Support platform device for unmanned surface vessels to support drone operations in the ocean

Abstract

This invention relates to a support platform device for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) supporting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in ocean-going operations. The device includes an automatic recovery module, a propulsion module, an autonomous charging module, a material delivery module, a communication and navigation module, and an information exchange module. The automatic recovery module is located on the right-hand side of the UAV's bow deck; the material delivery module is located on the right-hand side of the UAV's stern deck; the autonomous charging and communication / navigation modules are located in the left-hand side of the UAV's hull; the information exchange module is located in the middle of the UAV's hull; and the propulsion module is located at the stern. This invention provides UAVs with emergency landing sites during operations, allows for multiple recharges, improves the UAV's endurance, and prevents UAVs from failing to complete their work due to insufficient battery capacity. The USV can automatically recover UAVs even in rough sea conditions through the coordinated use of a fan-shaped transceiver and an anchoring mechanism, overcoming the impact of wind and waves on UAV takeoff and landing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) supporting technology, and more specifically, to a support platform device that uses unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to support UAVs in ocean operations. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the continuous development and updating of various drone technologies, drones have gradually replaced helicopters as a cost-effective supplementary resource due to their advantages such as unmanned operation, low cost, high speed, high cost-effectiveness, rapid take-off and landing, and small footprint. This is especially true when multiple drones work together, greatly improving operational efficiency. Therefore, drones have been widely used in military reconnaissance, environmental monitoring, power line inspection, film and television shooting, and are gradually playing an important role in maritime operations. However, because drones typically take off and land on ship decks, even slight waves can cause the ship to roll, preventing drones from automatically taking off and landing, severely impacting inspection efficiency and operational safety. The limited battery capacity of drones results in short flight times per take-off, hindering long-term, large-scale operations. The high salinity and humidity of the marine environment makes drone storage difficult, reducing their lifespan. Furthermore, the violent rolling of the deck due to waves during maritime operations makes automatic launch and recovery difficult. Drones have short flight times. During extended operations, the limited battery capacity of drones results in insufficient range per takeoff. After each mission, they need to land at sea to recharge before taking off again to continue the task. Drones are also susceptible to the effects of wind and waves inside the cabin, making it difficult for them to remain stable and enabling them to recharge autonomously. In maritime rescue operations, drones cannot independently carry rescue supplies to enable people in distress to save themselves, reducing rescue efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem this invention aims to solve is to provide a support platform device for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to support unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations in the open ocean. This device utilizes a fan-shaped transceiver to automatically take off and land UAVs in adverse sea conditions. An autonomous charging device is designed within the cabin to enable the UAVs to charge themselves. An anchoring mechanism ensures the UAVs are sealed and stored within the cabin, preventing corrosion from sea winds and waves. By addressing the problems existing in UAV operations at sea, this invention enables the wider application of UAVs in maritime operations.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is as follows: A support platform device for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to support unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations in the open ocean is constructed, comprising an automatic recovery module, a power propulsion module, an autonomous charging module, a material delivery module, a communication and navigation module, and an information exchange module; the automatic recovery module is located on the deck on the right side of the bow of the USV, the material delivery module is located on the deck on the right side of the stern of the USV, the autonomous charging module and the communication and navigation module are located inside the cabin on the left side of the bottom of the USV, the information exchange module is located inside the cabin in the middle of the bottom of the USV, and the power propulsion module is located at the stern of the USV.

[0005] The automatic recovery module is used to achieve automatic recovery of the UAV under complex sea conditions;

[0006] The power propulsion module is used to drive the UAV for high-speed, long-distance travel.

[0007] The autonomous charging module is used to enable the drone to complete contact charging inside the cabin.

[0008] The material delivery module is used for the drone to grab the material box and fly to the designated location for delivery;

[0009] The communication and navigation module is used to provide positioning and navigation services for the unmanned surface vessel;

[0010] The information exchange module is used to control the collaborative capabilities of unmanned surface vessels and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), providing security for UAV recovery.

