A multi-functional antenna for underwater unmanned vehicles and method of use

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of underwater unmanned vehicles, and particularly relates to a multifunctional antenna for underwater unmanned vehicles and an application method thereof. The multifunctional antenna is composed of an antenna main body, a UHF antenna, a WiFi communication antenna, a Beidou antenna, a GPS positioning antenna, an AIS antenna, a radio frequency coaxial cable, a stroboscopic lamp, a photoelectric sensor, a pressure sensor, a fixing seat, a pressure-resistant glass card tube and the like. The method comprises the following steps: the pressure-resistant glass card tube is crushed under the action of high seawater pressure, and the multifunctional antenna is released; the stroboscopic lamp flashes, the antenna is started, a position short message is sent to the Beidou satellite, and a position rescue information is sent through the AIS channel. The UHF, WiFi communication, Beidou, GPS positioning and stroboscopic lamp, AIS emergency rescue signal are integrated into one, and the multifunctional antenna is manufactured. In an emergency, the multifunctional antenna can be separated from the UUV for emergency rescue.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of underwater unmanned vehicle technology, and in particular to a multifunctional antenna for underwater unmanned vehicles and its application method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vehicle) technology is developing rapidly, with an increasing number of UUV models being developed and finalized both domestically and internationally. All UUVs are equipped with strobe lights, UHF, GPS, and BeiDou antennas, but these are dispersed, resulting in numerous and cluttered antennas on the UUV platform. This affects the hydrodynamic performance of the UUV and can even damage the antennas due to complex underwater conditions, affecting the normal operation of the UUV. Furthermore, current UUVs lack AIS functionality, making them difficult for surrounding vessels to detect when navigating on the surface, significantly impacting navigation safety. In the event of an accident, it is also difficult for surrounding vessels to detect and conduct rescue operations in a timely manner. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem that current underwater unmanned vehicle (UUV) communication antennas are numerous and unable to perform emergency functions. To this end, a multifunctional antenna for underwater unmanned vehicles and its application method are provided.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0005] A multi-functional antenna for an underwater unmanned vehicle includes an antenna body made of lightweight pressure-resistant material. The antenna body is internally equipped with a UHF antenna, a WiFi communication antenna, a Beidou antenna, a GPS positioning antenna, and an AIS antenna. The antenna body is mounted on a fixed base via a pressure-resistant glass tube.

[0006] The following is a further technical solution for defining the multifunctional antenna in this invention: a strobe light is installed on the top of the antenna body, and the strobe light is set as a white LED light, flashing once every 5 to 10 seconds.

[0007] The following is a further technical solution for defining the multifunctional antenna in this invention: the UHF antenna and the WiFi communication antenna share a communication antenna, the Beidou antenna and the GPS positioning antenna share a positioning antenna, and the AIS antenna serves as a rescue antenna.

[0008] The following is a further technical solution for defining the multifunctional antenna in this invention: the lightweight pressure-resistant material is configured as a buoyancy material containing solid glass microspheres.

[0009] The following is a further technical solution for defining the multifunctional antenna in this invention, wherein the lightweight pressure-resistant material is polypropylene containing solid glass microspheres.

[0010] The following is a further technical solution for defining the multifunctional antenna in this invention, wherein the antenna body is configured with an airfoil shape.

[0011] The following is a further technical solution for defining the multifunctional antenna in this invention: a cable is connected to the bottom of the antenna body, and the cable is electrically connected to the UHF antenna, WiFi communication antenna, Beidou antenna, GPS positioning antenna and AIS antenna.

[0012] The following is a further technical solution for defining the multifunctional antenna in this invention: the mounting base is provided with a through hole, the bottom of the antenna body is located inside the through hole, and a pressure-resistant glass tube is inserted into the gap between the two.

[0013] An application method based on the above-mentioned multifunctional antenna includes the following steps:

[0014] Step S1: Install the multi-functional antenna on the mounting base of the underwater unmanned vehicle and secure it with a pressure-resistant glass clamp.

[0015] Step S2: The underwater unmanned vehicle dives to operate. When the diving depth of the underwater unmanned vehicle is greater than the maximum operating depth, the pressure-resistant glass tube is crushed by the high pressure of seawater, releasing the multi-functional antenna.

[0016] Step S3: The multi-functional antenna floats to the surface of the water because the buoyancy is greater than the gravity;

[0017] Step S4: The multi-functional antenna has a photoelectric sensor and a pressure sensor. After the multi-functional antenna floats to the surface, the pressure sensor detects the pressure change and transmits it to the underwater unmanned vehicle via cable. The underwater unmanned vehicle then transmits the signal to the UHF antenna, WiFi communication antenna, Beidou antenna, GPS positioning antenna and AIS antenna via cable to start the antenna operation. It sends a location SMS to the Beidou satellite and sends a location rescue information through the AIS channel.

