Abstract:
The invention involves underwater vehicles utilizing submersible electricity generation and storage systems involving flywheel devices. These underwater vehicles include autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles, and supporting mobile and stationary tools, stations, and equipment. The underwater vehicle utilizes a pressurizable waterproof enclosure that contains a novel combination of: electricity generation devices, flywheel power sources, energy collection control circuitry and power distribution control circuitry. The underwater vehicle combines these elements to generate and store electricity underwater or at the surface of the water to meet the dynamic electrical requirements of autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles and stationary underwater structures.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of invention involves underwater vehicles (UVs). The field of UVs includes autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and supporting mobile and stationary tools, stations, and equipment. 
     PROBLEM 
     Over two-thirds of our world is yet to be explored and this portion of our world is underwater. Even though almost every surface inch of this domain may be accessible, adventures and discoveries to the underwater environment have lagged behind our adventures into space. One of the major hurdles to exploring and operating underwater is the lack of sufficient electricity for the autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV&#39;s), remotely operated vehicles (ROV&#39;s) and stationary underwater structures. 
     Electricity has been supplied to remotely operated vehicles and stationary underwater structures through tethers, whose length limits the depth at which a remotely operated vehicle or stationary underwater structure can operate. Further, tethers are cumbersome and can become tangled when more than one remotely operated vehicle is employed. Also, the tether and associated support systems often equal the cost of the remotely operated vehicle. In addition, the ROV and stationary underwater structure can be employed no longer than the surface vessel upon which it relies for electricity. This limits the time that the remotely operated vehicles and stationary underwater structures can be operated. Untethered vehicles, such as autonomous underwater vehicles, are time limited as well based on their ability to generate and store electricity. 
     Presently, there exists an unmet demand for autonomous underwater vehicles that are capable of operating underwater for extended periods of time independent of physical human intervention. One problem with present autonomous underwater vehicles is their dependence on batteries as the source of their electricity. The use of batteries limits the functional capabilities of the autonomous underwater vehicles by requiring the autonomous underwater vehicle to resurface constantly to exchange or recharge depleted batteries. The power systems employed by today&#39;s autonomous underwater vehicles are capable of operating 72 hours or less, before their electrical energy supply is depleted and they are brought back to the surface for recharging or replacement of batteries, which process is time consuming. This significantly limits the usefulness of today&#39;s autonomous underwater vehicles, especially in light of the demand for autonomous underwater vehicles to be operational for months at a time. 
     Stationary underwater structures, which generally receive their electricity from turbines or tethers, are afflicted by the same problem. The use of underwater turbine power generators for generating electricity from water current flow, such as rivers and oceans, is known in the art. Turbines have been used to produce electricity underwater. There are two common types of turbine devices: stationary turbines and tethered turbines. Stationary turbines are comprised of stationary towers based on the ocean floor. Electricity generating turbines are mounted on the towers at a fixed depth, with turbine rotor blades facing the flow of an ocean current. Tethered devices are designed to operate underwater, and are kept in place by a tether that is anchored to the ocean floor. The electricity generated by these turbine configurations is commonly stored in an array of batteries. Both the stationary and tethered turbines depend on underwater currents to drive the large turbine rotor blades. This limits the possible configurations of vehicle types or platforms that can employ this type of electricity generation. Large underwater turbines are not useful with mobile underwater vehicles such as autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles. Due to the vast array of onboard devices and apparatuses, these vehicles have dynamic electrical power demands and must be capable of maneuvering in tight areas that preclude the use of tethers and bulky turbines. 
     Electricity for use in underwater systems can also be generated from the use of internal combustion engine generators aboard a surface vessel. The surface vessel then supplies power to a stationary underwater structure or remotely operated vehicles via a tether. These internal combustion engine generators use hydrocarbons as fuel to power the generator. Handling and storing of this hydrocarbon fuel poses a serious environmental threat to the bodies of water where these types of surface vessels and generators are deployed. 
