FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a scalable, modular and reconfigurable floatable renewable
energy platform for providing docking, charging and cleaning functionalities of multiple
types of marine vehicles. These vehicles can
but don't have to be autonomous.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There is a great need for using autonomous vehicles/robots for inspection, survey,
and intervention tasks of infrastructures be it at sea, lakes, rivers, or any other
body of water. Nowadays, these tasks are performed either completely manually or humans
are involved at least as operators of various types of vehicles/robots (surface, aerial,
or underwater). It is important to note that these operations are often done in harsh
weather conditions, and are dangerous, repetitive and dull. This being said, the end
goal would be to introduce fully autonomous vehicles (surface, aerial, and underwater)
that are at the same time resident to the location of infrastructure of interest.
In order to enable long-term deployment of such vehicles, a docking platform for these
vehicles is needed. This platform needs to enable docking, recharging and cleaning
services for such autonomous vehicles. Thus, it needs to be energy self-sufficient,
generating electrical power from renewable sources. Also, it needs to be modular to
enable docking and cleaning services, as well as new subsystems expansions in the
future. In case of a need for use of a larger number of autonomous vehicles or larger
vehicles, the platform needs to be reconfigurable and easily scalable in sense of
all subsystems.
[0003] Commercially available solutions most often include mostly only one or at most two
types of such vehicles that could work in synergy. Companies such as IQUA Robotics,
Blueye Robotics, DeepTrekker, VideoRay, BlueRobotics, OceanScan, SAAB, QYSEA, ECA,
Boxfish, Eelume etc. mostly produce ROVs/AUVs with various payloads. Companies such
as iXBlue, Teledyne Marine, Ocean Alpha, Maritime Robotics, Seafloor, H2O Robotics,
etc. Mostly produce ASVs with various payloads for various applications. Companies
such as Parrot S.A., Ondas Holdings Inc., EHang Holdings Limited, Draganfly Inc.,
AgEagle Aerial Systems, Inc., Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., Ambarella,
Inc., AeroVironment, Inc., Eve Holding, Inc., Joby Aviation, Inc. Produce mostly UAVs.
[0004] Long-endurance ASVs with solar and/or wind power generators are produced e.g., by
Open Ocean Robotics, L3 Harris, and Aanderaa companies. Combinations of an ASV and
an
[0005] AUV/ROV are offered e.g., by Marine Advanced Robotics Inc, L3 Harris and ECA Group.
Maritime robotics markets its Mariner X model as an ASV with integrations for docking
ROV/AUV and UAV. None of the above-mentioned companies offers residency for all three
types of vehicles (surface, aerial, and underwater) in a form of some energy independent
docking platform. Residency in maritime robotics field is mostly developed at the
sea floor and used by either AUVs or ROVs, e.g., ARV-I system developed by Boxfish
Research and
Transmark Subsea companies, SAAB's hybrid AUV Sabertooth on a Modus docking platform, or
Kongberg's eel-shaped AUV Eelume. Such residency systems are not energy independent so the energy
is assumed to be provided by the infrastructure that is inspected.
[0006] An overview of patents disclosing at least two systems/vehicles (out of: resident
docking platform, ASV, ROV, AUV, UAV, renewable energy source(s)) is given below.
Underwater vehicles tethered to a surface platform with solar panels is disclosed
in
US20190135393. ASV-AUV combination meant for hydrology and port ship monitoring applications is
disclosed in
CN109703705. An ASV trimaran with solar panels is described in
EP3501966. A multi-purpose UAV/ASV hybrid vehicle able to carry an AUV is disclosed in
CN113859530.
US11150658 discloses a hybrid aerial/underwater robotics system for scalable and adaptable maintenance.
ASV-ROV/UAV combination of vehicles for aerial for target tracking is described in
CN110362118. Combination of an ASV and an ROV cleaning system for deep sea fishing is disclosed
in
CN112642821, as well as in
US20180162504. At-sea docking residency stations are mostly deployed at sea floor and are not energy
independent, as elaborated in
US20180162504,
US20090114140,
EP3110690,
US10858076.
[0007] Invention disclosed in
US 2021/0307305 includes combination of an ASV with a UAV and AUV used for fishing. However, it does
not mention residency of those vehicles at some location or infrastructure of interest
nor a docking station that would enable long-term autonomy of such a multi-vehicle
system. It also does not mention modularity or scalability of the whole multi-vehicle
system.
