CA2797324C - Apparatus and method for transferring data from or to an underwater pressure body - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for transferring data and to a method for transferring data from or to an underwater pressure body 30 having a bulk storage apparatus 10. The bulk storage apparatus 10 is normally located within the underwater pressure body 30, such that only by means of a time-consuming disassembly of the underwater pressure body 30 can the bulk storage apparatus 10 be disconnected from a computation unit 32 of the underwater pressure body 30, and the data of the separate bulk storage apparatus 10 can be transferred by passing on to the bulk storage apparatus 10. The problem of time-consuming transfer of data is solved by means of an apparatus according to the invention which comprises the bulk storage apparatus 10, which has a pressure-resistant insulation body 24 through which water cannot pass and which has no air in it, and which can be detachably connected to a connecting apparatus 36 which is arranged on the outside of the underwater pressure body 30. There is therefore no need to disassemble the underwater pressure body 30 in order to remove the bulk storage apparatus 10, and the time for transferring the data is substantially shortened.

Description

, ' WO 2011/154411 Al Apparatus and Method for Transferring Data from or to an Underwater Pressure Body The invention pertains to an apparatus for transferring data from or to an underwater pressure body that comprises a bulk storage device, on which data can be read and/or written by means of a computation unit arranged in the interior of the underwater pressure body, wherein the data can be transferred between the computation unit of the underwater pressure body and another computation unit by means of the bulk storage device. The invention furthermore pertains to a method for transferring the data of such a bulk storage device.
Known unmanned underwater vehicles regularly collect large quantities of data during a mission, wherein this data is initially stored in the interior of the underwater vehicle, namely on a bulk storage device arranged in the underwater pressure body of the underwater vehicle. However, the underwater vehicle traditionally needs to be recovered from the water and its underwater pressure body subsequently needs to be opened in order to transfer the data. The bulk storage device that is arranged in the interior of the underwater pressure body and connected to the computation unit then needs to be separated from the underwater vehicle in order to pass on the bulk storage device. In this way, the data is transferred by passing on the bulk storage device. In order to once again utilize the underwater pressure body, another bulk storage device is connected to the computation unit in its interior. The underwater pressure body is then sealed again in a pressure-resistant and waterproof fashion in order to protect the bulk storage device and the computation unit from penetrating water and therefore from an electric short circuit and other possible damages caused by (sea) water.

This known apparatus has the disadvantage that the transfer of the data requires a significant expenditure of time because the pressure-resistant underwater pressure body needs to be opened and closed again in a waterproof fashion.
In the prior art, US2005/0057849 Al describes a bulk storage device that features a bulk storage module, particularly an electromechanical hard disk drive, in the interior of its hermetically sealed housing. In its interior, the housing furthermore features a volume with air under normal pressure. Data on this bulk storage device can be transferred to a computation unit via a communication line or via radio waves, wherein the bulk storage device and the computation unit are situated in the interior of another body. The body is not realized in the form of a pressure-resistant body. This known bulk storage device has the disadvantage that a significant expenditure of time is required for opening the body in order to remove the bulk storage device.
In US2005/0057849 Al, the data of the bulk storage device is alternatively transferred via radio. For this purpose, the bulk storage device features an antenna. The data is transmitted via radio by means of the antenna and received by means of a receiving antenna that is situated in the vicinity of the antenna and connected to another computation unit.
This known apparatus has the disadvantage that a time period for transferring data that is referred to as transfer period below depends on the transmission characteristics of the radio systems used, as well as on the number and the size of the data on the bulk storage device to be transmitted.

Furthermore, JP2007028188 A also describes the wireless transmission of data from a photo camera accommodated in a waterproof housing to a bulk storage device that is also accommodated in a waterproof housing.
US 7,296,345 B1 describes a bulk storage device, the electronic components of which are initially placed into a lower housing part during the manufacture, wherein the upper housing part is subsequently manufactured by means of encapsulation such that only the terminals protrude from the housing. US20060220201 Al also describes a bulk storage device with electronic components that are encapsulated except for their terminals.
Furthermore, publications US 20060005759 Al, JP2001251543 A
and JP2006251225 A describe the transmission of data between two waterproof housings, wherein a bulk storage device is respectively accommodated in one of the housings.
In light of these circumstances, some embodiments of the invention are based on the objective of making available an apparatus for transferring data from or to an underwater pressure body that makes it possible to shorten the transfer time.
According to some embodiments of the invention, this objective is attained with an apparatus of the initially cited type, in which the bulk storage device features a pressure-resistant, waterproof and evacuated insulation body. Furthermore, the bulk storage device can be detachably connected to a connecting device arranged on the outside of the underwater body and features at least two components, namely a bulk storage component and a pressure-resistant, waterproof and detachable connecting element that is referred to as underwater connecting element below. The bulk storage component is also connected to the underwater connecting element via an internal connection.

In addition, the bulk storage device features a switching component, particularly a solenoid switch, wherein the switching component is designed for realizing the internal connection between the external contacts of the underwater connecting element and the bulk storage component contacts in a switchable fashion. This is advantageous because the bulk storage component can be rendered short circuit-proof by disconnecting or connecting the electrically conductive connection between the bulk storage device and the connecting device. According to the invention, the disconnecting and connecting of the electrically conductive connection is not limited to mechanically disconnecting or connecting one or more lines of the connection, but rather also includes the electrical disconnecting and connecting of the connection, in particular, by means of transistors.
According to some embodiments of the invention, the objective is furthermore attained with a method for transferring data by means of such an apparatus, wherein the bulk storage device is detachably connected to a connecting device of the computation unit of the underwater pressure body that is arranged on the outside of the underwater pressure body and the data is transferred by passing on the detachably connected bulk storage device from the computation unit of the underwater pressure body to another computation unit.

