RU238438U1 - Unmanned Controlled Boat - Google Patents

Abstract

This utility model pertains to shipbuilding and marine engineering, specifically to unmanned controlled boats (UCBs), and can be used for water surveillance, patrolling, searching for and intercepting intruders, and research purposes. The proposed configuration is designed for the delivery and deployment of a radar buoy in difficult-to-navigate waters. The UCB consists of a rigid hull, superstructure, instrumentation unit, steering mechanism, electric motor, propeller, onboard control system with navigation system, storage medium, radar buoy release mechanism, and a counterweight system (static counterweight, electric motor, and batteries). The counterweight system, which is part of the UCB design, eliminates the possibility of the boat becoming locked in an abnormal position, significantly simplifying the launching procedure, even allowing for free fall, and preventing the boat from sinking in the event of a capsize. Once the boat reaches its target point, the operator deploys a radio beacon. Due to its small size and lack of an internal combustion engine, the unmanned boat enables efficient covert surveillance of the waters, detection of various objects, and transmission of information about them to the operator.

Description

The field of technology to which the utility model belongs

The utility model pertains to shipbuilding, specifically to unmanned controlled watercraft. It is an unmanned controlled boat (UCB) and can be used for patrolling waters, searching for and intercepting intruders, and for research purposes. The proposed configuration is designed for the delivery and deployment of a radar buoy in difficult-to-navigate waters.

State of the art

Among known solutions, the unmanned controllable boat RU 188836 U1 IPC B63G 7/00 (2006.01), B63B 21/24 (2006.01) is a close analogue to the proposed utility model in terms of its technical essence and purpose. This unmanned boat is designed for search and research missions. It has the ability to be moored in an emergency in the absence of power and is equipped with a diesel-electric system. This design solution allows the boat to remain stationary in the water during the search period; however, it imposes limitations on its use in heavy seas and in difficult-to-navigate areas due to its draft depth and the possibility of waves engulfing the unsealed hull.

Another similar design, RU 2780086 C1 IPC B63G 1/00 (2006.01), is a universal unmanned boat capable of carrying interchangeable payloads located both inside the hull and above deck. This design allows the boat to carry large cargo and specialized equipment; however, these useful features significantly increase its draft and prevent the hull from being watertight in heavy seas and flooding.

The closest analogue in design and purpose is RU 2796093 C1. This invention pertains to shipbuilding and marine engineering and concerns the development of underwater surveillance equipment using a remotely controlled unmanned boat. The invention is intended for covert underwater surveillance and the detection of self-propelled underwater objects. The unmanned boat is equipped with a diesel-electric system, an onboard control system, and a sonar buoy storage module.

Common disadvantages of the proposed solutions are their large size, which leads to an increase in the overall draft of the boat, the lack of watertightness of the hull, and the inability to independently return to a stable operating position in the event of a capsize.

Disclosure of the essence of the utility model

The technical result provided by the proposed utility model consists of the ability of an unmanned controlled boat to maintain a state of stable equilibrium and to independently return to it in the event of an abnormal impact of external forces during operation.

The proposed utility model is compact, significantly simplifying its production, storage, and maintenance, while reducing logistics requirements to the point of use. The UAV can operate at various speeds, from a steady drift to 90 km/h, while maintaining high maneuverability. In all operating modes, the device maintains a stable equilibrium. In the event of an unexpected external force impacting the UAV, it can return to a stable equilibrium without additional external intervention. These features, taken together, ensure consistent and clear transmission of visual and audio information to the operator, prevent the device from sinking, and enable operations in hard-to-reach areas inaccessible to larger prototypes, such as shallow water, narrow channels, and rapids. They also facilitate launching.

The unmanned controlled boat comprises a hull divided into compartments, a superstructure connected to the hull and saturation elements, including an equipment unit with a steering mechanism, power elements, sealed connectors, an electric motor, a propeller, an on-board control system with a navigation system and is distinguished by the fact that the hull has hydrodynamic contours with a dedicated keel space in which a static counterweight is located, while niches are provided in the hull for the location of saturation elements, which provide an auxiliary effect to the static counterweight in the event of an unmanned controlled boat capsizing and facilitate its return to a stable position; the hull also contains:

a stern compartment containing the steering gear and an equipment unit for transmitting an incoming signal to the steering gear, an engine compartment containing an electric motor that drives a drive shaft that is hermetically led out into the outboard space, on which a propeller is fixed outside the hull,

a navigation compartment with an on-board control system located in it with a navigation system - an FPV complex, which ensures the reception of incoming commands from the operator to the equipment unit and microswitch by the on-board control system, and the transmission of visual and audio information from the on-board control system to the operator, wherein the FPV complex contains a camera unit protected by a cap and a built-in storage medium,

a nose compartment equipped with replaceable cradle for installing and securing a radar buoy and containing a lever mechanism for releasing the radio buoy at a given point,

in this case, on the sides of the BEC in the niches of the engine and navigation compartments on the inside there are power elements, which are blocks of batteries, and the body contains sealed connectors designed with the possibility of connection to public networks and to a power source for charging the said blocks of batteries and for transferring recorded data to the built-in information carrier of the BEC,

The superstructure contains technological cutouts for the FPV camera cap and the emergency beacon mounted in the superstructure, and has contours that allow the BEC to return to a state of stable equilibrium.

