Underwater unmanned vehicle emergency communication device and communication method

Abstract

The invention provides an underwater unmanned vehicle emergency communication device and method, and belongs to the technical field of underwater unmanned vehicles, the underwater unmanned vehicle emergency communication device comprises an emergency buoy assembly, a release mechanism and a rope storage barrel, the emergency buoy assembly is installed on the release mechanism, and the rope storage barrel is connected with the emergency buoy assembly; the emergency buoy assembly comprises an emergency buoy pressure-resistant cabin, the emergency buoy pressure-resistant cabin is wrapped with an emergency buoy buoyancy material structure, a wave-transparent cover plate is installed above the emergency buoy buoyancy material structure, a power supply trigger mechanism is installed in the emergency buoy pressure-resistant cabin, and the power supply trigger mechanism is connected with a power supply module. The power supply module is connected with the emergency buoy battery which is connected with the communication positioning unit. After the emergency communication device receives an emergency communication instruction, the release mechanism unlocks and releases the emergency buoy assembly, the emergency buoy assembly drives the mooring rope to float upwards together and establish emergency communication near the water surface, and the emergency communication device is compact in overall structure, low in device dead weight, flexible in fitting-out position, capable of being repeatedly used and high in adaptability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of underwater unmanned vehicle technology, specifically relating to an emergency communication device and communication method for underwater unmanned vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing complexity and specialization of tasks such as marine resource exploration, marine ecological environment monitoring, and marine situation collection, underwater unmanned vehicles (UAVs) have become ideal platforms for carrying various payloads. However, they also need to address the emergency safety issues of UAVs in complex marine environments. When operating in complex marine environments, UAVs inevitably encounter emergencies such as reefs, turbulent currents, fishing nets, malfunctions, or collisions in the water, which can lead to mission failure or significant losses such as equipment loss of communication.

[0003] Currently, the common approach to resolving issues such as loss of contact during missions is to conduct large-scale searches of the accident area to pinpoint the exact location of the malfunctioning vessel. However, this approach has several drawbacks, including a large search area, long search time, and high search costs. These drawbacks are particularly pronounced and cannot be ignored if the malfunctioning vessel is a manned aircraft. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an emergency communication device and method for underwater unmanned vehicles, solving the problem of emergency communication for existing underwater unmanned vehicles in emergency situations.

[0005] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] An emergency communication device for an underwater unmanned vehicle includes: an emergency buoy assembly, a release mechanism, and a cable storage tube. The emergency buoy assembly is mounted on the release mechanism, and the cable storage tube is connected to the emergency buoy assembly.

[0007] The emergency buoy assembly includes an emergency buoy pressure chamber, which is externally encased in an emergency buoy buoyancy material structure. A wave-transparent cover is installed on top of the emergency buoy buoyancy material structure. A power supply triggering mechanism is installed inside the emergency buoy pressure chamber. The power supply triggering mechanism is connected to a power supply module, which is connected to an emergency buoy battery. The emergency buoy battery is connected to a communication and positioning unit.

[0008] Furthermore, the release mechanism can be one of the following: electromagnet attraction release, rotary motor drive release, linear motor drive release, pneumatic component drive release, or vacuum attraction release.

[0009] Furthermore, the cable storage cylinder includes a cylinder body and a cylinder cover, and a cable is installed inside the cylinder body, which is connected to the emergency buoy assembly.

[0010] Furthermore, one end of the cable is fixed to the bottom of the cylinder and wrapped around and placed inside the cylinder, while the other end of the cable passes through the hole on the cylinder cover and is fixed to the bottom interface of the pressure tank of the emergency buoy, ensuring that the emergency buoy assembly can be effectively released with the cable when it rises rapidly.

[0011] Furthermore, when the communication and positioning unit of the emergency buoy assembly is working, it establishes communication with the mother ship, reports the location coordinates of the malfunctioning vehicle, and turns on the emergency strobe light to facilitate the mother ship's search and nearby vessels to avoid it.

[0012] Furthermore, the wave-transparent cover plate and the outer envelope surface of the underwater unmanned vehicle are connected by a common envelope, providing the channel positioning unit with a flow guiding, protection and signal propagation path.