[0008] US11292563 and
KR20170043035, while covering three types of autonomous vehicles and renewable energy used for
recharging, they do not capture the idea of a reconfigurable, modular and easily scalable
system for long-term resident autonomy.
[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a reconfigurable, modular
and easily scalable floatable energy platform for a long-term resident autonomy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention relates to a scalable modular and reconfigurable floatable
energy platform comprising one or more interconnected unit platforms capable of floating
on water, the one or more-unit platforms includes: at least one source of renewable
energy and combinations thereof carried by the unit platform for recharging of various
types of manned and unmanned vehicles and an integrated energy storage; a means of
wireless communication with various types of manned and unmanned vehicles and with
a remote command and control centers, and a power transfer equipment capable of recharging
and docking at least one type of manned and unmanned underwater, surface and aerial
vehicle; and a biofouling and cleaning equipment incorporated in docking stations,
each docking station comprising the power transfer equipment for various types of
manned and unmanned vehicles, wherein the more unit platforms are physically, communicative
and electrically interconnected and where a total capacity of the floatable energy
platform is configured to be scalable and reconfigurable by adjusting a number of
interconnected unit platforms.
[0011] The present invention further relates to a unit platform capable of floating on water,
having a hexagonal, triangle shape or trapezoidal shape and lightweight, durable,
buoyant chamber having biofouling preventing coating, the unit platform comprising:
at least one source of renewable energy carried by the unit platform for recharging
of various types of manned and unmanned vehicles and an integrated energy storage;
a means of wireless communication with various types of manned and unmanned vehicles
and to a remote command and control centers, and a power transfer equipment capable
of recharging and docking at least one type of manned and unmanned underwater, surface
and aerial vehicle; and a biofouling and cleaning equipment incorporated in docking
stations, each docking station comprising the power transfer equipment for various
types of manned and unmanned underwater, surface and aerial vehicles.
[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide docking, charging, and cleaning
service platforms that can be easily transported and deployed in any aquatic and remote
environment.
[0013] Another object of this invention is to provide docking, charging, and cleaning services
for one or more surface vessels/vehicles and/or underwater vehicles and/or aerial
vehicles.
[0014] Another object of this invention is to provide charging services for both manned
and unmanned vessels/vehicles from a renewable energy harvesting subsystem(s) installed.
This can include, but is not limited to, solar and/or wind and/or current and/or wave
energy generating subsystems.
[0015] Another object of this invention is a scalability of such a platform to form a larger
floatable energy platform with the same functionalities as one unit platform, but
with a significant amount of redundancy.
[0016] Another object of this invention is a reconfigurability of a larger floatable energy
platform into a few smaller floatable energy platforms that can have the same functionalities
as the larger platform.
[0017] Another object of this invention is a merger of platform(s) with various types and
number of marine vehicles to form a resident energy independent autonomous system
that can be deployed on any body of water for inspection, monitoring, security, intervention,
or any other purpose that the design of the vehicles and their payload(s) allow.
[0018] Some embodiments of this invention feature a floatable energy platform providing
docking, charging, and cleaning services for various manned and unmanned marine vehicles/vessels
that is installed onto some infrastructure of interest. The infrastructure can be
but is not limited to bridge pilons, oil and gas rigs, as well as offshore wind turbines.
This embodiment uses power and communication systems of the infrastructure that it
is installed onto.
[0019] In certain embodiments, this invention features a scalable modular and reconfigurable
multifunctional floatable platform that includes at least one source of renewable
energy and equipment needed for recharging of various types of manned and unmanned
vehicles. The source includes at least one photovoltaic solar panel that are (i) made
to withstand conditions at any body of water and (ii) can withstand the weight of
at least one human. Other sources include, but are not limited to wind, waves, and
current energy. In this case, the platform can store electric energy in an integrated
energy storage with enough capacity to enable multiple vehicles to recharge. A shape
of a basic unit of an energy self-sufficient platform is hexagonal, for various stable
physical properties such as stability, robustness, and ease of tiling.
