Key information

Title
A submersible transport vehicle, a docking station for receiving same, and a system and a method for docking the submersible vehicle
Application number
20250158
Case type
National
Status
07.09.2026 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
10.02.2025
Effective date
10.02.2025
Publicly available
11.08.2026
Next annual fee due
28.02.2027
Applicant
TRITON-X AS (NO)
Owner
TRITON-X AS (NO)
Inventor
Håkon Risanger-Pettersen (NO)
Agent
HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS (NO)
Granted
07.09.2026
Patent number
350143
Expiry date
10.02.2045

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
A submersible vehicle (1) for transporting humans and/or goods between a first location and a second location, a docking station (100) for receiving the submersible vehicle at the locations, the docking station (100) having a submerged inlet, a system comprising the submersible vehicle (1) and the docking station, and a method for docking the submersible vehicle (1).

Publications

Latest published versionB1A1

Documents

 Expand Download files (18)
Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 07.09.2026 06-01 Saksbehandling 20250158(350143) UT PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20250158)
17.02.2026 05-02 Saksbehandling 20250158 INN P31588NO00_Request_deferred_grant HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 17.02.2026 05-01 Saksbehandling 20250158 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 16.01.2026 04-01 Saksbehandling 20250158 UT Intention to grant HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 05.12.2025 03-05 Saksbehandling 20250158 INN P31588NO00_Response_Office_Action_Dec 5_2025 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 05.12.2025 03-04 Saksbehandling 20250158 INN P31588NO00_Norwegian translation of claims HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 05.12.2025 03-03 Saksbehandling 20250158 INN P31588NO00_MARKUP_Description_and_claims for NIPO 051225 HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 05.12.2025 03-02 Saksbehandling 20250158 INN P31588NO00_Description_and_claims for publication HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 05.12.2025 03-01 Saksbehandling 20250158 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 02.07.2025 02-01 Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet 2025/07965 UT GH Forespørsel HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 30.06.2025 01-02 Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet 2025/07965 INN P31588NO00 Signed GPoA HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 30.06.2025 01-01 Overdragelse av søknad/rettighet 2025/07965 INN Generell henvendelse HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 08.06.2025 02-02 Saksbehandling 20250158 UT PT report 06:28:45
08.06.2025 02-01 Saksbehandling 20250158 UT Substantive Examination HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 10.02.2025 01-04 Saksbehandling 20250158 INN P31588NO00_PRIODOK_Description_and_claims_for_NIPO HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 10.02.2025 01-03 Saksbehandling 20250158 INN P31588NO00_Prio figures_sheets_1-13_for NIPO HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 10.02.2025 01-02 Saksbehandling 20250158 INN P31588NO00 Signed GPoA HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 10.02.2025 01-01 Saksbehandling 20250158 INN Søknadsskjema Patent HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
3501431A SUBMERSIBLE TRANSPORT VEHICLE, A DOCKING STATION FOR RECEIVING SAME, AND ASYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR DOCKING THE SUBMERSIBLE VEHILCEThe present invention is related to a submersible transport vehicle, a docking station, and a system and a method for docking the submersible vehicle. More specifically, the inven-5 tion is related to a submersible vehicle for transporting humans and/or goods between a first location and a second location, a docking station for receiving the submersible vehicle at the first location and the second location. The first location may typically be at an offshore installation, such as an offshore rig, a ship, a flotel, or other types of installations that frequently requires for example rotation of crew or crew for maintenance.10 At present, helicopters are used to bring crew between offshore installation, and between offshore installations and onshore. A helicopter is effective as its moving speed is relatively high.However, experiences show that use of helicopters has several disadvantages, mainly due to vulnerability caused by weather conditions, but also cost for operating a helicopter, 15 and with regards to safety.Due to safety, a helicopter is not operated in strong wind, in fog, heavy snow, and when there is a risk static electricity in the air. When one or more of such weather conditions occur, or a weather forecast states that such conditions is likely to occur, a helicopter will be temporality taken out of service until the helicopter again is allowed to operate. Thus, 20 a helicopter has a limited regularity. When crew are on standby, high costs are involved for the company of the crew.A helicopter is a high-cost transport device, both with regards to purchase, maintenance, 3501432and operation. Due to this, each trip is very expensive. For example, an operating cost for a helicopter transporting personnel and/or goods to and from an offshore installation is typically in the range of 45.000-50.000 Euros/hour.Experiences also show that fatal accidents have occurred caused by malfunction wherein 5 the helicopter has crash-landed on land or at sea.As a supplement or replacement for using helicopter for transporting personnel and/or goods between locations mentioned above, a surface transport vessel may be used.However, a surface transport vessel has a relatively low speed, typically 10 knots for saving fuel, which results in time consuming transportation. Although being less vulnerable 10 to weather conditions as compared with a helicopter, a surface transportation vessel is still vulnerable to wind as high waves offshore may result in challenges with respect to transferring personnel and/or goods between the surface vessel and the offshore. A surface vessel for transporting personnel and good to and from an offshore installation is normally provided by a supply ship. A cost for operating a supply ship is typically 120.000 15 - 175.000 Euros/day, exclusive of fuels.Publication US 5704309 A discloses an underwater watercraft having a structure for mounting components, a positive buoyancy when submerged under the surface of a body of water and a center of gravity, the watercraft comprising: a front end; a rear end opposite the front end; a three point stabilization system comprising: a front buoyancy ele-20 ment having a center of buoyancy and imparting a buoyant force on the watercraft, effectively at a center of buoyancy of the front buoyancy element. The center of buoyancy of the front buoyancy element is between the front end and the center of gravity. The three point stabilization system further comprising a tail buoyancy element imparting a buoyant force on the watercraft, effectively at the center of buoyancy of the tail buoyancy ele-25 ment. The center of buoyancy of the tail buoyancy element is between the rear end and the center of gravity. The watercraft further comprises a vertical thruster system wherein the depth of the watercraft below the surface of the water is adjusted using the vertical thruster system.Publication CN 209956191 U discloses a submersible device provided with vertical thrust 3501433ers.Publication CN117284459 A discloses an intelligent underwater target sound simulation UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vehicle) structure which comprises a very low frequency sound source.5 Publication WO2014058106 A1 discloses a docking station wherein an underwater robot can be overhauled, repaired and operated. The docking station comprises: a receiving unit which receives the underwater robot and is disposed below the water surface; a maintenance unit which is provided over the receiving unit and is disposed above the water surface; and a conveyor unit for conveying the underwater robot from the receiving 10 unit to the maintenance unit.There is therefore a strong need for a device for transporting humans and/or goods between a first location, such as an offshore installation, and a second location such as an onshore location or another offshore