     One problem associated with present underwater electricity storage systems is the limited capabilities of the present electricity storage designs. Electricity generated by underwater turbines is generally trickled to a battery which can take a significant amount of time to recharge, thereby limiting the capabilities of the system depending upon such a system. If the battery is uncharged, then the vehicle or structure is incapable of functionally operating until the battery is recharged. In addition, if the batteries are to be exchanged for charged batteries, then the autonomous underwater vehicle must surface so that the batteries can be exchanged. Whether the batteries are to be exchanged for charged batteries or recharged from a charging unit, the vehicle must resurface to be serviced accordingly. An underwater system that depends solely on this slow trickle charge and discharge of a battery to supply dynamic electricity demands severely limits the systems found in the prior art. 
     It would be beneficial and advantageous to have an underwater electricity generation and storage system that was capable of meeting the dynamic demand of underwater electricity requirements, whether they be by a autonomous underwater vehicle, remotely operated vehicle, stationary underwater structure or other underwater apparatus. Further, it would be beneficial and advantageous to have autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles and stationary underwater structures that are capable of efficiently powering themselves under the water for extended periods of time. 
     SOLUTION 
     The above and other problems are solved and an advance in the art is made by the underwater vehicle that incorporates a submersible electricity generation and storage system. The underwater vehicle uses a pressurizable waterproof enclosure that contains a novel combination of: electricity generation devices, flywheel power sources, energy collection control circuitry and power distribution control circuitry. The instant application combines these elements to generate and store electricity underwater or at the surface of the water to meet the dynamic electrical requirements of autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles and stationary underwater structures. 
     Electricity generated by the electricity generating devices is transferred to the energy collection control circuitry. The electricity generating devices are connected to or enclosed within the waterproof enclosure of the system. Electricity transferred to the energy collection control circuitry is then transferred to a flywheel power source. The electricity transferred to a flywheel power source spins up the flywheel power source. Once spun-up, the flywheel power source is a sustained and prolonged supply of electricity to the system&#39;s underwater devices. The flywheel power source is capable of being instantly spun-up, thereby eliminating the time-consuming and non-productive activities associated with recharging and replacing batteries. The present submersible electricity generation and storage system is capable of electrically powering an autonomous underwater vehicle, remotely operated vehicle or stationary underwater structure for extended periods of time. 
     Another problem solved by the present submersible electricity generation and storage system is that an autonomous underwater vehicle, remotely operated vehicle or stationary underwater structure can be instantly recharged by another autonomous underwater vehicle, remotely operated vehicle or stationary underwater structure. The flywheel power source is charged by the onboard electricity generating device part of the system. Further, the flywheel power source is designed to be charged instantly by another autonomous underwater vehicle, remotely operated vehicle or stationary underwater structure. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the submersible electricity generating and storage system on board an autonomous underwater vehicle transfers electricity instantly to one another autonomous underwater vehicle underwater or at the water surface, thereby eliminating the need of crews and equipment to service and recharge the autonomous underwater vehicles. The flywheel power source of one autonomous underwater vehicle, remotely operated vehicle or stationary underwater structure transfers electricity to an electrical apparatus onboard the other autonomous underwater vehicle, remotely operated vehicle or stationary underwater structure. 
