External payload carrier for underwater vehicle

Abstract

A technique for carrying a payload by a UUV includes providing a structure that extends around an outer surface of the UUV along a length of the UUV. The structure has an outer membrane that forms a streamlined shape around the UUV and contains the payload.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A structure for carrying payloads of a UUV (unmanned underwater vehicle), comprising:
 an outer membrane constructed and arranged to (i) extend around an outer surface of the UUV along a length of the UUV, (ii) contain a payload, and (iii) form a streamlined shape around the UUV.   
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the outer membrane includes a tensioned wrap that extends around the payload on one side of the UUV and around a spacer on an opposite side of the UUV. 
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the streamlined shape is symmetrical about at least one plane. 
     
     
         4 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the outer membrane is constructed and arranged to form the streamlined shape when an enclosed region between the UUV and the outer membrane is inflated with fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The structure of  claim 4 , wherein the streamlined shape of the outer membrane when inflated with the fluid is tapered toward the UUV at first and second ends of the outer membrane. 
     
     
         6 . The structure of  claim 4 , wherein the outer membrane is constructed and arranged to assume a predetermined shape when the enclosed region is inflated with the fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The structure of  claim 6 , wherein the outer membrane is composed of multiple panels stitched or otherwise fused together. 
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 6 , further comprising an inner membrane constructed and arranged to conform to the outer surface of the UUV, the enclosed region being disposed between the inner membrane and the outer membrane. 
     
     
         9 . The structure of  claim 8 , wherein the inner membrane forms a water-impermeable seal with the outer membrane at the first and second ends of the outer membrane. 
     
     
         10 . The structure of  claim 8 , wherein the inner membrane and the outer membrane form a watertight container that surrounds the enclosed region. 
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 8 , wherein the outer membrane when inflated with the fluid forms an interior space arranged to contain the payload, the interior space having an opening through which the payload can controllably be ejected into surrounding water. 
     
     
         12 . The structure of  claim 11 , wherein the outer membrane is folded in on itself to form the opening of the interior space, the opening normally being closed to contain the payload and to provide a continuous outer surface of the structure directly outside the interior space. 
     
     
         13 . The structure of  claim 12 , wherein the continuous outer surface is symmetrical with an outer surface of the outer membrane on a diametrically opposite side of the structure. 
     
     
         14 . The structure of  claim 11 , further comprising an actuator constructed and arranged to eject the payload through the opening. 
     
     
         15 . The structure of  claim 14 , wherein the actuator is constructed and arranged to eject the payload at a velocity sufficient to enable control surfaces of the payload to influence a path of the payload through the surrounding water. 
     
     
         16 . The structure of  claim 11 , further comprising a communications interface constructed and arranged to communicate with the UUV and to eject the payload through the opening in response to a command from the UUV. 
     
     
         17 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the structure has a tunable buoyancy. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a UUV (unmanned underwater vehicle) having a length and an outer surface; and   a structure applied around the outer surface along at least a portion of the length, the structure including an outer membrane constructed and arranged to (i) extend around an outer surface of the UUV along a length of the UUV, (ii) contain a payload, and (iii) form a streamlined shape around the UUV.   
     
     
         19 . A method of carrying and/or deploying external payloads by a UUV (unmanned underwater vehicle), comprising:
 applying a structure around an outer surface of the UUV, the structure including an outer membrane constructed and arranged (i) to extend around an outer surface of the UUV along a length of the UUV and (ii) to form a streamlined shape around the UUV;   inserting a payload into the structure; and   filling the inflatable region with fluid such that the structure forms a streamlined shape around the UUV and contains the payload.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 deploying the UUV within a body of water;   receiving, by a communications interface within the structure, a command from the UUV to release the payload; and   releasing the payload in response to the command,   wherein releasing the payload in response to the command is responsive to determining a time at which to release the payload based on a current location of the UUV within the body of water and a location of a desired target.