Articulating moored profiler system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12282039-B2
Application number	US-202016840526-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 6, 2020
Priority date	Oct 2, 2015
Publication date	Apr 22, 2025
Grant date	Apr 22, 2025

Abstract

The present invention relates to profiler systems and methods for observing and sensing aspects of a body of water at a plurality of depths. A water profiler is disclosed comprising, generally, a vessel body connected to an external mooring mechanism via an attachment mechanism, a drive mechanism for maneuvering the vessel body longitudinally about the mooring mechanism; an articulating mechanism; and a sensor array capable of measuring a parameter for study wherein the vessel body is capable of articulating about the mooring mechanism. In alternate embodiments, the articulation allows the vessel body to be placed in relation with the three dimensional current such that at least one sensor is positioned into the current so as to sample or measure undisturbed water. In alternate embodiments, hydrofoils or wings are mounted to the vessel body that can be manipulated to harness the current force and maneuver the vessel body.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A submerged profiling device, comprising:
a vessel body comprising a leading end opposing a tail section;
a rechargeable battery;
an articulating mechanism connected to said vessel body and adapted to align said vessel body relative to a water current flow;
an attachment mechanism engaged with said articulating mechanism and adapted to mount onto a mooring mechanism; and
a drive system having a drive motor, wherein said drive system is configured to generate electricity to recharge the rechargeable battery.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a sensor array comprising one or more sensors adapted to measure at least one parameter, said sensor array being integrated onto or within said vessel body.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a lift assist system comprising one or more of a wing set, and a fin set; wherein said lift assist system is adapted to increase or decrease the force of the water current flow impacting said lift system, generating a lift force.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein said lift assist system is further adjustable, and configured to make one or more adjustments to increase or decrease the amount of the generated lift force.

5. The device of claim 4 further comprising a controller in communication with at least one of said lift assist system, said sensor array, and articulating mechanism.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein said controller is configured to control said one or more adjustments.

7. The device of claim 4 , wherein said lift assist system provides up to 100% of the lift force.

8. The device of claim 4 , wherein said lift force is not supplied by the driving system using the rechargeable battery.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein said motor can generate a back electromotive force.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein said back electromotive force is about 11.5 volts at a device profile speed of 25 cm/s.

11. The device of claim 9 , wherein when said device is driven by environmental energy to 1 m/s said back emf increases to approximately 46 volts.

12. A method of vertically profiling in an aqueous environment, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a device comprising a vessel body, a rechargeable battery disposed within said vessel body, an articulating mechanism connected to said vessel body, an attachment mechanism engaged with said articulating mechanism; an adjustable lift assist system configured to make one or more adjustments to increase or decrease the amount of a generated lift force from the water current flow impacting said lift assist system; a controller in communication with said lift assist system and configured to control said one or more adjustments, and a drive system having a drive motor, wherein said drive system is configured to generate electricity to recharge the rechargeable battery;
(b) mounting said attachment mechanism onto a mooring mechanism disposed in an aqueous environment, wherein said articulating mechanism is adapted to align said device relative to a water current flow; and
(c) moving said device along said mooring mechanism.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said device further comprises a sensor array comprising one or more sensors adapted to measure at least one parameter, said sensor array being integrated onto or within said vessel body, and further comprising the step of (d) operating said sensor array during at least one of steps (b) and (c).

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said moving step is performed so that the generated lift force is used to move said device along said mooring mechanism.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said moving step (c) further comprises directing said controller to make said one or more adjustments thereby changing the speed of said movement of said device along said mooring mechanism.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein said lift assist system provides up to 100% of the lift force.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein said lift force is not supplied by the driving system using the rechargeable battery.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein said moving step is performed so that said drive system is used to move said device along said mooring mechanism.

19. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of generating electricity to recharge the rechargeable battery.

Assignees

• Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst

Inventors

• Toole John M
• Doherty Kenneth W
• O'Brien Jeffrey K
• Thwaites Frederik T

Classifications

• G01C13/00

  Surveying specially adapted to open water, e.g. sea, lake, river or canal (liquid level metering G01F) · CPC title

• B63B35/00

  Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• G01P5/24 Primary

  by measuring the direct influence of the streaming fluid on the properties of a detecting acoustical wave · CPC title

• B63G8/14

  Control of attitude or depth (of torpedoes F42B19/00) · CPC title

• B63G8/26

  Trimming equipment · CPC title