Patent ID: 9643700
Date: 2017-05-09
CPC Classifications: B63G,B63H

Claim:
1. A selectively submersible vessel comprising: a combustor; a Stirling engine thermally coupled with the combustor; an electric generator mechanically coupled with the Stirling engine; a rechargeable battery electrically connected with the electric generator; a compressor electrically coupled with the rechargeable battery; a ballast tank fluidly coupled with the compressor; a snorkel fluidly coupled with the compressor; a controller electrically connected with the rechargeable battery; at least one sensor electrically connected with the controller; a data storage device electrically connected with the controller; and a data communications device electrically connected with the controller, wherein the rechargeable battery, the Stirling engine, the compressor, and the ballast tank are contained within an elongated vessel housing, and wherein the rechargeable battery, the Stirling engine, the compressor, and the ballast tank are serially arranged between opposed first and second ends of the elongated vessel housing, and wherein the ballast tank is arranged closer to the first end than to the second end.