USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Robert P Gibson

Robert L Peebles

William R Walton

Danny L Smith

Robert A Leasko

Walt Hollis

Robert S Pagliari

Amanda Mackintosh

Edward Hendrickson

Richard F Paradis

Sauer Brian

Joshua A Lappen

Jessica Haig

An apparatus collects data along water columns. A telescoping shell has an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. An expansible chamber is defined within the outer cylinder. A fluid flow path is formed between the expansible chamber and the outer cylinder's open end. A gas source is vented to the expansible chamber. Sensors, including a pressure sensor, are coupled to the shell such that they are exposed to an ambient water environment when the apparatus is deployed therein. A vent mounted in the outer cylinder vents the expansible chamber to the ambient water environment. A controller controls the gas source and vent based on sensed pressure of the ambient water environment such that water from the ambient water environment is admitted to or expelled from the expansible chamber via the fluid flow path.

Oceangraphic assembly for collecting data along multiple water columns

The invention in one variation is a modular recovery apparatus for dispensing a tether spool having a tow line with a float, where the tow line can be used to retrieve an unmanned underwater vehicle and other underwater platforms. The modular recovery apparatus can be triggered underwater or on the surface, and being modular in configuration it is suitable to be fitted to a variety of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The apparatus has a tether spool that is spring loaded, such that when the tether spool is deployed, the spring expels the tether spool with sufficient force to clearly separate it from the UUV. One end of the tow line is typically fastened to a tow point on the UUV, and an opposing end is attached to the float. When the tether spool is deployed, the tow line unwinds from the float, providing a securable length.

Blow-off float vehicle recovery apparatus

A system operable by a single workman safely launches and recovers an unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) using a motor-driven carriage to transport the UUV to the water. The UUV is fitted to a reconfigurable sabot. An elevating ramp on the carriage supports the sabot and UUV on an elongate conveyer assembly having inclined rollers aligned with motor-driven belts to selectively outwardly and inwardly displace the UUV between the carriage and the water. Hinge members are used to rotatably connect the elevating ramp to the carriage, and a lifting mechanism connected to the carriage and ramp rotatably displaces the ramp about the hinge members. The rollers and belts displace the UUV on the conveyer assembly. A winch on the elevating ramp has a line connected to the UUV to lower and raise the UUV during launch and recovery operations.

Launch and recovery system for unmanned undersea vehicles

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Panama City, FL, United States of America

Robert P Gibson