[0011] According to the above scheme, the automatic recovery module includes a circular track, mechanical fan ribs, a flexible recovery platform, an electric push rod, a funnel-shaped ramp, an anchoring base, an anchoring claw, a lifting device, an electromagnet, a magnetic attraction device, a reel, and an anchoring ball. The circular track is set on the deck of the unmanned surface vessel (USV). The mechanical fan ribs are arranged in a fan shape along the circular track and unfold along the circular track to form a flexible recovery platform. The electric push rod and the funnel-shaped ramp are set inside the USV's cabin. The electric push rod is connected to the funnel-shaped ramp. The anchoring base is set at the lower part of the funnel-shaped ramp. The anchoring claw and the lifting device are set at the lower part of the anchoring base. The magnetic attraction device is set on the USV's wing. The electromagnet is set on the mooring platform and docks with the magnetic attraction device. The reel is used to reel in the line and is set at the bottom below the USV. The anchoring ball is set at the end of the reel.

[0012] According to the above scheme, the autonomous charging module includes a charging rail, a charging push rod, and a charging interface; the charging rail is set at the bottom of the unmanned surface vessel and controls the movement distance of the charging push rod, the charging push rod is set on the charging rail and provides charging capability for the UAV, and the charging interface is set on the UAV and docks with the charging push rod.

[0013] According to the above scheme, the material delivery module includes a circular track, mechanical fan ribs, a flexible recycling platform, anchoring hooks, a floating air cushion, a charging push rod, and a material box; the floating air cushion is set at the bottom of the material box.

[0014] According to the above scheme, the flexible recycling platform adopts a damping soft material.

[0015] The support platform device for supporting unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in ocean-going operations according to the present invention has the following features:

[0016] Beneficial effects:

[0017] 1. This invention overcomes the challenges of short flight time, limited working range, and difficulty in automatically delivering supplies during rescue operations by enabling the coordinated operation of six modules: an automatic recovery module, a power propulsion module, an autonomous charging module, a material delivery module, a communication and navigation module, and an information exchange module. This further leverages the high efficiency, low cost, and cost-effectiveness advantages of drones in maritime operations. Since the six modules operate independently, the failure of a single module will not affect the overall operation of the drone, ensuring the safety and stability of the drone-based maritime operation platform.

[0018] 2. This invention utilizes an unmanned surface vessel (USV) to carry drones, overcoming the limitations of drones' short endurance and inability to perform long-duration, large-scale operations. During missions, the USV provides temporary landing sites for drones at sea, preventing them from crashing due to limited endurance. The USV's launch and recovery compartment provides shelter for the drones, preventing damage from severe weather. After the drone support vessel arrives at the accident area, the support vessel's doors open, allowing the drone to quickly fly away. Upon mission completion, the drone rejoins the support vessel, and an automatic recovery device safely lands the drone, overcoming the impact of complex sea conditions on takeoff and landing. The drone is anchored in the cabin for attitude adjustments and secured using an anchoring structure and magnetic attachment to prevent it from tipping over due to waves. An autonomous charging device connects the charging port to the drone for contact charging.

[0019] 3. This invention proposes an autonomous drone grasping design. Through the combined design of mechanical fan ribs, flexible recovery platform and mechanical track on the unmanned surface vessel deck, it can autonomously move to the automatic recovery module or material delivery module according to different working environments. At the same time, a cable reel is installed on the drone, and the anchoring hook grabs the anchoring ball to form a safe and efficient drone grasping design. This design uses a simple mechanical structure, can move autonomously on the deck, and can be applied to the automatic recovery module and material delivery module, realizing multiple uses of one machine and greatly improving space utilization.

[0020] 4. This invention proposes an in-cabin autonomous charging technology for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), overcoming the problems of limited battery capacity, poor single-takeoff endurance, and short continuous working time inherent in UAVs. After the UAV completes attitude adjustment, the charging push rod in the cabin can move along the charging rail, achieving precise docking of the charging device. This allows the UAV to complete contact charging within the cabin even in windy and wavery conditions. A large-capacity battery carried by an unmanned surface vessel (USV) can provide multiple charging services for the UAV, extending its continuous operating time, expanding its working range, and broadening its application. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. In the accompanying drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the support platform device for unmanned surface vessels to support unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations in the ocean, as described in this invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This invention relates to a recycling and charging device;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the UAV of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This invention relates to a material delivery device. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of the present invention, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the support platform device for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to support unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations in the ocean according to the present invention includes an automatic recovery module 1, a power propulsion module 2, an autonomous charging module 3, a material delivery module 4, a communication and navigation module 5, and an information exchange module 6. The automatic recovery module 1 is located on the deck on the right side of the bow of the USV, the material delivery module 4 is located on the deck on the right side of the stern of the USV, the autonomous charging module 3 and the communication and navigation module 5 are located in the cabin on the left side of the bottom of the USV, the information exchange module 6 is located in the cabin in the middle of the bottom of the USV, and the power propulsion module 2 is located at the stern of the USV.

