Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.

Bae Systems Information and Electronic

Systems Integration Inc.

Jerrod S Allen

Matthew Flint Kepler

Gary M Shapiro

Richard N Jorgenson

John C Cobb, Iii

Christopher G Van Valkenburgh

Jeffrey Smith

The system and method of retractable solar arrays for underwater vehicles. In some cases, the retractable solar arrays for underwater vehicles contain anti-biofouling mechanisms. The retractable solar arrays may extend in a linear or a fan-like manner. In some cases, the solar array may be wrapped around the outside of the underwater vehicle or within a cylindrical housing. In some cases the solar array is a single flexible member with a series of connected panels.

Retractable solar arrays for unmanned underwater vehicles

Techniques are disclosed for providing retractable control fins on an underwater vehicle. The retractable control fins can be extended away from a main hull portion of the underwater vehicle and retracted inwards to a stowage region within the hull portion to protect the fins from damage and reduce an overall outer diameter (e.g., in the case of a cylindrical body) of the underwater vehicle. In some embodiments, the control fins are folded inwards to reduce the vehicle diameter. In other embodiments, the control fins are pulled inwards using a rotating structure designed to slide the control fins through an opening and into an inner portion of the hull to reduce the vehicle diameter. The retraction of the fins through the various retraction mechanisms reduces the envelope diameter of the underwater vehicle.

Retractable control fins for underwater vehicles

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Jerrod S Allen