AUV Charging Docking With Optical Alignment and Pole Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater vehicle charging systems require the AUV and charging station to be towed by a ship to position for charging, making it difficult to charge in areas with no water flow, such as during tidal currents.
Innovation Solution
A charging system with a base-mounted charging station and AUV equipped with a holding device, thrust generating apparatus, and optical communication for precise positioning and rotation, allowing the AUV to approach from any direction and dock with the station without needing to be towed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charging station and AUV are towed by a ship to position for charging, then the positioning for electric power supply is achieved, but the system cannot operate in areas with no water flow such as during tidal currents
Solution Approach 1:
The AUV autonomously positions itself relative to the charging station using its own thrust generating apparatus and control device, eliminating the need for ship towing. The vehicle independently navigates to the charging station, couples to it, and positions its power receiving portion for charging without external assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical towing system with a control system that uses optical signals (light emitter and light receiver) for positioning and thrust generating apparatus for movement. This substitution allows the AUV to autonomously position itself using electronic control rather than mechanical towing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the AUV approaches and couples to the charging station from any 360° direction, then the adaptability of the charging system is improved, but the positioning precision for power supply alignment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control device uses feedback from the light receiver to detect the relative position and orientation of the AUV with respect to the charging station. The light receiver provides positional information that feeds back to the control device, which adjusts the thrust generating apparatus to achieve precise alignment of the power receiving portion with the power supplying portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device with guide portions serves multiple functions: it guides the AUV from any approach direction, provides mechanical coupling between the AUV and charging station, and enables rotational movement for positioning. This multi-functional component simplifies the overall system while maintaining both versatility and precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and precise positioning of the AUV and charging station for charging, even in areas with tidal currents, allowing for efficient and flexible underwater vehicle charging.
Implementation Method 1
One of a light emitter and a light receiver is provided at a position that is located at the base and is away from the pole in the horizontal direction. The other of the light emitter and the light receiver is provided at a position that is located at the underwater vehicle main body
Data Source
AI summary
A charging system includes a charging station having: a base underwater; a pole extending in an upper-lower direction; and a power supplying portion. An AUV includes: an underwater main body; a power receiving portion; a holding device including a pair of guide and holding portions, the pair of guide portions guides the pole to a holding position after the pole contacts the guide portions from a proceeding-direction, the holding portion holds the pole to be rotatable relative to the pole; a thrust generating apparatus generates in a horizontal direction; and a control device controls the thrust generating apparatus. A light emitter at one of the base and the underwater main body, and a light receiver is provided at the other. The control device controls the thrust so the underwater main body reaches a rotational position where the light receiver receives light emitted, the rotational position set relative to the pole.