US 11,673,637 B2
System for underwater exploration using a submerged device having local production of electrical energy and towed by a surface vessel
Sébastien Grall, Saint-Germain-en-Laye (FR)
Assigned to EXAIL, Saint-Germain-en-Laye (FR)
Appl. No. 17/268,243
Filed by IXBLUE, Saint-Germain-en-Laye (FR)
PCT Filed Aug. 12, 2019, PCT No. PCT/EP2019/071566
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Feb. 12, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2020/035438, PCT Pub. Date Feb. 20, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 1857481 (FR), filed on Aug. 13, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0309333 A1, Oct. 7, 2021
Int. Cl. B63G 8/42 (2006.01); B63G 8/00 (2006.01); F03B 13/10 (2006.01)
CPC B63G 8/42 (2013.01) [B63G 8/001 (2013.01); F03B 13/10 (2013.01); B63G 2008/002 (2013.01); F05B 2220/706 (2013.01); F05B 2240/95 (2013.01); F05B 2240/97 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for underwater exploration, comprising:
a submerged vehicle (1) configured to be towed by a surface vessel, the submerged vehicle (1) being connectable to the vessel by a towing line (2) and comprising equipment powered by electricity,
the submerged vehicle (1) comprising an electric hydrogenerator (6) for local production of electrical energy,
the towing line (2) having no power supply cable connecting the vessel to the submerged vehicle, and
the hydrogenerator (6) being reversible and comprising a selectable generator-motor that is able, according to the selection, to produce electricity or to consume electricity by producing mechanical work to guide and/or propel the submerged vehicle (1),
the system further comprising at least one of i) a dead weight along the towing line and ii) a depressor (10) along the towing line, said at least one of the dead weight and the depressor (10) each including at least one hydrogenator (6).