- 4a -In some embodiments, the invention provides an apparatus for transferring data from or to an underwater pressure body comprising a bulk storage device, on which the data can be read and/or written by means of a computation unit in the interior of the underwater pressure body that is referred to as underwater computation unit below, wherein the data can be transferred between the underwater computation unit and another computation unit by means of the bulk storage device, wherein the bulk storage device features a pressure-resistant, waterproof and air-free insulation body and is designed for being detachably connected to a connecting device arranged on the outside of the underwater pressure body, and wherein the bulk storage device features a bulk storage component and an underwater connecting element, wherein the bulk storage component and the underwater connecting element are connected to one another via an internal connection and the bulk storage device features a switching component that is designed for realizing the internal connection between external contacts of the underwater connecting element and bulk storage component contacts in a switchable fashion.
In some embodiments, the invention provides a method for transferring data from or to an underwater pressure body comprising a bulk storage device, on which the data can be read and/or written by means of a computation unit in the interior of the underwater pressure body that is referred to as underwater computation unit below, wherein the data can be transferred between the underwater computation unit and another computation unit by means of the bulk storage device, wherein the bulk storage device is detachably connected to a connecting device arranged on the outside of the underwater pressure body - 4b -and the data is transferred by passing on the detachably connected bulk storage device from the underwater computation unit to the other computation unit, and wherein the bulk storage device is connected or disconnected without short circuits above water or while it is submerged in a dry or wet fashion by means of the bulk storage device featuring a switching component in order to transfer the data by passing on the bulk storage device.
The invention is based on the notion that the bulk storage device does not necessarily have to be arranged in the interior of an underwater pressure body, but an arrangement of the bulk storage device on the outside of the underwater pressure body is also possible if the bulk storage device additionally features an insulation body that insulates against water and pressure. To this end, the invention proposes a bulk storage device that features an insulation body and is designed for being detachably connected to a connecting device on the underwater pressure body. In this case, it is advantageous that the bulk storage device . - 5 -merely needs to be detached from the connecting device. In this way, it is not necessary to open, detach and/or separate any other components of the underwater pressure body in order to remove the bulk storage device.
The insulation body advantageously insulates the electrical components of the bulk storage device against the surrounding pressure and the surrounding water. According to the invention, the insulation body does not feature a volume with air or does not enclose a volume with air or a cavity because air causes buoyancy when it is submerged and the insulation body would also require a more elaborate construction in order to ensure the resistance to pressure at greater diving depths. Due to the insulation body, the bulk storage device is functional inside and outside the underwater pressure body, i.e., data can be read and/or written on the bulk storage device. The insulation body furthermore provides the option to transfer data, e.g., of sensors on the underwater pressure body to or from the bulk storage device during a mission at greater diving depths such as, e.g., the conventional diving depths of deep-sea submarines that lie at several 1000 m.
According to the invention, the data of the bulk storage device is transferred by passing on the detached bulk storage device. In this way, the data of the bulk storage device can be transferred within a shorter transfer period than with previously utilized apparatuses that operate with a radio transmission or a wire-bound transmission from or to the underwater pressure body independently of the number and the size of the data, particularly when larger data quantities such as, e.g., data with an overall size in excess of one gigabyte needs to be transferred.
The bulk storage component advantageously consists of a commercially available and therefore cost-efficient bulk storage component. According to the invention, the bulk storage component is not limited to semiconductor components only, but also includes bulk storage modules such as, in particular, a USB flash bulk storage. The bulk storage modules not only feature the bulk storage component, but also other components required for the operation of the bulk storage components. The bulk storage module features, in particular, a voltage stabilization and/or an interface conversion component.
The underwater connecting element is advantageously waterproof. Consequently, external contacts of the underwater connecting element are not electrically short-circuited while they are submerged and connected to another underwater connecting element. The underwater connecting element furthermore is resistant to pressure. In this way, a transmission between two interconnected underwater connecting elements without short circuits is realized despite the water pressure that increases proportionally to the diving depth.
The bulk storage component and the underwater connecting element are connected to one another via the internal connection. In this way, the contacts of the bulk storage component that are referred to as bulk storage component contacts below extend outward to the external contacts of the underwater connecting element via the internal connection and the internal contacts of the underwater connecting element.
The internal connection advantageously is permanently connected to the internal contacts of the underwater connecting element and/or to the bulk storage component contacts in an electrically conductive fashion, particularly by means of soldering or lasing. In this way, an inseparable and therefore more pressure-resistant connection can be produced between the bulk storage component and the underwater connecting element.

