Autonomous unmanned sailing vessel
US9381985B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jul 5, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E70/30
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An unmanned, autonomous, ocean-going vessel including a primary hull and a rigid wing rotationally coupled with the primary hull that freely rotates about a rotational axis. At least one of the primary hull and the rigid wing includes at least one selectively floodable compartment configured to selectively flood to submerge the primary hull and at least a portion of the rigid wing. The vessel further includes at least one controller configured to maintain a desired heading. The vessel further includes a control surface element configured to aerodynamically control a wing angle of the rigid wing based on a force exerted by wind on the control surface element. The vessel further includes a rudder. The at least one controller is further configured to determine a rudder position and generate a signal to position the rudder. The vessel further includes a keel coupled with the primary hull.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.