Subsea hosting of unmanned underwater vehicles
US9944370B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 2015 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63G2008/008
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of hosting an autonomous underwater vehicle (“AUV”) at a subsea location lowers at least one AUV basket to a subsea location adjacent at least one preinstalled subsea structure. The subsea structure has provision for electrical power to be provided to it. At the subsea location, the, or each, basket is connected to the, or each, subsea structure to receive electrical power from the subsea structure. Electrical power routed via the subsea structure may be used to charge batteries of an AUV docked with the basket. Provision may also be made to effect data communications with the AUV with data being communicated between the subsea structure and the basket.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.