The hull and superstructure are preferably manufactured using vacuum forming.

The replaceable nose compartment inserts are preferably manufactured using additive technologies.

The camera block cap is made using vacuum forming from polycarbonate, which has high strength and excellent optical properties.

The UAV's hull is vacuum-formed and features hydrodynamic contours with a dedicated keel space housing the static counterweight. The static counterweight is a localized, enclosed volume filled with high-density bulk material. Placing the counterweight in the keel space prevents it from shifting within the hull during operation. Power elements located on the hull sides provide additional counterweight support. These factors combined allow the UAV to maintain a stable state during launching, movement, and drifting.

To enhance stability at high speeds, the hull is equipped with recesses for the installation of slings. These provide additional support for the static counterweight in the event of a UAV capsize, helping to restore the vessel to a stable position. These features, taken together, eliminate the possibility of the vessel becoming immobilized when the propellers are out of the water, enabling free-fall launching without the use of additional equipment. In addition to these features, the slings (equipment unit, steering gear, and electric motor) and the location of the payload within the UAV hull ensure the necessary draft for optimal performance and maneuverability, as well as stable visual information for the operator.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the proposed design solution for the BEC, side view, with the area for placing the static counterweight.

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the saturation elements of the BEC and payload.

Implementation of a utility model

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of:

1 - Hull. Material - fiberglass. Manufacturing method - vacuum forming. The contours ensure optimal maneuverability and performance. The hull also maintains strength and integrity in the event of a collision with an obstacle. The keel space has a dedicated cavity, which is the standard location and attachment point for the static counterweight. The hull is divided into four compartments:

2 - Superstructure. Material - fiberglass. Manufacturing method - vacuum forming. The cover is manufactured with the necessary technological and structural elements in a single operation and also has contours that allow the BEC to return to a state of stable equilibrium;

3 - drive shaft. Material - high-alloy steel;

4 - propeller. Material - high-alloy steel. The propeller is secured against axial movement on the drive shaft using a thrust nut mounted in a streamlined tip manufactured using additive technologies;

5 - steering wheel. Material - plastic. Manufactured using additive technologies using photopolymer printing. This element controls the on-board computer;

6 - emergency signal beacon. The beacon automatically starts to emit a signal in the event of loss of operator control;

7 - FPV camera system. Protected from damage by a vacuum-formed polycarbonate cover;

8 - dedicated keel space. This is the location of the static counterweight.

Fig. 2 schematically shows:

9 - aft compartment. Protection class IP68;

10 - equipment unit. A complex that transmits the incoming signal to the steering mechanism;

11 - steering mechanism. A lever-type mechanism, a complex that sets the course of the BEK, with a rudder attached to it;

12 - engine compartment. Protection class IP68;

13 - power elements. Located in niches on the sides of the BEC, they constitute a battery pack;

14 - sealed connector. IP68 protection rating, designed for connection to public networks or to a 12V power source for charging the battery pack;

15 - electric motor;

16 - propeller shaft. Material - high-alloy steel;

17 - stern tube sleeve. Serves as a support for the propeller shaft and also ensures its hermetically sealed removal from the hull;

18 - navigation compartment. Protection class IP68.

19 - Onboard control system with navigation system - FPV complex. Provides reception of incoming information from the operator, as well as transmission of visual and audio information from the onboard control system to the operator. Equipped with a built-in storage medium;

20 - power elements. Located in niches on the sides of the BEC, they form a battery pack;

21 - sealed connector. IP68 protection rating, designed for connection to public networks or a 12V power source for charging the battery pack, as well as for transferring recorded data to the built-in storage device of the BEC;

22 - nose compartment. Equipped with replaceable inserts made using additive technologies;

23 - radar buoy, or other replaceable payload carried by the BEC;

24 - lever mechanism. Connected to the rod that enables the beacon's elements to be released from the cradle, as well as to the mechanism that releases the beacon at a predetermined point.

The proposed utility model is compact, highly maneuverable, and capable of reaching speeds of up to 90 km/h. It can also maintain stable equilibrium and return to it in the event of a capsize. These features ensure consistent and clear transmission of visual and audio information to the operator, prevent the unmanned boat from sinking during operation, and allow the boat to free-fall into the water.

The hull of the UAV has a dedicated keel space 8, which houses the static counterweight. The hull recesses house the supporting components: the instrumentation unit 10, the steering gear 11, and the electric motor 15, which ensure optimal balancing of the UAV. These features allow the UAV to return to its operating position, preventing it from becoming locked in place when the propellers are out of the water. These features enable the FPV system 19 to transmit relevant information to the operator and enable effective control.