     The submersible electricity generating and storage system can be sized or designed according to the use and electricity requirements of the structure or vehicle. Stationary underwater structures can have system sizes and designs that are commensurate with their electricity requirements. This can include larger rotor turbines and a great number of flywheel power sources. Conversely, autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles which are generally smaller and mobile, can have systems that are appropriately designed to fit within their waterproof bodies. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other features of present invention can be better understood from a reading of the detailed description and the following drawings: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an enlarged diagram of a preferred exemplary embodiment of a submersible electricity generation and storage system; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of a preferred exemplary embodiment of a submersible electricity generation and storage system in an autonomous underwater vehicle; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of a autonomous underwater vehicle with an electricity generating device located within the shell of the autonomous underwater vehicle; 
     FIG. 3A illustrates a diagram of a autonomous underwater vehicle with an electricity generating device located outside the shell of the autonomous underwater vehicle; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of a submersible electricity generation and storage system in a stationary structure; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of a preferred exemplary embodiment of a submersible electricity generation and storage system in an array of autonomous underwater vehicles and a stationary structure; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of a preferred exemplary embodiment of a submersible electricity generation and storage system used in a docking situation involving two autonomous underwater vehicles; and 
     FIG. 6A illustrates a diagram of a preferred exemplary embodiment of a submersible electricity generation and storage system used in a parallel docking situation involving two autonomous underwater vehicles; and 
     FIG. 6B illustrates a diagram of a preferred exemplary embodiment of a submersible electricity generation and storage system used in an orthogonal docking situation involving two autonomous underwater vehicles; and 
     FIG. 6C illustrates a diagram of a preferred exemplary embodiment of a submersible electricity generation and storage system used in a sequential docking situation involving two autonomous underwater vehicles; and 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram of a preferred exemplary embodiment of a submersible electricity generation and storage system in an autonomous underwater vehicle that is being deployed by an aircraft. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Submersible Electricity Generation and Storage System 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a submersible electricity generation and storage system  100  and FIG. 2 illustrates the submersible electricity generation and storage system  100  as it is used in an autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . The submersible electricity generation and storage system  100  in FIG. 1 is shown in an enlarged view and not incorporated in any particular vehicle. Waterproof enclosure  101  contains the submersible electricity generation and storage system  100 . The enclosure  101  is a rigid or semi-rigid shell that is waterproof. The enclosure  101  is the shell  202  of the autonomous underwater vehicle in FIG.  2 . The enclosure  101  is the waterproof enclosure  302  in FIG.  3 . The enclosure  101  can be any waterproof enclosure common to those skilled in the art. For purposes of description, the submersible electricity generation and storage system  100  described in FIG. 1, is being described without any incorporation into a mobile vehicle or stationary underwater structure. The submersible electricity generation and storage system  100  contains an electricity generating device (EGD)  102 . The electricity generating device  102  can be one device or an array of devices, depending on the environment where the autonomous underwater vehicle  200  is employed and include but are not limited to: acoustico devices, cathodic potential devices, electrochemical devices, electrostatic devices, flexogelectric devices, ionic polymer gel devices, photovoltaic devices, piezocapacitors, piezocrystals, piezoelectric devices, piezomagnetic devices, piezoresistors, piezovoltaic devices, and thermocoupling devices. These devices are commonly known by those skilled in the art. 
     In one embodiment of the submersible electricity generation and storage system, the electricity is generated by subjecting piezoelectrics to pressure, such as underwater pressure. In another embodiment using piezoelectrics, the piezoelectrics are subjected to compression/decompression pressures by the force of water on the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . In this embodiment, one location of the piezoelectrics is on the outside of the shell of the autonomous underwater vehicle, whereby the force of the water applies pressure against the piezoelectrics located on the outside of the shell. Another location of the piezoelectrics is on the inside of the shell, whereby the shell is slightly collapsible allowing for the outside water pressure to slightly collapse the shell and thereby applying pressure against the piezoelectrics located within the shell of the autonomous underwater vehicle. Another location of the piezoelectrics is on the inside of the shell, whereby outside water is allowed to come in contact with the piezoelectrics through channels in the shell, thereby applying pressure against the piezoelectrics located within the shell of the autonomous underwater vehicle. 
     In another embodiment using piezoelectrics, the piezoelectrics are subjected to compression/decompression pressure by an acoustic or pressure pulse generator. In this embodiment, the piezoelectrics are subjected to cycling pressures created by an acoustic or pressure pulse generator. 
     In another embodiment using piezoelectrics, the piezoelectrics are subjected to constant compression pressure by the force of water proximate to the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . In this embodiment, the location of the piezoelectrics are located on the outside of the shell. In this embodiment, the piezoelectrics are located on the inside of the shell. 
     In another embodiment of the submersible electricity generation and storage system, electricity is generated by the use of thermocouplers that are in contact with differing temperature objects, such as the cold body of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200  and a source of heat within the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . In another embodiment of the submersible electricity generation and storage system, electricity is generated by the use of acoustic pulse generators. In another embodiment of the submersible electricity generation and storage system, electricity is generated by electrochemical reactions and electrostatic reactions. There are numerous technologies that can be used to implement the electricity generating devices and these include tensile stress, shearing stress and compressive stress technologies, in addition to electrochemical, photovoltaic, electrostatic and hydrostatic technologies. These concepts are well known in the field of electricity generation and various ones of these or combinations of these can be used to implement the electricity generation function of the submersible electricity generation and storage system. These technologies are not limitations to the system which is described herein, since a novel system concept is disclosed, not a specific technologically limited implementation of an existing system concept. 
