Abstract:
A method of making a tubular casing for an underwater device, wherein a metal ring made of aluminum is subjected to an anodizing process that produces an insulating layer of aluminum oxide that covers it externally. The ring is coupled with a mould that defines a cylindrical surface on which the following are deposited: first layers of carbon fibre to produce a first cylindrically-shaped tubular element in carbon fibre provided with an end portion that engages a first groove of the ring; a layer of syntactic material configured to transfer radial forces; and second layers of carbon fibre to produce a second cylindrically-shaped tubular element in carbon fibre that covers the syntactic layer and is provided with an end portion that engages a first groove of the ring.
Abstract:
The problem of penetrating through nets and other objects is solved by cutting the object using concentric cutters in which a rotatable cutter having floating teeth rotates concentrically about a stationary cutter having fixed teeth. The object is cut by a severing action caused by the floating teeth of the rotatable cutter sliding against the fixed teeth of the stationary cutter. Embodiments of the invention include a UUV system for penetrating through fishing nets and other objects, concentric cutting assemblies for use in the UUV system and other systems, and a method for penetrating through fishing nets and other objects. A UUV system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention has a concentric cutting assembly at the forward end and a propulsor at the aft end. The concentric cutting assembly integrates seamlessly within the UUV housing and is deployed from the forward end of the UUV, enabling the UUV to quickly and efficiently penetrate through objects blocking its path.
Abstract:
The problem of penetrating through nets and other objects is solved by cutting the object using various cutter systems, which include, for example a track and a moving carriage containing a cutter, a stationary carriage with a fixed or rotating arm, and/or abrasive cutters. The object is cut by a severing, slicing, or wearing action caused by a moveable blade or abrasive surface. An underwater vehicle incorporating an embodiment of the cutter system can cut a sufficiently large opening in the object to allow the vehicle to pass through.
Abstract:
The problem of penetrating through nets and other objects is solved by cutting the object using concentric cutters in which a rotatable cutter having floating teeth rotates concentrically about a stationary cutter having fixed teeth. The object is cut by a severing action caused by the floating teeth of the rotatable cutter sliding against the fixed teeth of the stationary cutter. Embodiments of the invention include a UUV system for penetrating through fishing nets and other objects, concentric cutting assemblies for use in the UUV system and other systems, and a method for penetrating through fishing nets and other objects. A UUV system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention has a concentric cutting assembly at the forward end and a propulsor at the aft end. The concentric cutting assembly integrates seamlessly within the UUV housing and is deployed from the forward end of the UUV, enabling the UUV to quickly and efficiently penetrate through objects blocking its path.
Abstract:
A removable protective nose cover for a submersible structure having a nose section is disclosed. The removable protective nose cover can include a plurality of shell members, each of the shell members having a forward end and an aft end. Each shell member can also be dimensioned to fit adjacent to and around the nose section of the submersible structure and thereby form a protective shell. A central nose member having a locking member can also be included, the locking member being operable to attach the central nose member to each of the forward ends of the shell members. The aft ends of the shell members can be attached to each other using a plurality of attachment clips such that the attachment of the central nose member to each of the forward ends of the shell members and the attachment of the adjacent aft ends of the shell members form the removable protective nose cover for the submersible structure. The attachment clips can be operable to release the plurality of shell members from being held adjacent to the submersible structure when the structure moves through a liquid at a predefined speed.
Abstract:
A device for destroying subsea objects comprising a first part 2 provided with propulsive units, a second part 4 which can pivot relative to the first part on an axis, so that the device can approach a subsea object from different directions, and a fairing 3 protecting the second part 4.
Abstract:
An apparatus for joining cylindrical sections, including a semi-cylindrical profile member adapted to be coupled to a cylindrical section on an outer circumferential portion of the profile member and including an outer circumferential groove and an inner circumferential ridge; a ring-shaped compression member coupled to the profile member and including a circumferential groove on an outer portion thereof and attachment members on opposite sides thereof; and a pair of semi-cylindrical tension members forming a ring shape and each including a pair of inner circumferential ridges and attachment members on end portions thereof. The circumferential ridge of the profile member couples to the circumferential groove of the compression member. One of the circumferential ridges of one of the tension members couples to respective of the circumferential groove of the profile member. The attachment members of the tension members couple to respective of the attachment members of the compression member.
Abstract:
A vehicle having a ceramic radome includes a vehicle body having an opening therein, a ceramic radome sized to cover the opening of the vehicle body, and an attachment structure joining the radome to the vehicle body to cover the opening. The attachment structure has a substantially cylindrically symmetric compliant metallic transition element disposed structurally between the radome and the body. The radome is joined to a first end of the transition element by a first brazed butt-joint. A primary seal is disposed between the transition element and the vehicle body. A spanner nut overlies the transition element and has a first engagement to the transition element. A threaded engagement between the spanner nut and the vehicle body allows the radome/transition element assembly to be attached and tightened to the vehicle body and to be later removed.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for isolating one part of a body from mechanical rations from another part thereof by providing a flexible gasket between the two parts of the body. The flexible gasket includes a plurality of voids to permit adequate space for the deformed gasket when the body is subjected to varying dynamic conditions. One embodiment of the apparatus is a transducer nose section of a torpedo which includes a pliable gasket for isolating the acoustic transducers housed therein from extraneous shell-born and mechanical vibrations. It further includes two pieces or elements such as the aft piece and forward piece which are kept a certain distance apart to create a gap using a plurality of shims and polyurethene is poured in between the two elements so as to form the pliable gasket. The shims are then removed leaving voids in the polyurethene gasket. Alternatively, polyurethene poured in between the two elements is drilled at a plurality of spaces to create voids therein.
Abstract:
An acoustic homing torpedo which has an acoustic window and a nose section with the window-torpedo shell interface being positioned at a location aft of the acoustic transducers in the nose so as to minimize unwanted flow noise.