Submersible manoeuvring device

Abstract

A submersible manoeuvring device ( 1 ) or manoeuvring a water vessel ( 6 ), including a motor device ( 2 ), characterised in that the manoeuvring device ( 1 ) includes a cradle to which connecting devices ( 7 ) can be attached in order to enable the device ( 1 ) to be lowered into an operational position with respect to the water vessel and subsequently removed therefrom.

1 . A submersible manoeuvring device for manoeuvring a water vessel, including 
 a motor device,    characterised in that    the manoeuvring device includes a cradle to which connecting devices can be attached in order to enable the device to be lowered into an operational position with respect to the water vessel and subsequently removed therefrom.    
   
   
       2 . A submersible manoeuvring device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the operational position of the manoeuvring device is a position where the inanoeuvririg device is in contact with the hull of the water vessel which is to be manoeuvred.  
   
   
       3 . A submersible manoeuvring device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the connecting devices are ropes, cables, or the like.  
   
   
       4 . A submersible manoeuvring device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the device is connected to a set of guides which are configured to move to conform to the general shape of the area of the hull to which it is attached.  
   
   
       5 . A submersible manoeuvring device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the guides are pivoting plates.  
   
   
       6 . A submersible manoeuvring device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the guides are constructed of synthetic webbing.  
   
   
       7 . A submersible manoeuvring device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the device is connected to a number of rollers which are configured,to assist in the positioning of the submersible manoeuvring device upon the hull of the water vessel.  
   
   
       8 . A submersible manoeuvring device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the device is connected to a form of bearings or another protection device, one example of which would be foam padding, which is configured to assist in the positioning of the submersible manoeuvring device upon the hull to which it is fitted in a manner that protects the hull from damage from the submersible manoeuvring device.  
   
   
       9 . A submersible manoeuvring device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the motor device is enclosed within a moulded casing that is configured to have a mesh- style cover fitted at either end.  
   
   
       10 . A submersible manoeuvring device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the motor device can be removed so that ancillary devices, such as a camera or hydrophone for example, can be mounted to the submersible manoeuvring device.  
   
   
       11 . A submersible manoeuvring device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein ancillary devices can be connected to the submersible manoeuvring device without the motor device being removed.  
   
   
       12 . A submersible manoeuvring device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the submersible manoeuvring device can be transferred between watercraft as required.  
   
   
       13 . A submersible manoeuvring device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the submersible manoeuvring device can be configured to form a propulsion system for a craft by adjusting the direction of thrust produced by the submersible manoeuvring device until the thrust is produced in-line with the hull rather than transversely to it.  
   
   
       14 . A submersible manoeuvring device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the guides are constructed of suitable dimensions to cope with the forces produced by the bi-directional motor to which they are connected.  
   
   
       15 . A method of operating a submersible manoeuvring device, including a motor device,  
     characterised by the steps of 
 a) attaching the manoeuvring device to a tensioning assembly on the vessel to be manoeuvred, and  
 b) lowering the manoeuvring device into the water until the manoeuvring device is below the vessel, and  
 c) applying tension to the means by which the manoeuvring device is attached to the vessel until the manoeuvring device automatically assumes an operational position with respect to the hull.  
 
   
   
       16 . A method of operating a submersible manoeuvring device as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the manoeuvring device is attached to the halyard gantry or deck winch of the vessel to be manoeuvred.  
   
   
       17 . A method of operating a submersible device as claimed in  claim 15  or  claim 16  wherein when the submersible manoeuvring device is no longer needed the tension is released on the means by which the manoeuvring device is connected to the vessel so that the submersible manoeuvring device will drop away from the lower portion of the hull in order that the submersible manoeuvring device can be easily recovered from the water.  
   
   
       18 . A water vehicle containing a submersible manoeuvring device, including a motor device, and 
 characterised in that    the manoeuvring device is lowered into the water when needed and can be removed from the water when not in use.    
   
   
       19 - 21 . (canceled)