Connector-less high speed underwater data interface

An interface assures high-speed transmission of optical data between submerged vessels. First and second vessels have pressure hulls and have a first plate transparent to optical data on the pressure hull of the first vessel and a second plate transparent to optical data on the pressure hull of the second vessel. A first optical transceiver in the first vessel is adjacent to the first transparent plate, and a second optical transceiver in the second vessel is adjacent to the second transparent plate. A layer of water between the first plate and the second plate is optically transparent to optical data to allow the first optical transceiver and the second optical transceiver to transmit and receive optical data through the first transparent plate, the water layer, and the second transparent plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for transferring data from one vessel to another. More particularly, this invention is to an interface to optically pass data underwater without using a separate connector or conduit for data that penetrates a pressure hull.

The current methods of transferring data between submersibles, submerged sensors/transponders of data, and other underwater packages usually rely on cables or connectors that physically penetrate the pressure hull. Typically, undersea vessels have pressure hulls that are strongly built to bear the crushing ambient pressures of deep water; however, the contemporary electrical or optical couplers tend to compromise the structural integrities of the submerged platforms where they penetrate the pressure hulls. Consequently, the capabilities and effectiveness of pressure hulls are limited as a consequence of the need to transfer data. Because of this limitation, some manned or unmanned submersibles must restrict their activities to shallower depths where meaningful data may not be collected as easily, and the risk of detection and more effective countermeasures may be greater.

Thus, in accordance with this inventive concept, a need has been recognized in the state of the art for an underwater data interface permitting high-speed optical transfer of data between submerged vessels without compromising structural integrity.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a high-speed optical data interface for use between submerged vessels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a high-speed optical data interface for use underwater that does not compromise the structural integrity of pressure hulls.

Another object of the invention is to provide a high-speed optical data interface transmitting through pressure vessels transparent to the data or optically transparent apertures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a high-speed interface transmitting data at high speed through a first optically clear aperture in one submerged vessel, a layer of ambient water, and a second optically clear aperture in another submerged vessel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a high-speed interface transmitting optical data at high speed through a thin layer of water between a first optical transceiver inside a first submerged hull optically transparent to the data and a second optical transceiver inside a second submerged hull optically transparent to the data.

Another object of the invention is to provide protrusions nestling in mating cavities on first and second optically clear plates to optically align the plates and assure optical transmission of optical data that is not refracted or otherwise distorted appreciably.

Another object is to provide a connector-less data interface requiring no cables, no special fixtures in place of connectors and no pressure hull penetrations to allow two underwater devices to exchange digital data at high speed.

These and other objects of the invention will become more readily apparent from the ensuing specification when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

Accordingly, the present invention is to an interface for high-speed transmission of optical data between first and second submerged vessels. A first plate is transparent to optical data on the first vessel and a second plate is transparent to optical data on the second vessel. A first optical transceiver in the first vessel is adjacent to the first transparent plate, and a second optical transceiver in the second vessel is adjacent to the second transparent plate. A layer of water between the first plate and the second plate is optically transparent to optical data to allow the first optical transceiver and the second optical transceiver to transmit and receive optical data through the first transparent plate, the water layer, and the second transparent plates. The first transparent plate is an integral part of the pressure hull of the first vessel to create watertight integrity and a conduit of optical data, and the second transparent plate is an integral part of the pressure hull of the second vessel to create watertight integrity and a conduit of optical data.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1, an underwater data interface10of the invention is used to transmit and receive optical data between pressure vessels20and30submerged in water11without drawing attention to the process of transferring data. Pressure vessels20,30can be any of many different submersibles, submerged data gathering vessels or transponders of data that can be deployed for unattended, attended, autonomous, or manned operation. Vessels20,30protect crews and/or a wide variety of instrumentations from the hostile undersea environment, and they can have the capability of remaining submerged and on-station for prolonged operational periods.

Pressure vessels20,30each can have a pressure hull21,31, robustly constructed from opaque, strong metals, such as steel and other high-strength alloys to bear the sometimes crushing ambient pressures created by ambient water11. Pressure hulls21,31can be made in cylindrical or spherical shapes for strength and can be made thicker and have internal bulkheads and bracing (not shown) to increase resistance to ambient pressures.

Underwater data interface10can transmit the information of electronic data signals (shown as arrow40) from pressure vessel20to pressure vessel30or, correspondingly, the information of electronic data signals (shown as arrow50) from pressure vessel30to pressure vessel20, or a combination of bidirectional transfers of the information of data signals40,50. Data signals40can come from a computer based electronics module45inside pressure vessel20, and data signals50can come from a computer based electronics module55in pressure vessel30. Electronics modules45,55can include appropriate sources for data signals40,50, such as sensors of ambient phenomena, voice communications, relayed data, etc. Components for memory, storage, multiplexing, time compression, and other useful well known circuitry expedients can be included in electronics modules45,55to handle, process, and transfer data signals40,50.