[0013] The present invention may also include:

[0014] A communication method for the above-mentioned emergency communication device for underwater unmanned vehicles, the method comprising the following steps:

[0015] Step 1: When the emergency communication device receives the emergency communication command, the release mechanism unlocks and releases the emergency buoy assembly, which, along with the cable, quickly rises to near the water surface;

[0016] Step 2: During the ascent of the emergency buoy, the power supply trigger mechanism activates the power supply module to supply power to the communication and positioning unit, that is, the emergency buoy component changes from the dormant state to the working state until it rises to near the water surface;

[0017] Step 3: During the ascent of the emergency buoy assembly, the cable in the cable storage drum will continue to rise until the reserved length of the cable is completely released. Under the restraint of the cable, the emergency buoy assembly near the water surface will float in a very small area and communicate with the mother ship in real time to report the accurate coordinates of the underwater location of the malfunctioning vehicle.

[0018] Step 4: Wait for the rescue mother ship to arrive, retrieve the emergency buoy components onto the ship, and download all stored data.

[0019] Furthermore, the power supply triggering mechanism controls the power supply status of the power supply module. When the emergency buoy assembly is locked and fixed on the release mechanism, the power supply triggering mechanism shuts off the power supply module from supplying power to the communication positioning unit, i.e., the emergency buoy assembly is in a dormant state. When the release mechanism releases the emergency buoy assembly according to the instruction, the power supply triggering mechanism turns on the power supply module from supplying power to the communication positioning unit, i.e., the emergency buoy assembly is in a working state.

[0020] Furthermore, the emergency buoy assembly is normally in a dormant state. When emergency communication is needed, the release mechanism unlocks and releases the emergency buoy assembly to rise to the near-water surface. During the ascent of the emergency buoy, it changes from a dormant state to a working state, and communication is established immediately after it rises to the near-water surface.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0022] The underwater unmanned vehicle emergency communication device of the present invention realizes the function of emergency communication in the emergency situation when the underwater unmanned vehicle loses contact. It also greatly reduces the underwater search range of the malfunctioning vehicle, saves search time, reduces search costs, and meets the requirement of accurate reporting of the underwater position of the malfunctioning vehicle to the mother ship in the emergency situation when the underwater unmanned vehicle loses contact.

[0023] The underwater unmanned vehicle of this invention has a compact structure, flexible layout, and good adaptability for its emergency communication device; the design of using a release-type self-contained emergency buoy for emergency surfacing to establish communication meets the requirement that the emergency communication device of the underwater unmanned vehicle can be self-sustaining for a long time.

[0024] When the emergency communication device receives an emergency communication command, the release mechanism unlocks and releases the emergency buoy assembly. The emergency buoy assembly floats up with the cable and establishes emergency communication near the water surface. By releasing the self-contained emergency buoy to float to the water surface, this invention provides an ideal solution for emergency communication of underwater unmanned vehicles. The overall structure is compact, the device has low weight, flexible outfitting position, is reusable, and has strong adaptability. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Appendix Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0026] Appendix Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the emergency buoy assembly of the present invention;

[0027] Appendix Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the rope storage tube of the present invention.

[0028] In the attached diagram: 1. Emergency buoy assembly; 2. Release mechanism; 3. Rope storage cylinder; 1-1. Communication and positioning unit; 1-2. Emergency buoy pressure chamber; 1-3. Emergency buoy battery; 1-4. Power supply module; 1-5. Power supply triggering mechanism; 1-6. Emergency buoy buoyancy material structure; 1-7. Wave-transparent cover plate; 3-1. Cylinder body; 3-2. Cable; 3-3. Cylinder cover. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] This invention provides an emergency communication device for underwater unmanned vehicles (UUVs), as shown in the attached figure. Figure 1 As shown, it includes: an emergency buoy assembly 1, a release mechanism 2, and a rope storage tube 3. The emergency buoy assembly 1 is mounted on the release mechanism 2, and the rope storage tube 3 is connected to the emergency buoy assembly 1.

[0031] As attached Figure 2 As shown, the emergency buoy assembly 1 includes an emergency buoy pressure chamber 1-2, which is externally encased in an emergency buoy buoyancy material structure 1-6. A wave-transparent cover 1-7 is installed above the emergency buoy buoyancy material structure 1-6. A power supply triggering mechanism 1-5 is installed inside the emergency buoy pressure chamber 1-2. The power supply triggering mechanism 1-5 is connected to a power supply module 1-4. The power supply module 1-4 is connected to an emergency buoy battery 1-3. The emergency buoy battery 1-3 is connected to a communication and positioning unit 1-1.

[0032] When the communication and positioning unit 1-1 of the emergency buoy assembly 1 is working, it establishes communication with the mother ship, reports the location coordinates of the malfunctioning vehicle, and turns on the emergency strobe light to facilitate the mother ship's search and nearby vessels to avoid it.

