USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Other

Duane M Horton

James L Dick

An underwater vehicle is provided with facility for affixing to and maintaining station on a hull of another marine vehicle. The underwater vehicle includes a hull with a propulsion means for movement underwater. Maneuvering planes are mounted on the hull. Body panels are movably fixed to the hull and are moveable from first positions in which the panels conform to a shape of the hull to second positions in which the panels extend outwardly from the hull and toward the other marine vehicle, free edges of the panels being engageable with the other marine vehicle to deter flow of water between the underwater vehicle hull and the other marine vehicle and guide flow of water around the underwater vehicle hull to pin the underwater vehicle against the other marine vehicle hull.

Underwater vehicle

A submarine mast simulator as part of a buoyant tow body having a hydrodynamically shaped shell. The mast simulator includes a rigid lower mast section and an inflatable upper mast section extendable from the tow body. A plurality of stabilizer fins extend radially from the tail of the tow body, the fins being actuated to cause the ascent and descent of the tow body. A pressure sensor is positioned on an outer surface of the tow body for detecting a depth of the tow body, and a motor with controller is housed within the tow body, the controller initiating extension of the mast simulator in response to a depth indication.

Towable submarine mast simulator

A flexible nose assembly for an underwater vehicle provides increased energy-absorbing capabilities and facilitates recovery and handling of the vehicle. The flexible nose assembly includes a flexible nose cap, at least one retrieval device, and at least one cable that is strong in tension, yet weak in compression which is coupled between the retrieval device and the UUV body. The flexible nose cap has a gap formed therein allowing the communication of environmental water into the region between the vehicle body and the nose cap. Optionally, the retrieval device may be recessed into the flexible nose assembly, thereby reducing hydrodynamic drag and overall vehicle length. Energy-absorbing ballast can be positioned within the nose cap in order to further enhance survivability.

Shock-mitigating nose for underwater vehicles

A vehicle towed by a submerged vehicle is surfaced with improved speed, rability and efficiency by displacing water from within the towed vehicle with gases evolved by electrolysis within the towed vehicle. Positive buoyancy is thus derived and the attitude of the towed vehicle is controllably altered so that hydrodynamic lift is also produced to rapidly surface the towed vehicle.

Apparatus and method for floating a towed device from a submerged vehicle

An improved swivel joint capable of high pressure service for rotatably connecting two conduits. The swivel joint includes an inner conduit and an outer conduit which are secured together by means of ball bearings. In addition to the ball bearings, there exist wear pads to assist the ball bearings in carrying the load should the ball bearings or bearing races become worn. Additionally, the bearing races and wear pad contacting surfaces are hardened to provide the swivel joint with extended life. The unique design of the swivel joint allows it to be safely used in high pressure service.

Growing community of inventors

Portsmouth, RI, United States of America

Duane M Horton