Abstract
A submarine vehicle may include a storage area for storing loads. The submarine vehicle may further include a pressure hull. The submarine vehicle is configured to pick loads up from a seabed and/or set loads down on the seabed. The storage area may be positioned outside the pressure hull and, in some examples, between numerous pressure hulls. Further, the storage area may include a lower hatch disposed on an underside of the pressure hull or an upper hatch disposed on a top side of the pressure hull. Some submarine vehicles may include a load transporting system for picking the load up from the seabed, setting the load down on the seabed, and/or conveying the load within the storage area.
Claims
1-19. (canceled)
20. A submarine vehicle comprising: a pressure hull; and a storage area that is for storing loads and is disposed outside the pressure hull, wherein the submarine vehicle is configured to at least one of pick a load up from a seabed or set a load down on the seabed.
21. The submarine vehicle of claim 20 wherein the submarine vehicle is at least one of operable autonomously or operable by remote control.
22. The submarine vehicle of claim 20 further comprising a fuel cell system for supplying the submarine vehicle with energy.
23. The submarine vehicle of claim 20 wherein the pressure hull comprises at least one of fiber-reinforced plastic or titanium.
24. The submarine vehicle of claim 20 wherein the storage area comprises at least one of a lower hatch disposed on an underside of the pressure hull, or an upper hatch disposed on a top side of the pressure hull.
25. The submarine vehicle of claim 20 further comprising a load transporting system for at least one of picking the load up from the seabed, setting the load down on the seabed, or conveying the load within the storage area.
26. The submarine vehicle of claim 25 wherein the load transporting system comprises: a lifting device for transporting the load in a substantially horizontal direction; and a pickup device.
27. The submarine vehicle of claim 25 wherein the load transporting system comprises a rail system for transporting the load within the storage area.
28. The submarine vehicle of claim 20 further comprising: a grasping device that comprises a catching arm for catching a cable fastened to the load; a winch for raising the load; a pickup carriage positionable beneath the raised load; and a cutting device for cutting the cable fastened to the load.
29. The submarine vehicle of claim 20 wherein the pressure hull is a first pressure hull, the submarine vehicle further comprising a second pressure hull, wherein the storage area is disposed between the first pressure hull and the second pressure hull.
30. The submarine vehicle of claim 20 further comprising drive and maneuvering devices.
31. The submarine vehicle of claim 20 further comprising a pump for emptying and filling at least one of a ballast tank, a trim tank, or a compensating tank.
32. The submarine vehicle of claim 20 further comprising at least one of a control unit for autonomous operation of the submarine vehicle during a dive, or an image acquisition unit for monitoring surroundings.
33. The submarine vehicle of claim 20 wherein along a longitudinal axis of the submarine vehicle a length of the storage area corresponds substantially to a length of the pressure hull.
34. A method for picking a load up from a seabed using a submarine vehicle that includes a pressure hull, a storage area that is for storing loads and is disposed outside the pressure hull, and a load transporting system for picking the load up from the seabed, the method comprising picking up the load with the load transporting system.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein prior to picking up the load, the method further comprises maneuvering the submarine vehicle until a lower hatch of the storage area disposed on an underside of the pressure hull is positioned above the load on the seabed.
36. The method of claim 34 wherein picking up the load with the load transporting system comprises: grasping a cable fastened to the load with a grasping device of the submarine vehicle; raising the load via the cable by way of a winch; positioning a pickup carriage beneath the raised load; setting the load down on the pickup carriage by way of the winch; and moving the pickup carriage and the load such that the load is positioned beneath a lower hatch of the storage area disposed on an underside of the pressure hull.
37. A method for setting a load down on a seabed using a submarine vehicle that includes a pressure hull, a storage area that is for storing loads and is disposed outside the pressure hull, and a load transporting system for setting down the load on the seabed, the method comprising setting down the load with the load transporting system.
38. The method of claim 37 wherein setting down the load with the load transporting system comprises: conveying the load fastened to a pickup device through a lower hatch of the storage area disposed on an underside of the pressure hull; and setting the load down on the seabed.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a submarine vehicle in a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a sectional view taken perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the submarine vehicle.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows the submarine vehicle of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a schematic plan view taken parallel to the longitudinal axis of the submarine vehicle.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows the submarine vehicle of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a side view and a plan view.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows a pressure hull for a submarine vehicle according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0035] In the various figures, identical parts are always provided with the same reference signs and are therefore also each named or mentioned only once as a rule.