[0020] This invention further features various means of wireless communication with manned
and unmanned vehicles/vessels above the body of water and the main control center
on land, which can be but are not limited to WiFi, LoraWAN, cellular, and satellite
communication. It also features equipment for underwater communication, be it acoustic,
optic or any other modems. Further, the invention can be equipped with various sensors.
This can include but is not limited to (a) cameras, both above and below the body
of water, RBG, RBGD, multispectral, or any other, (b) navigation sensors such as (but
not limited to) IMU and GNSS, (c) environmental sensors above and below the water
surface such as (but not limited to) pH, temperature, chlorophyl, anemometer, air
pressure, pollution (NOx, PM5, PM10), UV radiation, lightning detectors.
[0021] Moreover, the present invention features a water desalinization and sea salt/biofouling
cleaning equipment. A surface of a platform above the waterline can be autonomously
cleaned by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using tools embedded on a top surface
of the platform. A submerged part of the platform can be cleaned by a remotely operated
vehicle (ROV) or an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) using tools embedded at a
bottom side of the platform. UAV(s) and ROV(s)/AUV(s) can be cleaned by docking and
cleaning modules installed on a top and/or bottom side of the platform, respectively.
An autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) can be cleaned by a docking and cleaning station
mounted on a lateral side of the platform. Cleaning services performed autonomously
by UAV(s) and ROV(s)/AUV(s) can also be provided for the manned vessels moored to
the platform.
[0022] The present invention features a power transfer equipment capable of recharging and
docking at least one type of manned and unmanned underwater, surface and aerial vehicle.
The power transfer equipment can be but is not limited to the use of elastic springs
with magnets on each end to ensure reliable but elastic physical link between the
platform and a docked surface vessel. ROV(s)/AUV(s) can be docked in a hull(s) of
the ASV and/or in the dockings below the platform. UAV(s) can be docked on a landing
platform on a top of the ASV and/or on a top surface of a main platform structure.
[0023] Securing a floatable energy platform in a position can be performed by tying the
platform to a buoy that is moored, e.g., in shallow waters where this is possible.
Another embodiment of this invention enables moving the floatable energy platform,
but also a dynamical positioning feature of the whole floatable energy platform using
(azimuth) thrusters mounted on a bottom part of the floatable energy platform and/or
unit platform.
[0024] In other embodiments, this invention can easily be scaled up to create a much bigger
floatable energy platform than previously mentioned herein. A mosaic of hexagonal
unit platforms can easily be made, with a plurality of elastic spring-magnet links
between each unit platform. These links can provide both physical, communication and
electrical connection of the unit platforms. Since each unit platform can have an
integrated energy storage, a total capacity of a whole floatable energy platform is
easily scalable. Furthermore, a large (actuated) docking floatable energy platform
can reconfigure itself to a few smaller floatable energy platforms having the same
functionalities as the large one in case energy is needed at a few distant positions
at sea. Such larger floatable energy platform can be used to recharge batteries of
fossil fuel powered sailboats/yachts and electric yachts, but in the future, it could
be used even for larger fully electric ships. Due to inherent modularity, a larger
scaled-up floatable energy platform can have all the same functionalities as the unit
platform regarding communication, power generation, sensors, biofouling cleaning,
docking, and actuation, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] In what follows, preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail
with reference to the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic top plan view of a floatable energy platform comprising
more interconnected unit platforms capable of floating on water according to the invention,
FIG. 2 illustrates schematic top plan view of trapezoidal and triangular shapes of
unit platforms being connectable to a floatable energy platform forming a larger floatable
energy platform according to the invention,
FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic top plan view of a large floatable energy platform
being reconfigurable into a few smaller platforms according to the invention,
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a unit platform made from a lightweight,
buoyant/inflatable, foldable, and biofouling preventing material according to the
invention having photovoltaic solar panel and an integrated energy storage according
to the invention,
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an energy independent unit platform capable
of generating electrical energy from solar, wind, tidal and wave renewable energy
sources according to the invention,
FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a unit platform comprising above water and
underwater communication systems of the present invention,
FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of unit platform comprising a plurality of
