SELF-PROPELLED,UNMANNED SUB-MARINE VEHICLE,INTENDED FOR USE AT GREAT DEPTHS,IN DREDGING,LOADING AND TRANSPORT OF POLY METALLIC NODULES,DEEP-SEA FISHING AND SALVAGING OF IMMERSED BODIES

摘要

An unmanned self-propelled submarine vehicle is provided with a material exchanger-container having a vertical axis of symmetry aligned with both the vehicle's center of gravity and its center of volume. The exchanger-container has a moveable diaphragm which divides the interior into two compartments, a lower ballast compartment equipped with an unloading apparatus and an upper compartment adapted to receive collected material. Ballast is unloaded during material loading to maintain the weight of the vehicle constant during loading.