Autonomous surface watercraft
First Claim
1. An autonomous watercraft comprising:
- a vertical hull assembly comprising at least one sensor module coupling point, wherein the vertical hull assembly comprises a fore end, an aft end, a top, a bottom, an interior region, a longitudinal axis extending between the fore end and the aft end, wherein the vertical hull assembly has a generally tear drop shaped cross sectional profile extending along the longitudinal axis, and wherein at least one sensor module coupling point is configured to allow a sensor module to be coupled to the vertical hull assembly without opening a watertight seal of the vertical hull assembly;
at least one control module coupled to the vertical hull assembly; and
at least one propulsion device coupled to the vertical hull assembly, wherein at least one propulsion device is in operative communication with at least one control module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An autonomous surface watercraft is disclosed. The watercraft may include a control module, a communications module, a power management module, a differential thrust propulsion system, and a navigation module. One or more sensors may be provided internal to the watercraft and/or coupled to a sensor module coupling point on the watercraft. An operator may provide the watercraft with mission parameters such as but not limited to station point(s), a sensing location or area, a sensing duration, and/or a sensing time. The watercraft may determine a course heading to reach a station point or sensing area. The control module may control the propulsion system to reach the station point and for station keeping. The watercraft may gather sensor data. The sensor data may be analyzed, filtered, stored in memory and/or transmitted to a control center. The control center may receive real-time data from a plurality of such watercraft.
29 Citations
39 Claims
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1. An autonomous watercraft comprising:
- a vertical hull assembly comprising at least one sensor module coupling point, wherein the vertical hull assembly comprises a fore end, an aft end, a top, a bottom, an interior region, a longitudinal axis extending between the fore end and the aft end, wherein the vertical hull assembly has a generally tear drop shaped cross sectional profile extending along the longitudinal axis, and wherein at least one sensor module coupling point is configured to allow a sensor module to be coupled to the vertical hull assembly without opening a watertight seal of the vertical hull assembly;
at least one control module coupled to the vertical hull assembly; and
at least one propulsion device coupled to the vertical hull assembly, wherein at least one propulsion device is in operative communication with at least one control module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
- a vertical hull assembly comprising at least one sensor module coupling point, wherein the vertical hull assembly comprises a fore end, an aft end, a top, a bottom, an interior region, a longitudinal axis extending between the fore end and the aft end, wherein the vertical hull assembly has a generally tear drop shaped cross sectional profile extending along the longitudinal axis, and wherein at least one sensor module coupling point is configured to allow a sensor module to be coupled to the vertical hull assembly without opening a watertight seal of the vertical hull assembly;
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39. An autonomous surface watercraft comprising:
- a vertical hull assembly, wherein the vertical hull assembly comprises a generally tear drop shaped cross sectional profile extending in the direction of travel and an interior region;
at least one rechargeable power source disposed within the vertical hull assembly;
at least one propulsion device coupled to the vertical hull assembly and operatively coupled to at least one rechargeable power source; and
at least one connection point on the vertical hull assembly, wherein at least one connection point allows at least one rechargeable power source to be recharged without opening the substantially water-tight seal.
- a vertical hull assembly, wherein the vertical hull assembly comprises a generally tear drop shaped cross sectional profile extending in the direction of travel and an interior region;
Specification