above water and/or underwater sensors according to the invention,
FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a unit platform comprising various types
of docking and biofouling cleaning and/or power transfer equipment for various types
of manned and unmanned vehicles (ASV, AUV/ROV, UAV) according to the invention,
FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a docking, charging and communication and/or
power transfer equipment of a surface vessel/vehicle onto a unit platform according
to the invention,
FIG 10A shows docking and recharging and/or power transfer equipment for AUV(s)/ROV(s)
as a part of an ASV's hull(s) according to the invention,
FIG. 10B shows docking and recharging and/or power transfer equipment for AUV(s)/ROV(s)
as a part of a unit platform according to the invention,
FIG. 11A shows a surface vehicle comprising a top platform for docking and recharging
systems and/or power transfer equipment for UAV according to the invention,
FIG. 11B shows docking and recharging systems and/or power transfer equipment for
UAV installed on a top surface of a unit platform according to the invention,
FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of a three linked unit platforms according to the
invention,
FIG. 13 shows an example of mooring of a unit platform via a buoy according to the
invention,
FIG. 14 shows a bottom and side view of a unit platform's actuation system of thrusters
according to the invention, and
FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a docking and recharging platform installed
onto an existing infrastructure according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The present invention can be accomplished by a buoyant structure capable of floating
on water, that enables docking, charging, and cleaning services for one or more surface
vessels/vehicles and/or underwater vehicles and/or aerial vehicles. These vehicles
can but
don't have to be autonomous. The structure/docking station can be easily transported and deployed in any aquatic
and/or remote environment. Certain illustrative combinations of components and capabilities
are described herein, with other combinations occurring to those skilled in the relevant
technical arts after reviewing this disclosure.
[0027] As described in more detail below in relation to accompanying FIGS. a currently preferred
buoyant structure is designed to be a modular, scalable and reconfigurable multifunctional
quick-deploy, micro-grid floatable energy platform 100 for docking, charging and cleaning
of multiple and various types of manned and unmanned marine vehicles. Vehicles can
be, but are not limited to, resident manned or unmanned surface 220 and/or underwater
210 and/or aerial vehicles 230 used for long-term survey and/or inspection and/or
intervention tasks at some infrastructure 200 or location of interest. However, the
floatable energy platform 100 can be used to recharge batteries of fossil fuel powered
yachts and boats. In the future, it may even charge fully electric boats and ships.
The floatable energy platform 100 can be deployed at any body of water.
[0028] In general, floatable energy platforms 100 and/or one or more interconnected unit
platforms 101 capable of floating on water with integrated devices according to the
present invention have one or more capabilities as follows: Integrated Communications
and Data Transfer to remote command and control centers; Integrated Dock Side and
Wireless Charging devices and capabilities; Integration of Vertical Wind Power, Wave
Energy, Tidal Power, and/or Solar Power Generation sources and devices; Integrated
Energy Storage, Battery Charging Management Systems, Power Conversion and Inverters;
Integration of Water Sensing devices; Integration of Autonomous Navigation system
and capabilities; Integration of Electric Marine Propulsion systems; Integration of
Water Desalination Systems; Integrated Sustainable Materials; and/or Integrated Data
and Communication for Wireless Signal Services.
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 14, a modular, scalable and reconfigurable floatable
energy platform 100 includes one or more interconnected unit platforms 101 capable
of floating on water. Each unit platform 101 comprises a lightweight, foldable, durable,
buoyant chamber 102 that has biofouling preventing coating. It can be made of a robust
buoyant foam or can be inflatable for easier transportation. According to a preferred
embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the floatable energy
platform 100 benefits a tiling property of a hexagonal shape of the unit platform
101. A superstructure of a larger floatable energy platform 100 comprises a plurality
of hexagonal unit platforms 101, but can also be supplemented with semi-hexagonal/trapezoidal
101A and/or triangular unit platforms 101B if a long flat surface is needed for some
reason. As FIG. 3 schematically illustrates, a large floatable energy platform 100
that may be reconfigured into a few smaller floating energy platforms 100A, 100B and
100C in case e.g., energy generation is needed urgently at a few distant locations.
A shape of the unit platform 101 can be, but is not limited to, the hexagonal shape
101, triangle shape 101B or trapezoidal shape 101A. A size of different shapes of
unit platforms 101 is configured so that said different shapes can be connected/tiled
to form a flat floatable energy platform 100. The hexagonal shape of the unit platform
101 is a preferred shape due to its favorable biomimetic tiling properties on water.