location remote from the first location, or even between two onshore locations.15 The invention has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative to prior art.The object is achieved through features, which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.The invention is defined by the independent patent claims. The dependent claims define 20 advantageous embodiments of the invention.In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a submersible vehicle for transporting humans and/or goods between a first location and a second location comprising a docking station. The submersible vehicle comprises:- an elongated body having a bow and a stern, a top portion, a bottom portion, 25 and side portions extending between the bow and the stern, the elongated body comprising:- at least one cabin for humans and/or goods, the cabin designed for carry 3501434ing a maximum design live load, the cabin provided with at least one closable entrance;- at least one buoyancy chamber having a constant density when the submersible vehicle is in operation.The submersible vehicle further comprising:5 - vertical thrusters for adjusting an elevation of the submersible vehicle with respect to a water surface;at least one propeller for moving the submersible vehicle between the first location and the second location; andmachinery comprising motors for activating the thrusters and the at least one 10 propeller, the motor being energized from an energy source housed within the elongated body,wherein, when carrying the maximum load, the submersible vehicle having a total density that is less than the surrounding water.The buoyancy chamber is formed by the cabin and at least one dimensionally stable 15 buoyancy substance, wherein the dimensionally stable buoyancy substance is closer to the top portion of the elongated body than the cabin is.The effect of the submersible vehicle having a total density being less than that of the surrounding water is that the submersible vehicle will float at surface when the vertical thruster is not activated to urge the submersible vehicle downwards with respect to a 20 surface of the water.Preferably, the floating vehicle has density in the bottom portion that is higher than the density at the top portion such that the submersible vehicle is self-aligning when floating at surface in a calm water, and the top portion of the submersible vehicle is above the water surface. Preferably, the buoyancy of the submersible vehicle is such that between 25 10% and 20% of the vehicle is above the water surface when afloat, but may also be for example between 5% and 25%.As stated above, the buoyancy chamber within the elongated body is formed by the cabin and at least one dimensionally stable buoyancy substance. The at least one dimensionally stable buoyancy substance may be arranged in at least one chamber that is isolated from 3501435the cabin. An advantage of isolating the at least one dimensionally stable buoyancy substance from the cabin (which also provide buoyancy to the submersible vehicle) is that an isolated or separate buoyancy chamber may comprise a gas other than air, or the dimensionally stable buoyancy material, such as for example, but not limited to, a low-density 5 syntactic foam made from at least one of hollow glass or ceramic microspheres embedded in a polymer matrix, or a foam plastic like expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), and polyethylene foam. A dimensionally stable foam or EPS may be regarded as a safety measure that substantially remains the buoyancy of the buoyancy chamber in an emergency of ingress of water into the buoyancy chamber.10 The dimensionally stable buoyancy substance is, as mentioned above, closer to the top portion of the elongated body than the cabin is. Although providing buoyancy, the cabin for human and/or goods may have a higher density, than that of the buoyancy chamber. Arranging the dimensionally stable buoyancy substance closer to the top portion of the elongated body than the cabin is, will facilitate a desired alignment of the submersible 15 vehicle in the water.To facilitate sideway manoeuvring of the submersible vehicle when operating a slow speed, it is an advantage if the submersible vehicle is provided with at least one of a bow thruster and a stern thruster. A slow speed may typically be less than 5 knots (± 9.2 km/hour). At operating speed, typically above 20 knots and up to about 50 knots, 20 manoeuvring of the submersible vehicle may be provided by means of a rudder and its propulsion system. A rudder is also particularly relevant in an embodiment wherein the submersible vehicle is configured for moving in an at least partly elevated position as will be discussed below.In one embodiment, the elongated body is provided with at least one fin protruding from 25 each side portion of the elongated body. The at least one fin on each side of the elongated body facilitates stabilizing of the submersible vehicle. Preferably, the at least one fin protruding from each side portion may be pivotable with respect to a longitudinal axis of the submersible vehicle. This has the effect that the fins may at least facilitate in adjusting the elevation of the vehicle with respect to the surface of the water when moving 3501436through the water. Thus, when moving through the water, the vertical thrusters may be non-operating. Non-operating vertical thrusters will reduce energy consumption.As an alternative to, or in addition to, providing pivotable fins as stated above, the vertical thrusters may be configured for pivoting with respect to the elongated body. By pivoting 5 the vertical thrusters, they can be used for adjusting the elevation of the vehicle with respect to the surface of the water, while at the same time providing some forward thrust of the submersible vehicle. Thus, when in a pivoted position, pivotable vertical thrusters may conduce to manoeuvring of the submersible vehicle.At least one of the least one closable entrance may be arranged closer to the bottom por-10 tion of the elongated body than the top portion of the elongated body is. Thus, the entrance may be arranged in a side portion of the elongated body. Arranging an entrance in a side portion of the elongated body, is advantageous with respect to bringing humans and good into and out of the submersible vehicle when being in a docking station as will be discussed in further details below.15 In addition to arranging at least one closable entrance in a side portion of the elongated body, the elongated body may further comprise a closable entrance arranged in the top portion of the elongated body and being in communication with the cabin. Such a closable entrance arranged in the top portion of the body may be primarily used as an emergency exit when the submersible vehicle is floating in the water with its top portion above 20 the water.To avoid water from waves entering the entrance at the top in an emergency when the submersible vehicle is buoyant at a water surface, the body may be further be provided with a releasable floating device surrounding the entrance, like a life raft.The submersible vehicle may be provided with inflatable pontoons arranged in one or 25 more compartments arranged in and/or at an outer portion of the elongated body, preferably in a side portion of the elongated body and/or in an element protruding from a bottom portion of the elongated body.Preferably, the elongated body is provided with a supporting element secured to the bot 3501437tom portion of the elongated body, the supporting element configured for supporting the submersible vehicle against a base, such as a base in an edifice.In one embodiment, the supporting element may be in the form of at least three legs protruding from a bottom portion of the elongated body. The legs may be retractable or 5 pivotable into appurtenant recesses in the bottom portion of the elongated body.In another embodiment, the supporting element may be in the form of at least two elongated rails secured to at least a portion of either side portions of the bottom portion at the elongated body. The rails may extend at least along a portion between the bow and the stern. One advantage of such rails is that they do not have any moving parts. Another 10 advantage is that they may form part of the structure of the submersible vehicle. In one embodiment, the rails are hollow. A hollow rail be provided with a releasable lid and configured to accommodate inflatable pontoons as discussed above.In