Glider AUV Buoyancy Control for Ocean Electromagnetic Survey
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ocean bottom electromagnetometers face challenges in efficiently exploring broad sea areas due to burdensome dropping and recovery processes, limiting their degree of freedom and efficiency in measurement.
Innovation Solution
An ocean exploration apparatus featuring a glider-type autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) with a buoyancy adjusting section, posture adjusting section, position information acquiring section, wing section, and sensor section, enabling self-contained navigation and electromagnetic field measurement on the ocean bottom with enhanced mobility and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ocean bottom electromagnetometer is towed and dropped to ocean bottom for measurement, then electromagnetic field measurement can be performed, but dropping and recovery work causes burden and reduces efficiency in broad sea area exploration
Solution Approach 1:
The probe body performs self-contained navigation using the wing section for lifting force and buoyancy adjusting section for depth control, eliminating the need for mother ship assistance during measurement operations. The apparatus autonomously navigates to measurement points and returns, making the system self-sufficient and removing the burdensome dropping and recovery operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical towing and dropping system with an aerodynamic/hydrodynamic lifting system. The wing section generates lifting force to move the probe body through water, substituting the mechanical winch-and-drop system with a more efficient glider-based navigation system that reduces operational burden.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ocean bottom electromagnetometer is recovered after measurement, then the apparatus can be reused, but the recovery process creates operational burden and time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The probe body autonomously navigates back to the starting point or next measurement location after completing measurements, eliminating the need for time-consuming recovery operations by the mother ship. The self-contained navigation system enables the apparatus to service itself by returning autonomously, reducing both time loss and operational burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing section enables dynamic movement and repositioning of the probe body in the water column. This dynamic capability allows the apparatus to efficiently transition between measurement points and return autonomously, significantly reducing the time required for recovery operations compared to static bottom-mounted systems.
3Measurement precision
If traditional ocean bottom electromagnetometer is used, then measurement can be performed at fixed locations, but the degree of freedom in measurement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wing section provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the probe body to navigate to any measurement location within the operational area. This dynamic movement capability transforms the system from fixed-location measurements to flexible, multi-location exploration while maintaining measurement precision through controlled navigation and stable positioning at each measurement point.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe body is designed as a multi-functional platform that combines electromagnetic field measurement with autonomous navigation capabilities. The wing section and buoyancy adjusting section enable the same apparatus to perform both navigation and measurement functions, providing versatility in measurement locations without sacrificing measurement 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
The apparatus allows for efficient exploration by increasing the degree of freedom in measurement, improving sensitivity, reducing energy consumption, and enhancing reliability through self-contained navigation and the use of a small MI sensor, while minimizing the burden of dropping and recovery operations.
Implementation Method 1
a wing section that moves the probe body using a lifting force applied from seawater
Implementation Method 2
a buoyancy adjusting section that adjusts buoyancy generated in the probe body
Data Source
AI summary
An ocean exploration apparatus including: a probe body; a buoyancy adjusting section that adjusts buoyancy generated in the probe body; a posture adjusting section that adjusts a posture of the probe body; a position information acquiring section that acquires position information of the probe body; a wing section that moves the probe body using a lifting force applied from seawater; a sensor section that is provided in the probe body and measures an electromagnetic field; and a control section that controls operations of the buoyancy adjusting section, the posture adjusting section, the position information acquiring section, and the sensor section according to predetermined conditions.