[0028] The automatic recovery module 1 is used to realize the automatic recovery of UAVs under complex sea conditions. The automatic recovery module 1 includes a ring track 7, mechanical fan ribs 8, flexible recovery platform 9, electric push rod 10, funnel-shaped inclined plane 11, anchoring base 12, anchoring claw 13, lifting device 14, electromagnet 15, magnetic attraction device 16, cable reel 17 and anchoring ball 18. The ring track 7 is set on the deck of the UAV. The mechanical fan ribs 8 are arranged in a fan shape along the ring track 7. The mechanical fan ribs 8 unfold along the ring track 7 to form the flexible recovery platform 9. The flexible recovery platform 9 is made of damping soft material. An electric push rod 10 and a funnel-shaped ramp 11 are installed inside the unmanned surface vessel's (USV) cabin. The electric push rod is connected to the funnel-shaped ramp 11. Anchoring base 12 is located at the lower part of the funnel-shaped ramp 11. Anchoring claw 13 and lifting device 14 are located at the lower part of the anchoring base 12. Magnetic suction device 16 is installed on the USV's wing. Electromagnet 15 is installed on the mooring platform and docks with the magnetic suction device. Rope reel 17 is used for reeling in the line and is located at the bottom of the USV. An anchoring ball 18 is located at the end of the rope reel 17. The automatic recovery module 1 is used to achieve automatic recovery of the USV under complex sea conditions. Through the coordinated work of the rope reel 17 and the anchoring base 12, the USV can overcome the influence of waves and achieve automatic recovery in complex sea environments. The flexible recovery platform 9 works in conjunction with the mechanical fan rib 8 to control the opening angle under different levels of wind and waves, improving the USV recovery efficiency.

[0029] The propulsion module 2 is used to drive the UAV for high-speed, long-distance navigation. The propulsion module 2 uses a high-speed diesel engine to drive the UAV for high-speed, long-distance navigation. The UAV adopts a planing boat shape, which means that only part of the bottom of the UAV is in contact with the water when it is sailing at high speed, which can significantly reduce the navigation resistance.

[0030] The autonomous charging module 3 enables the drone to complete contact charging within the cabin. The autonomous charging module 3 includes a charging rail 19, a charging push rod 20, and a charging interface 21. The charging rail 19 is located on the bottom of the unmanned surface vessel (USV) and controls the movement distance of the charging push rod 20. The charging push rod 20 is mounted on the charging rail 19 and provides charging capability to the drone. The charging interface 21 is located on the drone and connects to the charging push rod 20. The autonomous charging module 3 enables the drone to complete contact charging within the cabin even in windy and wave-like conditions. By carrying a large-capacity battery on the USV, it provides multiple charging services for the drone, extending its continuous operating time and expanding its working range.

[0031] The material delivery module 4 is used by drones to grab material boxes and fly to designated locations for delivery. The material delivery module 4 includes a circular track 7, mechanical fan ribs 8, a flexible recovery platform 9, anchoring hooks 13, a floating air cushion 23, a charging push rod 20, and a material box 22. The floating air cushion 23 is located at the bottom of the material box 22. The material delivery module 4 uses drones to grab material boxes and fly to designated locations for delivery. Using drones enables more efficient material delivery and improves the operational efficiency of the support platform.

[0032] The communication and navigation module 5 provides positioning and navigation services for the unmanned surface vessel (USV). Based on GPS satellite navigation, module 5 enables functions such as route planning, actual navigation performance calculation, and horizontal and vertical navigation display. It provides accurate and reliable positioning and navigation services for the USV.

[0033] The information exchange module 6 is used to control the collaborative capabilities of the unmanned surface vessel (USV) and the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), providing safety assurance for UAV recovery. The information exchange module 6 primarily controls the collaborative capabilities of the USV and the UAV, based on a GPS positioning system and radio information transmission technology. GPS positioning allows for precise location determination between them, and radio information transmission enables coordinated navigation commands, ensuring safety for UAV recovery.

