Floating Cage Underwater Vehicle Recovery System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recovering and launching underwater or marine vehicles, such as AUVs, face challenges including alignment difficulties in rough seas, potential damage from high stresses during retrieval, and incompatibility with vehicles equipped with fins due to the use of ramps.
Innovation Solution
A floating cage system with flexible links and traction means allows for independent control of distances and orientation, enabling safe and easy recovery and launch of vehicles without aligning with a ramp, protecting vehicles from stress and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ramp system is used to recover the AUV, then the AUV can be pulled onto the boat, but alignment becomes difficult in rough seas due to boat oscillation affecting ramp orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the recovery operation into two independent parts: the cage that floats freely on water to receive the AUV, and the boat that provides power. The flexible link connects them but allows independent movement, so the cage can maintain proper orientation while the boat oscillates independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating cage acts as an intermediary between the boat and the AUV. It receives the AUV directly in the water while being connected to the boat via a flexible link, isolating the AUV from the boat's oscillations and providing a stable recovery point.
2Productivity
If the AUV is pulled along the ramp, then it can be recovered onto the boat, but high stresses are exerted on the AUV risking damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cage provides a cushioned environment for the AUV during recovery. The AUV is first received in the water within the cage's housing, protected from direct impact and high stresses, before being gradually towed inside the cage rather than being rapidly pulled onto a rigid ramp.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a ramp system is used, then recovery can be performed, but AUVs with fins cannot be recovered as the fins would be damaged sliding down the ramp
Solution Approach 1:
The cage provides a soft, flexible environment for recovering finned AUVs. Instead of sliding against a hard ramp, the AUV with fins is towed through water into the cage's housing, and the flexible nature of the water medium and cage structure protects the fins from damage.
4Device complexity
If the cage is rigidly connected to the boat, then the system is simpler, but the boat drags the cage when oscillating making alignment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the boat and cage changes from rigid to flexible, allowing the cage to move independently in response to water conditions while maintaining connection to the boat. This flexibility parameter change enables the cage to maintain proper alignment for receiving the AUV regardless of boat oscillation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Installation and methods for recovering and/or launching an underwater or marine vehicle (1), particularly an AUV, from a recovery base (5). The installation comprises a floating cage (10) defining a housing (16) that at least part of said vehicle (1) can enter, first hauling means mounted on said cage and capable of hauling said vehicle into said housing, via a first flexible link, typically a cable (22), and second hauling means (7) intended to be mounted on the recovery base (5) and capable of hauling said cage via a second flexible link (9, 70) different from the first one.