, ' , In a special embodiment, the bulk storage component is realized in the form of a bulk storage module. This bulk storage module is realized, in particular, in the form of a flash bulk storage with a male USB connector and connected to a socket that is compatible with the bulk storage module, particularly a female USB connector, with its conductive contacts. A connection with the external contacts of the underwater connecting elements is produced by means of the internal connection when the bulk storage module is connected to the socket. Consequently, data can be read and/or written via the external contacts of the underwater connecting element. In this way, it is advantageously possible to utilize a conventional bulk storage module in the bulk storage device.
In another special embodiment of the invention, the insulation body is designed for insulating contacts of the underwater connecting element except the external contacts of the underwater connecting element, the internal connection and other components in a short circuit-proof, pressure-resistant, waterproof, evacuated and inseparable fashion by means of silicones, plastics, synthetic resins, particularly cast polyurethane, and/or alternatively by means of electrically non-conductive, pressure-resistant, waterproof and air-free pourable casting compounds.
The insulation body advantageously consists of a housing that is manufactured of non-conductive, pressure-resistant, waterproof and air-free pourable casting compounds and only insulates the electrically conductive contacts, lines and components against the surrounding pressure and electrically conductive water. In this way, the bulk storage device can be realized arbitrarily with respect to its external shape. In addition to featuring the underwater connecting element, the insulation body advantageously has an external shape that is favorable with respect to the . - 8 -flow, i.e., an external shape that minimizes the flow resistance, and/or a constructionally optimal external shape, i.e., an external shape that reduces the weight and the size.
The insulation body advantageously envelopes the bulk storage component in order to protect the bulk storage component against the surrounding pressure. According to the invention, this envelope is not limited to the bulk storage component only, but may also be expanded such that it includes any other components except the external contacts of the underwater connecting element, particularly components of the bulk storage device. In this respect, enveloping refers to an encapsulation without cavities, e.g., by means of casting with the pourable casting compound. In this case, an additional pressure-resistant housing is not required because the insulation body also does not collapse or implode under high pressure due to the cavity-free cast encapsulation.
If the bulk storage device features energy storage components such as, e.g., capacitors or energy sources, particularly batteries, the current-conducting external contacts of the underwater connecting element can be switched by means of the switching component in such a way that no current can flow via the external contacts of the underwater connecting element.
In a special embodiment of the bulk storage device, the switching component consists of a solenoid switch that is realized in the form of a Hall switch. This is advantageous because it is possible to switch the switching state by means of a magnetic field situated in the region of the Hall switch. A permanent magnet is advantageously provided in the region of the connecting device, wherein the magnetic field of this permanent magnet makes it possible to switch the switching component of the bulk storage device within a certain range of the switching component.
The switching component is arranged within the designated range that triggers a switching process by producing a mechanical connection between the bulk storage device and the connecting device. The designated range that triggers a switching process is preferably reached as soon as the mechanical connection is waterproof with respect to the electrically conductive contacts. Due to these measures, the insulation body requires no adaptations at all in the region of the Hall switch, e.g. adaptations of the type required when using mechanical switches.
The switching component alternatively consists of a solenoid switch that is realized in the form of a reed relay and switched by means of the computation unit of the underwater pressure body that is referred to as underwater computation unit below. In this way, the current-conducting external contacts of the bulk storage device are switched by means of the underwater computation unit. This is advantageous if a control connection exists between a control center and the underwater computation unit because such a connection not only makes it possible to control other sensors and/or other devices of the underwater pressure body, but also the switch of the bulk storage device. Consequently, the switching component can be switched in a remote-controlled fashion from the control center.
In a preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus, the apparatus features the bulk storage device, the connecting device, the underwater pressure body and a connection between the underwater computation unit and the connecting device on the underwater pressure body. The connection between the underwater computation unit and the connecting device on the underwater pressure body furthermore features another switching component that is referred to as connecting device switch below. The connecting device . - 10 -switch switches one or more of the lines leading to the connecting device. These lines consist, in particular, of power lines of a power supply for the bulk storage device and/or of communication lines between the underwater computation unit and the connecting device. The connecting device switch and/or the switching component of the bulk storage device can be switched, particularly into the disconnected state, prior to disconnecting the connection between the bulk storage device and the connecting device in order to prevent a short circuit at the electric contacts of the bulk storage device and/or at the electric contacts of the connecting device.
The bulk storage device preferably features a permanent .
magnet for switching the connecting device switch.
The switching component and/or the connecting device switch is alternatively realized in the form of a mechanical switch. This also makes it possible to prevent a short circuit.
In another special embodiment, the bulk storage device and the connecting device on the underwater pressure body feature complementary, pressure-resistant, waterproof and detachable connecting elements, particularly a plug-socket pair, designed for transmitting electrical and/or optical signals between the bulk storage device and the underwater computation unit.
Due to the complementary connecting elements such as, e.g., a plug-socket pair, at least one mechanical connection is advantageously produced between the bulk storage device and the connecting device on the underwater pressure body. In addition, electrical and/or optical signals can be transmitted via the connecting elements that are mechanically connected to one another in order to realize a data transfer. In this way, the mechanically connected ' ' - 11 -connecting elements are furthermore connected in an electrically conductive and/or optically conductive fashion. If so required, it would even be possible to realize, e.g., the power supply of the bulk storage device by means of the connecting device.
The connected connecting elements are advantageously pressure-resistant and waterproof such that the electrical signals are not short-circuited by penetrating water, particularly at underwater depths greater than 50 meters.
The connecting device makes it possible to respectively disconnect or connect the bulk storage device from or to the computation unit in the interior of the underwater pressure body, namely the underwater computation unit. The underwater computation unit therefore is advantageously arranged in the interior of the underwater pressure body rather than on the outside of the underwater pressure body.
Consequently, the computation unit requires no insulation body that insulates the computation unit against the surrounding water, mechanical shocks and compressive forces created due to differential pressure ratios between the inside and the outside the computation unit.
In a special embodiment, the connection between the connecting device and the underwater computation unit that is referred to as communication connection below is produced temporarily or permanently. This is advantageous because the communication connection is only required when the underwater computation unit accesses data on the bulk storage device. This data access takes place while reading and/or writing data on the bulk storage device. The communication connection is realized by means of electrically and/or optically conductive communication lines. An electric short circuit of the communication lines can be prevented while disconnecting or after disconnecting the bulk storage device from the connecting device by stopping the data access or disconnecting the communication lines. In this way, an electric voltage is no longer applied to the connecting device and the bulk storage device can be disconnected or connected without short circuits despite the surrounding electrically conductive water.
In a special embodiment, the underwater pressure body featuring the bulk storage device and the connecting device is realized in the form of an underwater vehicle, particularly an unmanned, remotely operated or autonomously acting underwater vehicle. Since the underwater pressure body is realized in the form of an underwater vehicle, the bulk storage device can be advantageously transported to a location, at which it can be exchanged. The location, at which the bulk storage device can be exchanged, may lie in the region of a surface watercraft, particularly a ship, an underwater vehicle, particularly a submarine, or a predetermined location above or below the water level. The bulk storage device can be respectively disconnected or connected from or to the underwater vehicle featuring the connecting device at the location, at which the exchange takes place. After the bulk storage device has been disconnected, its data can be transferred to another computation unit by passing on the bulk storage device.
Since the underwater pressure body is realized in the form of an underwater vehicle, the distance from the other computation unit can be shortened. Due to the shorter transport distance for passing on the bulk storage device, the shortest distance from the other computation unit reduces the transfer period from the underwater computation unit to the other computation unit.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the underwater vehicle is realized in the form of an autonomously acting underwater vehicle. The autonomously acting underwater vehicle is usually referred to as "Autonomous Underwater Vehicle" and abbreviated as AUV below. An AUV represents another design of the underwater pressure body that additionally features at least one drive unit and/or rudder unit. The location, at which the exchange takes place, advantageously can be autonomously reached in order to remove and subsequently pass on the bulk storage device while the AUV is still submerged or above water immediately after its recovery.
In another special embodiment, the outside of the underwater pressure body features a flow device, particularly a flow cap or a flow shield that is designed for minimizing the flow resistance of the connecting device and/or the bulk storage device. In this way, water turbulences caused by the connecting device and/or bulk storage device arranged on the outside of the underwater pressure body can be prevented or at least minimized.
In another special embodiment, the underwater pressure body is realized in the form of an underwater vehicle that features the flow cap. Water currents are generated on the underwater vehicle while it is in motion. The water current results in turbulent water currents on sharp edges such as, e.g., the bulk storage device. The turbulent water currents increase the water resistance to be overcome by the underwater vehicle with increased energy input. Due to the flow device, the flow resistance of the connecting device and/or the bulk storage device arranged on the outside of the underwater vehicle can be compensated such that the energy input for the propulsion of the underwater vehicle can be advantageously reduced.
