Submersible remotely operated vehicle

摘要

A submersible ROV is provided with four independently controllable swivel thruster assemblies that allow the submersible ROV to simulate the movement of a person equipped with scuba gear. The submersible ROV receives control signals from a controller located on the surface of the water or on land. The submersible ROV senses and transmits audio and visual images and transmits those signals to a base receiver located on the surface of the water or on land. Signals are transmitted to and from the submersible ROV via a tether. The tether may be connected either directly to the controller/base receiver or may be connected to an intermediate floating ROV with a power supply and wireless communication relay station. A person can vicariously experience scuba diving via the submersible ROV while remaining dry and safe on land or on a surface vehicle.

主权项

1. A submersible remotely operated vehicle comprising:
(a) an outer hull and an inner hull located inside the outer hull, the outer hull having a fore portion and an aft portion, and a starboard side and a port side; and (b) four swivel thruster assemblies fixed to the outer hull, one swivel thruster assembly projecting from the fore portion of the outer hull on the starboard side of the outer hull, one swivel thruster assembly projecting from the fore portion of the outer hull on the port side of the outer hull, one swivel thruster assembly projecting from the aft portion of the outer hull on the starboard side of the outer hull, and one swivel thruster assembly projecting from the aft portion of the outer hull on the port side of the outer hull, and the two swivel thruster assemblies fixed to the fore portion of the outer hull are located at a first height on the outer hull while the two swivel thruster assemblies fixed to the aft portion of the outer hull are located at a second height on the outer hull, the first and second heights being unequal; each swivel thruster assembly comprising an electric propulsion motor with a propulsion motor drive shaft extending from the electric propulsion motor, the propulsion motor drive shaft communicating via right angle gears with a propeller shaft oriented perpendicular to the propulsion motor drive shaft to rotate the propeller shaft and a propeller fixed to the propeller shaft.