Counter-underwater vehicle apparatus and marker

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11988486-B2
Application number	US-202217938074-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 5, 2022
Priority date	Oct 5, 2022
Publication date	May 21, 2024
Grant date	May 21, 2024

Abstract

A counter-underwater vehicle apparatus and marker. Moreover, a counter-underwater vehicle apparatus comprising a plurality of entanglement lines; a box configured to contain the plurality of entanglement lines; a suction cup coupled to the box configured to attach the box to a surface of an underwater vehicle; a release mechanism coupled to the box configured to detach the box from a bite plate and release the plurality of entanglement lines; and the bite plate selectively coupled to the release mechanism. Additionally a marker configured to highlight the location of an underwater vehicle, a box configured to contain and release the marker, a suction cup coupled to the box configured to attach to the box a surface of an underwater vehicle, a release mechanism coupled to the box configured to detach the box from a bite plate and release the marker, and the bite plate selectively coupled to the release mechanism.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A counter-underwater vehicle apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of entanglement lines;
a box configured to contain the plurality of entanglement lines;
a suction cup coupled to the box configured to attach the box to a surface of an underwater vehicle;
a release mechanism coupled to the box configured to detach the box from a bite plate and release the plurality of entanglement lines; and
the bite plate selectively coupled to the release mechanism.

2. The counter-underwater vehicle apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bite plate facilitates the bite of a marine animal.

3. The counter-underwater vehicle apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the suction cup further comprises:
a base of the suction cup comprising a high durometer material;
a top of the suction cup comprising a low durometer material.

4. The counter-underwater vehicle apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of entanglement lines each are comprised of high modulus polyethylene.

5. The counter-underwater vehicle apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of entanglement lines further comprise a parachute at a deployed end of each of the plurality of entanglement lines.

6. The counter-underwater vehicle apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of entanglement lines each have a unique length.

7. The counter-underwater vehicle apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the box further comprises:
a plurality of spools configured to deploy the plurality of entanglement lines.

8. The counter-underwater vehicle apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bite plate further comprises:
a bite float coupled to the bite plate configured to float the bite plate to the surface of the aquatic environment.

9. The counter-underwater vehicle apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the box further comprises:
a box float coupled to the box configured to float the box to the surface of the aquatic environment.

10. The counter-underwater vehicle apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
a swivel connected to the release mechanism configured to enable a wider range of attachment angles.

11. The counter-underwater vehicle apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of alignment guides coupled to the box configured to prevent the suction cup from impacting the counter-underwater vehicle apparatus at an angle outside of an approach angle, wherein each of the plurality alignment guide protrude from the box in the direction of the suction cup.

12. A counter-underwater vehicle marker, comprising:
a marker configured to highlight the location of an underwater vehicle;
a box configured to contain and release the marker, wherein the marker is contained within an internal cavity of the box;
a suction cup coupled to the box configured to attach to the box a surface of an underwater vehicle;
a release mechanism coupled to the box configured to detach the box from a bite plate and release the marker; and
the bite plate selectively coupled to the release mechanism.

13. The counter-underwater vehicle marker of claim 12 , wherein the marker is a dye.

14. The counter-underwater vehicle marker of claim 12 , wherein the bite plate facilitates the bite of a marine animal.

15. The counter-underwater vehicle apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the box further comprises:
a swivel connected to the release mechanism configured to enable a wider range of attachment angles.

16. The counter-underwater vehicle apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising:
a plurality of alignment guides coupled to the box configured to improve the angle of approach and attachment of the counter-underwater vehicle apparatus.

17. A method of disabling underwater vehicles comprising the steps of:
providing a disabling device, further comprising:
a plurality of entanglement lines;
a box configured to contain the plurality of entanglement lines;
a suction cup coupled to the box configured to attach the box to a surface of an underwater vehicle;
a release mechanism coupled to the box configured to detach the box from a bite plate and release the plurality of entanglement lines;
the bite plate selectively coupled to the release mechanism;

attaching the disabling device cup to an underwater vehicle, wherein attaching comprises a marine animal impacting the underwater vehicle; and
releasing each of the plurality of entanglement lines, wherein releasing each of the plurality of entanglement lines disables the underwater vehicle.

18. The method of disabling underwater vehicles of claim 17 , further comprising the step of:
identifying the location of the underwater vehicle.

19. The method of disabling underwater vehicles of claim 17 , wherein the bite plate facilitates the bite of a marine animal.

20. The method of disabling underwater vehicles of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of entanglement lines each are comprised of high modulus polyethylene.

Assignees

• Us Navy

Inventors

• Burgoa Robert

Classifications

• F41H11/10 Primary

  Dispensing-apparatus therefor, e.g. devices for dispensing or reeling barbed wire · CPC title

• B63G8/28 Primary

  Arrangement of offensive or defensive equipment · CPC title

• A01K29/00

  Other apparatus for animal husbandry · CPC title

• B63C7/22

  using electromagnets or suction devices · CPC title

• B63G9/00

  Other offensive or defensive arrangements on vessels against submarines, torpedoes, or mines · CPC title