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US 9,032,900 B2Granted
Marine vehicle systems and methods
AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorsAri Glezer, Lora G. Weiss, Mark G. Allen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Marine vehicle systems and methods are disclosed. The marine vehicle can be buoyancy controlled, enabling efficient, extended use of the marine vehicle. Buoyancy actuation can enable roll, pitch, and yaw of the marine vehicle, as well as translation in any direction. One or more elastic bladders can be disposed on or in the marine vehicle. The bladders can be selectively inflated and deflated to control movement of the marine vehicle.
Claims20
A marine vehicle comprising:
- a body;
- and
- a plurality of inflatable bladders;
- wherein at least one bladder of the plurality of inflatable bladders selectively inflates and deflates underwater to control movement, including forwards or backwards propulsion, of the marine vehicle.
1 more element
A marine vehicle comprising:
- a body;
- and
- a plurality of control surfaces, at least one control surface of the plurality of control surfaces comprising an inflatable bladder;
- and
- a control system that selectively inflates and deflates the inflatable bladder underwater to control movement of the control surface to propel the marine vehicle in a forwards or backwards direction.
2 more elements
A marine vehicle comprising:
- a body;
- and
- a plurality of flappable fins, each of the plurality of fins comprising a plurality of inflatable bladders;
- wherein at least one bladder of the plurality of inflatable bladders selectively inflates and deflates underwater to control a flapping motion of at least one fin of the plurality of flappable fins to impart forwards or backwards propulsion to the marine vehicle.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.