Hull 1 is functionally and technologically divided into four compartments: stern 9, engine 12, navigation 18 and bow 22, the design of which consists of standard plastic elements that allow for the placement of saturation elements and payload.

In the aft compartment 9 there is a steering mechanism 11, made in the form of an axis made of high-alloy steel, on the submersible part of which the rudder 5 is fixed, and the housing part is rigidly fixed with the lever-type steering mechanism and connected to the equipment block 10.

In the engine room 12 there is an electric motor 15, which drives the drive shaft, passing through the stern tube sleeve 17. The stern tube sleeve is necessary to provide an extended rigid support for the shaft rolling, as well as to ensure its hermetically sealed output into the outboard space.

Sterntube sleeve 17 is secured to the hull using bolts and clamps that secure it to the standard hull bosses. Propeller 4 is mounted outside the hull on the drive shaft. Propeller 4 is secured with a nut mounted in the streamlined frame. Power elements 13 and a sealed connector outlet 14 for charging are located on the inner sides of the engine compartment. Charging can be performed either from standard electrical systems or from a 12V power source. This design solution simplifies the external sealing of the compartment, which in turn minimizes factory maintenance of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and increases the mobility of the entire system. The compartment has an IP68 protection rating.

Navigation compartment 18 is designed similarly, with an IP68 protection rating. This compartment houses FPV system 19, which transmits video and audio signals to the operator, relays incoming commands to equipment unit 10 located in the aft compartment and the microswitch in the forward compartment, and records data to an integrated storage device. The surveillance system's power supply is independent and is organized similarly to the power supply located in the engine compartment. The system's camera unit is protected by a polycarbonate cover, which offers high strength and excellent optical properties.

The bow compartment 22 is equipped with hull bosses designed to secure interchangeable cradle-mounted payloads. The presented utility model is equipped with an autonomous radar buoy 23, which can be deployed to areas inaccessible to larger vessels. The compartment is equipped with a lever mechanism 24, connected via a power increaser to a microswitch. When the microswitch is activated, the power increaser disengages the beacon's locking mechanisms and releases the beacon, which, under its own weight, is released into the water.

Hull 1 is enclosed by superstructure 2, which has the necessary openings for the chamber cover and emergency signal beacon 6. It also has contours that provide assistance when the UEC returns to a stable state. An emergency signal beacon is mounted in the superstructure. It has a delayed activation capability, transmitting a signal with the UEC's location coordinates to the operator, as well as an audible and visual alarm. This beacon is powered by a backup source. The beacon begins emitting a signal when power is lost in any of the compartments. The signal emitted by the beacon facilitates the search for the emergency UEC in the water. During UEC assembly, the cover is secured to the hull via detachable connections that clamp the rubber sealing cord.

One of the main advantages of the proposed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) design is its ability to maintain a stable position in the water, including during release, without the use of additional devices or mechanisms. The absence of an internal combustion engine enhances the environmental friendliness of this solution and ensures its independence from flammable liquids, while its high maneuverability allows for a wider range of possible applications. The use of electronic power supplies makes the UAV immune to capsizing during operations.

Claims (4)

1. An unmanned controllable boat comprising a hull divided into compartments, a superstructure connected to the hull and saturation elements including an equipment unit with a steering mechanism, power elements, sealed connectors, an electric motor, a propeller, an on-board control system with a navigation system, characterized in that the hull has hydrodynamic contours with a dedicated keel space in which a static counterweight is located, while niches are provided in the hull for arranging the saturation elements, which provide an auxiliary effect to the static counterweight in the event of an unmanned control boat capsizing and facilitate its return to a stable position, while the hull contains a stern compartment containing a steering mechanism and an equipment unit for transmitting an incoming signal to the steering mechanism, an engine compartment containing an electric motor that drives a drive shaft hermetically brought out into the outboard space, on which, outside the hull, a propeller is fixed, a navigation compartment with an on-board control system located therein with a navigation system - an FPV complex that ensures the reception of incoming commands by the unmanned control boat. from the operator to the equipment unit and the microswitch, and the transmission of visual and audio information from the onboard computer to the operator, wherein the FPV complex contains a camera unit protected by a cap and a built-in data carrier, a bow compartment equipped with replaceable cradle for installing and securing a radar buoy, and containing a lever mechanism for releasing the radio beacon at a given point, wherein on the sides of the onboard computer in niches of the engine and navigation compartments on the inside there are power elements, which are blocks of batteries, and the hull contains sealed connectors made with the possibility of connecting to public networks and to a power source for charging the said blocks of batteries and for transmitting recorded data to the built-in data carrier of the onboard computer, wherein the superstructure contains technological cutouts for the cap of the FPV complex camera and an emergency signal beacon built into the superstructure and has contours that allow the onboard computer to return to a state of stable equilibrium. 2. An unmanned controllable boat according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the hull and superstructure are manufactured using a vacuum forming method. 3. An unmanned controllable boat according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the replaceable supports are made using additive technologies. 4. An unmanned controlled boat according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the camera block cap is made by vacuum forming from polycarbonate, which has high strength and high optical properties.