ZA200808670B - A submersible - Google Patents

Description

I I Il | A SUBMERSIBLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to transportation. More particularly the invention relates to transportation above and below water. In particular, the invention relates to a submersible.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A submersible can be defined as a vessel designed to operate under water for short periods. A typical example of a submersible is a small submarine, which can take one or more men, and which is designed and equipped to carry out work in deep water below the levels at which divers can work. A submersible usually have limited mobility and is typically transported to its area of operation by a surface vessel or large submarine.

In marine terms, submarines, which weigh less than 150 tons, typically operated by one ! or more crew members, and for which no on-board living accommodation is provided, are normally called midget submarines. Midget submarines usually work with mother i ships, from which they are launched and recovered, and which provide living accommodation for the crew and other support staff: Military type midget submarines normally work with surface ships and large submarines as mother ships, whilst civilian type midget submarines, normally referred to as submersibles, only work with surface ; ships. Known submersibles also include bathyspheres which are spherical deep-sea submersibles which are unpowered and are lowered into the ocean on a cable; and bathyscaphes, referring to free-diving self-propelled deep-sea diving submersibles comprising crew cabins similar to that of bathyspheres suspended below a float.

However, a bathyscaphe when launched into water, tend to have a large proportion of its body submerged, even when travelling in most buoyant position on the water surface. Thus, launching from a beach is quite difficult if not nearly impossible. Further, the large submerged proportion of its body also makes travelling on the water surface difficult and relatively slow.

A submersible with the ability, at least to a certain degree, to be independent of surface vessels and which is capable of travelling from a launching base such as a port, harbour, beach or the like to a remote sub-aquatic location could prove to be attractive. : if such a submersible is capable of both planing on a water surface and functioning as a midget submarine, demand for it to be used as a recreational vehicle or a leisure watercraft could prove to be tremendous.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a submersible, which, at least in part, addresses the abovementioned shortcomings and which, at least in part, achieves the advantages set out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a submersible comprising a hull having an operatively inner pressure hull and an operatively outer buoyancy chamber, the buoyancy of the submersible being adjustable between a diving or submerged state and a buoyant state, the hull being shaped to facilitate planing of the submersible when on a surface of a body of water in its buoyant state.

There is also provided for the operatively outer buoyancy chamber to have a high degree of buoyancy when waterborne; for the buoyancy chamber to be adapted to manipulate buoyant forces acting on the submersible by means of an adjustable buoyancy system which selectively receives and expels water from the buoyancy chamber; for the buoyancy chamber to be completely flooded when the submersible is submerged; for the buoyancy chamber to include at least one sealable inlet and at least one sealable outlet configured in a way which allows rapid fluid exchange between the buoyancy chamber and its surroundings; and for the buoyancy chamber to be aerodynamically shaped and dimensioned with an upward curved bow so that hydrodynamic drag is reduced when the submersible planes the water surface.

There is also provided for the inner pressure hull to define a pressure controlled interior providing space for at least one occupant; for the inner pressure hull to have at least one transparent window capable of withstanding high pressures at depth; for the inner pressure hull to incorporate an air scrubbing and oxygen replenishing system as well as an ambient temperature control device so that life support in the closed environment of the inner pressure hull is ensured during transportation; further, the inner pressure hull includes, a global positioning system (GPS) for accurately determining latitude and longitude when the submersible is waterborne, and an inertial guidance system, for use when the submersible is submerged, to keep track of the submersible's motion from a fixed starting point by using gyroscopes.

Yet further, there is provided for the adjustable buoyancy system of the submersible to include ballast tanks to be used for underwater buoyancy adjustment; for the adjustable buoyancy system to include fl uid exchange actuation means which can selectively purge fluids with differing densities through the respective inlet and outlet of the operatively outer buoyancy chamber; for the fluid exchange actuation means to include a gas pump capable of displacing water with air or exhaust gases; alternatively, for the fluid exchange actuation means to include an internal combustion engine, the primary role of which is to drive the submersible when on the surface, capable of displacing water with exhaust gases emitted under pressure from said engine; further alternatively, for the fluid exchange actuation means to include elongate fluid directing channels,

-~% extending longitudinally along a lower part of a keel of the submersible, the channels exploit airflow, created by the speed at which the submersible planes the water, to displace water from the buoyancy chamber.