[0033] The wave-transparent cover plate 1-7 is connected to the outer envelope surface of the underwater unmanned vehicle through a common envelope, providing a flow guide, protection and signal propagation path for the channel positioning unit 1-1.

[0034] The pressure-resistant chamber 1-2 of the emergency buoy provides outfitting space and pressure protection for the equipment inside the chamber; the emergency buoy battery 1-3 provides energy to the communication and positioning unit 1-1 to ensure that the emergency buoy components are self-sustaining for a long time.

[0035] The emergency buoy buoy material structure 1-6 provides sufficient positive buoyancy for the emergency buoy assembly 1, ensuring that it rises quickly and floats near the water surface during emergency communication.

[0036] Furthermore, the release mechanism 2 can be released in one of the following ways: electromagnet attraction release, rotary motor drive release, linear motor drive release, pneumatic component drive release, or vacuum attraction release.

[0037] As attached Figure 3 As shown, the cable storage cylinder 3 includes a cylinder body 3-1 and a cylinder cover 3-3. A cable 3-2 is installed inside the cylinder body 3-1, and the cable 3-2 is connected to the emergency buoy assembly 1.

[0038] In this embodiment, one end of the cable 3-2 is fixed to the bottom of the cylinder 3-1 and wrapped around and placed inside the cylinder 3-1. The other end of the cable 3-2 passes through the hole on the cylinder cover 3-3 and is fixed to the bottom interface of the emergency buoy pressure chamber 1-2, ensuring that the emergency buoy assembly 1 is effectively released with the cable when it rises rapidly.

[0039] This embodiment also includes:

[0040] A communication method for the above-mentioned emergency communication device for underwater unmanned vehicles, the method comprising the following steps:

[0041] Step 1: When the emergency communication device receives the emergency communication command, the release mechanism 2 unlocks and releases the emergency buoy assembly 1, which, along with the cable 3-2, quickly rises to near the water surface;

[0042] Step 2: During the ascent of the emergency buoy, the power supply triggering mechanism 1-5 activates the power supply module 1-4 to supply power to the communication positioning unit 1-1, that is, the emergency buoy component 1 changes from the dormant state to the working state until it rises to the near water surface;

[0043] Step 3: During the ascent of the emergency buoy assembly 1, the cable 3-2 in the cable storage tube will continue to rise until the reserved length of the cable is completely released. Under the restraint of the cable 3-2, the emergency buoy assembly 1 near the water surface floats in a very small area and communicates with the mother ship in real time to report the accurate coordinate information of the underwater position of the malfunctioning vehicle.

[0044] Step 4: Wait for the rescue mother ship to arrive, retrieve the emergency buoy component 1 onto the ship, and download all stored data.

[0045] Furthermore, the power supply triggering mechanism 1-5 controls the power supply status of the power supply module 1-4. When the emergency buoy assembly 1 is locked and fixed on the release mechanism 2, the power supply triggering mechanism 1-5 shuts off the power supply module 1-4 from supplying power to the communication positioning unit 1-1, i.e., the emergency buoy assembly 1 is in a dormant state. When the release mechanism 2 releases the emergency buoy assembly 1 according to the instruction, the power supply triggering mechanism 1-5 turns on the power supply module 4 to supply power to the communication positioning unit 1-1, i.e., the emergency buoy assembly 1 is in a working state.

[0046] Furthermore, the emergency buoy component 1 is normally in a dormant state. When emergency communication is needed, the release mechanism 2 unlocks and releases the emergency buoy component 1 to float to the near water surface. During the floating process of the emergency buoy, it changes from a dormant state to a working state and establishes communication immediately after floating to the near water surface.

[0047] This invention provides a superior solution for emergency communication, addressing the requirements of emergency communication functions for underwater unmanned vehicles (UAVs). It offers advantages such as a small search range, short search time, and low search cost for malfunctioning UAVs. The emergency communication device for underwater UAVs can be adaptively designed based on constraints such as the outer surface curvature and outfitting space of the UAV, reducing the difficulty of outfitting and arranging the emergency communication device and improving the utilization rate of the UAV's envelope volume.

[0048] The emergency buoy assembly of this invention can be retrieved, re-locked and fixed to the release mechanism, and can perform tasks again, greatly reducing the cost of using emergency communication devices for underwater unmanned vehicles.

[0049] The present invention provides an underwater unmanned vehicle emergency communication device that employs a design that allows the device to be activated by a self-contained emergency buoy assembly after release, enabling it to surface near the water surface and establish communication. This design achieves the independent, long-term self-sufficiency capability of the underwater unmanned vehicle emergency communication device.

