System and method for automated rendezvous, docking and capture of autonomous underwater vehicles

US9873495B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Stone Aerospace, Inc. · US

Inventors

• William C. Stone · Alamo, US
• Evan Clark · La Cañada Flintridge, US
• Kristof Richmond · Miami, US
• Jeremy Paulus · Santa Clara, US
• Jason Kapit · Pocasset, US
• Mark Scully · Portland, US
• Peter Kimball · Mountain View, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 19, 2015
• Grant date: Jan 23, 2018
• Expiry date: Apr 28, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B63G2008/008
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A system for automated rendezvous, docking, and capture of autonomous underwater vehicles at the conclusion of a mission comprising of comprised of a docking rod having lighted, pulsating (in both frequency and light intensity) series of LED light strips thereon, with the LEDs at a known spacing, and the autonomous underwater vehicle specially designed to detect and capture the docking rod and then be lifted structurally by a spherical end strop about which the vehicle can be pivoted and hoisted up (e.g., onto a ship). The method of recovery allows for very routine and reliable automated recovery of an unmanned underwater asset.