still another embodiment, the supporting element may be in the form of at least two mutually spaced wing-shaped foils having a longitudinal axis extending transvers to a lon-15 gitudinal axis of the elongated body. The at least two wing-shaped foils are arranged below the bottom portion of the elongated body. Such wing-shaped foils are configured to be controllably pivotable with respect to their longitudinal axis to control the elevation of the submersible vehicle with respect to the surface of the water. Thus, when the submersible vehicle moves with respect to the water, the wing-shaped foils may be used for 20 descending when being in a first pivot position and ascending when being in a second pivot position. When the submersible vehicle is at a desired elevation with respect to the surface of the water, the wing-shaped foils are in a neutral position. A desired position may be submerged, but it may also be a position wherein the bottom portion of the elongated body is raised, i.e. above, the surface of the water. By means of the at least two 25 wing-shaped foils, the elongated body may be in “flying” position above the surface of the water. A flying position may typically be relevant in a calm sea in open or sheltered water, and is advantageous with respect to water drag, and thereby energy consumption of the motor and/or speed of the submersible vehicle.Thereby, when provided with wing-shaped foils as discussed above, the elongated body 3501438of the submersible vehicle may move through the water in a submerged position, but also in an elevated or “flying” position above the surface of the water, or in any position between the submerged position and “flying” position.In a second aspect of the invention, a docking station for a submersible vehicle is provid-5 ed. The docking station comprises:- an edifice having at least a portion configured for housing the submersible vehicle, the edifice provided with a vehicle entrance in a first portion of the edifice, and a door for allowing personnel and/or goods to enter the edifice, the door is arranged in a second portion of the edifice at a location being different from the first portion;10 - a guiding device for facilitating alignment of the submersible vehicle with respect to the vehicle entrance of the edifice, wherein, in a position of use, the guiding device is submerged.In a first embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the docking station is operatively connected to an offshore structure or to a quay at a shore. In such an embodiment, 15 the edifice in a position of use is submerged, wherein the door is in a portion of the edifice bordering a shaft extending above a water surface, the door configured for preventing fluid communication between the edifice and the shaft when being in a closed position, wherein the edifice is further provided with:- a gate for sealingly closing the vehicle entrance;20 - at least one pump for discharging water out of the edifice when the gate is closed; and - a conduit for allowing communication of air into and out of the edifice during discharge and filling of water.In one embodiment, the conduit has an air inlet being at an elevation being higher than a water surface. In another embodiment the air inlet of the conduit is in fluid communica-25 tion with the shaft. In such an embodiment the conduit is provided with a closable valve if the inlet is at an elevation within the shaft being below the water level of the surrounding water.The edifice may further comprise a closable conduit for communicating water into the edifice to fill the edifice with water. In such an embodiment, the pump may be inactive 3501439when filling the edifice with water.Thus, a submersible vehicle, such as for example a submersible according to the first aspect of the invention, may enter the edifice when filled with water. When the gate has been closed and water has been discharged from the edifice, the submersible vehicle 5 rests on a base of the edifice, allowing humans and or goods to enter into the edifice.The shaft of the docking station may comprise a lounge for personnel and/or goods. Thereby, personnel may stay close to the edifice when waiting for entering the edifice and from there to the submersible vehicle for transfer to another location offshore or onshore. The lounge may also be used for temporarily storing goods before being moved 10 into the edifice and loaded onboard the submersible vehicle for transfer to another location offshore or onshore. In one embodiment the lounge may be a separate compartment having access to the shaft.The shaft may further comprise at least one of a staircase and a lift so that personnel and/or goods can move upwards and downward through the shaft. A top portion of the 15 shaft has an entrance being for example at a floor level of an offshore structure, or at a level of a quay. A lift is particularly useful for bringing goods through the shaft.In a second embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the docking station may comprise a tunnel having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion connected to the vehicle entrance of the edifice, the edifice being arranged at an 20 elevation being higher than a water surface, typically on land, and the second end portion is arranged below the water surface and connected to the guiding device. In such an embodiment, the vehicle entrance is distant from the guiding device. To facilitate movement of a submersible vehicle that has passed the guiding device and into the second end portion of the tunnel, the tunnel may further comprise a transport device for bringing the 25 submersible vehicle from the second end portion of the tunnel, past the first end portion, and into the edifice.The transport device may comprise one of; an endless belt supported by rollers; and a carriage, wherein the endless belt or the carriage is operatively connected to a driving 35014310device (not shown). In the embodiment wherein the transport device is in the form of an endless belt, the driving device may be a motor operatively connected to one or more rollers, or the driving device may be a winch apparatus having a wire for connecting to a portion of the submersible vehicle. In the embodiment wherein the transport device is in 5 the form of a carriage, the driving device may be in the form of a winch having a wire connected to the carriage. Alternatively, the carriage may be provided with motor driven wheels.The transport device may extend beyond the vehicle entrance at the second end portion of the tunnel.10 It is conceivable to provide the second aspect of the docking station without the tunnel.However, a tunnel between the first end portion and the second end portion is desired to protect the submersible vehicle against forces from waves when passing through the surface of the water when being moved on the transport device.To reduce a risk of undesired objects entering the edifice, at least one of the vehicle en-15 trance of the edifice and the tunnel is provided with a closable gate. Such a closable gate may be solid to also prevent water from waves entering the edifice.Independently of the docking station being according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the guiding device may comprise a plurality of rollers for facilitating movement of the submersible vehicle when passing the guiding device. Such rollers are 20 typically elongated, and may, as compared with a fixed guiding device, reduce friction between the submersible vehicle when or if being in contact with a portion of rollers. The rollers may in one embodiment be arranged in at least one panel configured for providing a guide for the vehicle. In one embodiment, the at least one panel is configured for an upper portion and/or side portions of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the guiding 25 device has a form of a four-panel funnel wherein each panel is provided with elongated rollers.In a third aspect of the present invention, a system comprising a submersible vehicle according to the first aspect is provided, wherein the system further comprises at least one 35014311of:- at least one docking station according to the first embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; and- at least one docking station according to the second embodiment of the second aspect 5 of the invention.The system may further comprise other one of;- the at least one docking station according to the first embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; and- the