Systems and methods for deploying autonomous underwater vehicles from a ship
US9321510B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 2014 |
| Grant date | Apr 26, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 13, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/1376
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
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 through end to end shipping containers. 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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.