An electrochemical-type power supply source for use in marine environment, is provided with: an electrochemical stack, which generates electric power in the presence, internally, of an electrolytic fluid; a first tank, designed to contain electrolytic fluid at a first temperature; a second tank, designed to contain electrolytic fluid at a second temperature, lower than the first temperature; a thermostatic valve, that mixes electrolytic fluid at a lower temperature with electrolytic fluid at a higher temperature, for generating a mixed electrolytic fluid to be introduced into the electrochemical stack at a controlled temperature for generating a desired electric power. The electrochemical power supply is further provided with an auxiliary tank, adapted to contain electrolytic fluid at a third temperature, higher than the first temperature; and the thermostatic valve is connected to the auxiliary tank and receives, at an input, the electrolytic fluid at the third temperature.

The present invention regards a watercraft vehicle (1) having a propeller shaft (9) coupled to a motor (3) and a propeller (7) forming a propeller disc (11) having a hub (17). A first blade (8) of the propeller (7) is hingedly coupled to a first oblique lag-pitch hinge (22′) of the hub (17) and a second blade (10) of the propeller (7) is hingedly coupled to a second oblique lag-pitch hinge (22″) of the hub (17). The first oblique lag-pitch hinge (22′) being oriented in a direction oblique to the axis of rotation (RX) and parallel with the second oblique lag-pitch hinge (22″). A control circuitry (5) provides a first thrust (T′) in a first arc segment (13′) of the propeller disc (11) and provides a second thrust (T″) in a second arc segment (13″) of the propeller disc (11) by controlling a rate of change of shaft (9) rotational velocity, wherein a first propeller blade pitch change is achieved about the first oblique lag-pitch hinge (22′) and a second propeller blade pitch change is achieved about the second oblique lag-pitch hinge (22″). The present invention also regards a method of manoeuvring the watercraft vehicle (1).

The present invention regards a watercraft vehicle (1) having a propeller shaft (9) coupled to a motor (3) and a propeller (7) forming a propeller disc (11) having a hub (17). A first blade (8) of the propeller (7) is hingedly coupled to a first oblique lag-pitch hinge (22′) of the hub (17) and a second blade (10) of the propeller (7) is hingedly coupled to a second oblique lag-pitch hinge (22″) of the hub (17). The first oblique lag-pitch hinge (22′) being oriented in a direction oblique to the axis of rotation (RX) and parallel with the second oblique lag-pitch hinge (22″). A control circuitry (5) provides a first thrust (T′) in a first arc segment (13′) of the propeller disc (11) and provides a second thrust (T″) in a second arc segment (13″) of the propeller disc (11) by controlling a rate of change of shaft (9) rotational velocity, wherein a first propeller blade pitch change is achieved about the first oblique lag-pitch hinge (22′) and a second propeller blade pitch change is achieved about the second oblique lag-pitch hinge (22″). The present invention also regards a method of manoeuvring the watercraft vehicle (1).

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a crustacean trap can include a cage configured to trap one or more crustaceans, and a propulsion system connected to the cage and configured to provide propulsion to the cage. In certain embodiments, the trap can include a controller configured to control the propulsion system to autonomously pilot the trap.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a crustacean trap can include a cage configured to trap one or more crustaceans, and a propulsion system connected to the cage and configured to provide propulsion to the cage. In certain embodiments, the trap can include a controller configured to control the propulsion system to autonomously pilot the trap.

A method comprising: providing an autonomous vehicle (AV) with a first estimated position of a target; directing the AV to travel toward the first estimated position at a constant velocity; receiving echo signals of transmitted sonar signals, the echo signals indicating a range and an azimuth of the target; determining a depth difference of the AV and the target based on the received echo signals, the depth difference being determined based on changes to the range and azimuth of the target over time; and in response to a depth difference existing, re-directing the AV toward a second estimated position of the target generated from the depth difference.

A method comprising: providing an autonomous vehicle (AV) with a first estimated position of a target; directing the AV to travel toward the first estimated position at a constant velocity; receiving echo signals of transmitted sonar signals, the echo signals indicating a range and an azimuth of the target; determining a depth difference of the AV and the target based on the received echo signals, the depth difference being determined based on changes to the range and azimuth of the target over time; and in response to a depth difference existing, re-directing the AV toward a second estimated position of the target generated from the depth difference.

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The main body of the vehicle is a spherical body.

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The main body of the vehicle is a spherical body.

Proposed are a submarine power supply system and power supply method using a seawater battery, the system having a chargeable/dischargeable battery that is arranged on the outside of a pressure hull, so as to use, as a cathode, sodium ions dissolved in seawater, and thus produce electric power, which is then used as electric power required for operating a submarine.