초록 ▼

The hydrography of a land area beneath a shallow body of water is determined by driving a submersible, remotely controlled, powered vehicle along a route over the land area. The vehicle includes a chassis, a drive mechanism, a drive control module to control the drive mechanism, and a mast extending

The hydrography of a land area beneath a shallow body of water is determined by driving a submersible, remotely controlled, powered vehicle along a route over the land area. The vehicle includes a chassis, a drive mechanism, a drive control module to control the drive mechanism, and a mast extending upwardly from the chassis, with the top end of the mast projecting above the body of water. A position indicator, such as a global positioning system, mounted adjacent the mast top end, determines the position of the position indicator, and transmits position data to a receiving unit at a remote location. A transmitter at the remote location transmits instructions to the drive control module to control the vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for surveying the land area beneath a shallow body of water comprising:a) a submersible, remote controlled, powered vehicle for carrying an altitude indicator across a land area positioned beneath a shallow body of water, said vehicle includingi) a generally rect

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for surveying the land area beneath a shallow body of water comprising:a) a submersible, remote controlled, powered vehicle for carrying an altitude indicator across a land area positioned beneath a shallow body of water, said vehicle includingi) a generally rectangular chassis of welded metal tubing with four axle receiving openings;,ii) axles having inner ends extending into each of said axle receiving openings and outer ends, said axles telescoping in said openings between extended and retracted positions;iii) hydraulic motors mounted at the outer ends of said axles, said motors including rotatable shafts and valves;iv) wheels mounted on each of said motor shafts;v) a hydraulic fluid pump mounted on said chassis;vi) a diesel engine mounted on said chassis, said engine having a rotatable shaft connected to said pump;vii) hydraulic fluid lines connecting said pump to said hydraulic motors;viii) a drive control module connected to said engine and said hydraulic motor valve to control said engine and the direction of rotation of said hydraulic motor shafts;ix) a waterproof housing enclosing said engine and pump;x) a mast extending upwardly from said chassis to a top end, said mast including an air intake conduit and a combustion exhaust conduit, said conduits having lower ends in communication with said engine and upper ends adapted to project above said body of water;xi) an antenna adjacent the top of said mast; andxii) a position indicator adjacent the top of said mast, said position indicator including a global positioning system receiver for calculating position data, and a transmitter for transmitting position data to a remote receiver; andb) an operating unit to be located remotely from said vehicle, said operating unit includingi) a data receiver for receiving data transmitted from said position indicator;ii) a processor for receiving data from said data receiver and converting said data into a map of said land area; andiii) a transmitter for transmitting control instructions to said drive control module.