanism for an underwater vehicle
OwnerJason Robichaud, James Giadone +1inventors
InventorsJason Robichaud, James Giadone, Jose Flores
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Abstract
An apparatus and related method of operation for collection of material by an underwater vehicle makes use of a number of arms extending outward from a body of the vehicle. The ends of the arms form an aperture for passing material into the body of the vehicle. One or more of the arms each includes a belt coupled to a drive mechanism for driving at least some portion of the belt generally toward the aperture. When driven, the belts form a current flowing into the vehicle propelling material for collection into the vehicle as well as mechanically force the material into the body. A spring-loaded mechanism can be used to force the arms together permitting retrieval of large object without jamming the retrieval mechanism.
Claims12
An apparatus for retrieving material using an underwater vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of arms extending outward from a body of the vehicle, each arm having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal ends of the arms forming an aperture for passing material into the body of the vehicle;
- and
- wherein at least one of the arms each includes a belt coupled to a drive mechanism for driving at least some portion of the belt generally toward the aperture.
A method for retrieving material underwater, comprising:
- providing a plurality of arms expending outward from a body of the vehicle, each arm having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal ends of the arms forming an aperture for passing material into the body of the vehicle;
- and
- driving a belt on each of at least one of the arms such that at least some portion of the belt forms a motion generally toward the aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.