An underwater propulsion apparatus 1 according to an embodiment includes a main body 2 having a conical tail portion, a channel 4 having an inlet 6 in the outer circumferential surface of the main body 2 and a nozzle 7 on the side downstream of the inlet 6 and in the tail portion, at least one pump 3 having an impeller 5 provided in the channel 4, a diffuser 8 attached to the main body 2 so as to surround the outer circumference of the nozzle 7, and a plurality of direction control wings 9 attached to the outer surface of the main body 2 and located in positions downstream of the nozzle 7 and close thereto, each of the plurality of direction control wings 9 having an upstream end pivotally supported by the main body 2.

An underwater detection device includes a surface drive boat and an unmanned underwater vehicle. The surface drive boat includes: a hull; transverse attitude-stabilizing thrusters and orbit vectored thrusters arranged at the bottom of the hull; a control box arranged on the hull and electrically connected with the transverse attitude-stabilizing thrusters and the orbit vectored thrusters; a cable and a cable winding assembly arranged on the hull, the control box being connected with the unmanned underwater vehicle by the cable, the cable winding assembly being electrically connected with the control box; and a positioning assembly arranged on the hull and electrically connected with the control box.

An underwater detection device includes a surface drive boat and an unmanned underwater vehicle. The surface drive boat includes: a hull; transverse attitude-stabilizing thrusters and orbit vectored thrusters arranged at the bottom of the hull; a control box arranged on the hull and electrically connected with the transverse attitude-stabilizing thrusters and the orbit vectored thrusters; a cable and a cable winding assembly arranged on the hull, the control box being connected with the unmanned underwater vehicle by the cable, the cable winding assembly being electrically connected with the control box; and a positioning assembly arranged on the hull and electrically connected with the control box.

An underwater vehicle designed for navigation at the surface or underwater, having a hull, and at least one normal-force generator of force normal to a longitudinal axis of the underwater vehicle, borne by the hull, wherein a forward part of the hull is asymmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis so as to generate lift as the underwater vehicle moves and wherein the lift is in the opposite direction to the resultant of the forces of the normal-force generator or generators is provided.

A method for governing the elevation, attitude and structural integrity of a pressure-containing vessel in a body of liquid counterbalances flotation and incompressible ballast mediums against each other in separate serial compartments. Varying the quantity of incompressible ballast medium allows control of the elevation and attitude of the vessel. If the flotation medium is compressible, varying the quantity of flotation medium allows control of the ambient pressure of the vessel. The method facilitates floating and towing and laying of an undersea pipeline on, to and at a deep water site.

A method for governing the elevation, attitude and structural integrity of a pressure-containing vessel in a body of liquid counterbalances flotation and incompressible ballast mediums against each other in separate serial compartments. Varying the quantity of incompressible ballast medium allows control of the elevation and attitude of the vessel. If the flotation medium is compressible, varying the quantity of flotation medium allows control of the ambient pressure of the vessel. The method facilitates floating and towing and laying of an undersea pipeline on, to and at a deep water site.

An apparatus. The apparatus includes a body and a plurality of control surfaces attached to the body. A first control surface is configured to control an ascent and descent of the apparatus, responsive to ascent/descent control information. A second control surface is configured to control a roll of the apparatus responsive to roll control information, and a third control surface is configured to control a yaw of the apparatus responsive to yaw control information. The apparatus further includes a releasable first docking fixture attached to the body, the first docking fixture configured to engage a second docking fixture on a payload.

An apparatus. The apparatus includes a body and a plurality of control surfaces attached to the body. A first control surface is configured to control an ascent and descent of the apparatus, responsive to ascent/descent control information. A second control surface is configured to control a roll of the apparatus responsive to roll control information, and a third control surface is configured to control a yaw of the apparatus responsive to yaw control information. The apparatus further includes a releasable first docking fixture attached to the body, the first docking fixture configured to engage a second docking fixture on a payload.

A segmented-foil divertor for marine towed application, such as marine seismic exploration, having a plurality of longitudinally stackable foil segments with an internal conduit extending along the span of each segment to receive a cable passing therethrough.

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is configured to record seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The AUV includes a body having a base (B) and first and second sides (A, C), the body having a head part and a tail part; a propulsion system for guiding the AUV to a final target on the ocean bottom; a seismic sensor configured to record seismic signals; and an anchoring system configured to rock or twist the base in a given sequence so that the base (B) penetrates into the ocean bottom.