Still further, there is provided for the submersible to include a steering mechanism for rotatable and angular control of the submersible; at least one illumination device; at least one power source for submerged propulsion and surface propulsion of the submersible; balancing units; battery tanks and emergency life support equipment.

There is also provided for the submersible to transport a load to and from a remote sub- aquatic location along the water surface and below the body of water; for the load to comprise at least one occupant, and for at least one of said occupants to function as a crew member operating the submersible; alternatively, for the load to include at least one occupant and transportable goods.

There is further provided for a remote sub-aquatic location of up to 80m below the water surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying non-limiting drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional side view of a submersible planing a surface of a body of water, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the submersible of Figure 1 planing a surface of a body of water;

Figure 3 shows a schematic sectional side view of the submersible of Figure 1 in a semi-submerged position;

Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional side view of the submersible of Figure 1 in a submerged diving position; and

Figure 5 shows a schematic plan view of the submersible of Figure 1, in accordance with the invention.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like numerals generally indicate like components, unless otherwise indicated. Unless inconsistent with the context, an expression which denotes any gender includes the other gender.

In the Figures, a submersible or watercraft 10 for recreational use is shown. Although not shown in the Figures, the submersible or watercraft 10 may also be used for alternative purposes which will become apparent from the description below.

A recreational submersible watercraft 10, as depicted in Figures 1 to 5, that can transport a load or weight to and from a remote sub-aquatic location such as a diving site or rumoured underwater treasure site in a fast and convenient way, without being dependant upon assistance from a mother ship or surface vessel, will be described. The watercraft 10 is designed to be launched at any waterfront, port, harbour, beach or the like and can travel along the surface of any body of water with a minimum of hydrodynamic drag until it reaches the desired location where the watercraft can function as a diving unit. In most instances the weight transported will include at least one occupant for operating the watercraft 10. Various goods such as scuba gear, underwater building equipment and treasure hunting tools can be transported to the remote sub-aquatic location, but, in most instances the weight will comprise one or more occupants using the watercraft 10 for recreational diving excursions. Many of the features of the watercraft 10 of the invention are common to ubiquitous watercrafts and will not be described in detail.

Figure 1 depicts a schematic sectional side view of the recreational submersible watercraft 10, in accordance with an embodiment the invention. The watercraft 10 comprises a hull or body 12 having two sealable interior shells 14.1 and 14.2, a first of which 14.1 is disposed between a bow 18 and stern 20 of the watercraft 10 and which is also referred to as an operatively inner pressure hull adapted to receive the load 16 during transport. An adjustable buoyancy system 22 is arranged within the second shell 14.2, also referred to as an operatively outer buoyancy chamber, for operative adjusting buoyancy of the watercraft 10 to allow it to maneuver between a most buoyant configuration wherein said watercraft 10 can plane a water surface 24, and a less buoyant configuration wherein the watercraft 10 can dive in at least one direction of roll, yaw and pitch.

The second shell 14.2 functions as a modular hull and being an operatively outer buoyancy chamber of the submersible 10, it is typically built from glass fibre or another suitable and often used in the art type of composite material. Of importance is that arranged in between an interior periphery 26.1 and exterior periphery 26.2 of the chamber 14.2 are air pockets, (not shown in the drawings) which ensure an even lower overall chamber density so that the watercraft 10 can have a high degree of buoyancy when waterborne. Central to the design of the watercraft 10 is that it be lightweight compared to traditional submarines or midget submarines. Normally submarines are much too heavy to be towed behind a trailer using a normal SUV. The design of the watercraft 10 and in particular that of the first and second shells 14.1,14.2 allows very little ballast, if any to be used to achieve submersion. The required ballast can aiso be collected from a launch site such as a beach and then mounted to the watercraft 10.

