ITCT20090013A1 - UNIFIED UNDERWATER VEHICLE WITH STABILIZATION AND BREATHING SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRIAL INVENTION HAVING THE TITLE: "WET UNDERWATER VEHICLE WITH STABILIZATION AND BREATHING SYSTEM"

· HULL

The hull has a hydrodynamic shape, with a front part with a front fairing, a cylindrical or fusiform part that encloses the cockpit and a final part similar in shape to a truncated cone, which contains the main propulsion system (Figure 1). The hull consists of a cylindrical shell in composite material, reinforced by circumferential ribs (ribs) and longitudinal metal side members (Figure 2). All internal and external ducted systems are connected to the metal structure (flotation systems, cylinder sealing systems, battery containers, electrical systems and the main propulsion system).

The front part, connected to a removable dome for the front view, consists of a toroidal part slightly inclined upwards, to improve hydrodynamic performance. The driver's cabin is located at the front, with a front fairing in transparent material and two side-by-side seats for driver and passenger or second driver (Figure 3). The front fairing, equipped with gaskets for connection with the toroidal part, can be disassembled both from the inside (for a quick exit of the pilots) and from the outside, using a special lever (Figures 4-5).

The passenger compartment is seamlessly connected to the driver's cab (Figure 6), contained in the cylindrical part. The structure can be modular, so a different passenger compartment module can be attached to the front guide segment, the length of which varies according to the number of passengers (generally from two to six) and the equipment to be transported (for example stretcher and medical aid equipment). The typical length of the entire cylindrical part is about 2.5-3m, the diameter about 1.5m.

The approximately truncated conical tail, about 0.7m long, tapered downwards, connects to the front cylindrical part and contains the propulsion system, the propeller of which protrudes from the hole at the end. The tail is also made of composite material with metal reinforcements.

At the base of the hull, a simple metal frame supports a skid, also metal, which supports the hull when it is dry or when it rests on the seabed (Figure 7).

In the upper part of the hull there are openings, equipped with windows made with sliding transparent panels, equipped with special handles and closures, which allow divers to exit outwards at any time (Figures 8 and 9).

The upper and lower parts of the hull are equipped with grilles and / or vents with deflectors: to allow the air breathed by the occupants (Figure 10) to escape, the upper ones to allow rapid flooding of the lower ones.

The seats for the occupants are mounted on the inner tubes, which contain the electrical equipment and in a variable ballast system.

· FLOATING SYSTEMS / EQUILIBRIODROSTAT

A series of longitudinal cylindrical elements closed by hemispherical caps, both inside the passenger compartment and outside the main hull, ensure the hydrostatic balance of the vehicle at various depths and the necessary buoyancy on the surface. In particular, two external tubes (filled with air) provide the buoyancy to counter the weight of the vehicle and to make it neutral in the water, two internal tubes can be flooded for sinking or ascent maneuvers. The tubulars are made of fiberglass or other composite, they are rigid and bound to the hull frame by means of brackets (Figure II).

The external tubulars are equipped with an air delivery and bleeding system, respectively controlled by a dispenser and by overpressure valves (or through pressure-controlled servomechanisms), in order to keep the internal pressure close to the external one (Figure 12) . This solution allows to reduce the thickness of the tube and, consequently, the weight of the structure. A system of compressed air cylinders, valves and pipes allows the necessary air to be delivered at the internal pressure (Figure 13).

A similar system of valves and piping connected to compressed air cylinders is used for the internal tubulars (Figure 14). These, however, do not have automatic filling systems (dispenser-valve), but are equipped with flooding and emptying systems, operating through the introduction of compressed air and purge valves. Through operator control, they can stabilize the vehicle at a height, compensating for its weight, or modulate its thrust to induce it to ascend or dive.

