Watercraft system

Abstract

A watercraft system ( 10 ) comprising a pressure hull module ( 100 ) having a longitudinal axis ( 114 ) which extends between an aft end ( 116 ) and a forward end ( 118 ) of the watercraft system ( 10 ), and which defines a first interface element ( 112 ). The system further comprises a bridge fin module system ( 200 ) which extends from the pressure hull module ( 100 ) in a direction away from the longitudinal axis ( 114 ). The bridge fin module system ( 200 ) comprises a first bridge fin sub-module ( 210 ) which defines a second interface element ( 222 ) configured to be coupled and uncoupled from the first interface element ( 112 ); the first bridge fin sub-module ( 210 ) extending from the second interface element ( 222 ) to terminate at a third interface element ( 232 ) the bridge fin module system ( 200 ) further comprises a second bridge fin sub-module ( 220 ) which defines a fourth interface element ( 242 ) configured to be coupled and uncoupled from the third interface element ( 232 ).

1 . A watercraft system, wherein the watercraft system is a submarine or a submersible configured to be submerged in water, the watercraft system comprising:
 a pressure hull module having a longitudinal axis which extends between an aft end and a forward end of the watercraft system, and which defines a first interface element; and   a bridge fin module system which extends from the pressure hull module in a direction away from the longitudinal axis, wherein the bridge fin module system includes
 a first bridge fin sub-module which defines a second interface element configured to be coupled and uncoupled from the first interface element, the first bridge fin sub-module extending from the second interface element to terminate at a third interface element, and 
 a second bridge fin sub-module which defines a fourth interface element configured to be coupled and uncoupled from the third interface element. 
   
     
     
         2 . The watercraft system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge fin module system comprises a third bridge fin sub-module which defines a fifth interface element configured to be coupled and uncoupled from the third interface element, such that the watercraft system is operable with either the second bridge fin sub-module or the third bridge fin sub-module forming part of the bridge fin module system. 
     
     
         3 . The watercraft system of  claim 2 , wherein;
 the bridge fin module system further comprises a fourth bridge fin sub-module which defines a sixth interface element configured to be coupled and uncoupled from the first interface element of the pressure hull module;   the fourth bridge fin sub-module extending from the sixth interface element to terminate at a seventh interface element;   the fourth interface element of the second bridge fin sub-module being configured to be coupled and uncoupled from the seventh interface element; and   the fifth interface element of the third bridge fin sub-module being configured to be coupled and uncoupled from the seventh interface element;   such that the watercraft system is operable with either the first bridge fin sub-module or the fourth bridge fin sub-module forming part of the bridge fin module system.   
     
     
         4 . The watercraft system of  claim 2 , wherein the second bridge fin sub-module has a different configuration to the third bridge fin sub-module. 
     
     
         5 . The watercraft system of  claim 3 , wherein the first bridge fin sub-module has a different configuration to the fourth bridge fin sub-module. 
     
     
         6 . The watercraft system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 adjacent interface elements are coupled by a corresponding fixing means;   the corresponding fixing means has a first configuration in which the adjacent interface elements are coupled with one another; and   the corresponding fixing means has a second configuration in which the adjacent interface elements are operable to be un-coupled from one another.   
     
     
         7 . The watercraft system of  claim 6 , wherein the corresponding fixing means comprises:
 a threaded nut and threaded bolt; or,   an assembly of a threaded bolt, a reaction nut, and a tension nut.   
     
     
         8 . The watercraft system of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge fin module system is configured to house an equipment module. 
     
     
         9 . The watercraft system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second first bridge fin sub-modules are defined by a shell having an outer surface which, in use defines a hydrodynamic surface of the bridge fin module system and an inner surface, and wherein:
 a plurality of walls extend from the inner surface, at least some of the walls intersecting with at least one other wall;   an intersection node is defined where two walls meet; and   a cavity is defined in each of a plurality of regions, each region delimited by edges of the walls, to thereby define a lattice structure on the inner surface of the shell.   
     
     
         10 . A The watercraft system of  claim 9 , wherein a polymer-based material is provided in at least one of the cavities to thereby form a coating on the inner surface of the shell. 
     
     
         11 . The watercraft system of  claim 10 , wherein the polymer-based material is configured to absorb energy. 
     
     
         12 . The watercraft system of  claim 9 , wherein the outer surface of the shell defines a continuous surface which defines an external control surface of the watercraft system. 
     
     
         13 . The watercraft system of  claim 9 , wherein the shell and walls are integrally formed. 
     
     
         14 . The watercraft system of  claim 9 , wherein the intersection node defines one or more connection features configured to support, anchor, and/or carry internal structures. 
     
     
         15 . A watercraft system, wherein the watercraft system is a submarine or a submersible configured to be submerged in water, the watercraft system comprising:
 a pressure hull module which defines a first interface element; and   a bridge fin module system which extends from the pressure hull module; wherein the bridge fin module system includes
 a first bridge fin sub-module which defines a second interface element configured to be coupled and uncoupled from the first interface element; the first bridge fin sub-module extending from the second interface element to terminate at a third interface element, and 
 a second bridge fin sub-module which defines a fourth interface element configured to be coupled and uncoupled from the third interface element; 
   wherein the sub-modules of the bridge fin module system are defined by a shell having an outer surface which, in use defines a hydrodynamic surface of the bridge fin module system and an inner surface;   wherein a plurality of walls extend from the inner surface, at least some of the walls intersecting with at least one other wall;   wherein an intersection node is defined where two walls meet; and   wherein a first cavity is defined in a first region delimited by first edges of the walls, and a second cavity is defined in a second region delimited by second edges of the walls, and a third cavity is defined in a third region delimited by third edges of the walls, to thereby define a lattice structure on the inner surface of the shell.   
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacture of a watercraft system, wherein the watercraft system is a submarine or a submersible configured to be submerged in water, the watercraft system including a pressure hull module and a bridge fin module system, the bridge fin module system extending from the pressure hull module and including a first bridge fin sub-module and a second bridge fin sub-module configured to be coupled to one another, wherein the first and second bridge fin sub-modules are defined by a shell having an outer surface which, in use defines a hydrodynamic surface of the bridge fin module system and an inner surface, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of walls to extend from the inner surface, at least some of the walls intersecting with at least one other wall,   wherein an intersection node is defined where two walls meet,   wherein a cavity is defined in each of two or more regions, each region delimited by edges of the walls, to thereby define a lattice structure on the inner surface of the shell, and   wherein the shell and walls are integrally formed using additive layer manufacturing to provide the walls on the shell.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising:
 providing a polymer-based material in at least one of the two or more cavities to thereby form a coating on the inner surface of the shell, wherein the polymer-based material is configured to absorb energy.   
     
     
         18 . A method of operation of the watercraft system of  claim 2 , the method comprising one or more of:
 coupling the first bridge fin sub-module and second bridge fin sub-module;   uncoupling the first bridge fin sub-module and second bridge fin sub-module;   coupling the first bridge fin sub-module and third bridge fin sub-module.   
     
     
         19 . The watercraft system of  claim 15 , wherein a polymer-based material is provided in at least one of the first, second and third cavities, and the polymer-based material is configured to absorb energy. 
     
     
         20 . The watercraft system of  claim 15 , wherein the outer surface of the shell defines a continuous surface which defines an external control surface of the watercraft system, and the shell and walls are integrally formed.