The flow device is alternatively realized in the form of a flow shield, particularly a hinged flow shield. When the bulk storage device is arranged on the underwater pressure body, the flow resistance can be minimized by pivoting the flow shield into the open position. The flow shield can be . - 14 -pivoted into the closed position when no bulk storage device is connected to the connecting device. When the flow shield is pivoted into the closed position, it can be arranged so close to the outside of the underwater pressure body that it causes no flow resistance or only a very slight flow resistance. In this way, the flow resistance of the flow shield can be minimized in dependence on the presence of a bulk storage device on the outside of the underwater pressure body.
In another special embodiment, the bulk storage device is arranged in the effective range of the flow device and in the region of the outside of the underwater pressure body.
In the following description, the effective range of the flow device refers to the range, in which the water current is changed. Consequently, the bulk storage device is arranged within the range of the flow shield that is protected from the current. If the flow device is realized in the form of a flow cap, the bulk storage device is arranged underneath the flow cap. In this way, the bulk storage device is protected from forces that are generated due to the current. The forces acting upon the bulk storage device can deform the bulk storage device and/or temporarily or permanently separate the connection between the connecting device on the underwater pressure body and the bulk storage device. In this special embodiment, it is advantageous that the external shape of the bulk storage device does not have to be adapted in accordance with hydrodynamic aspects in order to withstand the flow resistance.
In another special embodiment of the invention, the inventive apparatus features the bulk storage device, the connecting device, the underwater computation unit, the communication line, the underwater pressure body and at least one antenna that is arranged on the underwater pressure body, particularly two such antennas. According to the invention, the antennas are connected to the underwater computation unit. The underwater computation unit features a connection with the antennas and with the bulk storage device according to the invention. A communication connection between the underwater computation unit and a control center can be established with the aid of the antennas. In this way, the control center can determine the number and the size of the data on the bulk storage device by means of the underwater computation unit. This is advantageous because it is possible to estimate if a shorter transfer period can be achieved by means of a radio transmission or by passing on the bulk storage device prior to the transfer of the data on the bulk storage device.
In a special embodiment of the invention, the apparatus furthermore features the flow device. The antennas are arranged in the effective range of the flow device. Due to the arrangement of the antennas in the effective range of the flow device, the antennas are protected from forces that are generated due to the current.
In another special embodiment of the invention, the apparatus furthermore features the switches, namely the connecting device switch and/or the switching component of the bulk storage device. The switches can be advantageously switched by means of the underwater computation unit when a switching command from the control center is received by means of the antennas. In this way, the control center is able to prepare the electrical separation of the bulk storage device and therefore to shorten the time required for transferring the data. The electrical separation advantageously does not have to take place immediately prior to the mechanical separation.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inventive apparatus features at least two of the antennas. In comparison with only one antenna, the two antennas make it possible to realize a data transfer that is faster and/or contains fewer errors and is referred to as transmission gain below. The reception of electromagnetic waves by means of two or more antennas makes it possible to realize the transmission gain by means of several transmission channels and/or by means of parallel data streams. The data transmitted and/or received by means of two or more antennas has a variety that is usually referred to as diversity in at least one of the following areas: time diversity, frequency diversity, spatial diversity (spatial diversity) and/or polarization diversity. In comparison with the reception by means of only one antenna, the error probability of the data transfer by means of two antennas is advantageously also reduced, particularly at a lower signal-to-noise ratio. According to the invention, this ensures a transfer of the data with fewer errors and/or information on the number and the size of the data on the bulk storage device that contains fewer errors.
In another special embodiment of the inventive method, the bulk storage device is connected or disconnected without short circuits above water or while it is submerged in a dry or wet fashion by means of the bulk storage device featuring the switching component in order to transfer the data by passing on the bulk storage device. Due to these measures, it is neither required to position the underwater pressure body above water nor to provide a dry connecting device on the underwater pressure body. According to the invention, the time required for respectively recovering and/or draining the underwater pressure body or the connecting device is saved. However, the invention is not limited to connecting and disconnecting the bulk storage device in a submerged fashion. The bulk storage device may alternatively also be connected or disconnected above water in a wet or dry fashion. According to the invention, the detachable connection can be produced or separated independently of the weather conditions such as, e.g., rain or snowfall and independently of surrounding water.
In another special embodiment of the inventive method, the transfer of the data is realized by passing on the bulk storage device from the underwater computation unit that is referred to as first underwater computation unit below to another computation unit that either consists of a remote target computation unit for reading or writing data, particularly for storing target position data, or of a remote computation unit of another underwater pressure body that is referred to as second underwater computation unit below.
The invention is not limited to passing on the bulk storage device from a first underwater computation unit to a second underwater computation unit, but also includes embodiments, in which the bulk storage device is passed on from the first underwater computation unit to a remote target computation unit. The remote target computation unit reads and writes data on the bulk storage device. This is advantageous because it is not only possible to store data with respect to a mission of the underwater pressure body, but also data in the form of programs. Programs are usually referred to as software or firmware. In this way, data such as, e.g., target position data and/or targeting programs can be written on the bulk storage device by the target computation unit.
According to the invention, the data on the bulk storage device is transferred by passing on the bulk storage device from the underwater computation unit to the remote second underwater computation unit. This simplifies the exchange of an underwater computation unit and/or an underwater pressure body featuring an underwater computation unit, e.g., because not only mission data is transferred, but also any other data stored on the bulk storage device such as, e.g., programs and/or operating systems. In this way, a mission that is interrupted due to hardware-related problems, i.e., problems with an underwater computation unit and/or an underwater pressure body, can be continued by means of the second underwater computation unit by passing on the bulk storage device. This makes it possible to transfer any data on the mission that was stored on the bulk storage device to the second underwater computation unit.
In another special embodiment of the inventive method, the data on the bulk storage device is transferred from a first underwater computation unit to a second underwater computation unit by passing on the bulk storage device.
Alternatively, the bulk storage device is passed on and the data on the bulk storage device is subsequently copied to one or more other bulk storage components or bulk storage modules and/or one or more other bulk storage devices. The data is not only transferred from the first underwater computation unit to the second underwater computation unit, but also from the first underwater computation unit to a target computation unit or from a target computation unit to the first or the second underwater computation unit.
Different requirements with respect to the number of copies of the data on the bulk storage devices are advantageously met in accordance with the following embodiments of the inventive method.
In a preferred embodiment of the inventive method, the data is transferred between only two computation units by passing on the bulk storage device.
In a special embodiment of the inventive method, however, the data is transferred twice or several times. To this end, the data on the bulk storage device is, after passing on the bulk storage device to a target computation unit, copied to one or more other bulk storage components or bulk storage modules and/or one or more other bulk storage devices by means of the target computation unit. In this way, the data on the bulk storage device can be transferred from the target computation unit to the first, the second and/or to one of more other underwater computation units by passing on the bulk storage device. This is advantageous because the data of the first underwater computation unit can serve as a basis for one or more other underwater computation units.
Other preferred embodiments result from the dependent claims, as well as exemplary embodiments of the invention that are described in greater detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In these drawings:
Figure 1 shows a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an inventive apparatus;
Figure 2 shows a top view of another exemplary embodiment of the inventive apparatus;
Figure 3 shows a side view of another special exemplary embodiment of the inventive apparatus;
Figure 4 shows a side view of another special exemplary embodiment of the inventive apparatus; and Figure 5 shows a flow chart of an inventive method, according to which data is transferred between at least two computation units.
Figure 1 shows a top view of an inventive apparatus that comprises a bulk storage device 10. The bulk storage device features at least two components, namely a bulk storage component 12 and a pressure-resistant, waterproof and detachable connecting element that is referred to as underwater connecting element 14 below. The bulk storage component features bulk storage component contacts 16. The bulk storage component contacts 16 are connected to internal contacts of the underwater connecting element 20 via an internal connection 18. The underwater connecting element 14 features a connection between the internal contacts of the underwater connecting element 20 and the external contacts of the underwater connecting element 22.
According to the invention, the bulk storage component contacts 16 are connected to the external contacts of the underwater connecting element 22 by means of the internal connection 18 and by means of the underwater connecting element 14. In this way, data of the bulk storage component 12 and therefore data of the bulk storage device 10 can be read and/or written via the external contacts of the underwater connecting element 22.
The bulk storage device 10 according to Figure 1 furthermore features an insulation body 24. The insulation body 24 insulates the bulk storage component contacts 16 and the internal contacts of the underwater connecting element 20. The insulation body 24 also insulates the internal connection 18 in case the internal connection 18 does not feature its own insulation outside the electrically conductive contacts arranged on its ends. The insulation body 24 consists of silicone, plastic, synthetic resin, particularly cast polyurethane, Or of an alternatively electrically non-conductive, pressure-resistant, waterproof and air-free pourable casting compound. In order to manufacture the insulation body 24, the bulk storage component 12, the bulk storage component contacts 16, the internal contacts of the underwater connecting element 20 and the underwater connection 18 are encapsulated with the pourable casting compound such that the insulation body 24 does not feature any cavities in its interior. In this way, the bulk storage component 12 can be protected from the surrounding pressure if the insulation body 24 completely envelopes the bulk storage component 12.