at least one docking station according to the second embodiment of the second as-10 pect of the invention. Depending on its configuration, such a system may be used between offshore installations, between an offshore installation and a quay at shore, and a docking station wherein the edifice is at an elevation being higher than the water level. In one embodiment, a system comprising a submersible vehicle according to the first aspect is provided, wherein the system further comprises at least one docking station ac-15 cording to the second embodiment of the second aspect of the invention. Such an embodiment may further comprise at least one docking station according to the first embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for docking a submersible vehicle according to the first aspect of the invention in a docking station according to the 20 first embodiment of the docking station according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the method comprises:a) bringing the gate at the entrance of the edifice to an open position while keeping the door at the shaft in a closed position;b) moving the submersible vehicle past the guiding device and into the edifice while the 25 vertical thrusters are active to keep the submersible vehicle at a desired elevation;c) closing the gate;d) discharging water from the edifice while allowing air to enter the edifice; and e) when the water has been discharged, opening the door at the shaft to allow humans and/or goods to pass into the shaft. 35014312Preferably, the vertical thruster are deactivated during step d).In an alternative to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for docking a submersible vehicle according to the first aspect of the invention in a docking station according to the second embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.5 The method comprises:a) moving the submersible vehicle past the guiding device and into the tunnel;b) urging the submersible vehicle against the transport device;c) activating the transport device; andd) bringing the submersible vehicle into the edifice.10 Preferably, before step d), the method comprises activating a transport device arranged within the edifice.In the following is described examples of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:Figs. 1a – 1g show various views of a first embodiment of a submersible vehicle according 15 to the present invention;Fig.2a shows an alternative embodiment of the submersible vehicle shown in fig.1b;Fig.2b shows a front view of the submersible vehicle shown in fig.2a;Figs. 3a-3c show a first embodiment of a docking station for receiving a submersible; 20 andFigs. 4a-4b show a second embodiment of a docking station for receiving a submersible vehicle.Any positional indications refer to the position shown in the figures, which is also a position of use.25 In the figures, same or corresponding elements are indicated by same reference numerals. For clarity reasons, some elements may in some of the figures be without reference 35014313numerals.A person skilled in the art will understand that the figures are just principal drawings. The relative proportions of individual elements may also be distorted.In figures 1a to 2b, reference numeral 1 denotes a submersible vehicle according to the 5 present invention. The submersible vehicle 1 is configured for transporting humans and/or goods between a first location and a second location. The submersible vehicle 1 comprises an elongated body 3 having a bow 5 and a stern 7, a top portion 10, a bottom portion 12, and side portions 14 extending between the bow 5 and the stern 7. It is to be understood that the shape of the submersible vehicle 1 is shown in great principle only 10 and will be further optimized and streamlined for reducing water resistance to allowing the submersible vehicle to move more efficiently underwater.In the embodiments shown, the elongated body 3 comprises a cabin 16 for humans and/or goods. The submersible vehicle 1 is designed for carrying a maximum load within the cabin 16. The cabin 16 is provided with closable entrances 18, here in the form of 15 doors 18, wherein one door is arranged in each side portion 14 of the elongated body 3.In the embodiments shown, the doors 18 extends upwardly from the bottom portion 12 of the elongated body 3. However, depending on a length of the elongated body, the numbers of doors 18 may be one, or more than two.In figures 1a – 2b, optional side windows 19 (five in each side portion 14), and one bow 20 window 19’, are shown. A purpose of the side windows 19 is primarily to allow some light entering the cabin 16 when being close a water surface. The front window 19’ is primarily for any pilot when maneuvering at a docking station. It should be noted that the submersible vehicle may also be operated autonomous or remotely by means of a system known from autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) designed to operate independently with-25 out direct human control.The submersible vehicle 1 is configured to be buoyant, meaning that it cannot sink. The submersible vehicle 1 is provided with a buoyancy chamber defined by an inside of the elongated body 3. In operation, the submersible vehicle 1 has a constant density, mean 35014314ing that no fluid enters or is discharged from the submersible vehicle 1. Depending on the live load caused by the number of humans and a mass of any goods accommodated within the elongated body 3 during operation, a density of the buoyance chamber may vary, but the submersible vehicle 1 is configured so that it is still buoyant when carrying a max-5 imum design live load.Two mutually spaced vertical thrusters 20 are arranged on either side portions 14 the elongated body 3. The vertical thrusters 20 are configured for adjusting the elevation of the submersible vehicle 1 with respect to the surface of the water, at least when the submersible vehicle 1 operates at low speed, typically less than 5 knots. However, the 10 vertical thrusters 20 may also operate when the submersible vehicle 1 operates at high speed. In the embodiment shown best in figure 1c, each vertical thruster 20 is arranged in an open sleeve or housing 21. The vertical thrusters 20 are arranged closer to the bottom portion 12 of the body 3 than a top portion 10 of the elongated body 3.The thruster housings 21, and thereby the thrusters 20, are arranged pivotable at least 15 180°, and any positions therebetween. As illustrated by arrow A in fig.1b, the right thruster housing 21 has been pivoted 90° from the position shown for the left thruster housing 21 (the one being closest to the stern 7 of the elongated body 3) to the position of the thruster housing 21 shown to the right. Thus, by means of pivoting at least one pair of thrusters 20, i.e. thrusters 20 arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elon-20 gated body 3, the thrusters 20 may, depending on their pivot position, provide some forward thrust of the submersible vehicle 1.The submersible vehicle 1 further comprises at least one propeller 25 (three shown in fig.1e) for moving the submersible vehicle 1 with respect to the water. In the embodiment shown, the propellers 25 are arranged at the stern portion 5 of the elongated body 3. By 25 adjusting the rotational speed of the propellers being closest to the side portions 14 of the elongated body 3, the propellers 25 may be used for maneuvering of the submersible vehicle 1.The submersible vehicle 1 comprises machinery comprising motors (not shown) for activating the thrusters and propellers, the motors being energized from an energy source 35014315housed within the elongated body. The energy source of the submersible vehicle 1 is one of or a combination of a battery pack 27, fuels cells, or even by means of nuclear power known in the art of submarines and is not further discussed herein. A battery pack 27 is preferably arranged in a bottom portion 12 of the submersible vehicle 1, as illustrated in 5 fig. 1g which is a cut through A-A in fig.1b.In fig.1g, an upper portion of the buoyancy chamber of the submersible vehicle 1 comprises a dimensionally stable substance 17 arranged in a closed chamber 16’ that is isolated from the cabin 16.In the embodiments of the submersible vehicle 1 shown in the figures, the submersible 10 vehicle 1 is further provided with a bow thruster 30 and a stern thruster 32. The thrusters 30, 32 are arranged in appurtenant tunnels 30’, 32’ in an upper part of the