     Energy collection control circuitry (ECCC)  104  is a collection of electricity storage devices that are common to those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment of the submersible electricity generation and storage system, an array of capacitors is used to temporarily store electricity generated by the electricity generating device  102 . First flywheel power source  106 A is a flywheel that is quickly spun-up by an electrical charge supplied from the energy collection control circuitry  104 . Once spun-up to its designed revolutions, the flywheel serves the function of generating electricity for the system. The flywheel power source is commonly known to those skilled in the art. Among these flywheel power sources commonly known to those skilled in the art are carbon fiber composite flywheels, which allow it to achieve extraordinary power density due to carbon fiber&#39;s high stress tolerance and low density. Inside the rotor is a dipole motor generator that absorbs and delivers power on demand. The rotor spins at speeds up to 40,000 rpm inside a vacuum enclosure. The flywheel uses both advanced magnetic bearings and custom-designed mechanical bearings to reduce friction. 
     FIG. 1 shows first flywheel power source  106 A and a second flywheel power source  106 B. The second flywheel power source  106 B is shown in dotted lines to indicate that it is an additional and optional flywheel power source. The submersible electricity generation and storage system  100  is capable of containing one or numerous flywheel power sources, depending on the use and needs of the submersible electricity generation and storage system  100 . Although FIG. 1 shows two flywheel power sources,  106 A and  106 B, the submersible electricity generation and storage system  100  is not limited by the use of two flywheel power sources and it should be understood that any number of flywheel power sources may be employed depending on the nature of the vehicle&#39;s function. In one embodiment of the submersible electricity generation and storage system  100 , one flywheel power source is spun up at one time. In another embodiment, more than one flywheel power sources are spun up at one time. In another embodiment, one flywheel power source is spun up while another flywheel power source is static. 
     First flywheel power source  106 A is connected to energy collection control circuitry  104  via first energy collection control circuitry pathway  108 A. Second flywheel power source  106 B is connected to energy collection control circuitry  104  via second energy collection control circuitry pathway  108 B. As noted above, the dotted lines representing energy collection control pathway  108 B show an optional pathway for electricity in the case where a second flywheel power source  106 B is employed. The electricity generated by the first flywheel power source  106 A is sent to the power distribution control circuitry (PDCC)  110  via first power distribution control circuitry pathway  112 A. The electricity generated by the second flywheel power source  106 B is sent to the power distribution control circuitry  110  via second power distribution control circuitry pathway  112 B, which is shown by a dotted line to reflect that it is an optional pathway. First flywheel power source  106 A is connected to the communications bus  114  via first flywheel communications pathway  130  and second flywheel power source  106 B is connected to the communications bus  114  via second flywheel communications pathway  128 . 
     A bypass circuit  113  is used to optionally store electricity generated by the energy collection control circuitry  104 . The bypass circuit  113  can be used in concurrence with first flywheel power source  106 A or bypass circuit  113  can be used in place of first flywheel power source  106 A. The bypass circuit  113  comprises a bypass storage device  109  that is connected to the energy collection control circuitry  104  via first bypass circuit pathway  111 A. The electricity stored by the bypass storage device  109  is sent to the power distribution control circuitry  110  via second bypass circuit pathway  111 B. The bypass storage device  109  is commonly known to those skilled in the art. These bypass storage devices  109  include but are not limited to batteries and other commonly known electrical storage devices. 
     The power distribution control circuitry  110  distributes the electricity as it is required by the autonomous underwater vehicle  200  through the power bus  124 . The submersible electricity generation and storage system  100  also includes a local mass storage memory  118  for storing control instructions for use by processor  116  as well as data and communication instructions as mentioned below. Processor  116  is connected to the communication bus  114  via processor communication pathway  128 . Processor  116  is also connected to the power bus  124  via processor power pathway  130 . Local mass storage memory  118  is connected to the communication bus  114  via local mass storage communication pathway  134 . Local mass storage memory  118  is connected to the power bus  124  via local mass storage memory power pathway  132 . Communications device  120  is connected to power distribution control circuitry  110  via communications pathway  122 . Energy collection control circuitry  104  is connected to communications bus  114  via energy collection control circuitry communications pathway  126 . 