In addition, the insulation body 24 is advantageously waterproof such that the bulk storage component contacts 16 cannot be electrically connected to one another by electrically conductive water, i.e., ionic water. An electric short circuit between the internal contacts of the underwater connecting element 20 due to surrounding water is also prevented by means of the insulation body 24.
Furthermore, the waterproof insulation body 24 prevents an electric short circuit between the bulk storage component contacts 16 and the internal contacts of the underwater connecting element 20 due to electrically conductive water.
The insulation body 24 advantageously is air-free and does not contain any cavities such that buoyancy of the submerged bulk storage device 10 is prevented. In this way, the detachable underwater connecting element 14 can be connected without an additional holding device.
Figure 2 shows another exemplary embodiment of the inventive device that comprises the bulk storage device 10.
The bulk storage device 10 features the insulation body 24 that insulates the bulk storage component 12, the internal connection 18 and the internal contacts of the underwater connecting element 20 against water and pressure. According to the invention, the insulation body 24 also insulates a switching component 26. The switching component 26 makes it possible to realize a connection between the external contacts of the underwater connecting element 22 and the bulk storage component contacts 16 in a switchable fashion, i.e., this connection can be disconnected and connected.
According to Figure 2, the switching component 26 is arranged in the region of the underwater connecting element 14. According to the invention, however, the arrangement of the switching component 26 is not limited to the region of the underwater connecting element 14. In fact, the invention proposes an electrical arrangement of the switching component 26 between the external contacts of the underwater connecting element 22 and the bulk storage component contacts 16.
Energy storage components and/or energy sources of the bulk storage component 12, particularly capacitors and/or batteries, are advantageously not connected to the external contacts of the underwater connecting element 22 when the switching component 26 is switched off. In this way, the bulk storage component 12 is protected against short circuits at the external contacts of the underwater connecting element 22 when the connection between the external contacts of the underwater connecting element 22 and the bulk storage component contacts 16 is disconnected by means of the switching component 26.
In a special embodiment, the switching component 26 is realized in the form of a solenoid switch, particularly a Hall switch. The Hall switch is actuated when a magnetic field is situated in its region. In this way, the bulk storage device 10 can be detachably connected without short circuits despite the enveloping insulation body 24.
In an alternative embodiment, the switching component 26 consists of an electromechanical relay that can be actuated by means of the external contacts of the underwater connecting element 22. In this way, the connection between the external contacts of the underwater connecting element 22 and the bulk storage component contacts 16 can be switched by means of a computation unit that is connected to the external contacts.
Figure 2 furthermore shows a socket 28 that is designed for connecting the bulk storage component 12. The bulk storage component 12 is detachably connected by means of the socket 28. This is advantageous because bulk storage modules such as, e.g., a plug-type USB bulk storage usually do not feature any inseparable connecting options. The socket 28 can be connected to the internal connection by means of an inseparable connecting technique such as, in particular, soldering, lasing or welding. In this way, the bulk storage component contacts 16 can be connected to the internal connection 18 by means of the socket 28. Consequently, commercially available bulk storage components 12 and, in particular, bulk storage components without inseparable connecting option can also be used for the inventive bulk storage device 10.
Figure 3 shows the inventive apparatus with the bulk storage device 10 and an underwater pressure body 30 that features a computation unit referred to as underwater computation unit 32 below in its interior. The underwater computation unit 32 is connected to a connecting device 36 by means of a communication line 34. The bulk storage device 10 is detachably connected to the connecting device 36. Furthermore, two antennas 40 are connected to the underwater computation unit 32 via antenna lines 38.
According to the invention, a flow device, namely a flow cap 42, covers the antennas 40, the bulk storage device 10 and the connecting device 36.
The underwater computation unit 32 is advantageously able to read and/or write data on the bulk storage device 10 by means of the communication line 34 and by means of the connecting device 36. Consequently, data can also be respectively transmitted or transferred from the underwater computation unit 32 to the bulk storage device 10 and/or from the bulk storage device 10 to the underwater computation unit 32 at great diving depths during a mission such as, e.g., a dive of the underwater pressure body 30.
The data on the bulk storage device 10 furthermore can be read and/or written by means of a remote control center by establishing a communication connection between the control center and the underwater computation unit 32 with the aid of the antennas 40.
The region outside the underwater pressure body 30 and underneath the flow cap 42 can be flooded with water.
Consequently, the pressure above the flow cap 42 is identical to the pressure underneath the flow cap 42. The flow cap 42 can be removed in order to pass on the detachably connected bulk storage device 10. The effort for removing the flow cap 42 is lower than the effort for removing the underwater computation unit 32 from the interior of the underwater pressure body 30. After the underwater pressure body 30 has been opened, it furthermore needs to be elaborately closed again in a waterproof and pressure-resistant fashion. Consequently, the expenditure of time for passing on a computation unit that features a bulk storage and is arranged in the interior of the underwater pressure body 30 is higher than the expenditure of time for passing on the bulk storage device 10 arranged on the outside of the underwater pressure body 30.
Figure 4 shows a side view of another exemplary embodiment of the inventive apparatus. The underwater pressure body 30 is realized in the form of an underwater vehicle 44 that features a drive unit 46. The drive unit 46 makes it possible to control the underwater vehicle 44, e.g., in order to travel along a certain route. The underwater vehicle 44 may furthermore feature a rudder unit in case the drive unit 46 does not make it possible to control the direction of travel.
The underwater vehicle 44 furthermore features the flow device, namely a float shield 48 that reduces the flow resistance of the bulk storage device 10 and/or the connecting device 36 arranged on the outside of the underwater vehicle 44. Due to the flow shield 48, the forces of the flow resistance advantageously do not directly act upon the bulk storage device 10 and/or the connecting device 36. The flow shield 48 makes it possible to read and/or write data on the bulk storage device 10 despite the arrangement of the bulk storage device 10 on the outside of the underwater vehicle 44. The connection between the bulk storage device 10 and the connecting device 36 is waterproof and pressure-resistant, as well as realized such that electrical and/or optical signals can be transmitted, in particular, due to the reduced flow resistance.
According to the invention, the underwater computation unit 32 is connected to the connecting device 36 via the communication line 34. Data can be transmitted from the underwater computation unit 32 to the bulk storage device via the communication line 34. The bulk storage device 10 can furthermore be supplied with power via the connecting device 36. The power for the bulk storage device 10 can be obtained from a power supply 52 via a power line 50. According to Figure 4, the power supply 52 is arranged in the region of the underwater computation unit 32.
The power line 50 that connects the power supply 52 to the connecting device 36 is connected in a switchable fashion by means of one or more connecting device switches 54.
Likewise, the communication line 34 that connects the underwater computation unit 32 to the connecting device 36 is connected in a switchable fashion by means of the connecting device switch 54. The communication line 34 and/or the power line 50 can be disconnected by means of the connecting device switch 54. After disconnecting the power line 50 and/or the communication line 34, contacts on the connecting device 36 no longer have any electrical function and therefore are unable to cause, e.g., a short circuit. The current that can flow via the power line 50 and via the communication line 34 is interrupted because the connecting device switch 54 is disconnected from the connecting device 36. Consequently, the connecting device switch 54 prevents exposed contacts of the connecting device 36 from being short-circuited despite the water situated between the contacts of the connecting device 36.
The connection between the connecting device 36 and the bulk storage device 10 therefore can be disconnected without short circuits by means of the connecting device switch 54. In this way, the electrical connection between the connecting device 36 and the bulk storage device 10 can be disconnected or connected by means of the underwater computation unit 32 with the aid of the connecting device switch 54.
In a preferred embodiment, the connecting device switch 54 is arranged in the region of the connecting device 36. The connecting device switch 54 is realized, e.g., in the form of a solenoid switch. The solenoid switch disconnects the power line 50 and/or the communication line 34 when a magnetic field is present in the region of the solenoid switch. In this way, a current flowing via the power line 50 and/or the communication line 34 can be interrupted by applying a magnetic field in the region of the connecting device 36. Consequently, the connecting device switch 54 can be switched on the outside of the underwater vehicle 44. This is advantageous because the bulk storage device 10 is also arranged on the outside of the underwater vehicle 44. The power supply to the bulk storage device 10 therefore can be switched off prior to disconnecting the bulk storage device 10 by means of a magnetic field in the region of the bulk storage device 10.
In a special exemplary embodiment, the inventive apparatus illustrated in Figure 2 features the bulk storage device 10 and the switching component 26, as well as the underwater pressure body 30 along with the connecting device switch 54 according to Figure 4. The switches of the inventive device, namely the switching component 26 and/or the . .
' - 27 -connecting device switch 54, are advantageously realized in the form of solenoid switches. In this way, an electric short circuit can be prevented at the external contacts of the underwater connecting element 22 or at the contacts of the connecting device 36. Depending on the respective design, the solenoid switches disconnect their connections when a magnetic field is applied or not applied.
In a special exemplary embodiment, the connecting device switch 54 realized in the form of a Hall switch features a permanent magnet in its vicinity. The permanent magnet may be arranged on the connecting device and/or on the bulk storage device. In this way, the connections of the Hall switch are disconnected. The contacts of the connecting device 36 preferably do not conduct a current or voltage when no bulk storage device 10 is connected. The bulk storage device 10 therefore may be mechanically connected, however, without being electrically conductive. When the bulk storage device 10 is connected, it is also situated in the region of the permanent magnet. Consequently, the switching component 26 in the bulk storage device 10 that is realized in the form of a Hall switch disconnects its connection when a magnetic field is applied. As soon as the bulk storage device 10 is connected to the connecting device 36, both switches, namely the connecting device switch 54 and the switching component 26, are in a switched-on state due to the permanent magnet. In the switched-on state, the connections of the switches are disconnected and the current is not conducted. Both switches can be transferred into a switched-off state, in which the current is able to flow, by removing the permanent magnet from the region of the switches.
Figure 5 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive method. The method starts with a starting block 60. From the starting block 60, the method leads to a first writing process block 64 via a branch 62.