side portion 14 of the submersible vehicle 1. When moving at slow speed, the bow thruster 30 and the stern thruster 32 helps improve the manoeuvrability of the submersible vehicle 1. Although a bow thruster 30 and a stern thruster 32 is preferred, the submersible vehicle 1 15 may in an alternative embodiment be provided without the thrusters 30, 32, or be provided with only one of the thrusters 30, 32 shown. When moving at high speed, the submersible vehicle is manoeuvred by means of the propellers 25 and/or a rudder (not shown).In the embodiment of the submersible vehicle 1 shown in figures 1a -2b, the submersible 20 vehicle 1 is provided with a fin 34 protruding from an upper part of each side portion 14.Each one of the fins 34 is arranged pivotable on a pivot axle 35 as indicated by arrow B in fig. 1b. Thus, the fins 34 may be utilized for adjusting a position of the submersible vehicle 1 with regards to a surface of the water while moving submerged through the water. The fins 34 will also facilitate stability of the submersible vehicle 1.25 A top portion of the elongated body 3 is provided with a closable entrance 36, here in the form of a manhole 36. The manhole 36 is provided with a ladder (not shown). In the embodiment wherein the buoyancy chamber of the submersible vehicle 1 comprises a dimensionally stable substance 17 as discussed above, a communication between the man 35014316hole 36 and the cabin 16 is provided by means of a channel (not shown) provided with a ladder or manhole steps for allowing humans to pass through the channel and the manhole, typically in an emergency.The submersible vehicle 1 shown in figures 1a- 1g is provided with supporting elements 5 40 in the form of an elongated rail 40 being in parallel with the side portions of the elongated body 3 and secured at either perimeter of the bottom portion at the elongated body 3. The rails 40 are configured for supporting the submersible vehicle 1 against a base, such as a base in an edifice or a dock.In figures 2a – 2b, an alternative embodiment of the submersible vehicle 1 is shown. A 10 major difference from the embodiment shown in figures 1a – 1g is that the supporting elements are in the form of two mutually spaced wing-shaped foils 44 (instead of the elongated rails 40 illustrated in figures 1a – 1g). The wing shaped foils 44 have a transverse axis extending transverse to a longitudinal axis L of the wing-shaped foils 44. The wing-shaped foils 44 are arranged at a distance below the bottom portion12 of the elon-15 gated body 3 by means of supporting bars 45, 46 arranged at the leading and trailing portion, respectively, of each wing-shaped foil 44.The leading supporting bars 45 have a constant axial length and are secured to a leading pivot axle 47 extending beyond side portions of the wing-shaped foils 44, as best seen in fig. 2b.20 The trailing supporting bars 46 are telescopically adjustable (as illustrated by arrow T in fig. 2a) and are secured to a trailing pivot axle 48 extending beyond side portions of the wing-shaped foils 44.By means of the above configuration, each of the two wing-shaped foils 44 is configured to be controllably pivotable with respect to their longitudinal axis L by means of regulat-25 ing length of the trailing supporting bars 46. The wing-shaped foils 44 can thus control the elevation of the submersible vehicle 1 with respect to the surface of the water. When the submersible vehicle 1 exceed a certain speed, the wing-shaped foils 44 may be pivoted so that submersible vehicle 1 may move with at least a portion of the elongated body 3 be 35014317ing above a water surface.As shown in fig.2a, a lowermost perimeter of a propeller housing 25’ is at an elevation being higher than a lowermost portion of the wing-shaped foils 44.In an alternative embodiment (not shown), retractable or pivotable legs for supporting 5 the submersible vehicle 1 may be provided. In such an embodiment a lower end portion the legs may in an extended position protrude beyond a lowermost portion of the wingshaped foils 44. In such an embodiment propeller housing 25’ may at an elevation being lower than the lowermost portion of the wing-shaped foils 44.In one embodiment (not shown) the propeller housings 25’ (and thus the propellers 25) 10 are vertically adjustable with respect to the bottom portion 12 of the submersible vehicle 1.In fig.2b, the wing-shaped foil 44 comprises two foil elements 44’arranged on the common leading axle 47. Each foil element 44’ is pivotably supported by the supporting bar 45 and a common supporting bar 45’.15 The trailing portion of each foil element 44’ is supported by a pair of length-adjustable trailing supporting bars 46, i.e. the trailing portion of each foil element 44’ is supported by two individually length-adjustable supporting bars 46 instead of the common leading supporting bar 45’ illustrated in fig.2b. By means of the foil elements 44’ the submersible vehicle 1 can be trimmed with respect to any listing that may be caused for example by 20 uneven weight distribution within the cabin 16.From the disclosure herein, it will be understood that the submersible vehicle 1 can transport humans/and or goods between a first location and a second location independently of any weather conditions, such as wind and waves, fog, and any static electricity in the air, and thereby provide a high operational predictability.25 Turning now to figures 3a- 3c, illustrating a first embodiment of docking a station 100 for a submersible vehicle, for example a submersible vehicle 1 disclosed herein.The docking station 100 comprises an edifice 110 having at least a portion configured for 35014318housing a submersible vehicle. The edifice 110 is provided with a vehicle entrance 112 in a first portion 114 of the edifice 110, and a door 120 for allowing personnel and/or goods to enter or leave the edifice 110. The door 120 is arranged in a second portion 116 of the edifice 110 at a location being opposite the first portion 114.5 The docking station 100 further comprising a guiding device 130 for facilitating alignment of the submersible vehicle with respect to the vehicle entrance 112 of the edifice 110. In a position of use, the guiding device 130 and the edifice 100 is submerged. Thus a submersible vehicle can enter the edifice 110 when being fully submerged.The docking station 100 further comprises a shaft 150 extending substantially vertically 10 between a bottom portion 152 and a top portion 154.The door 120 of the edifice 110 is arranged in an end wall 117 of the edifice 110 bordering the bottom portion 152 of the shaft 150. When in a closed position, the door 120 and the end wall 117 provides a sealing closure between the edifice 110 and the shaft 150. The top portion 154 of the shaft extends above a water surface WS. The docking station 15 100 is secured a structure S, such as for example a floating offshore structure, an offshore jacket rig, or a quay at shore. For simplicity, the structure S is in figures 3a – 3c illustrated as a plane surface only.The first end portion 114 of the edifice 110 is provided with a gate 132 slidably movable between an open position as best seen in figures 3a and 3b, and a second position (not 20 specifically shown) wherein the entrance of the edifice 110 is sealingly closed.The edifice 110 is further provided with one or more pumps 134 (one shown) in fig.3a wherein the pump 134 is arranged in an open portion of a pit 135 arranged in a bottom portion of the edifice 110. When activating the pump 134 after having closed the gate 132, water within the edifice is discharged until the bottom portion of the edifice 110 is 25 substantially free of water, and personnel and/or goods can enter the edifice 110. An outlet of the pump is operatively connected to a closable conduit (not shown) to communicate water out of the edifice 110. The edifice is further provided with a closable water inlet (not shown) for allowing communicating water into the edifice 110. 