The hexagonal unit platforms 101 can be designed to fit a standard transport pallet,
or ship containers.
[0030] The scalable, modular and reconfigurable floatable energy platform 100 comprises
one or more interconnected unit platforms 101 capable of floating on water. The one
or more-unit platforms 101 includes at least one source of renewable energy carried
by the unit platform 101 for recharging of various types of manned and unmanned underwater,
surface and aerial vehicles 210, 220, 230 and an integrated energy storage 103; a
means of wireless communication with various types of manned and unmanned vehicles
210, 220, 230 and to a remote command and control centers, and a power transfer equipment
120 capable of recharging at least one type of manned and unmanned underwater, surface
and aerial vehicle 210, 220, 230; and a biofouling and cleaning equipment 118, 119)
incorporated in docking stations 221, 223, 224, each docking station 221, 223, 224
comprising the power transfer equipment 120 for various types of manned and unmanned
underwater, surface and aerial vehicles 210, 220, 230.
[0031] The underwater, surface and aerial vehicles 210, 220, 230 can but don't have to be
autonomous.
[0032] The more unit platforms 101 are physically, communicative and electrically interconnected
and where a total capacity of the floatable energy platform 100 is configured to be
scalable and reconfigurable by adjusting a number of interconnected unit platforms
101.
[0033] The floatable energy platform 100 comprising one or more interconnected unit platforms
101 capable of floating on water or the unit platform 101 each may be autonomous and
all its subsystems (power management, navigation, guidance, control, sensor data processing,
etc.) are controlled by a main onboard computer. Positioning of the unit platform
101 or floating energy platform 100 close to the desired infrastructure 200 or location
can be done in a passive and active manner, as shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15. The passive
positioning of the unit platform 101 or floating energy platform 100 can be done by
mooring over a buoy 107. The unit platform 101 or floating energy platform 100 is
secured to the buoy 107, where the buoy 107 is connected to a tie rod or rope 108
moored to a bottom 110 of the body of water. Generally, in case of the passive positioning,
the unit platform 101 or floating energy platform 100 is deployed at, e.g., in shallow
waters. FIG. 14 illustrates the active positioning of the floatable energy platform
100 or the unit platform 101, wherein the one or more-unit platforms 101 include at
least one thruster 106a-d in configuration that allows dynamical positioning of the
one or more-unit platform 101. The active positioning includes thrusters 106, preferably
but not limited to, four thrusters 106a-d in X configuration that allow dynamical
positioning of the floatable energy platform 100 or unit platform 101 with an arbitrary
heading, but also movement and relocation of the floatable energy platform 100 or
unit platform 101 if it is needed somewhere else. The thrusters 106a-d can be, but
are not limited to, azimuth thrusters 106a-d so that each thruster 106a-d can be independently
oriented in a horizontal plane. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will come up
with other configurations with other types and number of thrusters 106a-d to achieve
the same functionality.
[0034] The preferred embodiment of the invention is energy independent and uses at least
one source of renewable energy and combinations thereof, the source of renewable energy
can be solar 104, wind 105, tidal 105A, wave, or any other to generate electricity,
as shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, 11B to 14. All generators (be it solar, wind, tidal, wave
or other) are configured to optimally orient themselves to maximize harvested energy.
The electrical energy is stored in an integrated energy storage 103. The integrated
energy storage 103 can have enough capacity to charge all the resident vehicles at
least once between their missions.
[0035] The present invention can use various means of communication via an integrated communication
equipment with a base station on land, autonomous, and manned vehicles 210, 220, 230,
as shown in FIG. 6. The unit platform 101 or floatable energy platform 100 can communicate
wirelessly with the base station on land being a remote command and control centers
using, but not limited to, WIFI- 112a, and/or LoraWAN- 112b, and/or cellular- 112c,
and/or satellite-112d. It can communicate with both manned and unmanned vehicles 220,
230 through air using the above-mentioned technologies. Furthermore, it can communicate
with underwater vehicles 210 using, but not limited to, an acoustic 113 and/or optic
114 modems. An IOT (internet of things) communication system is included in some constructions.