Underwater data interface10has curved optical plate members60and70that are made of a strong material transparent to optical data signals. Typical of such materials are some types of glass, clear polycarbonate, acrylic, or other sophisticated high-strength, rigid, plastic-like fabrication materials. Curved, or arc-shaped optical plate members60and70can be formed, or molded as arc-shaped sectors22and32of hulls21and31of vessels20and30that fit into correspondingly-shaped tapered openings23and33that extend coextensively in hulls21and31. The arc-shaped sectors22,23of plate members60,70coextensively fitting into tapered openings23,33in hulls21,31provide strong joints that resist ambient pressures. Appropriate adhesives24and34and/or O-rings25and35can be included between arc-shaped sectors22,32and tapered openings23,33to secure and seal these junctures. Arc-shaped sectors22,32serve as vital, integral parts of hulls21,31that create watertight integrity of pressure vessels20,30. Arc-shaped sectors22,32additionally function as conduits for optical data as described below.

Arc-shaped sectors22,32of plate members60,70have protrusions102,103facing mating, correspondingly disposed cavities104,105molded inwardly from and along their peripheries. Only one protrusion102and one cavity105for sector22and one protrusion103and one cavity104for sector32are shown, it being understood that many projections and cavities can be molded along the peripheries of arc-shaped sectors22,32. Protrusions102,103nestle, or mate into cavities104105when arc-shaped sectors22,32are brought together to optically align and separate arc-shaped sectors22,32and create layer12of water11in between. Light passing between vessels20and30through arc-shaped sectors22,32is not refracted or otherwise distorted appreciably.

FIG. 2shows flat optical plate members60,70can be formed as tapered flat discs22A,32A of strong optically transparent materials having tapered ends22AA,32AA shaped to fit into tapered openings23,33as described with respect to sectors22,32above, and can include adhesives24,34and O-rings25,35. Tapered flat discs22A,32A have protrusions106,107facing mating, correspondingly disposed cavities108,109molded inwardly from and along their peripheries (only one protrusion106and one cavity109for sector22A and one protrusion107and one cavity108for sector32A are shown, it being understood that many projections and cavities can be molded along the peripheries of arc-shaped sectors22A,32A). Protrusions106,107nestle, or mate into cavities108,109when flat discs22A,32A are brought together to optically align and separate flat discs22A,32A and create layer12of water1in between. Light passing between vessels20and30through optically aligned discs22C,32C is not refracted or otherwise distorted appreciably.

Referring toFIG. 1, optical transceivers80and90of underwater data interface10are each respectively coupled to a conductor46or56that each respectively extends from module45or55. Transceiver80generates optical data signals (shown as arrow82) from electronic data signals40, and transceiver90generates optical data signals (shown as arrow92) from electronic data signals50. Transceiver80is mounted or placed adjacent to optical plate60for transmitting optical data signals82through optical plate60and from vessel20. Transceiver90is mounted or placed adjacent to optical plate70for transmitting optical data signals92through optical plate70and from vessel30. Optical data signals82,92can be transmitted and received at high speed to reduce the time for transferring their information.

Pressure vessels20and30are brought close together and protrusions102,103nestle in cavities104,105to separate optical plates60and70by an essentially optically transparent thin layer12of ambient water11. Thin layer12transmits optical data between pressure vessels20,30. Water11of layer12fills any scratches that may be present on exposed surfaces of optical plates60,70and prevents them from causing unwanted diffraction of the light of the optical data signals. Any refraction of the light of the optical data signals as they pass from either of transceivers80or90into water11of layer12is essentially cancelled out as the light of the optical data signals passes from water11of layer12to the other one of transceivers80or90.

Optical transceiver80, optical plate60, thin water layer12, optical plate70and optical transceiver90are virtually optically aligned by the mating protrusions and cavities described above. Optical data signals are therefore transmitted and received between transceivers80or90as if a conventional fiber optic cable connected the two transceivers; however, the disadvantages of actually having such a fiber optic cable do not need to be tolerated.

Optical data signals82from optical transceiver80pass through optical plate60, through water layer12, through optical plate70and to optical transceiver90. Transceiver90converts or regenerates optical data signals82into electronic data signals (shown as arrow94) that are fed to module55. Opt cal data signals92from optical transceiver90pass through optical plate70, through water layer12, through optical plate60and to optical transceiver80. Transceiver80converts or regenerates optical data signals92into electronic data signals (shown as arrow84) that are fed to module45. Electronic modules45and55can store the information of electronic data signals84,94and transfer the information to other vessels and/or make use of it as needed.