This means the entire craft 10 can weigh as little as 1.5 tons and can be transported on normal roads using an ordinary road using vehicles. Hence, the use of lightweight materials such as composites in the design, when for normal submarines, heavy steels are used to increase weight and achieve more submersion effect.

Further, the chamber 14.2 is built to withstand loading at a depth up to 80m in water and should exhibit no visible signs of deformation and/or buckling behaviour while under load. The chamber 14.2 is neatly, elegantly and aerodynamically shaped and dimensioned not only to enhance aesthetic appeal of the watercraft 10 but also to reduce hydrodynamic drag when the watercraft 10 planes the water surface 24 resulting in minimized power usage. Defined within the interior periphery 26.1 of chamber 14.2 is a cavity 28 which accommodates sealed critical systems necessary for operating the watercraft 10 such as two battery tanks 30, each of which contains four lead-acid batteries; auxiliary balance tanks 34; and an adjustable buoyancy system 22 which can selectively receive and expel water from the chamber 14.2. Emergency Life Support such as a drop weight for emergency surfacing is also contained in the chamber 14.2.

The adjustable buoyancy system 22 comprises two main ballast tanks 32, being a fore main ballast tank 32.1 located approximate the bow 18 and an aft main ballast tank 32.2 located approximate the stern 20 in the cavity 28 of the watercraft 10. The ballast tanks 32 can be alternately filled with water or air. When the watercraft 10 is on the water surface 24, the ballast tanks 32 are filled with air and the watercraft's overall density is less than that of the surrounding water. The ballast tanks 32 typically have an internal volume of 200 litres and consist of 10 layers of a composite material, chopped strand matt laminate (CSM). Each ballast tank has an aqualung cylinder which is used to empty the tank while at depth. Alternative pumping methods can also be used for this purpose. As the watercraft 10 dives, the ballast tanks 32 are flooded with water and the air in the ballast tanks is vented from the watercraft 10 until its overall density is greater than the surrounding water and the watercraft 10 begins to sink. The auxiliary balance tanks 34 allow for the submarine to achieve neutral buoyancy for a range of occupant masses of 50 to 210 kg. In addition, the auxiliary balance tanks 34 also allow for any transverse unbalance moment in the submarine (due to differing occupant masses) to be negated. A supply of compressed air is maintained aboard the watercraft 10 in air flasks (not shown) for life support and for use with the ballast tanks 32. In addition, the watercraft 10 has movable hydroplanes (not shown) on the stern 20 that help to control the angle of the dive. The hydroplanes can be angled so that water when moving over the stern 20, forces the stern upward; therefore, the watercraft 10 can be angled downward for diving purposes. The remainder of the cavity 28, in the chamber 14.4, not occupied with critical systems for operating the watercraft 10 is also floodable and allows water to displace air therein during descend of the watercraft 10 to an underwater location; and air to displace water during ascend of the watercraft 10 to a water surface 24.

In Figure 2 of the drawings a schematic side view of the recreational submersible watercraft 10 is shown wherein the watercraft 10 planes the water surface 24 as it travels from a waterfront, port, harbour, beach or the like along the water surface 24 with a minimum of hydrodynamic drag until it reaches the desired location where the watercraft 10 can function as a diving unit. Similar to a ski-boat, the watercraft 10, has its bow 18 lifted out of the water and its stern 20 lowered into the water as a result of a surface propulsion system 38 located beneath and astern a keel 40 of the watercraft 10.

This system increases the aerodynamic lift on the chamber 14.2, and partially lifts the chamber 14.2 out of the water as water is displaced through a nozzle 50 which also acts as a rudder in steering the watercraft 10 sideways. Less wetted surface area contact between the watercraft 10 and the water significantly reduces hydrodynamic drag and increases top speeds. The surface propulsion system 38 is powered by a internal combustion engine powering a traditional screw type propeller, but, other water jet propulsion systems, commonly known in the art of ski-boats, may also be used.