[0036] The unit platform 101 or floatable energy platform 100 comprising one or more interconnected
unit platforms 101 capable of floating on water includes various water and air sensing
devices, as shown in FIG 7. The sensing devices can include, but are not limited to,
(a) cameras above and/or below water 115 that can be RGB, RGBD, multispectral, etc.;
(b) IMU and GNSS
sensors used for estimating platform's position and orientation in 3D space; (c) aerial weather station 116 that can, but is not limited
to include thermometer and/or anemometer, air barometer, UV radiation, lightning,
and pollution sensors (NOx, PM5, PM10, and/or any other); (d) underwater environmental
sensors 116A that can include, but are not limited, to pH, temperature, chlorophyl,
salinity sensors. This invention can be used as a so-called underwater lighthouse
for underwater vehicles 210 since it can be mounted with 4 or more acoustic transponders
117 in a USBL or SBL configuration. The underwater vehicles 210 in this case get the
GNSS position of the floatable energy platform 100 or unit platform 101 and their
relative position w.r.t. it so they can compute their georeferenced position.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 8, the unit platform 101 is also providing docking and biofouling
cleaning services for itself, but also for various types of vehicles 210, 220, 230.
For this the one or more-unit platforms (101)include a water desalinization system
and high-pressure pumps. The water desalinization system and high-pressure pumps can
be incorporated in the biofouling and cleaning equipment 118, 119 for various types
of manned and unmanned vehicles 210, 220, 230.The surface vehicle 220 is cleaned in
enclosed docking stations 221 using the high-pressure pumps that push the desalinated
water both above and under the water surface. The docking stations 221 are mounted
on a lateral side of the one or more-unit platforms 101, the docking station 221 is
equipped with high-pressure pumps that push a desalinated water both above and under
the surface vehicle 220. ROV and/or AUV 210 can clean the underwater part of the surface
vehicle 220 and/or the platform using cleaning equipment 118 mounted on a bottom side
of the one or more-unit platforms 101. ROV and/or AUV 210 are cleaned of biofouling
in specialized enclosed docking station 223 on the bottom side of the one or more-unit
platforms 101 and/or floatable energy platform 100 using the high-pressure desalinized
water. The aerial vehicle 230 can be cleaned of sea salt and biofouling in a specialized
enclosed docking station 224 arranged on a top side of the one or more-unit platforms
101101 and/or floatable energy platform 100 using the high-pressure desalinized water.
Moreover, the unit platform 101 itself can be cleaned by the aerial vehicle 230 capable
of using cleaning equipment 119 arranged on the top side of the one or more-unit platforms
101101 and/or floatable energy platform 100.
[0038] The biofouling and cleaning equipment 118, 119 can be incorporated in docking stations
221, 223, 224, each docking station 221, 223, 224 comprising the power transfer equipment
120 for various types of manned and unmanned vehicles 210, 220, 230.
[0039] FIG. 9 illustrates the power transfer equipment 120 capable of recharging at least
one type of manned and unmanned vehicle for the surface vessel 220. The surface vessel
220 can be, but is not limited to, autonomous vehicle. The surface vehicle 220 docks
onto the floatable energy platform 100 or unit platform 101 via a docking station
221 or by means of the power transfer equipment 120. The surface vehicle 220 is configured
to be connected to power transfer equipment 120 via a plurality of elastic links 111a-n.
Particularly, at least one hull of the surface vehicle 220 includes an assembly configured
to be connected to the links 111a-n. The links 111a-n have (electro)magnets on its
ends, and a spring system in a middle. In case of a surface vessel, it can be recharged
by the said elastic links 111a-n, if it has compatible assembly configured to receive
links 111a-n. If not, it can be tied to the railing on an outer edge of the floatable
energy platform 100 or unit platform 101 and recharged using a standard connector
(220 V AC IEC 309 and/or L5-20 110V, or other). The power transfer equipment 120 for
the surface vessels 220 is arranged at the unit platforms 101 being located on outer
edges of the floatable energy platform 100.
[0040] An underwater docking station 223 capable of docking, wireless recharging and cleaning
subsystem 118 for the AUV/ROV 210 can be mounted on the bottom side of the floatable
energy platform 100 or one or more-unit platforms 101 (FIGS. 8 and 10B). Another embodiment
is to have a custom-made docking station 223 for the AUV/ROV 210. Said docking station
223 comprises incorporated the power transfer equipment 120 and biofouling and cleaning
equipment and can be placed inside hull(s) of the surface vehicle 220, e.g., The surface
vehicle 220 can be a single hull 220A, catamaran 220A, 220B, or trimaran ASV 220A,
220B, 220C as illustrated in FIG. 10A.