[0034] The drone's landing process is as follows:

[0035] When the unmanned surface vessel (USV) receives instructions, it carries the onboard drone to the mission area. The drone automatically takes off, and with the assistance of the communication and navigation module 5, the USV selects the optimal path and, powered by the propulsion module 2, moves towards the target area simultaneously with the drone. When the drone finishes its mission and needs to return to the USV for parking and charging, it sends instructions to the information interaction module 6. The drone approaches the USV, and the mechanical fan ribs 8 on the USV deck rise and unfold along the circular track 7, opening the flexible recovery platform 9. The funnel-shaped ramp 11 in the cabin is pushed towards the center by the electric push rod 10. The drone increases the length of the high-strength line through the cable reel 17 and releases the anchor ball 18 at the lower end. The height of the mechanical fan ribs 8 is adjusted according to the specific sea conditions, controlling the unfolding area of ​​the flexible recovery platform 9. The different unfolding areas of the mechanical fan ribs 8 and the flexible recovery platform 9 are suitable for drone recovery under different sea conditions. The flexible recovery platform 9 uses damping soft materials, and its flexibility and damping characteristics can reduce the force generated when the drone lands, ensuring the safe recovery of the drone. The drone gradually descends to the airspace above the flexible recovery platform 9, causing the anchor ball 18 to fall into the platform. The anchor ball 18 passes through the funnel-shaped cross-section of the flexible recovery platform 9 to the central anchoring claw 13. The anchoring claw 13 closes and locks the anchor ball 18, preventing it from falling off in harsh sea conditions. The reel 17 at the bottom of the drone begins to reel in the line, pulling the drone down. When the drone lands stably on the anchoring base 12, the mechanical fan rib 8 retracts along the circular track 7 and falls. The anchoring base 12, relying on the lifting device 14, carries the drone down to the mooring platform. At the same time, the anchoring base 12 can rotate to adjust the angle of the drone so that the magnetic attraction device 16 on the drone's wing can dock with the electromagnet 15 of the mooring platform, helping the drone complete attitude adjustment inside the cabin and fixing the drone to the mooring platform.

[0036] The charging process for a drone is as follows:

[0037] When the drone needs to recharge autonomously, the anchoring base 12 lowers the drone to the charging platform using the lifting device 14. The charging push rod 20 moves forward along the charging rail 19, allowing the charging interface 21 to dock with the charging push rod 20. After docking, the drone is charged via contact charging. Once the drone has finished charging, the charging push rod 20 disconnects from the charging interface 21, and moves backward along the charging rail 19 to the bottom of the rail. The anchoring base 12 then rises to the docking platform using the lifting device 14.

[0038] The process of delivering supplies by drone is as follows:

[0039] When the drone needs to drop supplies onto the sea, it flies over the supply box and sends a command to the information interaction module 6. The mechanical fan ribs 8 rise and unfold along the circular track 7, opening the flexible recovery platform 9. The drone increases the length of the high-strength cable using the reel 17, releasing the lower anchor ball 18. The anchor ball 18 falls along the inclined surface of the supply box to the central anchoring claw 13, which closes and locks the anchor ball 18. The information interaction module 6 sends a command to the drone, which ascends carrying the supply box to the target sea area. After reaching the target sea area, the drone descends to bring the supply box into contact with the water surface. The floating air cushion 23 at the bottom of the supply box inflates, allowing the supply box to float on the sea surface. If the drone does not need temporary charging, the anchoring claw 13 opens, the reel 17 at the bottom of the drone begins to reel in the cable, retrieving the anchor ball 18, and the drone flies back to the unmanned surface vessel. If the drone needs temporary charging, the reel 17 at the bottom of the drone will start to reel in the cable and pull the drone down. Once the drone lands stably on the supply box, the charging lever will extend to temporarily charge the drone. After charging is complete, the drone will fly back to the unmanned surface vessel on its own.