The chamber 14.2 is further equipped, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, with sealable valves 36, of which a sealable inlet valve 36.1 is located at a substantially upper section of the chamber 14.2 the inlet valve 36.1 allows rapid fluid exchange between the chamber cavity 28 and its exterior surroundings especially when the watercraft has arrived at a preferred location on the water surface 18 where it is buoyant and prepared for sub- aquatic conditions. The valve 36.1 will be opened during flooding to achieve fluid exchange within the cavity 28 ensuring a higher overall watercraft density. Fluid exchange actuation means such as a gas pump (not shown) capable of displacing water, in the cavity 28 of the chamber 14.2, with air or exhaust gases, effects the further fluid exchange when the watercraft 10 needs to surface again. Gases displace water in the cavity 28 through outlet valves 36.2 so that a lower overall watercraft density is achieved.

A further aspect of this invention is the unique outward facing shape and configuration of lateral sides of the chamber 14.2 which is dimensioned to also function as fluid exchange actuation means. The lateral sides, besides having an aerodynamic shape, include elongate fluid directing recessed channels 42, extending longitudinally along a lower section of the keel 40 of the watercraft 10. The channels culminate in the outlet valves 36.2 which open to allow airflow created by the speed at which the watercraft planes the water, to displace water from the chamber 14.2 by means of a venturi effect.

As shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, two dive rotors 46 protrude laterally from the chamber 14.2. The rotors 46 consist of several flat blades attached to a hub 48; the hub 48 can tilt through 360° so that each rotor 46 is capable of displacing water in any direction which allows the watercraft 10 to dive in at least one direction of roll, yaw and pitch. The thrust angle of the rotors 46 is controlled from the first shell 14.1.

As shown in the drawings, the first sealable shell, inner pressure hull or cabin 14.1 of the recreational submersible watercraft 10 is occupied by one occupant or load 16, who hn = 2008 7/085 70 functions as an operator or crew member operating the watercraft 10. Typically, one passenger will accompany the crew member on a waterborne and diving excursion. The load 16 may also include transportable goods having a specific purpose underwater at the diving site or at the surface location above the diving site. The cabin 14.1 defines a dry pressure controlled interior 42, controlled at 1 atm., with transparent windows and openable canopy capable of withstanding high pressures at depth. The cabin 14.1 is typically of toroidal geometry to accommodate two occupants. The thickness of the cabin 14.1 wall laminate is 15 mm, giving the pressure chamber a predicted safety factor against buckling of 2.1609 while at 80 m depth. An air scrubbing and oxygen replenishing system as well as an ambient temperature control device (not shown) ensures life support in the closed environment of the interior 42 during transportation of the load 16. Typically, a soda scrubber for CO, absorption with high pressure O; tanks will be used. This aspect of the invention may be discarded and replaced with more affordable scuba tanks with breathing regulators mounted for use within the first shell 14.1. Emergency Life Support in the form of portable air tanks and mouthpieces is also located in the cabin 14.1.

Also incorporated into the cabin 14.1 are a global positioning system for accurately : determining latitude and longitude when the watercraft 10 is waterborne; and an inertial guidance system, for use when the submarine is submerged, to keep track of the watercraft's motion from a fixed starting point by using gyroscopes.

The cabin 14.1 is also equipped with a steering mechanism for selectively providing rotatable and angular control of the watercraft 10 and emergency life support equipment. The chamber 14.2 is further equipped with a sealed electric motor and standby motor (not shown) used as a power source for submerged propulsion and a sealed internal combustion engine (not shown) as a power source for surface propulsion of the watercraft 10. Typically this engine will be used for surface travel and to charge batteries, as well as to pump exhaust gases into the operatively outer buoyancy chamber when partially submerged to achieve full buoyancy for planing.

