| Inventor
Rob Coulson
Ocean Engineer Joe Lambiotte
Ocean Engineer Gabriel Grenon
Software Engineer Tom Pantelakis
Electrical Engineer John Curran
Electrical Engineer IP Status
U.S. Patent Pending(Utility Patent Filled)U.S. Patent App. No. 11/582,033
10/17/07 Contact Information
Office of Technology Transfer
777 Glades Road, ADM 218
Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991 Kurt R. Moore
Assistant V.P. & Director
Ph: 561-297-1165
Fax: 561-297-2141
kmoore34@fau.edu Michelle Webb
Assistant Director
Ph: 561-297-0673
Fax: 561-297-2141
mwebb18@fau.edu Case Number
2005-21
 | Technology Underwater vehicles have proven useful for scientists, researchers, underwater recovery efforts and other endeavors. The vehicles provide researchers with a simple, long-range and low-cost solution to gather oceanographic data. Common applications for deploying an AUV include: oceanographic sampling, bathymetry profiling, underwater system inspection, and military mine counter-measure (MCM) operations. The ability to dock an AUV is a key component to extending the endurance capability of an AUV. A docking system consists of a docking station, which is commonly situated on the ocean floor, and a docking payload which is situated on an AUV. Docking allows an AUV to recharge its batteries, download collected data and upload new mission instructions. The use of a docking station in an AUV’s mission creates an enormous saving of man-power and ship-time requirements for the recovery of the AUV and its collected data. In other situations, operating an AUV without a dock is difficult or impossible, such as in adverse weather conditions. This invention relates to a power transfer system usable with an underwater system, such as, but not limited to, an AUV. The power transfer system may be particularly suited for the saltwater environment where conventional systems have failed. The power transfer system may be configured such that power can be transmitted between the docking station and underwater vehicle without physical contact between connectors; thus, the power transfer system overcomes the fouling and marine growth issues common in systems operating in the ocean. The main objective of this docking design was to build a docking system that is rugged and operable over a long duration, which includes being able to withstand cycle stress, corrosion, and bio fouling growth. Applications The described docking system was originally developed for 12.75 inch class AUVs, but has been applied to 21 inch class and can be extended to other vehicles geometries | Advantages - More cost effective operations
- Long term AUV deployments
- Safe in situ storage between missions
- Ability to operate in adverse weather conditions
- Robust design allows long term deployment in ocean environment
- High efficiency inductive power transfer
- Small, light-weight package
|  | State of Development The docking system has been built and tested at FAU. This system was designed to fit 12.75” diameter class vehicles. A similar system was delivered to and is being further tested and developed by Montery Bay Aquarium Research Institute in Moss Landing, California. MBARI’s docking station is designed to accommodate a 21” diameter vehicle.
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Updated August 9, 2008 |
