Systems, methods, and apparatuses are described herein for providing electrical power to a marine vehicle. In some aspects, a marine vehicle includes a power system arranged to receive and store electrical power delivered from a solar panel assembly. The power system may include one or more batteries. The vehicle also includes a processor arranged to determine an extension time and an retraction time for a solar panel assembly and a controller that, in response to instructions from the processor, is arranged to extend the solar panel assembly and retract the solar panel assembly. The solar panel assembly is arranged to be configured in at least one of an extended position and a retracted position. The solar panel assembly includes one or more solar panels where the solar panel assembly is in electrical communication with the power system.
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a modular buoy deployment system including modules arranged to be assembled at a destination location and an aerial delivery apparatus arranged to deliver the buoy modules (202, 204, 206, 220) to the destination location. The modules are connectable to at least one other module and form a buoy (101) when assembled. The module buoy deployment system also optionally includes a platform (104) arranged to receive one or more aerial delivery apparatuses. Each module conforms to a delivery criteria of the aerial delivery apparatus. The module buoy deployment system also optionally includes a power system arranged to recharge the aerial delivery apparatus.
F03B 13/18 - Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using wave energy using the relative movement between a wave-operated member and another member wherein the other member is fixed, at least at one point, with respect to the sea bed or shore
3.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONFIGURABLE BATTERY CHARGING
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a charging system. The charging system may be implemented within an independent charging station or within an autonomous vehicle. Boolean charging can be used to obtain the desired charge or discharge voltage for charging an autonomous vehicle at a charging station. By combining multiple battery arrays together in series, where each battery array includes multiple battery cells, a voltage may be obtained which is equal to the sum. of the voltages across each battery array. This voltage may be used in turn to charge additional battery arrays. The process may be repeated until the desired amount of battery arrays has been charged and the desired voltage has been achieved.
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a sensory compensation device including a position and orientation sensor arranged to generate position and orientation data based on one or more of detected velocity', angular rate, gravity, motion, position and orientation associated with the device. The device also optionally includes an optical sensor arranged to capture real-time images and generate real-time image data of an area adjacent to the device. The device includes a processor arranged to: i) optionally receive the real-time image data, ii) receive the position and orientation data and iii) generate compensated image data based on the real-time image data and the position and orientation data. Furthermore, the device includes a display arranged to display compensated images derived from the compensated image data where a portion of the compensated images includes the captured real-time images, if captured, with adjusted positions and orientations in relation to the captured real-time images.
A61M 21/02 - Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia
A61B 19/00 - Instruments, implements or accessories for surgery or diagnosis not covered by any of the groups A61B 1/00-A61B 18/00, e.g. for stereotaxis, sterile operation, luxation treatment, wound edge protectors(protective face masks A41D 13/11; surgeons' or patients' gowns or dresses A41D 13/12; devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body liquids A61M 1/00)
Systems and methods are described herein for a dual-voltage power system. In some aspects, a dual-voltage power system can include a first battery module and a second battery module. In some aspects, the first battery module operates at a first voltage and the second batten' module operates at a second voltage. In some aspects, the first battery module delivers power to a plurality of primary systems. In some aspects, the second battery module delivers power to a plurality of parasitic systems.
B60L 11/18 - using power supplied from primary cells, secondary cells, or fuel cells
B60L 11/00 - Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle (B60L 8/00, B60L 13/00 take precedence;arrangements or mounting of prime-movers consisting of electric motors and internal combustion engines for mutual or common propulsion B60K 6/20)
6.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DEPLOYING AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER VEHICLES FROM A SHIP
Systems and methods are described herein for launching, recovering, and handling a large number of vehicles on a ship to enable lower cost ocean survey. In one aspect, the system may include a shipping container based system with an oil services vessel. The vessel may include rolling systems (308) through end to end shipping containers (304, 306, 310). One or more columns of containers may be accessed using a crane, an A-frame, or any other suitable transportation system. The system may enable the ability to launch or recover more than one vehicle using the launch and recovery system (e.g., AUVs, buoys, seaplanes, autonomous surface vessels, etc.). In one configuration, the system includes a stacking/elevator system to place the vehicles onto a second or higher layer of containers. The system may allow for modularized deployment of the vehicles, launch and recovery system, operation center, and more from self-contained shipping containers.
