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Unmanned ocean vehicle

  • US 7,789,723 B2
  • Filed: 07/30/2004
  • Issued: 09/07/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2003
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An unmanned ocean vehicle for operating either on or below the surface of a body of water, said vehicle comprising:

  • an enclosed hull having a payload bay;

    a hybrid propulsion system having energy collectors and energy stores utilising at least (i) solar energy, (ii) wave or water current energy, and (iii) wind energy;

    a plurality of sensors for detecting predetermined environmental parameters; and

    a communications system for transmitting data from said sensors about selected environmental parameters to, and for receiving command signals from, one or more remote stations;

    wherein the hybrid propulsion system includes an electrical machine mechanically coupled to a fluid drive element, and wherein the electrical machine is supplied from the energy stores to drive the fluid drive element in a motor mode, and wherein the vehicle further includes ballast tanks for selective submerging and re-surfacing of the vehicle to facilitate selective operation on or below the water surface.

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