System for automatically launching and retrieving an underwater drone
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B63G-008/41
B63C-007/00
G05D-003/00
출원번호
US-0995982
(2009-06-03)
등록번호
US-8590476
(2013-11-26)
우선권정보
FR-08 03058 (2008-06-03)
국제출원번호
PCT/EP2009/056821
(2009-06-03)
§371/§102 date
20110310
(20110310)
국제공개번호
WO2009/147176
(2009-12-10)
발명자
/ 주소
Goudeau, Jean-Philippe
Le Gras, Hervé
Ruvio, Rémi
출원인 / 주소
Thales
대리인 / 주소
Baker Hostetler LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
2인용 특허 :
4
초록▼
The present invention relates to systems for launching and retrieving underwater craft from a ship. It consists mainly of a handling cradle for launching and retrieving an underwater vehicle, comprising a frame forming a dorsal ridge and providing an interface between lifting means, a crane for exam
The present invention relates to systems for launching and retrieving underwater craft from a ship. It consists mainly of a handling cradle for launching and retrieving an underwater vehicle, comprising a frame forming a dorsal ridge and providing an interface between lifting means, a crane for example, and the underwater vehicle. This frame comprises: means for adjusting the overall buoyancy; means for automatically aligning the vehicle with the dorsal ridge formed by the frame; means for grasping the vehicle from the surface after the frame has been aligned with the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the cradle comprises an onboard video camera enabling the operator onboard the ship to ensure that the vehicle attachment and release operations are carried out correctly. The invention advantageously allows the vehicle to be launched and retrieved automatically when the vehicle is under the surface in an area where it is not subject to the effects of the swell.
대표청구항▼
1. A method for launching an underwater vehicle using a handling cradle, the method comprising the following operations carried out in succession: receiving the handling cradle for launching and retrieving the underwater vehicle, the handling cradle comprising a frame forming a dorsal ridge, the fra
1. A method for launching an underwater vehicle using a handling cradle, the method comprising the following operations carried out in succession: receiving the handling cradle for launching and retrieving the underwater vehicle, the handling cradle comprising a frame forming a dorsal ridge, the frame further comprising: means for adjusting the overall buoyancy of the handling cradle,means for automatically positioning the underwater vehicle in alignment with the dorsal ridge formed by the frame, andmeans for grasping the underwater vehicle after the frame has been aligned with the underwater vehicle, wherein the means for grasping the underwater vehicle are connected to a pulling cable;positioning the handling cradle containing the underwater vehicle above the water plane;immersing the handling cradle in water;controlling the immersion of the handling cradle to the desired depth using the means for adjusting the overall buoyancy;releasing the underwater vehicle by opening the means for grasping the underwater vehicle;piloting departure of the underwater vehicle from the handling cradle; andswitching the underwater vehicle to a standalone operating mode. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting the overall buoyancy of the handling cradle comprise ballast floats arranged along the frame. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for automatically positioning the underwater vehicle in alignment with the dorsal ridge formed by the frame comprise an end piece of conical overall shape arranged at one end of the frame. 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for grasping the underwater vehicle comprise two articulated arms arranged on the frame and configured to encircle the lateral walls of the underwater vehicle. 5. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for automatically positioning the underwater vehicle in alignment with the dorsal ridge formed by the frame comprise an end piece of conical overall shape arranged at one end of the frame. 6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the means for grasping the underwater vehicle comprise two articulated arms arranged on the frame and configured to encircle lateral walls of the underwater vehicle. 7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means for grasping the underwater vehicle are connected to a pulling cable. 8. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the means for grasping the underwater vehicle are connected to a pulling cable. 9. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for grasping the underwater vehicle are connected to a pulling cable. 10. A method for retrieving an underwater vehicle using a handling cradle, the method comprising the following operations carried out in succession: receiving the handling cradle for launching and retrieving the underwater vehicle, the handling cradle comprising a frame forming a dorsal ridge, the frame further comprising: means for adjusting the overall buoyancy of the handling cradle,means for automatically positioning the underwater vehicle in alignment with the dorsal ridge formed by the frame, andmeans for grasping the underwater vehicle after the frame has been aligned with the underwater vehicle, wherein the means for grasping the underwater vehicle are connected to a pulling cable;switching the underwater vehicle to a remote-controlled operating mode;piloting approach of the underwater vehicle to the handling cradle;inserting the underwater vehicle into the means for automatically positioning the underwater vehicle in alignment with the dorsal ridge formed by the frame;keeping the underwater vehicle moving to position the underwater vehicle in alignment with the dorsal ridge formed by the frame;stopping the underwater vehicle;closing the means for grasping the underwater vehicle;raising the underwater vehicle in the handling cradle; andpositioning the handling cradle enclosing the underwater vehicle in a storage area. 11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the means for adjusting the overall buoyancy of the handling cradle comprise ballast floats arranged along the frame. 12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the means for automatically positioning the underwater vehicle in alignment with the dorsal ridge formed by the frame comprise an end piece of conical overall shape arranged at one end of the frame. 13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the means for grasping the underwater vehicle comprise two articulated arms arranged on the frame and configured to encircle the lateral walls of the underwater vehicle. 14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the means for automatically positioning the underwater vehicle in alignment with the dorsal ridge formed by the frame comprise an end piece of conical overall shape arranged at one end of the frame. 15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the means for grasping the underwater vehicle comprise two articulated arms arranged on the frame and configured to encircle lateral walls of the underwater vehicle. 16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the means for grasping the underwater vehicle are connected to a pulling cable. 17. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the means for grasping the underwater vehicle are connected to a pulling cable. 18. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the means for grasping the underwater vehicle are connected to a pulling cable.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (4)
Andrew M. Watt ; Allen F. Leatt ; Calum MacKinnon GB, Apparatus and method for deploying, recovering, servicing, and operating an autonomous underwater vehicle.
Beazley, Stuart K.; Del Savio, James A.; Berube, Richard P.; Shaw, Christopher, System and method for a launch control console for communication with unmanned underwater vehicles.
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