Self Contained Underwater Vehicle Modules

Abstract

An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) (V) includes a steering unit ( 10 ) for directional control of the UUV (V) with an exterior surface ( 12 ) and at least one interchangeable module component ( 14 ) for housing a desired operational unit ( 16 ) appropriate for a chosen mission profile. The interchangeable module ( 14 ) has an exterior surface ( 18 ) preferably impervious to the intrusion of water ( 20 ). A frontal portion ( 22 ) may be adapted for fluid flow. The exterior surfaces ( 10, 18 , and 24 ) of the steering unit ( 10 ), the interchangeable module component ( 14 ) and the frontal portion ( 22 ) form a substantially smooth surface envelope ( 26 ).

1 . An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) comprising:
 a steering unit for directional control of the UUV having an exterior surface;   at least one interchangeable module component for housing a desired operational unit appropriate for a chosen mission profile, said interchangeable module having an exterior surface;   a frontal portion having an exterior surface adapted for flow through a fluid; and,   the exterior surfaces of the steering unit, the interchangeable module component and the frontal portion form a substantially smooth surface envelope when the interchangeable module is attached to the steering unit and frontal portion for controlled movement through a fluid; and,   an internal component supporting system for joining the interchangable module components to form the UUV.   
   
   
       2 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the interchangeable module contains an electronic array. 
   
   
       3 . The invention of  claim 1  further including communication means for exchanging selected information between the UUV and a supporting station. 
   
   
       4 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the frontal portion is formed with an interchangeable module. 
   
   
       5 . The invention of  claim 3  wherein the connection means includes a tether cable extending between the UUV and the supporting station. 
   
   
       6 . The invention of  claim 3  wherein the connection means includes a wireless transmission system conveying information between the UUV and the supporting station. 
   
   
       7 . The invention of  claim 6  wherein the wireless transmission system exchanges information over a radio frequency based network. 
   
   
       8 . The invention of  claim 6  wherein the wireless transmission system exchanges information over an optical beam based network. 
   
   
       9 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the steering unit includes a propulsion means for controllably propelling the UUV through the fluid. 
   
   
       10 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein a junction of the steering unit and the interchangeable module is essentially seamless when the interchangeable module is joined to the steering unit forming the UUV. 
   
   
       11 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the internal component supporting system comprises a truss system for attaching interchangeable module components. 
   
   
       12 . The invention of  claim 1  wherein the internal component supporting system comprises a rail system for attaching interchangeable module components. 
   
   
       13 . A method for assembling an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) comprising:
 preparing a steering unit for directional control of the UUV having an exterior surface;   forming at least one interchangeable module component for housing a desired operational unit appropriate for a chosen mission profile; said interchangeable module having an exterior surface;   joining the steering unit with at least one interchangeable module component with an internal component supporting system for joining the interchangeable module components such that the interchangeable module component and the steering unit form a substantially smooth surface envelope when the interchangeable module is attached to the steering unit for controlled movement through a fluid.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein a frontal portion is prepared having an exterior surface adapted for flow through a fluid. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the interchangeable module contains an electronic array. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  further including communications means for exchanging selected information between the UUV and a supporting station. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the frontal portion is formed with an interchangeable module. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the connection means includes a tether cable extending between the UUV and the supporting station. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the connection means includes a wireless transmission system conveying information between the UUV and the supporting station. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the wireless transmission system exchanges information over a radio frequency based network. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the wireless transmission system exchanges information over an optical beam based network. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the steering unit includes a propulsion means for controllably propelling the UUV through the fluid. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 13  wherein a junction of the steering unit and the interchangeable module is essentially seamless when the interchangeable module is joined to the steering unit forming the UUV. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the internal component supporting system comprises a truss system to form the UUV. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the internal component supporting system comprises a rail system for forming the UUV.