Three-Axis AUV Sensors for Seismic Acquisition and Base Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for seismic data acquisition face challenges due to the high cost, bulkiness, and complexity of USBL or phase array acoustic sensors, which affect size and weight, and the difficulty in balancing acoustic viewing angles with hydrodynamic drag, while high noise level sensors used in gliders are not suitable for heavy AUVs.
Innovation Solution
An AUV design that integrates three-axis acceleration or speed sensors capable of receiving both seismic and acoustic guidance waves, allowing the same system to be used for both seismic data acquisition and guidance, reducing cost and size by utilizing MEMS sensors and a single hydrophone for direction determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If USBL or phase array acoustic sensors are used for guiding the AUV, then guidance capability is improved, but cost and size of the vehicle increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the measuring system's sensors to serve dual purposes: receiving seismic waves during seismic acquisition mode and receiving acoustic guidance waves during movement guidance mode. This eliminates the need for separate USBL acoustic sensors, thereby reducing vehicle size and cost while maintaining guidance capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the seismic sensing function and acoustic guidance sensing function into a single measuring system. By combining these functions into one system rather than using separate sensor arrays, the vehicle's size and complexity are reduced while achieving both seismic data acquisition and autonomous navigation capabilities
2Reliability
If USBL or phase array acoustic sensors are used for guiding the AUV, then guidance capability is improved, but cost of the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring system is designed with multi-functionality to perform both seismic wave reception and acoustic guidance wave reception using the same sensors and processing unit. This eliminates the need for expensive dedicated USBL acoustic sensors, significantly reducing vehicle manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable guidance capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs standard acceleration or speed sensors from the measuring system rather than expensive specialized acoustic sensors for guidance. This approach uses readily available, cost-effective components to achieve the guidance function, reducing overall vehicle cost
3Measurement precision
If acoustic sensor location is optimized for acoustic viewing angle, then acoustic wave detection is improved, but hydrodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring system's sensors are designed to perform both seismic wave detection and acoustic guidance wave detection with the same component configuration. This eliminates the need for separate acoustic sensor arrays that would require optimized positioning, thereby avoiding additional hydrodynamic drag while maintaining adequate acoustic detection capability for guidance
Solution Approach 2:
The existing measuring system sensors serve the additional function of acoustic guidance detection without requiring separate dedicated acoustic sensors. The system uses its own existing sensors for multiple purposes, avoiding the need for additional components that would increase drag
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 approach enhances reliability and reduces weight and cost by using the same sensors for both seismic data acquisition and guidance, improving the AUV's ability to navigate efficiently to a recovery base while maintaining good seismic measurement performance.
Implementation Method 1
receive acoustic guidance waves emitted by the acoustic transmitter of the base; determine the direction of the acoustic guidance waves emitted by the acoustic transmitter of the base which are received by said at least two sensors
Implementation Method 2
receive seismic waves to generate corresponding seismic data; receive both seismic and acoustic guidance waves
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous underwater vehicle (1) has a housing (10) having a measurement system (13) with three acceleration or speed sensors on different axes from one another, and a processing unit configured to generate seismic data from the received seismic waves (S1) and to determine the direction (D2) of the acoustic waves (S2) transmitted by an acoustic transmitter (20) from a base (2) which are received by at least two sensors of the measurement system (13). The processing unit generates and transmits, to the navigation system (12), guidance data relating to the determined direction (D2) of the received acoustic waves (S2). The navigation system (12) is configured to control the propulsion and steering system (11) of the vehicle according to the guidance data in order to guide the movement of the vehicle towards the base.