Wave-Powered Vehicle UAV Launch and Recovery System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autonomous water vehicles, such as wave gliders, face limitations in efficiently harnessing wave power and integrating with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for monitoring and recovering purposes, particularly in accurately locating and interacting with vessels at sea, especially in challenging weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
The development of wave-powered vehicles (WPVs) equipped with means for launching and recovering UAVs, utilizing a float with a swimmer, tether, solar/wind power conversion, and communication systems, along with a method for correlating signals to identify vessel locations and employing UAVs for observation, enables effective monitoring and data retrieval from remote locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wave-powered vehicles are equipped with UAV launching and recovering means, then the capability to monitor and interact with vessels at sea is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the WPV and UAV into an integrated monitoring system where the float serves as both the platform for wave-powered navigation and the launching/recovering base for UAVs. The computer system on the float controls both the WPV navigation and UAV operations, merging multiple functions into a unified system that reduces overall complexity despite adding capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The float is designed with multi-functionality, serving as the navigation platform, power generation base, communication hub, and UAV launching/recovering station. The computer system performs multiple roles including navigating the float, controlling UAV operations, and processing data from both the WPV sensors and UAV observations, thereby improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If signal correlation methods are used to identify vessel locations, then the measurement precision of vessel positions is improved, but the loss of time for signal processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously collecting and pre-processing signals from multiple WPVs before correlation is needed for vessel location identification. The computer systems on the floats continuously navigate and track their positions, and the communication equipment continuously receives and processes signals, so that when vessel location identification is required, the correlation can be performed more quickly using pre-prepared data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the correlation results of vessel locations are fed back to adjust the signal processing parameters and navigation strategies. The computer systems use the identified vessel locations to optimize future signal correlation operations, reducing processing time while maintaining or improving precision through adaptive signal processing based on accumulated experience and patterns.
3Extent of automation
If autonomous operation is enhanced through integrated computer systems, then the extent of automation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous system is segmented into modular components: the float with its computer system for navigation and power management, the UAV with its own computer system for flight control and observation, and the communication equipment for data exchange. Each segment operates autonomously within its domain but can coordinate with others through standardized communication protocols, reducing the complexity of overall system integration while maintaining high automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The WPV and UAV systems are designed to be self-sufficient, with the float generating its own power through solar and wave energy conversion, navigating autonomously using its computer system and sensors, and the UAV performing self-controlled flight and observation tasks. The integrated computer systems manage resource allocation, task scheduling, and coordination between components without requiring external control, enhancing automation while keeping the control architecture manageable through decentralized intelligence.
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 solution allows for efficient monitoring and data collection from vessels at sea, enabling accurate location identification and UAV deployment/recovery, even in adverse conditions, using cost-effective and robust communication systems, enhancing the capability of wave-powered vehicles to operate autonomously and collaboratively with UAVs.
Implementation Method 1
a float which can float on or near the surface of water
Implementation Method 2
means for converting solar energy and/or wind power and/or wave power into electrical power
Implementation Method 3
means for converting solar energy and/or wind power and/or wave power into electrical power
Implementation Method 4
the swimmer interacts with the water to generate forces which move the float in a direction having a horizontal component
Data Source
AI summary
Equipment and methods that combine the use of wave powered vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones). A UAV can be launched from a wave-powered vehicle, observe another vessel, and report the results of its observation to the wave-powered vehicle, and the wave-powered vehicle can report the results of the observation to a remote location. The UAV can land on water and can then be recovered by the wave-powered vehicle.