A deep-ocean polymetallic nodule collector is an apparatus that is used to harvest polymetallic nodules and other natural resources from the ocean floor. To do so, the apparatus includes a support frame and a collection mechanism. The support frame is a durable structure designed to withstand the harsh deep-ocean conditions. The support frame keeps the collection mechanism adjacent to the ocean floor for the mining of polymetallic nodules without damage to the underwater ecosystem. In addition, the support frame allows for attachment of mining support vehicles that support the operation of the apparatus. The mining support vehicles can include, but are not limited to, cabled vehicles which are connected to the surface for power, monitoring, and control, wireless submersible vehicles, or ocean-bottom based vehicles that can operate autonomously, semi-autonomously, or by remote control. The collection mechanism enables the collection of polymetallic nodules while minimizing the damage to the underwater ecosystem.

A deep-ocean polymetallic nodule collector is an apparatus that is used to harvest polymetallic nodules and other natural resources from the ocean floor. To do so, the apparatus includes a support frame and a collection mechanism. The support frame is a durable structure designed to withstand the harsh deep-ocean conditions. The support frame keeps the collection mechanism adjacent to the ocean floor for the mining of polymetallic nodules without damage to the underwater ecosystem. In addition, the support frame allows for attachment of mining support vehicles that support the operation of the apparatus. The mining support vehicles can include, but are not limited to, cabled vehicles which are connected to the surface for power, monitoring, and control, wireless submersible vehicles, or ocean-bottom based vehicles that can operate autonomously, semi-autonomously, or by remote control. The collection mechanism enables the collection of polymetallic nodules while minimizing the damage to the underwater ecosystem.

The VEHICLE WITH TRAVELING WAVE THRUST MODULE APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS include force or forces applied to an arc-like flexible sheet-like material to create a deformed crenated strip fin with strained-deformations. The strained-deformations take on a sinusoid-like form that express the internal energy state of the flexible sheet-like material after it has been configured into a crenated strip fin. After being incorporated into a mechanism with couplings that prevent the crenated strip fin from returning to its un-strained state, the strained-deformations persist. Actuators may be used to sequentially rotate vertebrae attached to the fins causing the travel of sinusoid-like deformations along the fins. The fin, fin actuator or actuators, power source and central controller may be incorporated into a thrust module. Two thrust modules coupled to a central body via roll actuators and flexible coupling members may form a vehicle with exceptional maneuverability.

The VEHICLE WITH TRAVELING WAVE THRUST MODULE APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS include force or forces applied to an arc-like flexible sheet-like material to create a deformed crenated strip fin with strained-deformations. The strained-deformations take on a sinusoid-like form that express the internal energy state of the flexible sheet-like material after it has been configured into a crenated strip fin. After being incorporated into a mechanism with couplings that prevent the crenated strip fin from returning to its un-strained state, the strained-deformations persist. Actuators may be used to sequentially rotate vertebrae attached to the fins causing the travel of sinusoid-like deformations along the fins. The fin, fin actuator or actuators, power source and central controller may be incorporated into a thrust module. Two thrust modules coupled to a central body via roll actuators and flexible coupling members may form a vehicle with exceptional maneuverability.

The present invention relates to a seawater flow control device for a uniform motion, and more particularly, to a seawater flow control device for a uniform motion, which controls a velocity of a propulsion system by adjusting a combustion reaction between seawater and a propellant by adjusting a seawater flow rate depending on the number of operating seawater discharge holes. According to the present invention, it is possible to control the velocity of the propulsion system by increasing the amount of seawater when the velocity of the propulsion system is low and decreasing the amount of seawater when the velocity of the propulsion system is high, thereby implementing a uniform motion of the propulsion system.

The present invention relates to a seawater flow control device for a uniform motion, and more particularly, to a seawater flow control device for a uniform motion, which controls a velocity of a propulsion system by adjusting a combustion reaction between seawater and a propellant by adjusting a seawater flow rate depending on the number of operating seawater discharge holes. According to the present invention, it is possible to control the velocity of the propulsion system by increasing the amount of seawater when the velocity of the propulsion system is low and decreasing the amount of seawater when the velocity of the propulsion system is high, thereby implementing a uniform motion of the propulsion system.

An omnidirectional underwater vehicle includes an open-frame mechanism including a frame with top thrusters at four corners of a top end of the frame; mechanical arms disposed at a front end of the frame; and a rotary holder disposed in the frame and including a motor fixing plate, an upper bearing fixing plate and a lower bearing fixing plate. A cylindrical roller bearing is fixed between the upper bearing fixing plate and the lower bearing fixing plate, and an inner edge of the cylindrical roller bearing is provided with two bearing clip inner plates from top to bottom. A servo motor is fixed on the motor fixing plate, a bottom end of the bearing clip inner plate at the bottom is fixedly connected to a steering gear fixing plate, and a top end of the steering gear fixing plate is provided with fully waterproof steering gears installed with underwater thrusters.

An omnidirectional underwater vehicle includes an open-frame mechanism including a frame with top thrusters at four corners of a top end of the frame; mechanical arms disposed at a front end of the frame; and a rotary holder disposed in the frame and including a motor fixing plate, an upper bearing fixing plate and a lower bearing fixing plate. A cylindrical roller bearing is fixed between the upper bearing fixing plate and the lower bearing fixing plate, and an inner edge of the cylindrical roller bearing is provided with two bearing clip inner plates from top to bottom. A servo motor is fixed on the motor fixing plate, a bottom end of the bearing clip inner plate at the bottom is fixedly connected to a steering gear fixing plate, and a top end of the steering gear fixing plate is provided with fully waterproof steering gears installed with underwater thrusters.

Disclosed are a flexibly-driven small underwater robot and a driving method thereof. The underwater robot provided by the invention comprises a driving module and a propelling module. Two propelling modules are designed at head and tail portions, and the driving module is arranged between the two propelling modules. A rib plate in the driving module comprises a carbon fiber plate matrix and a piezoelectric fiber sheet; and a shape of the carbon fiber plate matrix is optimized by width change and hole digging. The propelling modules comprise a head propelling module and a tail propelling module, and the head propelling module and the tail propelling module are both propelled through a one-way valve. According to the invention, two modes of the pre-compression rib plate are adjusted through the piezoelectric fiber sheet, so that a volume of an internal cavity is changed, and jet propelling is carried out.

An underwater rescue device, including a cabin provided with a hatch is provided, wherein the hatch is capable to open or close the cabin to form a confined space inside the cabin; a salvage device arranged inside the cabin, comprising a rescue platform and a gripper mechanism arranged on the rescue platform, wherein the rescue platform is movable, the rescue platform is capable to rotate relative to the cabin along at least one rotational axis and is capable to lift and lower to remove the cabin, and the gripper mechanism is configured to grab a drowning person and fix the drowning person on the rescue platform; a cardiopulmonary resuscitation device arranged inside the cabin; a drainage device arranged on the cabin; and a power device arranged on an outer side of the cabin. It has a high degree of automation and can provide immediate rescue for drowning personnel.