35014319Due to the slidable gate 132 and the door 120 that are configured for sealingly isolating the edifice 110 from the ambient water and the shaft 150, respectively, the docking station 100 is further provided with an air-conduit 136 configured for communicating air into and out of the edifice 110 during discharging and filling of water from and to the edifice 5 110, respectively. The air conduit 136 is illustrated by dotted lines in fig.3b.In the embodiment shown, the air-conduit 136 has a first end portion at a top portion 154 of the shaft 150, and a second end portion sealingly secured to an aperture138 of the end wall 117 of the edifice 110. Since the first end portion of the air-conduit 136 is above the water surface, no valve for closing the air-conduit 136 is strictly required.10 A portion of the lower portion 152 of the shaft 150 may function as a lounge for personnel and/or goods. In the embodiment shown in fig.3a, the lounge is arranged in a space of the shaft 150 being next to the door 120. However, any lounge for personnel and/goods may be arranged in another part of the shaft 150, or even in a separate compartment (not shown) forming part of the docking station 100 according the first embod-15 iment. Such a separate compartment may for example be arranged on top of the edifice and have access to the shaft 150 via a closable door similar to the door 120 in the end wall 117 of the edifice 110.An access from the structure S and a bottom portion 152 of the shaft 150 is provided by means of at least a staircase 158. Access may additionally be provided by means of a lift 20 (not shown) of a type known per se. The lift may be arranged in a lift-shaft running in parallel to the staircase 158.In fig.3c, the slidable gate 132 has been closed, and the edifice 110 has been emptied from water. At the wall 117, a sluice chamber 118 is provided. A door 120’ for providing access from the edifice 110 to the sluice chamber 118, and the door 120 into the shaft 25 150, are shown in an open position.Turning now to figures 4a and 4b illustrating a second embodiment of docking station 100 for a submersible vehicle, for example a submersible vehicle 1 disclosed herein.Like the first embodiment of the docking station 100, the docking station 100 shown in 35014320figures 4a and 4b comprises an edifice 110 having at least a portion configured for housing a submersible vehicle.The edifice 110 is provided with a vehicle entrance 112 in a first portion 114 of the edifice 110, and a door 120 for allowing personnel and/or goods to enter or leave the edifice 5 110. The door 120 is arranged close to a second portion 116 of the edifice 110 at a location being distant from the first portion 114.Contrary to the first embodiment of the docking station 100 discussed above, the guiding device 130 is in the second embodiment of the docking station 100 arranged distant from the entrance 112 in the first end portion 114 of the edifice 110 by means of a tunnel 160.10 The tunnel 160 has a first end portion 162 and a second end portion 164. The first end portion 162 is connected to the vehicle entrance 112 of the edifice 110. The edifice 110 is supported on a base B at an elevation being higher than the water surface WS. The second end portion 164 of the tunnel 160 is arranged below the water surface WS and connected to the guiding device 130. Thus, in the second embodiment of the docking station 15 100, the guiding device 130 is configured for facilitating aligning a submersible vehicle, for example a submersible vehicle 1 as discussed above, with respect to the second end portion 164 of the tunnel 160.To facilitate movement of the submersible vehicle that has passed the guiding device 130 while being submerged, the tunnel 160 is provided with a transport device 168 configured 20 for bringing the submersible vehicle from the second end portion 164 of the tunnel 160, past the first end portion 162 of the tunnel 160, and into the edifice 110. Fig.4a illustrates a submersible vehicle 1 while being moved towards the edifice 110 by means of the transport device 168.In the embodiment shown, the transport device 168 comprises an endless belt 169 sup-25 ported by rollers 169’ carried by a base structure. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the transport device may be in the form of a carriage. Such a carriage is typically provided with wheel movable along rails of the base structure. Such a carriage may in one embodiment be operatively connected to a wire of a winch apparatus. In another embod 35014321iment, the carriage may be provided with motor operated wheels.The edifice 110 is provided with a transport device 140 for moving the submersible vehicle into and out of the edifice 110. In the embodiment shown in fig.4b, the transport device 140 comprises an endless belt 142 supported by a plurality of rollers 144. Thus, the 5 transport device 140 within the edifice 110 is similar to the transport device 168 of the tunnel 160. For simplicity, the transport device 140 is illustrated in fig.4b only, but it should be understood that the transport device 140 is arranged also within a portion of the edifice shown in fig.4a for effecting movement of the submersible vehicle into and out of the edifice 110.10 In figures 4a and 4b, the guiding device 130 is illustrated as being identical to the guiding station 130 illustrated in for example fig.3a for the first embodiment of the docking station 100. However, in another embodiment (not shown), the transport device 168 may extend beyond the second end portion 164 of the tunnel 160. The lowermost section of the guiding device 130 may in such an alternative embodiment be superfluous.15 In fig.4a, the entrance 114 of the edifice 110 is provided with a closable gate 132. Since the gate 132 is arranged in the entrance 114 of the edifice 110 that is at an elevation being higher than the water surface WS, a watertight sealing of the entrance is not strictly required. Depending on a risk of water flowing through the tunnel 160 and into the edifice 110, the gate may for example be in the form of a grating for preventing undesired 20 object, such as unauthorized personnel, from entering the entrance 112 the edifice 110.However, the gate 132 may be of a similar type as discussed in relation to the first embodiment of the docking station 100, and as illustrated in fig.3a.As an alternative to, or in addition to, arranging the gate 132 at the entrance 114 of the edifice 110 as illustrated in fig.4a, the gate 132 (or an additional gate) may be arranged 25 anywhere between the first end portion 162 and the second end portion 164 of the tunnel 160. By arranging the gate 132 at or close to the second end portion 164 of the tunnel 160, undesired object, such as unauthorized personnel, is prevented from entering the tunnel 160 itself. 35014322Independent of the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the docking station 100, the guiding device 130 is provided with a plurality of elongated rollers 131 (see fig.4b). The elongated rollers 131 are arrange in four separate panels 131’ and are configured to rotate if subject to a force caused by a portion of the submersible vehicle abutting 5 against one or more of the rollers 131 when passing the guiding device 130. However, such rollers 131 are preferred, but not strictly required. In the embodiments shown, the panels 131’ are flat, and spread out from the entrance 114 of the edifice 110, or from the second end portion 164 of the tunnel 160 as illustrated in fig.3a and 4a, respectively. In fig.3a, the submersible vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention 10 forms part of a system comprising the docking station 100 according to the first embodiment of the second aspect of the system. This system may typically provide a system being offshore or at quay at shore.In fig.4a, the submersible vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention forms part of a system comprising the docking station 100 according to the second em-15 bodiment of the second aspect of the system. This system may typically provide a system being at shore.It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any ref-20 erence signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb “comprise”, and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.25
Claims
