Integrated wave power charging capability for ocean observing vehicles

Adoption of autonomous underwater vehicle AUV technology has recently experienced rapid growth, fueled by possibilities opened up through technology advances. AUVs are particularly useful as unmanned survey platforms, and typically have an array of onboard sensors to collect data for a variety of commercial and military applications. AUVs are autonomous and untethered systems and require a power source, typically batteries, to be carried onboard. An increase in available energy by even a small amount can be gamechanging for AUV applications with benefits including longer mission durations, higher sampling rate, more sensing capability, and improved communication capability. The problem of finite battery life can be addressed by allowing the AUV to extract energy from its surrounding environment and eliminating the need to recover the vehicle until the mission is complete. This project aims to develop a system that will recharge the AUV using the energy in ocean waves. Such a system integrated into commercial AUVs represents a potentially gamechanging opportunity. In the Phase 1 project, OPI demonstrated in the laboratory a working concept that will allow a small AUV to recharge its batteries using ocean waves. Importantly, this concept is selfcontained and requires no external infrastructure to operate, allowing the AUV complete freedom to operate. Furthermore, the proposed approach is scalable and adaptable and can potentially be applied to any AUV. In the proposed Phase II program, OPI will further develop the Wave Power Charging System WPCS concept, adding custom control electronics, firmware and improving the mechanical design for realworld use. OPI has teamed with Lockheed Martin to apply system this to one of their commercial AClass AUVs. The enhanced AUV will then be tested in operational conditions in the open ocean. The addition of a selfrecharging capability to ocean observing vehicles can make a meaningful impact on their performance by extending mission duration and improving sensing capability. In addition to improving the capabilities of the growing ocean observing space, this can help open up wave energy as a viable new renewable energy source, resulting in new highpaying manufacturing jobs.