Pivoting AUV/UUV dock for use with a wave energy converter
An AUV/UUV docking station is provided that is tethered to a wave energy converter that is in turn tethered to a flotation buoy. The AUV/UUV docking station has a cone for directing an AUV/UUV into a charging dock that is rotatable between a horizontal docking position and a vertical charging position such that in the vertical position the docking station and docked AUV/UUV have a reduced profile so as not to interfere with the operation of the wave energy converter. Energy from the wave energy converter is directed to the dock to charge the AUV/UUV.
1 . A docking system for an underwater vehicle comprising:
a support frame;
a cylinder for receiving an AUV/UUV to be charged, said cylinder pivotally attached to said support frame and movable between a horizontal docking position and a vertical charging position;
a cone affixed to a bottom end of the cylinder; and
a weight movable along a length of the cylinder;
wherein said weight is selectively movable from one end of the cylinder to an opposing end of the cylinder to change a center of gravity of the cylinder and effect pivoting of the cylinder between said horizontal and vertical positions.
2 . The docking system of claim 1 , said frame further comprising:
at least two vertical frame members; and
a horizontal member connecting a lower end of said two vertical frame members,
wherein said cylinder in said horizontal docking position rests against said horizontal member.
3 . The docking system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a charging port on an interior of said cylinder.
4 . The docking system of claim 3 , wherein said charging port is a direct connection type charging port.
5 . The docking system of claim 3 , wherein said charging port is an inductive charging port.
6 . The docking system of claim 3 , further comprising:
an electrical connection extending from said charging port to a mooring tether at a top end of said support frame.
7 . The docking system of claim 1 , wherein said docking system is attached to a wave energy converter device by a mooring tether, said docking system including a charging port on an interior of said cylinder and an electrical connection extending from said charging port to an output on said wave energy converter.
8 . A charging apparatus for an underwater vehicle comprising:
a wave energy converter device;
a docking station mechanically and electrically coupled to said wave energy converter device,
said docking station comprising:
a support frame;
a cylinder for receiving an AUV/UUV to be charged, said cylinder pivotally attached to said support frame and movable between a horizontal docking position and a vertical charging position;
a cone affixed to a bottom end of the cylinder; and
a weight movable along a length of the cylinder;
wherein said weight is selectively movable from one end of the cylinder to an opposing end of the cylinder to change a center of gravity of the cylinder and effect pivoting of the cylinder between said horizontal and vertical positions.
9 . The charging apparatus claim 8 , said frame further comprising:
at least two vertical frame members; and
a horizontal member connecting a lower end of said two vertical frame members,
wherein said cylinder in said horizontal docking position rests against said horizontal member.
10 . The charging apparatus claim 8 , further comprising:
a charging port on an interior of said cylinder, said charging port electrically coupled to said wave energy converter.
11 . The charging apparatus claim 10 , wherein said charging port is a direct connection type charging port.
12 . The charging apparatus claim 10 , wherein said charging port is an inductive charging port.