[0018] Step S5: During the day, the photoelectric sensor detects light, and the strobe light does not blink, reducing power consumption. The strobe light is a white LED light that reflects sunlight. At night, the photoelectric sensor does not detect light, and the strobe light blinks.

[0019] The following is a further technical solution of the method in this invention. In step S5, when encountering waves during the day and the multi-functional antenna is below the water surface and cannot reflect sunlight, the pressure sensor detects the constantly changing pressure signal and the photoelectric sensor detects the constantly changing light signal, thereby controlling the strobe light to flash.

[0020] UHF antennas, WiFi communication antennas, Beidou antennas, GPS positioning antennas, and AIS antennas operate in different frequency bands and do not interfere with each other electromagnetically.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following technical effects:

[0022] This invention integrates UHF and WiFi communication, BeiDou and GPS positioning, strobe lights, and AIS emergency rescue signals into a single multi-functional antenna. Utilizing a special installation method, this multi-functional antenna can detach from the UUV to perform emergency rescue functions in urgent situations. Therefore, the multi-functional antenna simultaneously possesses communication, positioning, and rescue functions, reducing the number of antennas required on the aircraft platform. This effectively reduces aircraft drag, increases speed and endurance, and enhances aircraft safety.

[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a front view structural diagram of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a top view of the structure of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a partial perspective structural diagram of the present invention.

[0028] Attached reference numerals: 1. Strobe light; 2. Antenna body; 3. Mounting base; 4. Cable; 5. Pressure-resistant glass tube; 6. Communication antenna; 7. Positioning antenna; 8. Rescue antenna. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be practiced in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0030] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0031] In the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0032] like Figure 1-3 As shown, a multi-functional antenna for underwater unmanned vehicles is provided, which integrates UHF and WiFi communication, Beidou and GPS positioning, strobe light 1, AIS emergency rescue and other functions.

[0033] The multi-functional antenna consists of an antenna body 2, a UHF antenna, a WiFi communication antenna, a Beidou antenna, a GPS positioning antenna, an AIS antenna, an RF coaxial cable 4, a strobe light 1, a photoelectric sensor, a pressure sensor, a mounting base 3, a pressure-resistant glass tube 5, etc.

[0034] The antenna body 2 is made of lightweight and pressure-resistant material. The buoyancy of the entire antenna body 2 should be greater than the weight of the entire multifunctional antenna. Materials that can be used include buoyancy materials such as solid glass microspheres and polypropylene. It is designed with an airfoil shape and takes into account fluid effects.

[0035] Strobe light 1 is set to a white LED light, flashing once every 5 to 10 seconds.

[0036] Radio frequency coaxial cable 4, with a diameter of approximately 1.13 mm, is of a length sufficient to meet the maximum operating water depth or emergency depth requirements of the UUV. Radio frequency coaxial cable 4 is electrically connected to the UHF antenna, WiFi communication antenna, Beidou antenna, GPS positioning antenna, and AIS antenna.

[0037] The mounting base 3 is used to install the multi-functional antenna on the UUV. Specifically, the antenna body 2 is mounted on the mounting base 3 through the pressure-resistant glass tube 5. The mounting base 3 has a through hole, the bottom of the antenna body 2 is inside the through hole, and the pressure-resistant glass tube 5 is inserted into the gap between the two.

[0038] The pressure-resistant glass clamp 5 meets the pressure resistance requirements for the maximum working depth of UUVs.

[0039] The UHF antenna and WiFi communication antenna share a single communication antenna 6, the BeiDou antenna and GPS positioning antenna share a single positioning antenna 7, and the AIS antenna serves as a rescue antenna 8. The AIS information transmitted by the AIS channel of the AIS antenna conforms to international standards such as ITU-RM.1371-5, IEC 62287-1, IMO SN / Cir 227, and IALA Guideline NO.1024.

[0040] A method for applying a multifunctional antenna, the main steps of which are:

[0041] 1. Install the multi-functional antenna on the mounting base 3 of the underwater unmanned vehicle and secure it with the pressure-resistant glass clamp tube 5.

[0042] 2. When the underwater unmanned vehicle is diving, if the diving depth of the underwater unmanned vehicle is greater than the maximum working depth, the pressure-resistant glass tube 5 will be crushed by the high pressure of seawater, releasing the multi-functional antenna.

[0043] 3. The multi-functional antenna floats to the surface of the water because the buoyancy is greater than the gravity.