Systems and methods for a robust underwater vehicle are described herein. A robust underwater vehicle may include a force-limiting coupler connecting an actuation system to an actuation fin. The force-limiting coupler may be configured to break away from the actuation system upon receiving a threshold force. The robust underwater vehicle may also comprise hull sections connected by a threaded turnbuckle. Carbon-fiber axial strength members may mate with the threaded turnbuckle to pull the hull sections together to a specified preload tension. The robust underwater vehicle may also include a blazed sonar array protected by a carbon fiber bow including a plurality of slits. The plurality of slits may provide significant protection to the sonar array while simultaneously allowing one or more transducers to transmit sonar signals in a two-dimensional plane.
G10K 11/00 - Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
G01S 15/10 - Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves
G01S 15/60 - Velocity or trajectory determination systems; Sense-of-movement determination systems wherein the transmitter and receiver are mounted on the moving object, e.g. for determining ground speed, drift angle, ground track
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
B22D 31/00 - Cutting-off surplus material after casting, e.g. gates
B29C 44/34 - Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
B63B 27/16 - Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers of lifts or hoists
B63B 27/36 - Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers for floating cargo
F17C 1/00 - Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
8.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING BUOYANCY UNDERWATER VEHICLES
Systems and methods for adding buoyancy to an object are described herein. A buoyant material may be enclosed inside a flexible container, heated, and inserted into a free flooded cavity inside the object. The fiexible container may then be formed to the shape of the cavity. After the flexible container is formed to the shape of the cavity, the flexible container may be cooled. The flexible container may hold a pre-determined amount of the syntactic material that provides a fixed amount of buoyancy. According to another aspect, systems and methods for packing a vehicle are described herein. In some embodiments, a buoyant material may be molded into the shape of a hull of a vehicle, and a plurality of cutouts may be extracted from the buoyant material which are specifically designed to incorporate one or more instruments.
Systems and methods are described herein for manufacturing a pressure vessel component. The pressure vessel component may be made from a metal that is cast to produce a gross pressure vessel component. Casting the metal may comprise sintering the metal followed by a hot isostatic press (HIP) process. In other embodiments, casting the metal may comprise pouring molten metal into a mold. Portions of the gross pressure vessel component may have an increased thickness located at predetermined positions on the gross pressure vessel component. These portions may include bosses or other designed features intended for the finalized pressure vessel component. The gross pressure vessel may be indexed to select the portions, and these selected portions may then be machined to produce the final pressure vessel component.
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a pressure tolerant energy system. The pressure tolerant energy system may comprise a pressure tolerant cavity and an energy system enclosed in the pressure tolerant cavity configured to provide electrical power to the vehicle. The energy system may include one or more battery cells and a pressure tolerant, programmable management circuit. The pressure tolerant cavity may be filled with an electrically-inert liquid, such as mineral oil. In some embodiments, the electrically-inert liquid may be kept at a positive pressure relative to a pressure external to the pressure tolerant cavity. The energy system may further comprise a pressure venting system configured to maintain the pressure inside the pressure tolerant cavity within a range of pressures. The pressure tolerant cavity may be sealed to prevent water ingress.
Systems and methods are described herein for a variable-depth sonar. A null in the frequency response between a first and second operating frequency band is identified. A center operating frequency for each of the first and the second operating band is adjusted based on the ambient pressure. Furthermore, the velocity state of a vehicle may be calculated using periodic velocity updates. At least one transducer transmits a first signal in a first direction, and a Doppler sensor receives an echo of the first signal. The vehicle is turned in a second direction, and the at least one transducer transmits a second signal in the second direction. Using the first and the second velocity measurement, a vehicle velocity state is calculated.
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
G01S 15/10 - Systems for measuring distance only using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
G01C 21/16 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigated; Dead reckoning by integrating acceleration or speed, i.e. inertial navigation
G01S 15/60 - Velocity or trajectory determination systems; Sense-of-movement determination systems wherein the transmitter and receiver are mounted on the moving object, e.g. for determining ground speed, drift angle, ground track
B63B 27/16 - Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers of lifts or hoists
B63B 27/36 - Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers for floating cargo
B22D 31/00 - Cutting-off surplus material after casting, e.g. gates
B29C 44/34 - Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
B63B 3/13 - Hulls built to withstand hydrostatic pressure when fully submerged, e.g. submarine hulls
B63G 8/39 - Arrangements of sonic watch equipment, e.g. low-frequency, sonar
F17C 1/00 - Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge
G01S 15/02 - Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems using reflection of acoustic waves
The systems and methods described herein relate to systems and methods for synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) or radar including a pressure compensated fuse for a sensor, holographic navigation, the use of orthogonal signals with SAS, overpinging with multiple SAS transmitters, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) for holographic navigation, high-coverage SAS using orthogonal signals, bistatic gapfilling, and high-frequency holographic navigation using, e.g., grazing angle compensations.
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G01C 21/00 - Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups
patents
