Underwater vehicle
AssigneeOcom Technology LLC
InventorJack Ing Jeng
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various aspects can be implemented to provide a reconfigurable underwater vehicle. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a underwater vehicle that includes a hull that is angular in shape and capable of avoiding sonar detection. The hull can include a bow and a stern that are substantially similar in shape. The underwater vehicle can also include a plurality of reconfigurable modules that are interconnected to form the hull of the underwater vehicle. Each reconfigurable module is capable of performing a different function associated with operation of the underwater vehicle. Further, the plurality of reconfigurable modules can be built in a warehouse away from a shipyard and assembled to form the underwater vehicle at the shipyard.
Claims22
A underwater vehicle comprising:
- a hull that is angular in shape having a central portion and capable of avoiding sonar detection, the hull including a bow and a stern that are substantially the same in size and shape to one another;
- a plurality of reconfigurable modules substantially the same size and shape that are interconnected to form a majority of the hull of the underwater vehicle, at least three of the reconfigurable modules including equipment for performing specific functions, each of the specific functions being different from each other and each of the specific functions being associated with operation of the underwater vehicle;
- one or more engines that are mounted in any one of the plurality of reconfigurable modules without regard to module position in the hull;
- and
- a retractable wireless communication system, the retractable wireless communication system comprising a fiber optic remote control, a monitoring system and a rising pole with level balance weight;
- wherein the rising pole is stowed at a 0 degree angle to the hull of the underwater vehicle while submerged and cruising;
- wherein the rising pole is elevated to a 30 degree angle or a 90 degree angle to the hull of the underwater vehicle to perform periscope functionality, wireless communication functionality or snorkeling functionality;
- and
- wherein the plurality of reconfigurable modules are configured to be connected to one another in any order.
An underwater vehicle comprising:
- a hull that is angular in shape and capable of avoiding sonar detection, the hull including a bow and a stern that are substantially the same in size and in shape to one another;
- a plurality of reconfigurable modules substantially the same size and shape that are interconnected to form a majority of the hull of the underwater vehicle, at least three of the reconfigurable modules including equipment for performing specific functions, each of the specific functions being different from each other and each of the specific functions being associated with operation of the underwater vehicle;
- and
- a retractable wireless communication system, the retractable wireless communication system comprising a fiber optic remote control, a monitoring system and a rising pole with level balance weight;
- wherein the rising pole is stowed at a 0 degree angle to the hull of the underwater vehicle while submerged and cruising;
- and
- wherein the rising pole is elevated to a 30 degree angle or a 90 degree angle to the hull of the underwater vehicle to perform periscope functionality, wireless communication functionality or snorkeling functionality.
A method of constructing an underwater vehicle at a port comprising the steps of:
- connecting a bow module to a first plurality of reconfigurable modules to form a first module combination wherein connecting the bow module is by welding;
- connecting a stern module to a second plurality of reconfigurable modules to form a second module combination wherein connecting the stern module is by welding;
- housing a retractable wireless communication system in a first plurality of reconfigurable modules, the retractable wireless communication system comprising a fiber optic remote control, a monitoring system and a rising pole with level balance weight;
- and
- moving the first module combination and second module combination into a body of water at the port and securing the respective module combinations above the water to form an underwater vehicle;
- wherein connecting the plurality of reconfigurable modules is by a plurality of module connection reinforcement connectors and hardware;
- wherein modules in the first and the second plurality of reconfigurable modules are substantially the same in size and shape;
- wherein the rising pole is stowed at a 0 degree angle to the first plurality of reconfigurable modules of the underwater vehicle while submerged and cruising;
- and
- wherein the rising pole is elevated to a 30 degree angle or a 90 degree angle to the first reconfigurable modules of the underwater vehicle to perform periscope functionality, wireless communication functionality or snorkeling functionality.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.