CA 02797324.2012-12-24 In the first writing process block 64, the bulk storage device 10 is connected to the connecting device 36, data is written by means of the underwater computation unit 32 that is referred to as first underwater computation unit below and the bulk storage device is then once again disconnected from the connecting device 36. After the first writing process block 64, the bulk storage device 10 is passed on to a first intermediate block 68 via the branch 66.
The bulk storage device 10 therefore contains data in the first intermediate block 68. The data of the bulk storage device 10 can be transferred to another computation unit by passing on the bulk storage device 10.
A branch 70 leads from the first intermediate block 68 to an evaluation block 72. The bulk storage device 10 is passed on from the first underwater computation unit to another computation unit, namely a target computation unit, via the branch 70.
In the evaluation block 72, the data of the bulk storage device 10 is evaluated by means of the target computation unit. A branch 74 then leads from the evaluation block 72 to a data processing block 76.
In the data processing block 76, data on the bulk storage device 10 is processed by means of the target computation unit. The processing of the data in the data processing block 76 includes changing, flagging and/or copying of the data. The data is copied to other bulk storage components or bulk storage modules and/or to other bulk storage devices. A branch 78 then leads from the data processing block 76 to a second intermediate block 80. Consequently, one or more bulk storage devices 10 are present in the second intermediate block 80.

