SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSMITTING DATA FROM AN UNDERWATER STATION

• US 20130187787A1
• Filed: 01/17/2013
• Published: 07/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hadal Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hadal Inc.
• Inventors: Rikoski, Richard J., Damus, Robert S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,853,744 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/850
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/02 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the earth or a large mass of water thereon, e.g. earth telegraphy

Abstract

The systems and methods described herein include releasable storage devices that can surface with data. The devices include data storage, an antenna, battery and means to propel the device to the surface or into the atmosphere. In certain embodiments, it is a USB memory stick, a battery, suitable buoyancy, and an antenna. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods described herein include a rocket to boost the system out of the water to a higher altitude. Once the system is airborne, it can transmit data to a ship or satellite via radio communications, via other line of site methods such as optical, or may be captured by an aircraft such as a UAV.

Claims

1. A system for communicating data from an underwater location to a surface location, comprising:

a capsule having a communication interface and a data storage unit for receiving and communicating data from an underwater station at an underwater location, wherein the capsule is configured to couple with the underwater station when receiving the data, and decouple from the station and float to a first surface location when communicating the data, and

a propulsion unit coupled to the capsule for propelling the capsule into the atmosphere to a height above the first surface location to establish a communication link between the capsule and a second surface location.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the capsule includes one or more buoyancy materials selected to cause the capsule to become positively buoyant.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the propulsion unit includes one or more propellant materials and wherein the one or more propellant materials are the same as the one or more buoyancy materials.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more buoyancy materials includes syntactic wax having a matrix of wax impregnated with a plurality of microspheres, and wherein the syntactic wax combusts when ignited in the propulsion unit.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the capsule includes one or more pressure compensating materials.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the propulsion unit includes one or more propellant materials and wherein the one or more propellant materials are the same as the one or more buoyancy materials.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or more pressure compensating material includes oil.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the data storage unit is submerged in the one or more pressure compensating materials.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication interface includes a wireless transceiver.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the capsule includes a power unit having a rechargeable battery for providing electrical power to the communication interface and the data storage unit, and wherein the power unit includes inductive charging elements to allow the capsule to inductively charge the battery when in close proximity to the underwater station.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the height is selected such that the communication link is a line-of-sight communication link.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the data storage unit includes a universal serial bus (USB) key device.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein capsule includes one or more antennas for communicating across distances beyond a horizon in relation to the capsule.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein a effective data rate for communicating at least 50 MB between the underwater location at a depth of about 1000 m and the second surface location is at least 50 Kbps.

15. A method for communicating data from an underwater location to a surface location, comprising:

receiving, at a submerged data capsule, a data payload from an underwater station, wherein the data capsule includes a communication interface and a data storage unit, and is attached to the underwater station;

detaching the data capsule from the underwater station, and allowing the submerged data capsule to ascend to the surface;

communicating, using the communication interface, the data payload to one or more surface locations.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising generating electrical power from surface waves at the surface location.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the capsule includes a propulsion unit, the method further comprises propelling the capsule into the atmosphere to a height above the surface location.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising communicating the data payload while airborne.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising deploying a parachute mechanism and retrieving the capsule mid-air while the capsule descends on parachute.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the capsule includes buoyancy material that is configured to also be used for propulsion, the method further comprising igniting the buoyancy material when the capsule has ascended to a location near the surface.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the capsule includes pressure compensating material that is configured to also be used for propulsion, the method further comprising igniting the pressure compensating material when the capsule has ascended to a location near the surface.

22. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining a location of the data capsule using at least one of a passive localization technique or an active localization technique.

23. The method claim 22, wherein determining the location includes determining a course for the data capsule based on a signal received from the surface location.

24. The method of claim 15, further comprising communicating the data payload while under water.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising retrieving the capsule underwater while the capsule ascends to the surface.

26. A system for communicating data from an underwater location to a surface location, comprising:

a capsule having a communication interface and a data storage unit for receiving and communicating data from an underwater station at an underwater location, wherein the capsule is configured to couple with the underwater station when receiving the data, and decouple from the station and float to a first surface location when communicating the data; and

a power generation unit coupled to the capsule for generating electrical power from surface waves at the first surface location;

wherein the communication interface is configured to establish a communication link between the capsule and a second surface location.

27. A system for communicating data from an underwater location to a surface location, comprising:

a capsule having a radio transceiver and a data storage unit for receiving and communicating data from an underwater station at an underwater location at 1000 m below sea level,

wherein the capsule is configured to couple with the underwater station when receiving the data, and decouple from the underwater station and float to a first surface location when communicating the data,

wherein when at the first surface location, the transceiver is configured to establish a communication link to a second surface location

wherein a data rate for communicating at least 50 MB between the underwater location and the second surface location is at least 50 Kbps.

28. A system for communicating data from an underwater location to a surface location, comprising:

a capsule having a communication unit and a data storage unit for receiving and communicating a data payload from an underwater station at an underwater location,

wherein the capsule is configured to couple with the underwater station when receiving the data payload, and decouple from the underwater station and float to a first surface location when communicating the data payload,

wherein when at the first surface location, the communication unit is configured to establish a communication link and transmit the data payload to a second surface location

wherein a data rate for communicating the data payload between the underwater location and the second surface location increases linearly with a size of the data payload.