Autonomous Underwater Vehicle “BOSS-A” for Acoustic and Visual Survey of Manganese Crusts

[abstFig src='/00280001/10.jpg' width=""300"" text='Autonomous underwater vehicle BOSS-A' ]In order to effectively investigate the distribution and amount of cobalt-rich manganese crust (CRC), an autonomous underwater vehicle BOSS-A equipped with visual and acoustic instruments were developed. BOSS-A observes the seafloor along preset waypoints at a constant speed and altitude. Detailed 3D seafloor images can be obtained from the visual instrument, which employs a sheet laser and a camera. In addition, an acoustic instrument measures the CRC thickness beneath BOSS-A. The CRC at Katayama seamount was surveyed in February. The results visually presented the state and distribution of the CRC in this site and clarified the amount of the CRC. In the future, the authors will develop a more reliable thickness measurement method.

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The Present State of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Applications and Technologies

Marine Technology Society Journal ◽

10.4031/002533208786861272 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 44-51 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

J. W. Nicholson ◽

A. J. Healey

Keyword(s):

Present State ◽

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Underwater Vehicle ◽

The State ◽

Design Features ◽

Current State ◽

Do So

AUVs have proved their usefulness in recent years and continue to do so. This paper is a review of the current state of the art of AUVs. Present AUV capabilities are reviewed through a discussion of feasible present-day AUV missions. The state of key AUV design features and sensor technologies is also addressed, identifying those areas most critical to continued future progress in AUV development.

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Power system of the Guanay II AUV

ACTA IMEKO ◽

10.21014/acta_imeko.v4i1.161 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 35 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ivan Masmitjà Rusinyol ◽

Julián González ◽

Gerard Masmitjà ◽

Spartacus Gomáriz ◽

Joaquín Del-Río-Fernández

Keyword(s):

Power System ◽

Water Column ◽

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle ◽

Underwater Vehicle ◽

Measured Data ◽

The State ◽

State Of Charge ◽

Vehicle Navigation ◽

Correct Operation

Guanay II is an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed to perform measurements in a water column. In this paper the aspects of the vehicle's power system are presented with particular focus on the power elements and the state of charge of the batteries. The system performs both measurement and monitoring tasks and also controls the state of charge (SoC) of the batteries. It allows simultaneous charging of all batteries from outside the vehicle and has a wireless connection/disconnection mode. Guanay II uses a NiCd battery and for this reason the current integration as a SoC methodology has been selected. Moreover, it has been validated that it is possible to obtain instant consumption from the SoC circuit. Finally, laboratory and vehicle navigation tests have been performed to validate the correct operation of the systems and the reliability of the measured data.

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