[0050] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An emergency communication device for an underwater unmanned vehicle, characterized in that, include: An emergency buoy assembly (1), a release mechanism (2), and a rope storage tube (3) are provided. The emergency buoy assembly (1) is mounted on the release mechanism (2), and the rope storage tube (3) is connected to the emergency buoy assembly (1). The emergency buoy assembly (1) includes an emergency buoy pressure chamber (1-2), which is wrapped with emergency buoy buoyancy material (1-6). A wave-transparent cover plate (1-7) is installed above the emergency buoy buoyancy material (1-6). A power supply triggering mechanism (1-5) is installed inside the emergency buoy pressure chamber (1-2). The power supply triggering mechanism (1-5) is connected to a power supply module (1-4). The power supply module (1-4) is connected to an emergency buoy battery (1-3). The emergency buoy battery (1-3) is connected to a communication positioning unit (1-1).

2. The emergency communication device for underwater unmanned vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that, The release mechanism (2) can be released in one of the following ways: electromagnet attraction release, rotary motor drive release, linear motor drive release, pneumatic component drive release, or vacuum attraction release.

3. The emergency communication device for underwater unmanned vehicles according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The cable storage cylinder (3) includes a cylinder body (3-1) and a cylinder cover (3-3). A cable (3-2) is installed inside the cylinder body (3-1), and the cable (3-2) is connected to the emergency buoy assembly (1).

4. The emergency communication device for underwater unmanned vehicles according to claim 3, characterized in that, One end of the cable (3-2) is fixed to the bottom of the cylinder (3-1) and wrapped around and placed inside the cylinder (3-1). The other end of the cable (3-2) passes through the hole on the cylinder cover (3-3) and is fixed to the bottom interface of the emergency buoy pressure chamber (1-2) to ensure that the emergency buoy assembly (1) is effectively released with the cable when it rises rapidly.

5. The emergency communication device for underwater unmanned vehicles according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the communication and positioning unit (1-1) of the emergency buoy assembly (1) is working, it establishes communication with the mother ship, reports the location coordinates of the malfunctioning vehicle, and turns on the emergency strobe light to facilitate the mother ship's search and nearby vessels to avoid it.

6. The emergency communication device for underwater unmanned vehicles according to claim 5, characterized in that, The wave-transparent cover plate (1-7) is connected to the outer envelope surface of the underwater unmanned vehicle through a common envelope, providing a flow guide, protection and signal propagation path for the channel positioning unit (1-1).

7. A communication method for an emergency communication device for an underwater unmanned vehicle according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: Step 1: When the emergency communication device receives the emergency communication command, the release mechanism (2) unlocks and releases the emergency buoy assembly (1), which, along with the cable (3-2), quickly rises to near the water surface; Step 2: During the ascent of the emergency buoy, the power supply triggering mechanism (1-5) turns on the power supply module (1-4) to supply power to the communication positioning unit (1-1), that is, the emergency buoy component (1) changes from the dormant state to the working state until it rises to the near water surface; Step 3: During the ascent of the emergency buoy assembly (1), the cable (3-2) in the cable storage tube will continue to rise until the reserved length of the cable is completely released. Under the restraint of the cable (3-2), the emergency buoy assembly (1) near the water surface floats in a very small range and communicates with the mother ship in real time to report the accurate coordinate information of the underwater position of the malfunctioning vehicle. Step 4: Wait for the rescue mother ship to arrive and retrieve the emergency buoy component (1) onto the ship and download all stored data.

8. The communication method of the emergency communication device for underwater unmanned vehicles according to claim 7, characterized in that, The power supply triggering mechanism (1-5) controls the power supply status of the power supply module (1-4). When the emergency buoy assembly (1) is locked and fixed on the release mechanism (2), the power supply triggering mechanism (1-5) shuts off the power supply module (1-4) from supplying power to the communication positioning unit (1-1), that is, the emergency buoy assembly (1) is in a dormant state. When the release mechanism (2) releases the emergency buoy assembly (1) according to the instruction, the power supply triggering mechanism (1-5) turns on the power supply module (4) to supply power to the communication positioning unit (1-1), that is, the emergency buoy assembly (1) is in a working state.

9. The communication method of the emergency communication device for underwater unmanned vehicles according to claim 8, characterized in that, The emergency buoy assembly (1) is normally in a dormant state. When emergency communication is needed, the release mechanism (2) unlocks and releases the emergency buoy assembly (1) to float to the near water surface. During the floating process of the emergency buoy, it changes from a dormant state to a working state and establishes communication immediately after floating to the near water surface.

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