Shipping Container AUV Deployment System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of oceanographic research due to the expense of specialized vessels and limited scalability in deploying autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) limits the efficiency and affordability of ocean science operations.
Innovation Solution
A system that converts ordinary supply vessels into research vessels by using standard 40-foot shipping containers to deploy and recover AUVs, UAVs, and other vehicles, allowing for scalable operations with a launch and recovery system that includes cranes, catapults, or other mechanisms, enabling multiple vehicles to be operated from a single vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized research vessels are used to deploy AUVs, then the reliability and capability of ocean science operations are improved, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling ordinary supply vessels to perform multiple functions - both their original cargo transport role and new AUV deployment/recovery operations. The standardized container interface allows the same vessel to serve different purposes by simply changing containers, eliminating the need for specialized research vessel configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The AUV deployment system is segmented into modular standardized containers that can be independently handled, transported, and deployed. This segmentation allows the complex AUV launch and recovery system to be broken down into manageable units that fit within standard shipping containers, reducing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If specialized research vessels are used, then the capability to operate AUVs is improved, but the cost per operation increases from $280 to $50 per square kilometer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive standardized shipping containers instead of expensive specialized research vessel configurations. These ordinary containers can be readily replaced or reconfigured, providing a cost-effective solution that dramatically reduces operational costs while maintaining AUV deployment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
By using ordinary supply vessels with standardized container interfaces, the system enables multiple vehicles to be operated from a single vessel, increasing productivity and reducing the cost per square kilometer for ocean mapping operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If standardized containers are used to deploy AUVs, then the ease of manufacture and deployment is improved, but the vehicle launch and recovery mechanisms become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized shipping container serves as an intermediary between the ordinary supply vessel and the AUV deployment system. This intermediary provides a standardized interface that simplifies integration while containing the complex launch and recovery mechanisms within the container module, isolating complexity from the vessel level.
4Productivity
If multiple AUVs are deployed from a single vessel, then the productivity and scalability of ocean science operations are improved, but the device complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized container interface enables a single vessel to operate multiple AUVs simultaneously by housing multiple deployment systems in separate containers. This universality allows scalable operations where the number of vehicles can be increased simply by adding more standardized container modules.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for launching and recovering vehicles from a vessel are described herein. In one aspect, a system includes a plurality of shipping containers where at least one of the plurality of shipping containers store a vehicle and a controller. The system also includes a launch and recovery system configured to launch and recover the first vehicle. The vessel is arranged to transport the plurality of shipping containers, the first vehicle, and the launch and recovery system. The system further includes a controller arranged to receive location information associated with the vessel and control operations of the launch and recovery system based on the received location information to deploy the vehicle.