     An Overview of the Submersible Electricity Generation and Storage System in an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the submersible electricity generation and storage system in an autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . In FIG. 2 the waterproof shell  202  is the shell of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . In one embodiment of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 , the electricity generating device  102  is an array of outside piezoelectrics  203  and is located on the outside of the shell  202  of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . The array of outside piezoelectrics  203  covers as much of the shell  202  as is necessary to generate sufficient electricity for the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . In another embodiment of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 , the electricity generating device  102  is an array of inside piezoelectrics  205  located within the shell  202  of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . In this configuration, the shell is semi-rigid to allow the external pressure of the water to slightly collapse the shell  202  creating pressure on the array of inside piezoelectrics  205 , thereby generating electricity for the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . In another embodiment of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 , the electricity generating device  102  is an array of inside piezoelectrics  205  located within the shell  202  and the shell has a channel  115  that allows water inside the body of the shell  202  and applies pressure against the array of inside piezoelectrics  205 . Autonomous underwater vehicle  200  includes a propulsion device  204 A which is electrically connected to power bus  114  via first propulsion device pathway  218 . In another embodiment of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 , the propulsion devices may be more than one. FIG. 2 shows a second propulsion device  204 B which is electrically connected to the power bus  114  via second propulsion device pathway  220 . A propeller  206  is powered by pro peller motor  228  which is electrically connected to power bus  114  via propeller motor pathway  222 . Rudder  216  is powered by rudder motor  226  which is electrically connected to power bus  114  via rudder motor pathway  222 . The number and location of propulsion devices are well known in the field of underwater propulsion and various ones of these or combinations of these can be used to implement the propulsion function of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . The number and location of the propulsion devices are not limitations to the system which is described herein, since a novel submersible electricity generation and storage system  100  is disclosed, not a specific technologically limited implementation of an existing system concept. 
     The autonomous underwater vehicle  200  utilizes non-propulsion submersible devices. FIG. 2 illustrates several non-propulsion submersible devices such as a first light  208 A, a second light  208 B and a camera  210  that are electrically connected to power bus  114  via first light pathway  238 , second light pathway  242  and camera pathway  240 , respectively. This is not a limiting embodiment, as there may be any number of non-propulsion submersible devices employed on an autonomous underwater vehicle. These non-propulsion submersible devices include but are not limited to: cameras, lights, sensors, sonars, profilers, pingers, repeaters, transducers, transponders, magnetometers, potentiometers, radars, temperature devices, depth sensors, side-scan sonars, multi-beam sonars, sub-bottom profilers, temperature sensors, moisture sensors, light sensors, manipulators, global positioning satellite devices, collision detection sonar, inertial navigation devices, navigation equipment, communication equipment, docking devices and special tooling. Further, mechanical arms and sensors (not shown) may also be employed to expand the functionality of the autonomous underwater vehicle. These non-propulsion submersible devices can be located inside or outside the body of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200  and are connected to power bus  114 . In the same embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, dive control plane  232  is powered by dive control plane motor  234  which is electrically connected to power bus  114  via dive control plane motor pathway  244 . Stabilizer control plane  230  is powered by stabilizer control plane motor  236  which is electrically connected to power bus  114  via stabilizer control plane motor pathway  246 . 