In a special exemplary embodiment according to Figure 5, the first intermediate block 68 can be reached from the starting block 60 via a branch 98. If the data on the bulk storage device 10 is not processed by the target computation unit, the method continues with the second intermediate block 80 via a branch 100. In this way, the processing of the data by means of the target computation unit can be skipped.
The bulk storage device 10 is passed on from the second intermediate block 80 to another underwater computation unit that is referred to as second underwater computation unit below via a branch 82, namely to another writing/reading process block 84. In the writing/reading process block 84, data is read and/or written on the bulk storage device 10 by means of the underwater computation unit 32.
If the method is completed after the writing/reading process block 84, it leads to an end block 88 via a branch 86.
However, if the method is not yet completed, it leads to the first intermediate block 68, from which the method can be carried out anew, via a branch 89. The bulk storage device 10 remains in the same underwater pressure body 30 if the evaluation of the data of the bulk storage device 10 does not take place.
In another exemplary embodiment according to Figure 5, the second intermediate block 80 is reached from the starting block 60 via a branch 96. Due to the history of the bulk storage device 10, i.e., one or more preceding writing process blocks 64, the bulk storage device 10 already contains stored data.

In this way, data is transferred from the first underwater computation unit to the target computation unit by passing on the bulk storage device 10. The target computation unit transfers the data of the bulk storage device 10 by copying the data to one or more bulk storage components or bulk storage modules and/or to one or more other bulk storage devices 10. The data of the bulk storage device 10 can be optionally processed by means of the target computation unit. The processed data of the bulk storage device 10 can be transferred between the target computation unit and the second underwater computation unit by passing on the bulk storage device 10.
According to the invention, all characteristics mentioned in the preceding description and in the claims may be used individually, as well as in arbitrary combinations.
Consequently, the invention is not limited to the described or claimed combinations of characteristics. On the contrary, all combinations of individual characteristics should be considered as disclosed.

