Extended range support module
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsBrian T McKeon, John Sirmalis, William P. Krol
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An extended range support module for an undersea vehicle includes an outer hull capable of accommodating the undersea vehicle therein. A navigation module is positioned on the outer hull and capable of being joined to the undersea vehicle. Controllable fins are provided on the outer hull and joined to allow control by the navigation module. A buoyancy control system is positioned within the outer hull and joined to the navigation module. An extended fuel tank is provided inside the outer hull between the outer hull and the undersea vehicle. The extended fuel tank is joined to provide fuel to the undersea vehicle. The navigation module can have GPS, inertial sensors, and sonar sensors to aid in navigation.
Claims13
An extended range support module for an undersea vehicle comprising:
- an outer hull capable of accommodating the undersea vehicle therein;
- a navigation module positioned on said outer hull and capable of being joined to the undersea vehicle;
- controllable fins positioned on said outer hull and joined to allow control by said navigation module;
- a buoyancy control system positioned within the outer hull and joined to said navigation module;
- and
- an extended fuel tank positionable within said outer hull between said outer hull and the undersea vehicle, capable of being joined in fluid communication with the undersea vehicle.
An extended range support module for an undersea vehicle comprising:
- an outer hull capable of accommodating the undersea vehicle therein wherein said outer hull can be separated from the undersea vehicle after the combined extended range support module and undersea vehicle has been deployed;
- a navigation module positioned on said outer hull and capable of being joined to the undersea vehicle;
- controllable fins positioned on said outer hull and joined to allow control by said navigation module;
- a buoyancy control system positioned within the outer hull and joined to said navigation module;
- and
- an extended fuel tank positionable within said outer hull between said outer hull and the undersea vehicle, capable of being joined in fluid communication with the undersea vehicle;
- wherein said outer hull has a deployment aperture formed therein and further comprising a plurality of retaining actuators joinable between said outer hull and the undersea vehicle, said plurality of retaining actuators being joined to said navigation module and capable of releasing the undersea vehicle on command therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.