[0044] 4. The multi-functional antenna is equipped with photoelectric sensors and pressure sensors. After the multi-functional antenna surfaces, the pressure sensor detects pressure changes and transmits the data to the underwater unmanned vehicle via cable 4. The underwater unmanned vehicle then transmits the signals via cable 4 to the UHF antenna, WiFi communication antenna, Beidou antenna, GPS positioning antenna, and AIS antenna, activating the antennas to send location SMS messages to the Beidou satellite and simultaneously send location-based rescue information through the AIS channel. The UHF antenna, WiFi communication antenna, Beidou antenna, GPS positioning antenna, and AIS antenna operate at different frequency bands and do not interfere with each other electromagnetically.

[0045] 5. During the day, the photoelectric sensor detects light, and the strobe light 1 does not flash, reducing power consumption. The strobe light 1 is an LED white light that reflects sunlight. At night, the photoelectric sensor does not detect light, and the strobe light 1 flashes. During the day, when there are waves or the multi-functional antenna is below the water surface and cannot reflect sunlight, the pressure sensor detects the constantly changing pressure signal, and the photoelectric sensor detects the constantly changing light signal, thereby controlling the strobe light 1 to flash.

[0046] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Any person skilled in the art can make many possible variations and modifications to the technical solution of the present invention, or modify it into equivalent embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present invention's technical solution. Therefore, all equivalent changes made based on the shape, structure, and principle of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention's technical solution should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-functional antenna for an underwater unmanned vehicle, characterized in that, The antenna body is made of lightweight pressure-resistant material. Inside the antenna body are installed a UHF antenna, a WiFi communication antenna, a Beidou antenna, a GPS positioning antenna, and an AIS antenna. The antenna body is mounted on a fixed base via a pressure-resistant glass tube. The application method based on multi-functional antennas includes the following steps: Step S1: Install the multi-functional antenna on the mounting base of the underwater unmanned vehicle and secure it with a pressure-resistant glass clamp. Step S2: The underwater unmanned vehicle dives to operate. When the diving depth of the underwater unmanned vehicle is greater than the maximum operating depth, the pressure-resistant glass tube is crushed by the high pressure of seawater, releasing the multi-functional antenna. Step S3: The multi-functional antenna floats to the surface of the water because the buoyancy is greater than the gravity; Step S4: The multi-functional antenna has a photoelectric sensor and a pressure sensor. After the multi-functional antenna floats to the surface, the pressure sensor detects the pressure change and transmits it to the underwater unmanned vehicle via cable. The underwater unmanned vehicle then transmits the signal to the UHF antenna, WiFi communication antenna, Beidou antenna, GPS positioning antenna and AIS antenna via cable to start the antenna operation. It sends a location SMS to the Beidou satellite and sends a location rescue information through the AIS channel. Step S5: During the day, the photoelectric sensor detects light, and the strobe light does not blink, reducing power consumption. The strobe light is a white LED light that reflects sunlight. At night, the photoelectric sensor does not detect light, and the strobe light blinks.

2. The multi-functional antenna for an underwater unmanned vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The antenna body is equipped with a strobe light on its top. The strobe light is set to a white LED light and flashes once every 5 to 10 seconds.

3. The multi-functional antenna for an underwater unmanned vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The UHF antenna and WiFi communication antenna share a single communication antenna, the BeiDou antenna and GPS positioning antenna share a single positioning antenna, and the AIS antenna serves as a rescue antenna.

4. A multi-functional antenna for an underwater unmanned vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lightweight pressure-resistant material is configured as a buoyancy material containing solid glass microspheres.

5. A multi-functional antenna for an underwater unmanned vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lightweight pressure-resistant material is configured as polypropylene containing solid glass microspheres.

6. A multi-functional antenna for an underwater unmanned vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The antenna body is configured with an airfoil shape.

7. A multi-functional antenna for an underwater unmanned vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the antenna body is connected to a cable, which is electrically connected to the UHF antenna, WiFi communication antenna, Beidou antenna, GPS positioning antenna and AIS antenna.

8. A multi-functional antenna for an underwater unmanned vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting base has a through hole, and the bottom of the antenna body is located inside the through hole, with a pressure-resistant glass tube inserted into the gap between them.

9. A multi-functional antenna for an underwater unmanned vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In step S5, when encountering waves during the day and the multi-functional antenna is below the water surface and cannot reflect sunlight, the pressure sensor detects the constantly changing pressure signal, and the photoelectric sensor detects the constantly changing light signal, thereby controlling the strobe light to flash. UHF antennas, WiFi communication antennas, Beidou antennas, GPS positioning antennas, and AIS antennas operate in different frequency bands and do not interfere with each other electromagnetically.

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