Underwater Dockable Storage with Optical Data and Self-Passivating Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional underwater data transfer methods using wet-mate connectors are limited by constrained data rates, limited number of matings, and fixed protocols, making it difficult to efficiently offload large amounts of data from undersea platforms without requiring prolonged on-site presence and risking connector seal breakdown.

Innovation Solution

An underwater data storage system utilizing self-passivating electrical contacts and optical transceivers for high-bandwidth data transfer, enabling rapid and nearly unlimited connections, and adaptable communication protocols to match host platform requirements, with a modular design for continuous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wet-mate connectors are used for underwater data transfer, then physical connection and data transfer can be established, but the data rate is limited and the number of matings is constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidconnector seal durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates data transfer and power transfer functions into different physical pathways: optical fibers for data transfer and self-passivating electrical contacts for power transfer. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized independently, with optical fibers providing high-speed data transfer without the limitations of electrical connectors in underwater environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional electrical signal transmission through wet-mate connectors with optical signal transmission through optical fibers. This substitution eliminates the bandwidth limitations and sealing durability issues inherent in electrical underwater connectors, as optical fibers are immune to corrosion and can maintain controlled impedance reliably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If optical transceivers are used for high-bandwidth data transfer, then data rate increases, but power transfer through the same medium becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer rateVSAvoidpower transfer capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the transmission medium into separate functional channels: optical fibers dedicated to data transfer and self-passivating electrical contacts dedicated to power transfer. This segmentation resolves the conflict by allowing optical transceivers to provide high-bandwidth data transfer while a separate electrical contact system handles power delivery to the external storage device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If self-passivating electrical contacts are used for power transfer, then corrosion resistance improves, but electrical conductivity may be reduced due to passivation layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidelectrical conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes the dynamic electrical properties of self-passivating materials by controlling the contact pressure and mating force parameters. When contacts mate, the mechanical pressure temporarily reduces the thickness or resistance of the passivation layer, enabling sufficient electrical conductivity for power transfer while maintaining corrosion resistance during non-contact periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different material properties to different functional requirements within the same contact system: the bulk material provides corrosion resistance through passivation, while the contact interface region provides electrical conductivity through controlled mechanical compression that temporarily modifies the passivation layer properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 rapid transfer of large data sets with nearly unlimited connections and adaptable protocols, addressing the limitations of traditional systems by providing higher data rates and extended operational lifespan, and allowing seamless data retrieval without prolonged on-site presence.

Implementation Method 1

the self-passivating electrical contact includes an electrically conductive material that forms an electrically insulating passivation layer when exposed to the underwater environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPassivation:

Implementation Method 2

at least one optical transmitter configured to transfer data from the memory to a corresponding optical receiver in the docking station

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical transmission:

Data Source

PatentUS12073083B2Self-insulating high bandwidth external media storage device

Publication Date: 2024.08.27 NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

A data storage system including a docking station, and a dockable external data storage device operates in an underwater environment. The dockable external data storage device includes a housing, a memory disposed within the housing to store data, and a connector assembly mounted on the housing. The connector assembly includes at least one optical transmitter configured to transfer data from the memory to a corresponding optical receiver in the docking station. The connector assembly also includes a self-passivating electrical contact configured to transfer electrical power to the dockable external data storage device from a corresponding power contact in the docking station.