Water drone

Abstract

The present invention concerns a modular water drone ( 10 ) able to perform a series of missions, even simultaneously, in any aquatic environment whatsoever, which comprises a stern module ( 11 a ), a main module ( 11 ), a bow module ( 12 ) and at least one intermediate module ( 13 ), which can be divided and connected to each other, wherein each intermediate module ( 13 ) comprises an intermediate operating unit ( 17 ) configured to perform the specific mission for which it was designed in the aquatic environment and/or in its neighboring zones.

1 . Water drone, wherein it comprises a stern module, a main module, a bow module, at least one intermediate module and at least one underwater propulsion unit and/or a sail propulsion unit, which can be divided with respect to each other, wherein at least one of said intermediate modules is configured to connect in a continuous manner between said main module and said bow module or with at least one other of said intermediate modules and wherein said stern module is configured to connect in a continuous manner with the rear part of at least said main module,
 wherein each of said intermediate modules comprises an intermediate operating unit configured to perform a specific mission in an aquatic environment and/or in its neighboring zones,   and in that said water drone comprises a control unit configured at least to regulate the operation of one or more of either said underwater propulsion unit, said sail propulsion unit or said intermediate operating unit, as a function of the total number of intermediate modules and the specific mission to be performed.   
     
     
         2 . Water drone as in  claim 1 , wherein each of said modules is provided with draft adjustment means selectively drivable by said control unit on the basis of the draft required from the water drone in a given operating mode. 
     
     
         3 . Water drone as in  claim 1 , wherein said draft adjustment means are disposed in correspondence with the bottom of the hull and comprise two compartments and at least one inflatable device disposed inside one or both of said compartments, wherein each inflatable device has two chambers which are selectively fillable/emptiable with a gas and with a liquid, respectively, by means of respective actuation units controlled by said control unit. 
     
     
         4 . Water drone as in  claim 1 , wherein each of said modules is provided with a self-righting means to right said water drone in case of overturning and/or capsizing. 
     
     
         5 . Water drone as in  claim 1 , wherein said self-righting means comprise a first compartment/zone and a second compartment/zone which are disposed in correspondence with the lateral walls of the hull, on opposite sides and, during use, above the buoyancy line, wherein said first compartment/zone is configured to collect water inside it and said second compartment/zone is configured to define a positive thrust volume in the event that said water drone were to overturn and/or capsize. 
     
     
         6 . Water drone as in  claim 1 , wherein each module comprises at least one connection junction comprising perimeter junction elements integral with, or forming part of, the structure of the modules, one or more U-shaped connection profiles configured to secure respective junction elements of adjacent modules in position, and fastening elements configured to fasten the connection profiles to the junction elements. 
     
     
         7 . Water drone as in  claim 1 , wherein the hull of each module comprises internally a flat or inclined base wall to promote the outflow of water that can inadvertently enter the water drone. 
     
     
         8 . Water drone as in  claim 7 , wherein in the base wall there are one or more grooves lowered with respect to the plane of the base wall and inclined to promote the outflow of water toward suitable apertures that communicate with the outside. 
     
     
         9 . Water drone as in  claim 7 , wherein the hull of each module is made of a material comprising linen and/or fiber hemp or recycled material, epoxy and/or ecological resins, and ecological internal material sandwich-laminated between the fibers, the latter distributable in a non-homogeneous manner to act as a reinforcement in some parts in order to create thickness. 
     
     
         10 . Water drone as in  claim 1 , wherein said main module, said bow module and each of said intermediate modules comprise a lower attachment element and an upper attachment element located, respectively, in correspondence with the external wall of the bottom and of the top of the hull of said modules and configured to connect, respectively, with said underwater propulsion unit and with said sail propulsion unit. 
     
     
         11 . Water drone as in  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a first intermediate module provided with a first intermediate operating unit configured to perform the analysis of the waters in said aquatic environment. 
     
     
         12 . Water drone as in  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a second intermediate module provided with a second intermediate operating unit configured to interface with said main module in order to obtain visual images related to the patrolling of said aquatic environment and of its neighboring zones, with the aim of identifying the presence of people and taking them to safety. 
     
     
         13 . Water drone as in  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a third intermediate module provided with a third intermediate operating unit configured to perform the cleaning of said aquatic environment and its neighboring zones, so as to absorb and/or collect and store inside said third intermediate operating unit, for subsequent disposal, solid and/or liquid polluting substances and/or solid urban waste spilled into said aquatic environment. 
     
     
         14 . Water drone as in  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a fourth intermediate module provided with a fourth intermediate operating unit configured to perform bathymetry operations, scanning the seabed of said aquatic environment in order to detect the depth and shape of the basin below the free surface of the water. 
     
     
         15 . Water drone as in  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a fifth intermediate module provided with a fifth intermediate operating unit comprising a ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), remotely controlled by a user, which in a non-operating condition is secured to said fifth intermediate module, while in an operating condition it is released from said fifth intermediate module in order to perform a mission under the free surface of the water, remaining however connected by means of a cable configured to transfer data and to electrically power/recharge the ROV itself. 
     
     
         16 . Water drone as in  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a sixth intermediate module provided with a sixth intermediate operating unit configured to transport goods on the surface of an aquatic environment to and from its borders or in an intermediate position thereof. 
     
     
         17 . Water drone as in  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a seventh intermediate module configured to allow the take-off and landing of at least one aircraft configured to perform patrol missions, wherein said seventh intermediate module comprises a seventh intermediate operating unit configured to automatically recharge said at least one aircraft. 
     
     
         18 . Water drone as in  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a plurality of underwater propulsion units, each comprising a coupling element configured to connect, in an interchangeable manner, to a lower attachment element of one of said main, bow and intermediate modules, wherein said motorized propulsion units are selected from the group comprising at least one electric motor coupled to at least one propeller, a hydrofoil which comprises at least one electric motor coupled to at least one propeller, an underwater glider.