     The body  202  has a docking device  246  that enables one autonomous underwater vehicle  200  to dock with another autonomous underwater vehicle  200  for the purposes of transferring power and data between the autonomous underwater vehicles while in or out of a body of water. Docking device  246  is electrically connected to power bus  114  via docking device pathway  248 . The docking devices  246  are commonly available to those skilled in the art. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200  with an electricity generating device  102  such as an array of inside piezoelectrics  205  located within the shell  202  of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200  with an electricity generating device array such as an array of outside piezoelectrics  203  oriented on the outside of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . These are two different arrangements of the electricity generating device  102 , but various other arrangements could be employed in the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . Other electricity generating devices employed in the autonomous underwater vehicle include: acoustics devices, cathodic potential devices, electrochemical devices, electrostatic devices, flexogelectric devices, ionic polymer gel devices, photovoltaic devices, piezocapacitors, piezocrystals, piezoelectric devices, piezomagnetic devices, piezoresistors, piezovoltaic devices, and thermocoupling devices. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a stationary underwater structure  400  with a fixed turbine  404  anchored to the bottom of the body of water  408  to generate electricity. Fixed turbine  404  is electrically connected to energy collection control circuitry  104  via turbine pathway  406 . In another embodiment of the stationary underwater structure  400 , an array of electricity generation devices  102 , such as outside piezoelectrics  410 , are also located on the outside of the stationary underwater structure  400  and are electrically connected to the energy collection control circuitry  104  via pathway  412 . In another embodiment of the stationary underwater structure  400 , an array of electricity generation devices  102  are also located on the inside of stationary underwater structure  400 . Other electricity generating devices employed in the stationary underwater structure include: acoustico devices, cathodic potential devices, electrochemical devices, electrostatic devices, flexogelectric devices, ionic polymer gel devices, photovoltaic devices, piezocapacitors, piezocrystals, piezoelectric devices, piezomagnetic devices, piezoresistors, piezovoltaic devices, and thermocoupling devices. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles  200  employed in the vicinity of a stationary underwater structure  400 . Surface vessel  502  assists communicating data transmissions from the autonomous underwater vehicles and the stationary structures below to other points such as satellite  504 . Autonomous underwater vehicles  200  are shown communicating to each other through wireless technology commonly known to those skilled in the art. Further, in another embodiment of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 , the docking device  246  of the autonomous underwater vehicle docks with a stationary underwater structure docking device  402  to transfer power between the stationary underwater structure  400  and the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates two autonomous underwater vehicles  200  docking each other. During a docking sequence autonomous underwater vehicles  200  transfer power or energy, electrical or otherwise to one another. The docking sequences are also designed to be performed between autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles. Further the docking sequences are also designed to be performed between autonomous underwater vehicles and stationary underwater structures. In this FIG. 6 docking sequence, the energy transfer is uni-directional or bi-directional. FIG. 6 shows two autonomous underwater vehicles  200  with docking device  246  located in the nose section of the autonomous underwater vehicles  200 . FIG. 6A, shows another configuration of the docking sequence, specifically, where two autonomous underwater vehicles  200  are docking side by side. The autonomous underwater vehicles  200  have a docking device  246  located on the side of their respective shells. FIG. 6B shows another configuration of the docking sequence, specifically, where the docking device  246  is located on the side of one autonomous underwater vehicle  200  and on the nose section of the other autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . FIG. 6C shows another configuration of the docking sequence, specifically, where the docking device  246  is located on the nose section of one autonomous underwater vehicle  200  and on the aft section of the other autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . The docking device  200  allows the uni-directional or bi-directional transfer of electrical or mechanical energy from one autonomous underwater vehicle  200  to another autonomous underwater vehicle  200 . The number and location of the docking devices are not limitations to the system which is described herein, since a novel submersible electricity generation and storage system  100  is disclosed, not a specific technologically limited implementation of an existing system concept. 
     Due to the autonomous nature of the autonomous underwater vehicle  200 , it can be deployed by submarines, surface vessels, land vehicles, booms, stingers and by aircraft as shown in FIG.  7 . FIG. 7 illustrates an airdrop deployment of an autonomous underwater vehicle  200  by an aircraft  700   
     SUMMARY 
     The submersible electricity generation and storage system provides a power source for a self-contained underwater vehicle comprising: a pressurizable waterproof body, at least one electricity generation device located outside the body, an energy collection control circuitry located inside the body and an at least one flywheel power source located inside the body, the energy collection control circuitry communicating between the electricity generation device and the flywheel power source for transferring electricity between the electricity generation device and the flywheel power source; and a power distribution control circuitry located inside the body and an at least one propulsion device located outside the body, the power distribution control circuitry connected between the flywheel power source and the propulsion device for transferring electricity between the flywheel power source and the propulsion device. 
     Although there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather that the foregoing description.