Charging system for autonomous underwater vehicle and method of lifting and recovering autonomous underwater vehicle
US11586198B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 3, 2018 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 28, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/14
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A charging system includes a charging station having: a base underwater; a pole extending in an upper-lower direction; and a power supplying portion. An AUV includes: an underwater main body; a power receiving portion; a holding device including a pair of guide and holding portions, the pair of guide portions guides the pole to a holding position after the pole contacts the guide portions from a proceeding-direction, the holding portion holds the pole to be rotatable relative to the pole; a thrust generating apparatus generates in a horizontal direction; and a control device controls the thrust generating apparatus. A light emitter at one of the base and the underwater main body, and a light receiver is provided at the other. The control device controls the thrust so the underwater main body reaches a rotational position where the light receiver receives light emitted, the rotational position set relative to the pole.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.