35014323Claims1. Submersible vehicle (1) for transporting humans and/or goods between a first location and a second location comprising a docking station, the submersible 5 vehicle (1) comprising:- an elongated body (3) having a bow (5) and a stern (7), a top portion (10),a bottom portion (12), and side portions (14) extending between the bow and the stern, the elongated body (3) comprising:- at least one cabin (16) for humans and/or goods, the cabin designed 10 for carrying a maximum design live load, the cabin (16) provided with at least one closable entrance (18);- at least one buoyancy chamber (16, 16’) having a constant density when the submersible vehicle (1) is in operation, wherein the submersible vehicle (1) further comprising:15 - vertical thrusters (20) for adjusting an elevation of the submersible vehicle (1) with respect to a water surface;at least one propeller (25) for moving the submersible vehicle between the first location and the second location; andmachinery comprising motors for activating the thrusters (20) and the at 20 least one propeller (25), the motors being energized from an energy source (27) housed within the elongated body (3),wherein, when carrying the maximum load, the submersible vehicle (1) having a total density that is less than the surrounding water,wherein the buoyancy chamber is formed by the cabin (16) and at least one di-25 mensionally stable buoyancy substance (17), characterized in that the dimensionally stable buoyancy substance (17) is closer to the top portion of the elongated body (3) than the cabin (16) is.2. The submersible vehicle (1) according to claim 1, further provided with at least one of a bow thruster (30) and a stern thruster (32).350143243. The submersible vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongated body (3) is provided with at least one fin (34) protruding from each side portion (14) of the elongated body (3).4. The submersible vehicle (1) according to claim 3, wherein the fins (34) are pivot-5 able with respect to a longitudinal axis of the submersible vehicle (1).5. The submersible vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the least one closable entrance (18) is arranged closer to the bottom portion (12) of the elongated body (3) than the top portion (10) of the elongated body (3) is.10 6. The submersible vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated body (3) further comprises a closable entrance (36) arranged in the top portion (10) of the elongated body (3) and being in communication with the cabin (16).7. The submersible vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, where-15 in the elongated body (3) is provided with a supporting element (40, 44) secured to the bottom portion (12) of the elongated body (3), the supporting element (40, 44) configured for supporting the submersible vehicle against (1) a base, such as a base in an edifice.8. The submersible vehicle (1) according to claim 7, wherein the supporting ele-20 ment comprises one of: at least three legs protruding from the bottom portion of the elongated body; at least two elongated rails (40) secured to at least a portion of either side portions of the bottom portion (12) at the elongated body (3); and at least two mutually spaced wing shaped foils (44).9. A docking station (100) for a submersible vehicle, comprising:25 - an edifice (110) having at least a portion configured for housing the submersible vehicle, the edifice (110) provided with a vehicle entrance (112) in a first portion (114) of the edifice (110), and a door (120) for allowing personnel and/or goods to enter the edifice (110), the door (120) is arranged in a second portion35014325(116) of the edifice at a location being different from the first portion (114); - a guiding device (130) for facilitating alignment of the submersible vehicle with respect to the vehicle entrance (112) of the edifice, wherein, in a position of use, the guiding device (130) is submerged.5 10. The docking station (100) according to claim 9, wherein the edifice (110) in a position of use is submerged, wherein the door (120) is in a portion of the edifice (110) bordering a shaft (150) extending above a water level, the door (120) configured for preventing fluid communication between the edifice (110) and the shaft (150) when being in a closed position, wherein the edifice (110) is further 10 provided with:- a gate (132) for sealingly closing the vehicle entrance (112);- at least one pump (134) for discharging water out of the edifice (110) when the gate (132) is closed; and- a conduit (136) for allowing communication of air into and out of the edifice 15 (110) during discharge and filling of water.11. The docking station (100) according to claim 10, wherein the shaft (150) further comprising a lounge for personnel and/or goods.12. The docking station (100) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the shaft (150) further comprising at least one of a staircase (158) and a lift.20 13. The docking station (100) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the docking station is secured to a structure (S) being one of an offshore structure or a quay.14. The docking station (100) according to claim 9, further comprising a tunnel (160) having a first end portion (162) and a second end portion (164), the first end por-25 tion (162) connected to the vehicle entrance (112) of the edifice (110), the edifice being arranged at an elevation being higher than a water surface (WS), and the second end portion (164) is arranged below the water surface (WS) and connected to the guiding device (130).3501432615. The docking station according to claim 14, wherein the tunnel (160) further comprises a transport device (168) for bringing the submersible vehicle from the second end portion (164) of the tunnel (160), past the first end portion (162), and into the edifice (110).5 16. The docking station according to claim 15, wherein the transport device comprises one of:- an endless belt (169) supported by rollers (169’); and- a carriage,wherein the endless belt (169) or the carriage is operatively connected to a driv-10 ing device.17. The docking station according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the transport device (168) extends beyond the vehicle entrance (112) at the second end portion of the tunnel.18. The docking station according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein at least one 15 of the vehicle entrance (112) of the edifice (110) and the tunnel (160) is provided with a closable gate (132).19. The docking station according to any one of claims 9 to 18, wherein the guiding device (130) comprises a plurality of rollers (131) for facilitating movement of the submersible vehicle when passing the guiding device (130).20 20. The docking station according to claim 19, wherein the rollers (131) are arranged in at least one panel (130’).21. A system comprising a submersible vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1-8, and at least one of:- at least one docking station (100) according to any one of claims 9-13; and 25 - at least one docking station (100) according to any one of claims 14-18.3501432722. The system according to claim 21, further comprising the other one of;- the at least one docking station (100) according to any one of claims 14-18; and - the at least one docking station (100) according to any one of claims 9-13.23. Method for docking a submersible vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1-8 5 in a docking station (100) according to any one of claims 10-13, the method comprises:a) bringing the gate (132) at the entrance (112) of the edifice (100) at to an open position while keeping the door (120) at the shaft (150) in a closed position; b) moving the submersible vehicle (1) past the guiding device (130) and into the 10 edifice (110) while the vertical thrusters (20) are active to keep the submersible vehicle (1) at a desired elevation;c) closing the gate (132);d) discharging water from the edifice (110) while allowing air to enter the edifice; and15 e) when the water has been discharged, opening the door (120) at the shaft to allow humans and/or goods to pass into the shaft (150).24. Method for docking a submersible vehicle (1) according to any one of claims 1-8 in a docking station (100) according to claim 15, the method comprises:a) moving the submersible vehicle (1) past the guiding device (130) and into the 20 tunnel (160);b) urging the submersible vehicle (1) against the transport device (168);c) activating the transport device (168); andd) bringing the submersible vehicle (1) into the edifice.35014328Patentkrav1. Undervannsfartøy (1) for transport av mennesker og/eller varer mellom et første sted og et andre sted som omfatter en dokkingstasjon, hvor det undervannsfartøyet (1) omfatter:- et langstrakt legeme (3) med en baug (5) og en akterende (7), et toppparti (10), et bunnparti (12) og sidepartier (14) som strekker seg mellom baugen og akterenden, hvor det langstrakte legemet (3) omfatter:- minst én kabin (16) for mennesker og/eller varer, hvor kabinen er utformet for å bære en maksimal nyttelast, hvor kabinen (16) er forsynt med minst én lukkbar inngang (18);- minst ett oppdriftskammer (16, 16') som har en konstant tetthet når det nedsenkbare fartøyet (1) er i drift, hvor det nedsenkbare fartøyet (1) videre omfatter:- vertikale thrustere (20) for å justere en elevasjon av det nedsenkbare fartøyet (1) i forhold til en vannoverflate;minst én propell (25) for å bevege det nedsenkbare fartøyet mellom det første stedet og det andre stedet; ogmaskineri omfattende motorer for å aktivere thrusterne (20) og den minst ene propellen (25), hvor motorene drives av en energikilde (27) som er plassert i det langstrakte legemet (3),hvor undervannsfartøyet (1), når det bærer maksimal last, har en total tetthet som er mindre enn det omkringliggende vannet,hvor oppdriftskammeret dannes av kabinen (16) og minst ett dimensjonsstabilt oppdriftsstoff (17), karakterisert ved at det dimensjonsstabile oppdriftsstoffet (17) er nærmere det øvre partiet av det langstrakte legemet (3) enn kabinen (16) er.2. Undervannsfartøyet (1) ifølge krav 1, videre forsynt med minst én av en baugpropell (30) og en akterpropell (32).3. Undervannsfartøyet (1) ifølge krav 1 eller 2, hvor det langstrakte legemet (3) er forsynt med minst én finne (34) som stikker ut fra hvert sidepart (14) av det langstrakte legemet (3).350143294. Undervannsfartøyet (1) ifølge krav 3, hvor finnene (34) er dreibare i forhold til en lengdeakse til det undervannsfartøyet (1).5. Undervannsfartøyet (1) ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvor minst én av den minst ene lukkbare inngangen (18) er anordnet nærmere bunnpartiet (12) av det langstrakte legemet (3) enn topp-partiet (10) av det langstrakte legemet (3).6. Undervannsfartøyet (1) ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvor det langstrakte legemet (3) videre omfatter en lukkbar inngang (36) anordnet i topp-partiet (10) av det langstrakte legemet (3) og som er i forbindelse med kabinen (16).7. Undervannsfartøyet (1) ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvor det langstrakte legemet (3) er forsynt med et støtteelement (40, 44) festet til bunnpartiet (12) av det langstrakte legemet (3), idet støtteelementet (40, 44) er konfigurert for å støtte undervannsfartøyet mot (1) en base, slik som en base i et byggverk.8. Undervannsfartøyet (1) ifølge krav 7, hvor støtteelementet omfatter ett av: minst tre ben som stikker ut fra bunnpartiet av det langstrakte legemet; minst to langstrakte skinner (40) festet til minst et parti av hvert sideparti av bunnpartiet (12) ved det langstrakte legemet (3); og minst to innbyrdes avstandsplasserte vingeformede folier (44).9. En dokkingstasjon (100) for et undervannsfartøy, omfattende:- et byggverk (110) med minst et parti konfigurert for å huse undervannsfartøyet, hvor byggverket (110) er forsynt med en fartøyinngang (112) i et første part (114) av byggverket (110), og en dør (120) for å tillate personell og/eller varer å komme inn i byggverket (110), idet døren (120) er anordnet i et andre parti (116) av byggverket på et sted som er forskjellig fra det første partiet (114);- en ledeanordning (130) for å lette justeringen av undervannsfartøyet i forhold til fartøyinngangen (112) til byggverket, hvor ledeanordningen (130) i en bruksposisjon er nedsenket.3501433010. Dokkingstasjonen (100) ifølge krav 9, hvor byggverket (110) i bruksposisjon er nedsenket, hvor døren (120) er i et parti av byggverket (110) som grenser til en sjakt (150) som strekker seg over et vannivå, hvor døren (120) er konfigurert for å forhindre væskekommunikasjon mellom byggverket (110) og sjakten (150) når den er i lukket posisjon, hvor byggverket (110) videre er forsynt med:- en port (132) for tett lukking av fartøyinngangen (112); - minst én pumpe (134) for å tømme vann ut av byggverket (110) når porten (132) er lukket; og- en kanal (136) for å tillate kommunikasjon av luft inn i og ut av byggverket (110) under tømming og fylling av vann.11. Dokkingstasjonen (100) ifølge krav 10, hvor sjakten (150) videre omfatter en lounge for personell og/eller varer.12. Dokkingstasjonen (100) ifølge krav 10 eller 11, hvor sjakten (150) videre omfatter minst én av en trapp (158) og en heis.13. Dokkingstasjonen (100) ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 9 til 12, hvor dokkingstasjonen er festet til en struktur (S) som enten er en offshorestruktur eller en kai.14. Dokkingstasjonen (100) ifølge krav 9, videre omfattende en tunnel (160) med et første endeparti (162) og et andre endepart (164), hvor det første endepartiet (162) er koblet til fartøyinngangen (112) til byggverket (110), idet byggverket er anordnet i en elevasjon som er høyere enn en vannoverflate (WS), og det andre endepartiet (164) er anordnet under vannoverflaten (WS) og koblet til ledeanordningen (130).15. Dokkingstasjonen ifølge krav 14, hvor tunnelen (160) videre omfatter en transportanordning (168) for å bringe undervannsfartøyet fra det andre endepartiet (164) av tunnelen (160), forbi det første endepartiet (162), og inn i byggverket (110).16. Dokkingstasjonen ifølge krav 15, hvor transportanordningen omfatter én av:- et endeløst belte (169) støttet av ruller (169'); og- en vogn,35014331hvor det endeløse beltet (169) eller vognen er operativt forbundet med en drivanordning.17. Dokkingstasjonen ifølge krav 15 eller 16, hvor transportanordningen (168) strekker seg utover fartøyinngangen (112) ved det andre endepartiet av tunnelen.18. Dokkingstasjonen ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 14 til 17, hvor minst én av fartøyinngangen (112) til byggverket (110) og tunnelen (160) er forsynt med en lukkbar port (132).19. Dokkingstasjonen ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 9 til 18, hvor ledeanordningen (130) omfatter en flerhet av ruller (131) for å lette bevegelsen av undervannsfartøyet når det passerer ledeanordningen (130).20. Dokkingstasjonen ifølge krav 19, hvor rullene (131) er anordnet i minst ett panel (130').21. Et system omfattende et undervannsfartøy (1) ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 1-8, og minst ett av:- minst én dokkingstasjon (100) ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 9-13; og - minst én dokkingstasjon (100) ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 14-18.22. Systemet ifølge krav 21, videre omfattende den andre av;- minst én dokkingstasjon (100) ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 14-18; og - minst én dokkingstasjon (100) ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 9-13.23. Fremgangsmåte for å dokke et undervannsfartøy (1) ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 1-8 i en dokkingstasjon (100) ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 10-13, hvor fremgangsmåten omfatter:a) å bringe porten (132) ved inngangen (112) til byggverket (100) til en åpen posisjon mens døren (120) ved sjakten (150) holdes i en lukket posisjon;b) å bevege undervannsfartøyet (1) forbi ledeanordningen (130) og inn i byggverket (110) mens de vertikale thrusterne (20) er aktive for å holde undervannsfartøyet (1) i en ønsket elevasjon;c) å lukke porten (132);35014332d) å tømme vann fra byggverket (110) mens luft slippes inn i byggverket; og e) når vannet er tømt ut, å åpne døren (120) ved sjakten for å tillate mennesker og/eller varer å passere inn i sjakten (150).24. Fremgangsmåte for å dokke et undervannsfartøy (1) ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 1-8 i en dokkingstasjon (100) ifølge krav 15, fremgangsmåten omfatter: a) å bevege undervannsfartøyet (1) forbi ledeanordningen (130) og inn i tunnelen (160);b) å presse undervannsfartøyet (1) mot transportanordningen (168);c) å aktivere transportanordningen (168); ogd) å bringe undervannsfartøyet (1) inn i byggverket.
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Patent classes

IPC classesB63G 8/16B63G 8/14B63G 8/00CPC classesB63G 8/16B63G 8/14B63G 8/00

Citations

US 5704309 A (A)CN 209956191 U (U)CN 117284459 A (A)WO 2014058106 A1 (A1)DE 10315135 A1 (A1)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners
TRITON-X AS
Norevegen 6 5542 KARMSUND NO (KARMØY Municipality, Rogaland county)Org. number: 935729327Inventors
Håkon Risanger-Pettersen
Veldetunvegen 35 4262 AVALDSNES NO (KARMØY Municipality, Rogaland county)

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HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Org. number: 918752900

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Postboks 9 4068 STAVANGER NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)
Org. number: 918752900
Reference: P31588NO00

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