A pair of headlights, optional tail and side lights (not shown), is also a standard feature of the recreational submersible watercraft 10 which is designed to operate, at remote sub-aquatic locations of up to 80m below the water surface 18, in areas often having poor visibility. The shells 14.1,14.2 can be designed for any depth of operation by increasing the shell thickness. For recreational purposes the watercraft 10 can be designed for 40m operation.

The configuration of the watercraft 10 (including 348 kg of ballast) possesses positive static stability while submerged. The maximum longitudinal distance between the centre of gravity and centre of buoyancy of the watercraft 10 was calculated as 9 mm.

In use a person will tow the recreational submersible watercraft 10 on a trailer behind a vehicle such as a SUV as he heads towards the coast. On arrival the watercraft 10 will be dismounted from the trailer and positioned in the water at a beach before he boards the cabin 14.1 by opening the sealable canopy. After sealing the canopy and turning on the surface propulsion system 38, powered by the internal combustion engine, located beneath and astern the keel 40 of the watercraft 10, the watercraft 10 skims, with a minimum of hydrodynamic drag, along the surface 24 of the water towards a preferred waterborne location where the watercraft 10 can function as a diving unit. On arriving at the preferred waterborne location the surface propulsion system 38 is shut down and the adjustable buoyancy system 22 is operated by allowing water into the floodable chamber 14.2. Ballast tanks 32 are also alternately filled with water so that air in the ballast tanks is vented from the watercraft 10 until the watercraft's overall density is greater than the surrounding water resulting in the sinking of the watercraft 10 as depicted in Figure 3 of the drawings. While the watercraft 10 sinks, hydroplanes are angled so that water moves over the stern 20, which forces the stern 20 upward; the rotors 46 are turned on; and the hubs 48 tilted into a desired direction of dive as depicted in Figure 4 of the drawings; therefore, the watercraft 10 is angled downward so that it can dive towards a desired sub-aquatic location. An inertial guidance system, is operated when the watercraft 10 is submerged, to keep track of the watercraft's motion from a fixed starting point by using gyroscopes.

To keep the watercraft 10 level at any set depth, the watercraft 10 maintains a balance of air and water in the auxiliary tanks 34 so that the watercraft’s overall density is equal to the surrounding water — this position is referred to as a position of neutral buoyancy.

When the watercraft 10 reaches its cruising depth, the hydroplanes, hubs 48 and rotors 46 are leveled so that the watercraft 10 travels level through the water. Water is also

¢ 1 forced between the bow and stern auxiliary tanks to keep the watercraft 10 level. The watercraft 10 can steer in the water by using the rudder 50 to turn starboard or port and the hydroplanes, hubs 48 and rotors 46 to control the fore-aft angle of the watercraft 10.

When ascending towards the surface after a sub-aquatic excursion, air or exhaust gases are pumped into the ballast tanks and cavity 28 displacing the water therein so that the overall density of the chamber 14.2 decreases allowing the watercraft 10 to rise to the water surface 24. Thereafter, the surface propulsion system 38 is turned on again urging the watercraft 10 forward along the water surface 24. As it increase speed air flowing along the exterior periphery of the chamber is channeled via elongate fluid directing channels 42 into chamber outlets 36.2 which then force more water from the cavity 28 in the chamber 14.2 to further reduce overall density of the watercraft 10.

Consequently. the watercraft 10 has its bow 18 lifted out of the water as depicted in

Figure 2 of the drawings and its stern 20 lowered into the water as a result of activation of the surface propulsion system 38 located beneath and astern the keel 40 of the watercraft 10. This system together with the venturi effect of the elongate fluid directing channels 42 enabling the watercraft to be even lighter increases the aerodynamic lift on the chamber 14.2, and partially lifts the chamber out of the water as water is displaced through the nozzle 50 which nozzle also acts as a rudder in steering the watercraft 10 sideways along the water surface 24. Less wetted surface area contact between the chamber 14.2 and the water significantly reduces hydrodynamic drag and increases top speeds. Thus, the operator can enjoy a skiing and diving excursion all in one.

While preferred embodiments of the invention are shown and described, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the extent of the invention, but rather it is intended to cover all modifications and alternate methods, including: methods and processes for manufacturing a submersible falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention.