In other words during operation, electronics module45connects first electronic data signals40to optical transceiver80and receives regenerated second electronic data signals84from first optical transceiver80; electronics module55connects second electronic data signals50to optical transceiver90and receives regenerated first electronic data signals94from optical transceiver90; optical transceiver80generates first optical data signals82from first electronic data signals40and transmits first optical data signals82through transparent plate22, water layer12, and transparent plate32; optical transceiver90generates second optical data signals92from second electronic data signals50and transmits second optical data signals92through transparent plate32, water layer12, and transparent plate22; optical transceiver80receives second optical data signals92from optical transceiver90, regenerates second electronic data signals84therefrom and couples the regenerated second electronic data signals84to electronics module45; and optical transceiver90receives optical data signals82from optical transceiver80, regenerates first electronic data signals94therefrom, and couples the regenerated first electronic data signals94to electronics module55. Optical transceiver80, optical plate60, optical plate70and optical transceiver90are optically aligned by the protrusions and cavities, and optical data signals are accurately transferred.

The electronic and optical data signals referred to herein are most likely to be digital. But, if electronic and/or optical analog signals are to be utilized, appropriate analog to digital and digital to analog converters can be included in electronics modules45,55and means for storing analog data must be provided to assure compatibility and successful transfer of data between vessels20,30and where otherwise needed.

FIG. 3shows flat plate-like members64and74of optically transparent material in another embodiment of underwater data interface10. Flat plate members64and74have an outer ring-shaped portion65and75, respectively, and flange structures26and36outwardly extend from pressure hulls21and31, respectively. Flange structures26and36have outer annular surfaces27and37on outer annular members28,38, respectively. Annular surfaces27and37can be bonded onto ring-shaped portions65and75with an adhesive27A and37A to provide a secure watertight fitting. Optionally, ring shaped portions65,75can have holes65A,75A receiving threaded bolts28A and38A through them and holes28B and38B in annular members to engage threaded nuts28C and38C adjacent outer annular members28and38to further secure flat plates64and74onto flange structures26and36and to compress O-rings29and39between flat plates64and74and annular surfaces27and37on outer annular members28,38of flange structures26,36, respectively. Only one bolt28A on annular member28and one bolt38A on annular member38is shown, it being understood that a plurality of such bolts can be provided around annular members28,38as desired.

Flat plates64and74secured to flange structures26and36can be transparent observation ports for human operators or used to gather optical data for optical instrumentation in vessels20,30. Flat plates64and74serve as vital, integral parts of hulls21,31that create watertight integrity of pressure vessels20and30. In accordance with this invention flat plates64,74additionally function as conduits for optical data as described above with respect to optical transceivers80,90and their associated components. Vessels20and30only need to be maneuvered to be close together and separated by an optically transparent thin layer12of ambient water11between flat plates64and74to allow the transfer of data as described above. Mating protrusions112,113and cavities114,115are included to assure optical alignment and separation of plates64,74for creating layer12as described above.

FIG. 4shows another embodiment of underwater data interface10that uses integral parts of pressure hulls21and31to transfer data. In this embodiment pressure hulls21and31are made from clear glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, or other sophisticated high-strength, rigid, plastic-like fabrication materials instead of opaque metals. This construction creates spherical shell-shaped sectors, or sector-shaped plate sections66and76that are coextensive integral parts of rounded hulls21and31, respectively. Thus, spherical shell-shaped sectors66and76serve as vital, integral parts of hulls21and31that create watertight integrity of pressure vessels20and30. In accordance with this invention spherical shell-shaped sectors66,76also serve as conduits for optical data as described above with respect to optical transceivers80,90and their associated components. When vessels20and30come close together with only thin layer12of optically transparent water11between them, optical data can be passed between them as described above. Mating protrusions116,117and cavities118,119are included to assure optical alignment and separation of sectors66,76and creation of layer12as described above.

Having the teachings of this invention in mind, modifications and alternate embodiments of underwater data interface10may be adapted without departing from the scope of the invention. Underwater data interface10can be made larger or smaller in different shapes and fabricated from a wide variety of materials to assure resistance to corrosion and sufficient strength for long-term reliable operation under a multitude of different operational requirements. Its uncomplicated, compact design incorporates structures and technologies long proven to operate successfully underwater. Therefore, data interface10is fully capable of providing a high-speed optical data aperture for many other purposes to perform highly satisfactorily on land or in space. In addition, data interface10of the invention can provide for virtually undetectable high-speed transfer of optical data and allows one or the other of vessels20,30to withdraw with the data to a distant base while the other remains on station and collects more data.

The disclosed components and their arrangements as disclosed herein, all contribute to the novel features of this invention. Underwater data interface10assures reliable data transfer irrespective of ambient conditions. Therefore, underwater data interface10, as disclosed herein is not to be construed as limiting, but rather, is intended to be demonstrative of this inventive concept.

It should be readily understood that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible within the purview of the claimed invention. It is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.