Unmanned Maritime Sensor Platform with Tethered Drone and UUV
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current maritime monitoring systems require extensive resources and man-hours to cover large areas, are costly to maintain, and struggle to simultaneously monitor multiple vessels and environmental conditions without increasing waterway traffic and transit durations.
Innovation Solution
A continuously unmanned multi-phenomenon sensor system comprising a floating base station, tethered aerial drone, and unmanned underwater vehicle, powered by a power harvesting element, which collects and transmits sensor data to a remote monitoring station, enabling long-term autonomous operation without fuel or manpower.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional maritime monitoring systems are deployed to cover large areas, then monitoring coverage is improved, but resource requirements and operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into multiple autonomous nodes (floating base station and mobile units) that independently monitor specific zones. Each node operates autonomously with its own sensors and power supply, eliminating the need for extensive human resources while maintaining comprehensive coverage of large maritime areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating base station and mobile monitoring units are designed as multi-functional platforms that can simultaneously perform various monitoring tasks (environmental sensing, vessel tracking, security surveillance) using integrated sensor arrays. This universal design reduces the quantity of specialized equipment needed while expanding monitoring capabilities across diverse maritime functions.
2Productivity
If more personnel and vessels are deployed to monitor multiple vessels simultaneously, then monitoring capability is improved, but waterway traffic and transit durations increase
Solution Approach 1:
Physical maritime patrol vessels and human personnel are replaced with autonomous mobile monitoring units equipped with sensors, cameras, and communication systems. These units can simultaneously track multiple vessels using electronic surveillance rather than physical interception, dramatically improving monitoring productivity while eliminating the time loss associated with vessel transit and manual inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system operates autonomously with self-powered mobile units that navigate and monitor vessels independently without human intervention. The units automatically track vessel positions, analyze sensor data, and transmit information to the base station, enabling simultaneous monitoring of multiple vessels without adding to waterway traffic or transit times.
3Ease of operation
If manual inspection and fuel-powered vessels are used for continuous monitoring, then operational flexibility is maintained, but operational costs and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The floating base station and mobile monitoring units are equipped with self-powered systems including solar panels, wave energy converters, and energy storage batteries that enable autonomous operation without external fuel supplies. This eliminates ongoing fuel costs and reduces environmental impact while maintaining operational flexibility through autonomous navigation and sensor-based monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from fuel-powered propulsion to renewable energy-powered operation, fundamentally changing the energy parameter from depleting fossil fuels to replenishing solar and wave energy. This parameter change reduces operational costs and environmental impact while maintaining the flexibility needed for continuous maritime monitoring operations.
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
This system allows for efficient, cost-effective, and continuous monitoring of maritime areas, reducing resource requirements and enabling simultaneous surveillance of vessels and environmental conditions without increasing traffic or transit times.
Implementation Method 1
a power harvesting element
Implementation Method 2
a floating base station
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a continuously unmanned multi-phenomenon sensor system and a continuously unmanned multi-phenomenon sensor platform comprising a plurality of continuously unmanned multi-phenomenon sensor systems for maritime monitoring, that is capable of surveying and monitoring rivers, ports, bays, coastal regions, and the high seas to conduct search operations, monitor for dangerous cargoes, prevent drug and migrant smuggling, enforce fisheries laws, monitor environmental conditions and living marine resources, inspect marine infrastructures, provide navigational aids, and to investigate marine accidents.