The applicant believes that the present invention, at least in part, addresses shortcomings in conventional submersibles or watercrafts wherein such crafts need to be supported, at least in part, from above surface support vessels or mother ships; and that the watercraft described herein alleviates, at least in part, disadvantages associated with other known watercrafts.

Claims (17)

CLAIMS Il cL

1. A submersible comprising a hull having an operatively inner pressure hull and an operatively outer buoyancy chamber, the buoyancy of the submersible being adjustable between a diving or submerged state and a buoyant state, the hull being shaped to facilitate planing of the submersible when on a surface of a body of water in its buoyant state.

2. A submersible as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operatively outer buoyancy chamber has a high degree of buoyancy when waterborne.

3. A submersible as claimed in claim 2, wherein the buoyancy chamber is adapted to manipulate buoyant forces acting on the submersible by means of an adjustable buoyancy system which selectively receives and expels water from the buoyancy chamber through at least one sealable inlet and at least one sealable outlet configured in a way which allows rapid fluid exchange between i the hull and its surroundings. !

4. A submersible as claimed in claim 3, wherein the buoyancy chamber is aerodynamically shaped and dimensioned with an upward curved bow so that hydrodynamic drag is reduced when the submersible planes the water surface.

5. A submersible as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein the inner pressure hull defines a pressure controlled interior providing space for at least one occupant, the occupant having a view through at least one transparent window, built into hull, capable of withstanding high pressures at depth.

6. A submersible as claimed in claim 5, wherein the inner pressure hull incorporates an air scrubbing and oxygen replenishing system as well as an ambient temperature control device so that life support in the closed environment of the pressure controlled interior is ensured during transportation.

7. A submersible as claimed in claim 6, wherein the inner pressure hull includes, a global positioning system (GPS) for accurately determining latitude and longitude when the submersible is waterborne, and an inertial guidance system, for use when the submersible is submerged, to keep track of the submersible's motion from a fixed starting point by using gyroscopes.

8. A submersible as claimed in claim 7, including an adjustable buoyancy system having fluid exchange actuation means which can selectively purge fluids with differing densities through the respective inlet and outlet of the operatively outer buoyancy chamber; said buoyancy chamber to be completely flooded when the submersible is submerged.

9. A submersible as claimed in claim 8, wherein the adjustable buoyancy system includes ballast tanks used for underwater buoyancy adjustment.

10. A submersible as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fluid exchange actuation means includes a gas pump capable of displacing water, in the operatively outer buoyancy chamber, with air or exhaust gases.

11. A submersible as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fluid exchange actuation means includes an internal combustion engine, the primary role of which is to drive the submersible when on the surface, capable of displacing water with exhaust gases emitted under pressure from said engine.

12. A submersible as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein the fluid exchange actuation means includes elongate fluid directing channels, extending longitudinally along a lower part of a keel of the submersible, the channels exploit airflow created by the speed at which the watercraft planes the water surface, to displace water from the operatively outer buoyancy chamber.

13. A submersible as claimed in any of the above claims, including a steering mechanism to provide the submersible with rotatable and angular control; at least one illumination device; at least one power source for submerged propulsion and surface propulsion of the submersible; balancing units; battery tanks and emergency life support equipment.

14. A submersible, as claimed in any of the above claims, being lightweight so that it can be transported on public roadways with a common road-going motor vehicle to a launching site, the submersible itself being capable of transporting a load to and from a remote sub-aquatic location along the water surface and below the body of water.

15. A submersible as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein the load comprises at least one occupant, and for at least one of said occupants to function as a crew member operating the submersible; alternatively, for the load to include at least one occupant and transportable goods.

16. A submersible as claimed in any of the above claims, wherein the remote sub- aquatic location is any location of up to 80m below the water surface.

17. A submersible substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS 10™ DAY OF OCTOBER 2008. =~ Sh , (JOHN & KERNICK) FOR THE APPLICANT