[0040] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All of these forms are within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A support platform device for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to support unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations in the open ocean, characterized in that, It includes an automatic recovery module (1), a power propulsion module (2), an autonomous charging module (3), a material delivery module (4), a communication and navigation module (5), and an information exchange module (6); the automatic recovery module (1) is located on the deck on the right side of the bow of the unmanned surface vessel (USV), the material delivery module (4) is located on the deck on the right side of the stern of the USV, the autonomous charging module (3) and the communication and navigation module (5) are located in the cabin on the left side of the bottom of the USV, the information exchange module (6) is located in the cabin in the middle of the bottom of the USV, and the power propulsion module (2) is located at the stern of the USV. The automatic recovery module (1) is used to realize the automatic recovery of the UAV under complex sea conditions; The power propulsion module (2) is used to drive the UAV to travel at high speed and over long distances; The autonomous charging module (3) is used to enable the drone to complete contact charging inside the cabin; The material delivery module (4) is used for the drone to grab the material box and fly to the designated location for delivery; The material delivery module (4) includes a circular track (7), mechanical fan ribs (8), flexible recycling platform (9), anchoring hook (13), floating air cushion (23), charging push rod (20), and material box (22); the floating air cushion (23) is set at the bottom of the material box (22); The communication and navigation module (5) is used to provide positioning and navigation services for the unmanned surface vessel; The information exchange module (6) is used to control the collaborative capabilities of the unmanned surface vessel and the unmanned aerial vehicle, providing security for the recovery of the unmanned aerial vehicle; The process of delivering supplies by drone is as follows: When the drone needs to drop supplies onto the sea, it flies over the supply box and sends a command to the information exchange module (6). The mechanical fan ribs (8) are raised and unfold along the circular track (7), opening the flexible recovery platform (9). The drone increases the length of the high-strength line through the reel (17) and releases the anchor ball (18) at the lower end. The anchor ball (18) falls along the slope of the supply box to the central anchoring claw (13). The anchoring claw (13) closes and locks the anchor ball (18). The information exchange module (6) sends a command to the drone, which rises and flies with the supply box to the target sea area. After reaching the sea area, the drone descends to make the supply box contact the water surface. The floating air cushion (23) at the bottom of the supply box inflates, allowing the supply box to float on the sea surface. If the drone does not need temporary charging, the anchoring grapples (13) open, and the reel (17) at the bottom of the drone begins to reel in the line, retrieving the anchoring ball (18), and the drone flies back to the unmanned boat. If the drone needs temporary charging, the reel (17) at the bottom of the drone begins to reel in the line, pulling the drone down. When the drone lands stably on the supply box, the charging push rod is pushed out to temporarily charge the drone. After charging is completed, the drone flies back to the unmanned boat on its own.

2. The support platform device for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) supporting unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations in the open ocean, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The automatic recovery module (1) includes a ring track (7), mechanical fan ribs (8), a flexible recovery platform (9), an electric push rod (10), a funnel-shaped inclined plane (11), an anchoring base (12), an anchoring claw (13), a lifting device (14), an electromagnet (15), a magnetic attraction device (16), a reel (17), and an anchoring ball (18). The ring track (7) is set on the deck of the unmanned surface vessel. The mechanical fan ribs (8) are arranged in a fan shape along the ring track (7). The mechanical fan ribs (8) unfold along the ring track (7) to form a flexible recovery platform (9). The electric push rod (10) The push rod (10) and the funnel-shaped ramp (11) are installed inside the cabin of the unmanned surface vessel. The electric push rod is connected to the funnel-shaped ramp (11). The anchoring base (12) is installed at the lower part of the funnel-shaped ramp (11). The anchoring claw (13) and the lifting device (14) are installed at the lower part of the anchoring base (12). The magnetic suction device (16) is installed on the wing of the unmanned surface vessel. The electromagnet (15) is installed on the mooring platform and is connected to the magnetic suction device. The reel (17) is used to reel in the line and is installed at the bottom of the unmanned surface vessel. The anchoring ball (18) is installed at the end of the reel (17).

3. The support platform device for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) supporting unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations in the open ocean, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The autonomous charging module (3) includes a charging rail (19), a charging push rod (20), and a charging interface (21). The charging rail (19) is set on the bottom of the unmanned surface vessel and controls the movement distance of the charging push rod (20). The charging push rod (20) is set on the charging rail (19) and provides charging capability for the unmanned surface vessel. The charging interface (21) is set on the unmanned surface vessel and is connected to the charging push rod (20).

4. The support platform device for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) supporting unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations in the open ocean, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The flexible recycling platform (9) is made of damping soft material.

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