[0041] FIG. 11B is a schematic representation of the docking station 224 configured for
wireless charging and including cleaning equipment used by the UAV 230. Said docking
station 224 can be mounted on the top surface of the floatable energy platform 100
and/or unit platform 101. In another embodiment of the invention, said docking station
224 can be mounted on a top surface of the surface vehicle 220, as shown in FIG. 11A.
[0042] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a plurality of the unit platforms 101 being
physically, communicative and electrically interconnected with the plurality of elastic
physical links 111an. The plurality of the unit platforms 101 are mutually daisy chained
with the plurality of elastic links 111a-c that provide physical, but also power and
communication connection between neighboring unit platforms 101. Since each unit platform
101 contains its own integrated energy storage system 103, a total capacity of the
floatable energy platform 100 is easily scalable.
[0043] Power generation and delivery systems of the floatable energy platform 100 reflect
those of each unit platform 101. Furthermore, this can also hold for all other positioning,
communication, sensor, biofouling cleaning, docking and charging subsystems that were
mentioned above, but in this case possibly in greater numbers. The floatable energy
platform 100 can be used for docking not only smaller autonomous and manned vessels,
but also larger boats and ships that can be fully electrically powered. In case that
the floatable energy platform 100 would significantly obstruct the flora and fauna
of the body of water below it, transparent materials can be used for the solar panels
104 and unit platform body 100 so that the effect on photosynthesis is reduced.
[0044] Another embodiment of this invention features a simpler unit platform 101 providing
docking, charging, and cleaning services for various unmanned vehicles/vessels that
is installed onto some infrastructure 200 of interest, as illustrated in FIG. 15.
Infrastructure 200 can be, but is not limited to, bridge pilons, oil and gas rigs,
as well as offshore wind turbines. This embodiment uses power and communication systems
of the infrastructure 200 that it is installed onto. The unit platform 101 is thus
connected to communication and/or power systems of the infrastructure and as such
is not independent. In this case, the surface vehicle 220 has a docking, charging
and cleaning subsystems 005 for the AUV/ROV 210 in its hull(s) 220A, 220B. Moreover,
the UAV 230 is docked, charged and cleaned on such a system mounted on a top platform
of the surface vehicle 220.
[0045] Although specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and
not in others, this is for convenience only, as each feature may be combined with
any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. While there have
been shown, described, and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention
as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions,
substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and
in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that
all combinations of those elements and/or steps that perform substantially the same
function, in substantially the same way, to achieve the same results be within the
scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to
another are also fully intended and contemplated. It is also to be understood that
the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but that they are merely conceptual
in nature.
[0046] It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the
claims appended hereto. Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and
are within the following claims.
1. A scalable, modular and reconfigurable floatable energy platform (100) comprising:
one or more interconnected unit platforms (101) capable of floating on water,
the one or more-unit platforms (101) includes:
- at least one source of renewable energy carried by the unit platform (101) for recharging
of various types of manned and unmanned underwater, surface and aerial vehicles (210,
220, 230) and an integrated energy storage (103);
- a means of wireless communication with various types of manned and unmanned vehicles
(210, 220, 230) and to a remote command and control centers,
- a power transfer equipment (120) capable of recharging at least one type of manned
and unmanned underwater, surface and aerial vehicle (210, 220, 230); and
- a biofouling and cleaning equipment (118, 119) incorporated in docking stations
(221, 223, 224), each docking station (221, 223, 224) comprising the power transfer
equipment (120) for various types of manned and unmanned vehicles (210, 220, 230),
wherein the more unit platforms (101) are physically, communicative and electrically
interconnected, where a total capacity of the floatable energy platform (100) is configured
to be scalable and reconfigurable by adjusting a number of interconnected unit platforms
(101).
2. The floatable energy platform (100) according to claim 1, wherein the unit platform
(101) has a hexagonal shape (101), triangle shape (101B) or trapezoidal shape (101A),
where a size of different shapes of unit platforms (101) is configured so that said
different shapes are connected to form a flat floatable energy platform (100).
