Towed AUV Deployment Device Using Water Flow Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for deploying and retrieving autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are inefficient and lack a streamlined process for rapid deployment and retrieval over large areas.
Innovation Solution
A towed deployment/retrieval method using a submersible device with carousels and transfer mechanisms that allow AUVs to be deployed or retrieved one-by-one or in batches, utilizing towing motion to facilitate ejection or loading through funnels, assisted by thrusters, enabling efficient and controlled deployment and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If AUVs are deployed using traditional methods, then deployment can be performed, but the deployment and retrieval process is inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static deployment to dynamic towing-based deployment. The deployment device is towed through the water, and the towing motion itself is utilized to dynamically eject AUVs from the deployment device, enabling rapid sequential deployment without requiring the vessel to stop or position precisely for each AUV release
Solution Approach 2:
The towing motion of the vessel automatically generates water flow through the deployment device, which creates the motive force needed to eject AUVs. The system uses the kinetic energy of the towing vessel itself to perform the deployment action, eliminating the need for separate deployment mechanisms or additional energy sources on the deployment device
2Area of stationary object
If AUVs are deployed over large areas, then survey coverage is improved, but deployment and retrieval complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment device is divided into multiple independent carousel units, each capable of holding and deploying AUVs. This segmentation allows the system to deploy multiple AUVs in sequence across large areas while maintaining manageable complexity through modular, repeatable units rather than a single complex deployment mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The same towing-based deployment mechanism serves multiple functions: it can deploy multiple AUVs in sequence, retrieve multiple AUVs in sequence, and adapt to different survey areas by adjusting the number of AUVs deployed. The universal towing interface simplifies the system while enabling flexible operation over varying spatial scales
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
Enables quick and efficient deployment and retrieval of AUVs over large areas, improving operational efficiency and reducing the time required for seismic surveys by leveraging the towing motion to generate motive force for ejection or loading.
Implementation Method 1
the towing motion may cause a flow of water through a deployment channel of the device, this flow generating a motive force which assists in ejecting the AUV out of the device
Implementation Method 2
assists in ejecting the AUVs from the device or loading them into the device. For example the towing motion may cause a flow of water through a deployment channel of the device, this flow generating a motive force which assists in ejecting the AUV out of the device (optionally in combination with operation of a thruster of the AUV)
Data Source
Figure 1~1c
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A method of deploying autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the method comprising loading the AUVs into a deployment device; submerging the deployment device containing the AUVs after the AUVs have been loaded into the deployment device; towing the submerged deployment device containing the AUVs with a surface vessel; deploying the AUVs from the submerged deployment device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and operating a thruster of each AUV after it has been deployed so that it moves away from the submerged deployment device. A method of retrieving autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is also disclosed, the method comprising towing a submerged retrieval device with a surface vessel; loading the AUVs into the submerged retrieval device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and after the AUVs have been loaded into the submerged retrieval device, lifting the submerged retrieval device containing the AUVs out of the water and onto the surface vessel.