A particular expedient provides that these tubulars are divided longitudinally into separate sectors, in order to avoid that during the maneuvers, with the vehicle inclined, the water is conveyed to the bottom of the tube and unbalances the center of gravity of the vehicle. Flooding (and emptying) are then carried out separately on the various sectors so as not to unbalance them (Figure 15). Air pumping / evacuation systems are provided, controlled by differential pressure sensors, to modulate the thrust according to depth.

In case of need, by completely emptying the tubulars of water, the vehicle becomes partially floating and is also able to travel along stretches of sea in partial emergence. A variant foresees that in the upper part of the vehicle there are two inflatable tubulars that allow to create a sort of inflatable boat at the head of the vehicle that can proceed on the surface of the water allowing some of the occupants to move to the surface leaving the vehicle underwater. This would allow the vehicle to be transported to the surface to reach the area of operations or connect to the support structures (ship, equipped wharf, ...) even through normal marine outboard engines.

· PROPULSION SYSTEM

The main propulsion is carried out by means of a propeller moved by an electric motor powered by storage batteries or Fuel CelI (Figure 16) with a special reducer, located on the bottom of the hull and in the rear part, contained in watertight internal tubes (Figure 17). To reduce the thickness, and consequently the weight of the dry vehicle, these too are subjected to an internal pressure, induced by an automatic compressed air regulation system, which keeps them at a pressure close to the ambient one.

The auxiliary propulsion is achieved by two lateral watertight electric motors with ducted propellers (Figure 18), which assist the rudders in the most complex maneuvers (for example, in large curvature passages).

· GUIDE SYSTEM

The driving of the vehicle is carried out through watertight electronic systems (joysticks), obtained by suitably isolating the electrical systems and using dedicated guides for the transmission of signals to the servo actuators. Mechanical steering with steering wheel, joystick for depth, levers for travel, cables for transmission of commands, traditionally used in the nautical field, can be used. These systems control both the main and secondary engines and, finally, the depth and direction rudders, located in the tail (Figure 19). The rudders are horizontal (independent) for depth and roll and vertical axis for horizontal directionality.

· LOCALIZATION SERVICES

One of the most pressing problems in the underwater environment is the location of submerged bodies and transmission to ground stations. The intention is to equip the vehicle with an ultrasonic voice transmission system (possibly connected to a service buoy, dragged by the vehicle), which can convert and transmit position signals, any distress signals and further messages and data. The vehicle will be equipped with the traditional bottom detection systems currently present on fishing boats (sonar system, depth sounder, any ultrasound radar systems currently used on ROVs, etc.).

· LIGHTING SERVICES

The vehicle will be equipped with lights both to signal its position and to illuminate dark areas. The headlights will be placed on both sides of the guide and directional, controlled by a centralized panel.

BREATHING SYSTEM

During transport, divers will have a breathing system installed on the vehicle at their disposal. Depending on the depths and the activities to be carried out, the gas delivered will be air or mixture. The system may consist of a simple open circuit breathing regulator or a more complex system with lung bags and filters (rebreather) for partial or total recovery of the exhaled gas (semi-closed or closed cycle). This solution will obviously allow greater autonomy and a lower weight / volume of cylinders transported. The breathing system will be located along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, on the bottom, in parallel to the cylinders for the flotation systems, with exit terminals (regulators or rebreather) for each of the divers transported. In this way, they will be able to take advantage of a centralized breathing system for the whole transport.

Claims (4)

CLAIMS L. Underwater vehicle for transporting divers and / or material, with the structure indicated in the "Description" (front piloting area with dome, cylindrical cockpit with windows for underwater entry-exit and air outlets, truncated-conical tail with primary propulsion system and rudders, lateral secondary propulsions, stabilization systems). 2. Stabilization systems, consisting of a thrust system (airtight tubulars) and a ballast system (partially flooded tubulars) to allow descent and ascent. 3. Tubular systems in composite material pressurized internally by a bleed valve delivery system to maintain the internal pressure close to the external one in the stabilization tubes and in those containing the electrical equipment. 4. Breathing system for divers, positioned inside the vehicle, with regulators (or rebreather) for each diver.