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a submarine vehicle 1 in a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a sectional view taken perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the submarine vehicle 1. Such a submarine vehicle 1 is preferably intended for picking up, storing, transporting and discharging loads 56, wherein the submarine vehicle 1 picks up, stores, transports and discharges loads 56. In particular, the submarine vehicle 1 is designed to pick up and set down loads 56 which are arranged or are intended to be arranged at a great depth on a seabed. In this case, the submarine vehicle 1 is configured such that it heads for several target positions, picks up and/or sets down loads 56 there and preferably stores or organizes the picked-up loads 56. In order to store the loads 56, the submarine vehicle 1 comprises a storage area 3 which preferably comprises sorting aids, for example shelves 25, and locking devices (not illustrated) in order to be able to safely store and transport the picked-up loads 56 in a manner protected against seawash or shocks. Preferably, the loads 56 are fuels which are provided for example for conveying hydrocarbons under water, for example hydraulic fluids and/or fluids for securing the oil flow in a conveyor pipe, or seismic sensors. In this case, provision is made for the submarine vehicle 1 to be configured such that it can travel to several target positions, for example several deposition locations for seismic sensors or different underwater production sites autonomously or by remote control. For example, provision is made for the submarine vehicle 1 to independently pick up an empty container as load 56 at one of the underwater production sites and to exchange it for a full container. In particular, provision is made for the submarine vehicle 1 to comprise a storage area 3 which is intended for the storage of a multiplicity of loads 56. In this case, provision is preferably made for the storage area 3 to be configured as a wet storage space, i.e. the storage area 3 is preferably permanently flooded with seawater. Preferably, the storage area 3 comprises, on its side facing the seabed, a lower hatch 11 and, on its side facing the sea surface (during a dive), an upper hatch 12, via which loads 56 and/or tools can preferably be introduced into or removed from the storage area 3. In order to pick up and/or to set down the load, a lifting device 5, preferably a crane, is provided, wherein the lifting device 5 picks up the load 56 by means of a pickup device 6, for example a suction bell or a grasper, and then conveys the load 56 into the storage area 3, out of the storage area 3 and/or within the storage area 3. Furthermore, provision is preferably made for further equipment, which is required for example to control the submarine vehicle 1, to be arranged in a pressure hull 2. In particular, the pressure hull 2 is spatially separated from the storage area 3. In other words, the storage area 3 is arranged outside the pressure hull 2. In the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the storage area 3 is arranged between two pressure hulls 2, wherein the pressure hulls 2 are each connected firmly, in particular rigidly, to the storage area 3. In this case, provision is made for a height of the storage area 3 to correspond substantially to a height of the pressure hulls 2 and for the two pressure hulls 2 and the storage area 3 to be arranged in a plane. As a result of this arrangement, the storage area 3 is surrounded by the pressure hulls 2, at least on the starboard and port side, and is thus at least partially protected thereby.
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates the submarine vehicle 1 of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a schematic plan view taken parallel to the longitudinal axis of the submarine vehicle 1. It can be seen that the storage area 3 extends along more than half of the total length of the submarine vehicle 1 in a longitudinal direction extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. Provision is furthermore made for the submarine vehicle 1 to comprise propulsion and maneuvering devices, for example thrusters 8, trim tanks and/or compensating tanks 9 and ballast tanks 13, with which the submarine vehicle 1 can be oriented or moved, i.e. maneuvered, during a dive. In particular, provision is made for the propulsion and maneuvering devices, for example the thrusters 8, to be arranged on the submarine vehicle 1, in particular on the outer casing thereof, in a circumferential direction extending parallel to the illustrated section plane. Preferably, the thrusters 8 are attached pivotably to the outer casing of the submarine vehicle 1, in order that the submarine vehicle 1 can be maneuvered as flexibly as possible during a dive. In order to carry out dives in which several target positions are intended to be traveled to, provision is made to supply the submarine vehicle with energy by means of a fuel cell system. Preferably, fuel tanks 15, 15′ are integrated into the pressure hulls 2 in order to realize the fuel cell system. In particular, hydrogen is integrated into the fuel tank 15 of one of the pressure hulls and oxygen is integrated into the fuel tank 15′ of the other of the pressure hulls. In order to generate the energy necessary for operation, reaction water tanks 16 are furthermore provided in the pressure hulls 2. Furthermore, the pressure hulls 2 preferably accommodate further equipment, for example a controller 23, a hydraulic pressure unit 34, a, preferably several, high-pressure trim and bilge pumps 35, an energy store 19, compensating tanks 9, a propulsion system 37 that is independent of outside air or a pressure accumulator 17, wherein the individual pressure hulls 2 are preferably equipped with different further equipment. Furthermore, provision is made for the submarine vehicle 1 to comprise a, preferably several, high-pressure pumps 35 with which the trim and compensating tanks and also the ballast tanks are emptied or flooded with respect to the external pressure. In order to regulate the filling levels in the individual trim and compensating tanks 9 and also the ballast tanks 13, the ballast, trim and compensating tanks are connected to the high-pressure pump 35 via valves 36. The water from the ballast, trim and compensating tanks is pumped to the outside via the high-pressure pump 35 with respect to the external pressure via the pressure line 33.
