Underwater vehicles with improved efficiency over a range of velocities
US8755958B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B11/01
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An underwater vehicle uses an undulatory fin propulsion system and a control apparatus to receive sensor data and control the operation of the vehicle in real time over a wide range of forward velocities. In an embodiment, a model of propulsive efficiency is used to achieve high values of propulsive efficiency, giving a lowered energy drain on the battery. Externally monitored information, such as that on flow velocity, is conveyed to the control apparatus residing in the vehicle's control unit, which in turn signals the propulsion system to adopt kinematics, such as fin frequency and amplitude, associated with optimal propulsion efficiency. In an embodiment, the model of propulsive efficiency is generated from a multilayer perception neural network model using data from aquatic species, such as undulatory fin propulsion in the knifefish (Xenomystus nigri), and a sensitivity analysis is used to lower the number of required inputs. Power savings could protract vehicle operational life and/or provide more power to other functions, such as communications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.