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Underwater remotely operated vehicleRelated Patent Categories: Ships, Submersible Device, Having Attitude Control, Depth ControlUnderwater remotely operated vehicle description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070283871, Underwater remotely operated vehicle. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn..sctn.119, 120 of Patent Cooperation Treaty Application Serial No. PCT/GB2005/004493, filed Nov. 23, 2005, and entitled "Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle," as well as United Kingdom Patent Application Serial No. 0425694.7, filed Nov. 23, 2004, and entitled "Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle," the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a vehicle, and particularly to an underwater vehicle such as a remotely operated vehicle commonly called an ROV. ROVs are remote-controlled submersible vehicles often used for subsea tasks such as conducting repairs or inspections to underwater equipment. [0003] Most ROVs are electrically powered via an umbilical from a control ship, which supplies power to onboard thrusters. The thrusters are generally in the form of impellers able to operate in forward and reverse directions and are usually contained within a housing or cowling fixed to the corners of the ROV. The thrusters are generally fixed at 45.degree. with respect to the sides to direct their thrust through apertures in the front, rear or sides of the ROV. INTRODUCTION OF THE INVENTION [0004] According to the present invention there is provided an underwater vehicle having at least one thruster that is pivotally mounted on the vehicle. In exemplary form, the vehicle has a number of thrusters that are pivotally mounted. For example, four thrusters, one at each corner of a generally rectangular vehicle, can be pivotally mounted to the vehicle and the attitude of the thrusters can be variable so as to direct the thrust at various angles with respect to the vehicle. The attitude of the thrusters is optionally variable during use of the thrusters. [0005] In exemplary form, the thrusters are contained within the boundaries of a frame of the vehicle, and are arranged to direct thrust through apertures in the frame. [0006] In exemplary form, the attitude of the thrusters can be varied by a limited amount, for example by up to 40.degree. to 50.degree., although a greater amount of variability in the thrusters can be provided with some embodiments. In such embodiments with greater variability for thruster attitude, the frame and/or the apertures for directing thrust can be larger to accommodate the wider ranges of variability. [0007] In exemplary form, a variable attitude thruster is disposed at each corner of the vehicle. [0008] In exemplary form, a control system centrally controls the attitude of all the variable attitude thrusters on the vehicle, co-ordinating their attitudes to focus the overall thrust of the vehicle in a particular desired direction. [0009] In certain embodiments of the invention, the thrusters can be mounted on pivot bosses with stops or rebates to control the maximum deflection of individual thrusters, and mechanical linkages such as bars or rods can link the thrusters to a central control bar that can be actuated (e.g. rotated) in order to adjust the attitude of all of the thrusters simultaneously. This is an advantage as the overall thrust of the vehicle can be adjusted by actuating the single control bar to adjust the direction of thrust of all adjustable attitude thrusters, and thereby centrally focus the overall thrust of the vehicle. [0010] In other embodiments, the attitude of the thrust can be centrally controlled by electronic means, for example by semi-automatic electronic systems. [0011] In exemplary form, the underwater vehicle is a remotely operated vehicle. [0012] In exemplary form, the remotely operated vehicle comprises a camera and at least one grappling arm. [0013] The thrusters can typically pivot in a single plane, such as a horizontal plane of the ROV, for example the plane of the deck of the ROV. Other planes of the ROV parallel to this can also be used. In some embodiments, the thrusters can pivot in a different, non-horizontal plane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle according to the invention; [0016] FIG. 2 is a view from beneath the FIG. 1 vehicle, showing the thrusters in a 45.degree. orientation with respect to the front-to-rear axis of the vehicle; [0017] FIG. 3 shows a similar view to FIG. 2 with thrusters in a 25.degree. orientation; [0018] FIG. 4 shows a view from beneath similar to FIG. 2, with the thrusters in a 65.degree. orientation; [0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle showing a control system for controlling the attitude of the thrusters, with the thrusters in a 45.degree. orientation; [0020] FIG. 6 is a plan view (from above) of the FIG. 5 arrangement; Continue reading about Underwater remotely operated vehicle... Full patent description for Underwater remotely operated vehicle Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Underwater remotely operated vehicle patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Underwater remotely operated vehicle or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: System and method for secure offshore storage of crude oil natural gas or refined petroleum products Next Patent Application: Electrically actuated apparatus for moving supports carrying sensors and the like in submarines Industry Class: Ships ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Underwater remotely operated vehicle patent info. 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