Depth keeping device for submersible vehicle or array with a variable volume buoyancy chamber

摘要

A depth sensing device for a submersible vehicle or array includes an air chamber 10 and hydraulic fluid chambers 7, 8. The wall separating the air chamber 10 and fluid chamber 7 is a piston 9. The depth is sensed by a pressure sensor 5, and a depth signal is sent to a controller 6. If the sensed depth is below a set depth, then fluid is pumped from chamber 7 to chamber 8 by a pump 3. The outer wall 11 of chamber 8 is in the form of a piston so that chamber 8 can expand to accommodate the fluid pumped in from chamber 7. As fluid is pumped from chamber 7, piston 9 moves to allow chamber 10 to expand, thus increasing buoyancy. If the sensed depth is above the sensed depth, then fluid moves from chamber 8 to chamber 7, causing piston 9 to reduce the volume of chamber 10, causing buoyancy to decrease.