3. The floatable energy platform (100) according to claim 1, wherein each unit platform
(101) comprises a lightweight, durable, buoyant chamber (102) having biofouling preventing
coating.
4. The floatable energy platform (100) according to claim 1, wherein the power transfer
equipment (120) comprises a plurality of elastic physical links (111a-n), the plurality
of elastic physical links (111a-n) includes electromagnets on its ends and a spring
system in a middle between said ends, and where each manned and unmanned underwater,
surface and aerial vehicle (210, 220, 230) includes an equipment configured to be
connected to the plurality of elastic physical links (111a-n).
5. The floatable energy platform (100) according to claim 4, wherein the power transfer
equipment (120) for the surface vessels (220) is arranged at the unit platforms (101)
being located on outer edges of the floatable energy platform (100).
6. The floatable energy platform (100) according to claim 4, wherein the more unit platforms
(101) are physically, communicative and electrically interconnected with the plurality
of elastic physical links (111a-n).
7. The floatable energy platform (100) according to claim 1, wherein the power transfer
equipment (120), docking station (223) and cleaning equipment (118) for the underwater
vehicles (210) is mounted underwater on a bottom side of the one or more-unit platforms
(101), the power transfer equipment (120), cleaning equipment for the surface vehicles
(220) is enclosed in the docking station (221) mounted on a lateral side of the one
or more-unit platforms (101), the docking station (221) is equipped with high-pressure
pumps for pushing a desalinated water both above and under the surface vehicle (220).
8. The floatable energy platform (100) according to claim 1, wherein the surface vehicle
(220) comprises a custom-made docking station (223) and cleaning equipment for the
underwater vehicles (210) arranged inside one or more hull(s) (220A, 220B, 220C) of
the surface vehicle (220).
9. The floatable energy platform (100) according to claim 1, wherein the power transfer
equipment (120), docking station (224) and cleaning equipment (119) for the aerial
vehicles (230) are arranged on a top surface of the one or more-unit platforms (101),
or said power transfer equipment (120), docking station (224) and cleaning equipment
(119) are arranged on a top surface of the surface vehicle (220).
10. The floatable energy platform (100) according to claim 1, wherein the one or more-unit
platforms (101) include a water desalinization system and high-pressure pumps incorporated
in the biofouling and cleaning equipment (118, 119) for various types of manned and
unmanned vehicles (210, 220, 230).
11. The floatable energy platform (100) according to claim 1, wherein the one or more-unit
platforms (101) include water and air sensing devices and sensors used for estimating
the one or more-unit platforms (101) position and orientation in 3D space.
12. The floatable energy platform (100) according to claim 1, wherein the one or more-unit
platforms (101) include at least one thruster (106a-d) in a configuration that allows
dynamical positioning of the one or more-unit platform (101).
13. A unit platform (101) capable of floating on water, having a hexagonal shape (101)
and lightweight, durable, buoyant chamber (102) having biofouling preventing coating,
the unit platform (101) comprising:
- at least one source of renewable energy carried by the unit platform (101) for recharging
of various types of manned and unmanned underwater, surface and aerial vehicles (210,
220, 230) and an integrated energy storage (103);
- a means of wireless communication with various types of manned and unmanned vehicles
(210, 220, 230) and to a remote command and control centers, and a power transfer
equipment (120) capable of recharging at least one type of manned and unmanned underwater,
surface and aerial vehicle (210, 220, 230); and
- a biofouling and cleaning equipment (118, 119) incorporated in docking stations
(221, 223, 224), each docking station (221, 223, 224) comprising the power transfer
equipment (120) for various types of manned and unmanned underwater, surface and aerial37
vehicles (210, 220, 230).
14. The unit platform (101) according to claim 13, wherein the power transfer equipment
(120), docking station (223) and cleaning equipment (118) for the underwater vehicles
(210) is mounted underwater on a bottom side of the one or more-unit platforms (101),
the cleaning equipment for the surface vehicles (220) is enclosed in the docking station
(221) mounted on a lateral side of the one or more-unit platforms (101), the docking
station (221) is equipped with high-pressure pumps that push a desalinated water both
above and under the surface vehicle (220).
15. The unit platform (101) according to claim 13, wherein comprises water and air sensing
devices and sensors used for estimating unit platform's position and orientation in
3D space.