Design of an AUV recharging system
Name
62887131-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
12.7 MB
Format
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Checksum (MD5)
c17bcbc07746c3048d5c9fc9e8b03657
Author(s)
Gish, Lynn Andrew
Advisor(s)
Chryssostomos Chryssostomidis.
Alternative Title
Design of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle recharging system
Date Issued
2004
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
The utility of present Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) is limited by their on-board energy storage capability. Research indicates that rechargeable batteries will continue to be the AUV power source of choice for at least the near future. Thus, a need exists in both military and commercial markets for a universal, industry-standard underwater AUV recharge system. A novel solution using a linear coaxial wound transformer (LCWT) inductive coupling mounted on the AUV and a vertical docking cable is investigated. The docking cable may be deployed from either a fixed docking station or a mobile "tanker AUV". A numerical simulation of the simplified system hydrodynamics was created in MATLAB and used to evaluate the mechanical feasibility of the proposed system. The simulation tool calculated cable tension and AUV oscillation subsequent to the docking interaction. A prototype LCWT coupling was built and tested in saltwater to evaluate the power transfer efficiency of the system. The testing indicated that the surrounding medium has little effect on system performance.
(cont.) Finally, an economic analysis was conducted to determine the impact of the proposed system on the present military and commercial AUV markets. The recharge system creates substantial cost-savings, mainly by reducing support ship requirements. An effective AUV recharge system will be an important element of the Navy's net-centric warfare concept, as well as a valuable tool for commercial marine industries.
Description
Thesis (Nav. E. and S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Ocean Engineering, 2004.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 111-115).
Subjects
Ocean Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Ocean Engineering
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