Pivoting AUV/UUV dock for use with a wave energy converter
AssigneeUniversity of Massachusetts
InventorsGregory E Browne, Christopher M Meninno, Daniel G MacDonald, Mehdi Raessi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An AUV/UUV docking station is provided that is tethered to a wave energy converter that is in turn tethered to a flotation buoy. The AUV/UUV docking station has a cone for directing an AUV/UUV into a charging dock that is rotatable between a horizontal docking position and a vertical charging position such that in the vertical position the docking station and docked AUV/UUV have a reduced profile so as not to interfere with the operation of the wave energy converter. Energy from the wave energy converter is directed to the dock to charge the AUV/UUV.
Claims12
A docking system for an underwater vehicle comprising:
- a support frame;
- a cylinder for receiving an AUV/UUV to be charged, said cylinder pivotally attached to said support frame and movable between a horizontal docking position and a vertical charging position;
- a cone affixed to a bottom end of the cylinder;
- and
- a weight movable along a length of the cylinder;
- wherein said weight is selectively movable from one end of the cylinder to an opposing end of the cylinder to change a center of gravity of the cylinder and effect pivoting of the cylinder between said horizontal and vertical positions.
A charging apparatus for an underwater vehicle comprising:
- a wave energy converter device;
- a docking station mechanically and electrically coupled to said wave energy converter device,
- said docking station comprising:
- a support frame;
- a cylinder for receiving an AUV/UUV to be charged, said cylinder pivotally attached to said support frame and movable between a horizontal docking position and a vertical charging position;
- a cone affixed to a bottom end of the cylinder;
- and
- a weight movable along a length of the cylinder;
- wherein said weight is selectively movable from one end of the cylinder to an opposing end of the cylinder to change a center of gravity of the cylinder and effect pivoting of the cylinder between said horizontal and vertical positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.