Claims (18)

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus for transferring data from or to an underwater pressure body comprising a bulk storage device, on which the data can be read and/or written by means of a computation unit in the interior of the underwater pressure body that is referred to as underwater computation unit below, wherein the data can be transferred between the underwater computation unit and another computation unit by means of the bulk storage device, wherein the bulk storage device features a pressure-resistant, waterproof and air-free insulation body and is designed for being detachably connected to a connecting device arranged on the outside of the underwater pressure body, and wherein the bulk storage device features a bulk storage component and an underwater connecting element, wherein the bulk storage component and the underwater connecting element are connected to one another via an internal connection and the bulk storage device features a switching component that is designed for realizing the internal connection between external contacts of the underwater connecting element and bulk storage component contacts in a switchable fashion.

2. The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the insulation body is designed for insulating contacts of the underwater connecting element except the external contacts of the underwater connecting element, the internal connection and the components in a short circuit-proof, pressure-resistant, waterproof and evacuated fashion by means of silicone, plastics, synthetic resins, and/or other electrically non-conductive, pressure-resistant, waterproof and air-free pourable casting compounds.

3. The apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the synthetic resins comprise cast polyurethane.

4. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus comprises the bulk storage device and the connecting device on the underwater pressure body, wherein the bulk storage device and the connecting device feature complementary, pressure-resistant, waterproof and detachable connecting elements that are designed for transmitting electrical and/or optical signals between the bulk storage device and the underwater computation unit.

5. The apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the detachable connecting elements comprise a plug-socket pair.

6. The apparatus according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the connecting device on the underwater pressure body features a communication line that is designed for temporarily or permanently connecting the bulk storage device connected to the connecting device to the underwater computation unit arranged in the interior of the underwater pressure body.

7. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the apparatus comprises the bulk storage device, the connecting device on the underwater pressure body and the underwater pressure body, wherein the underwater pressure body is realized in the form of an underwater vehicle.

8. The apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the underwater vehicle is and unmanned, remotely operated or autonomously acting underwater vehicle.

9. The apparatus according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the underwater pressure body features on its outside a flow device that is designed for minimizing the flow resistance of the connecting device and/or the bulk storage device.

10. The apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the flow device is a flow cap or a flow shield.

11. The apparatus according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the bulk storage device is arranged in the effective range of the flow device and in the region of the outside of the underwater pressure body.

12. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 9 to 11, wherein the underwater pressure body features at least one antenna that are arranged in the region of the flow device and connected to the underwater computation unit.

13. The apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the at least one antenna comprises two antennas.

14. A method for transferring data from or to an underwater pressure body comprising a bulk storage device, on which the data can be read and/or written by means of a computation unit in the interior of the underwater pressure body that is referred to as underwater computation unit below, wherein the data can be transferred between the underwater computation unit and another computation unit by means of the bulk storage device, wherein the bulk storage device is detachably connected to a connecting device arranged on the outside of the underwater pressure body and the data is transferred by passing on the detachably connected bulk storage device from the underwater computation unit to the other computation unit, and wherein the bulk storage device is connected or disconnected without short circuits above water or while it is submerged in a dry or wet fashion by means of the bulk storage device featuring a switching component in order to transfer the data by passing on the bulk storage device.

15. The method according to Claim 14, wherein the data is transferred by passing on the bulk storage device from the underwater computation unit that is referred to as first underwater computation unit below to the other computation unit that consists of a remote target computation unit for reading and/or writing the data or of a remote computation unit of another underwater pressure body that is referred to as second underwater computation unit below.

16. The method according to Claim 15, wherein the remote target computation unit is for storing target position data.

17. The method according to Claim 15 or 16, wherein the method for transferring the data of the bulk storage device - from the first underwater computation unit to the second underwater computation unit or - from the first underwater computation unit to the target computation unit or - from the target computation unit to the first or second underwater computation unit features one of the following steps or sequences of steps:
a) passing on the bulk storage device or b) passing on the bulk storage device and copying the data of the bulk storage device to one or more other bulk storage components or bulk storage modules and/or one or more other bulk storage devices.

18. The method according to any one of Claims 14 to 17, wherein the data can be transferred by means of the apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.