[0038] Provision is furthermore made for the submarine vehicle 1 to comprise a grasping device for picking up the loads 56. In particular, the grasping device comprises a winch 41 with one or more catching arms 57. FIG. 2 furthermore illustrates a guide 14. The guide 14 is formed by two curved protrusions on either side of the midship plane, the spacing apart of which decreases in the direction of the winch 41. On account of the tapering configuration of the guide 14, the submarine vehicle 1 can head for a cable 53, at the lower end of which the load 56 is arranged, at the target position. In particular, the guide 14 forms a guiding system for the cable 53, with the result that, in the event of a forward movement of the submarine vehicle 1, the cable 53 is conveyed in the direction of a winch 41 of the submarine vehicle 1. The winch 41 is preferably intended to receive the cable 53 and subsequently, by its operation, to raise the load 56 by winding up the cable 53. In particular, provision is made for the winch 41 to raise the load 56 until a pickup carriage 42 of the submarine vehicle 1 is able to be conveyed under the load 56. The pickup carriage 42, which is preferably movable in the longitudinal direction of the submarine vehicle 1, engages at least partially under the raised load 56. Subsequently, the load 56 can be set down on the pickup carriage 42 by the winch 41, in particular by actuation of the winch motor thereof. In particular, the cable 53 is then severed by means of a cutting device or a cutter 44 and subsequently the pickup carriage 42 is displaced until the load 56 is positioned beneath the lower hatch 11. The load 56 can be received in the storage area 3 of the submarine vehicle 1 through the open lower hatch 11 by means of the lifting device 5. In particular, a region of the lower hatch 11 immediately adjoins a region having the grasping device. In this case, it is conceivable for the lower hatch 11 to be dimensioned to receive an individual load and for the lifting device 5 to ensure that the load 56 is moved to the intended place in the storage area 3. Provision is furthermore made for the submarine vehicle 1 to pick up loads 56 by the submarine vehicle 1 being maneuvered until the load 56 to be picked up is arranged beneath the lower hatch 11. Subsequently, the load 56 arranged on the seabed can be conveyed into the storage region 3 directly via the lifting device 5.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates the submarine vehicle 1 of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a side view and a plan view. Preferably, the submarine vehicle 1 comprises, in the storage area 3, a rail system 51 along which the lifting device 5 is movable. In particular, the rail system 51 is configured or oriented such that the lifting device 5 is movable in a direction extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the submarine vehicle 1, for example via a trolley 52. As a result, a load 56 received in a front part of the submarine vehicle 1 can be conveyed for example into a rear part of the submarine vehicle 1 in order to store the load 56 there. As a result, the installation space of the lower hatch 11 can advantageously be restricted to the reception of an individual load 56 and at the same time the entire capacity of the storage area 3 can be used fully for a multiplicity of loads 56. With a small lower hatch, the storage area 3 can additionally be readily protected from external influences during the picking up or setting down of the load. Preferably, the cable 53, at the lower end of which the load 56 on the seabed is fastened, is connected at its upper end to a buoyant body 55. This buoyant body 55 ensures that the cable 53 extends—with as little movement as possible—from the seabed toward the sea surface. Preferably, the cable 53 furthermore comprises a delimiting means 54, wherein the region beneath the delimiting means 54 defines the region of the cable 51 that the grasping device may grasp. It is also conceivable for the delimiting means 54 to comprise a transmitter which serves to orient the submarine vehicle or co-controls navigation of the submarine vehicle 1. Furthermore, the submarine vehicle 1 comprises an upper hatch 12. Via the upper hatch 12, the loads are preferably conveyed out of the storage area 3 and into the storage area when the submarine vehicle 1 is at the water's surface. In particular, provision is made for the upper hatch 12 to be larger than the lower hatch 11, wherein the upper hatch 12 extends substantially along the entire extent of the storage region 3 located therebeneath.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates a pressure hull 2 for a submarine vehicle 1 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For example, it is a pressure hull 2 which is used for the submarine vehicle 1 of the first exemplary embodiment. In this case, provision is made for the pressure hull 2 to exhibit a carbon fiber reinforced plastics material and titanium. In particular, the pressure hull 2 comprises titanium end plates. As a result of this particularly suitable choice of material and shaping of the pressure hull 2, the submarine vehicle 1 can advantageously be used up to several thousand meters beneath the sea surface during its dive.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0041] 1 Submarine vehicle [0042] 2 Pressure hull [0043] 3 Storage area [0044] 5 Lifting device [0045] 6 Pickup device [0046] 8 Thruster [0047] 9 Trim and compensating tank [0048] 11 Lower hatch [0049] 12 Upper hatch [0050] 13 Ballast tank [0051] 14 Guide [0052] 15,15′ Fuel tanks [0053] 16 Reaction water tank [0054] 17 Pressure accumulator [0055] 19 Energy store [0056] 23 Controller [0057] 25 Shelf [0058] 33 Pressure line [0059] 34 Hydraulic pressure unit HPU [0060] 35 High-pressure trim and bilge pumps [0061] 36 Valve [0062] 37 Propulsion system that is independent of outside air [0063] 41 Winch [0064] 42 Pickup carriage [0065] 44 Cutting device [0066] 51 Rail system [0067] 52 Trolley [0068] 53 Cable [0069] 54 Delimiting means [0070] 55 Buoyant body [0071] 56 Load [0072] 57 Catching arm
