Systems and methods for a plurality of nested reaction structures in wave generators

Abstract

A system includes an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), a first reaction structure configured to deploy from a body of the UUV, and a second reaction structure configured to deploy between the first reaction structure and the body of the UUV. The system further includes one or more tendons connecting the first and second reaction structures to the body of the UUV, wherein the first reaction structure deploys at a depth below the second reaction structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV);   a first reaction structure configured to deploy from a body of the UUV;   a second reaction structure configured to deploy between the first reaction structure and the body of the UUV; and   one or more tendons connecting the first and second reaction structures to the body of the UUV, wherein the first reaction structure deploys at a depth below the second reaction structure.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a top major surface of the first reaction structure is configured to mate to a bottom major surface of the second reaction structure when the first reaction structure and the second reaction structure are undeployed from the body of the UUV. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first reaction structure comprises a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first reaction structure comprises a plurality of flaps configured to cover the plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the flaps are configured to move to an open position which uncovers the perforations when the first reaction structure moves in a first direction relative to water. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the flaps are configured to move to a closed position which covers the perforations when the first reaction structure moves in a second direction relative to water, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second reaction structures are configured to move from an undeployed position to a deployed position. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the undeployed position includes both reaction structures touching the body of the UUV, and wherein the deployed position includes the first and second reaction structures separated from the body of the UUV. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second reaction structure comprises a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the second reaction structure comprises a plurality of flaps configured to cover the plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the flaps are configured to move to an open position which uncovers the perforations when the second reaction structure moves in a first direction relative to water. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the flaps are configured to move to a closed position which covers the perforations when the second reaction structure moves in a second direction relative to water, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction. 
     
     
         13 . A system comprising:
 a body;   a first reaction structure configured to deploy from the body;   a second reaction structure configured to deploy between the first reaction structure and the body;   one or more tendons connecting the first and second reaction structures to the body, wherein the first reaction structure deploys at a depth below the second reaction structure;   one or more power take-out (PTO) units coupled to or between the first and second reaction structure and the body, the one or more power take-out (PTO) units configured convert energy from relative motion between the first and second reaction structures to the body.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein a top major surface of the first reaction structure is configured to mate to a bottom major surface of the second reaction structure when the first reaction structure and the second reaction structure are undeployed from the body of the UUV. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the first reaction structure comprises a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first reaction structure comprises a plurality of flaps configured to cover the plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the flaps are configured to move to an open position which uncovers the perforations when the first reaction structure moves in a first direction relative to water. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the flaps are configured to move to a closed position which covers the perforations when the first reaction structure moves in a second direction relative to water, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second reaction structures are configured to move from an undeployed position to a deployed position. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the undeployed position includes both reaction structures touching the body of the UUV, and wherein the deployed position includes the first and second reaction structures separated from the body of the UUV.