Image recording as long as possible during one activity is required in deep sea exploration. Necessity of multi-directional image recording, optical and chemical observations and probing of mineral resources of seabed are also increased. There is no underwater exploration device enable these requirements. It is disclosed that at least one battery-driven underwater exploration body having three pressure-resistant hollow glass spheres for housing an image capturing device, an illumination device, a recording device, an acoustic communication device and a control device controlling thereof and at least one battery body having an approximately the same shape and structure as the underwater exploration body are connected with each other by a connecting tool to provide the connectedly-formed underwater exploration device.

Image recording as long as possible during one activity is required in deep sea exploration. Necessity of multi-directional image recording, optical and chemical observations and probing of mineral resources of seabed are also increased. There is no underwater exploration device enable these requirements. It is disclosed that at least one battery-driven underwater exploration body having three pressure-resistant hollow glass spheres for housing an image capturing device, an illumination device, a recording device, an acoustic communication device and a control device controlling thereof and at least one battery body having an approximately the same shape and structure as the underwater exploration body are connected with each other by a connecting tool to provide the connectedly-formed underwater exploration device.

An inflatable mast couplable to an underwater vehicle includes a flexible material defining an interior volume, a head structure, and a spring coupled to at least one of the flexible material and the head structure. The flexible material is designed to be filled with air to form an inflated mast structure that extends away from the underwater vehicle. The head structure is disposed at a distal end of the inflated mast structure and in some cases has a rigid shape that forms a panel having an outer surface that is flush with an outer surface of the underwater vehicle, when the mast structure is deflated and stowed. The spring is designed to provide a tensile force on at least one of the flexible material and the head structure when the flexible material is inflated to form the mast structure. A system includes the inflatable mast and a pump.

An inflatable mast couplable to an underwater vehicle includes a flexible material defining an interior volume, a head structure, and a spring coupled to at least one of the flexible material and the head structure. The flexible material is designed to be filled with air to form an inflated mast structure that extends away from the underwater vehicle. The head structure is disposed at a distal end of the inflated mast structure and in some cases has a rigid shape that forms a panel having an outer surface that is flush with an outer surface of the underwater vehicle, when the mast structure is deflated and stowed. The spring is designed to provide a tensile force on at least one of the flexible material and the head structure when the flexible material is inflated to form the mast structure. A system includes the inflatable mast and a pump.

A submarine optical positioning beacon system with self-generating capability, which has an array of underwater beacons. When the underwater rover moves to the vicinity of an certain underwater beacon, the underwater beacon's COMS sensor detects the underwater rover's light and then turns on the LED lamp group. The COMS sensor of the underwater rover analyzes the light species of the LED light group and converts it into digital information. The underwater rover analyzes the digital signal to obtain its location. Each underwater beacon has an independent power generation component, which generates power by utilizing ocean current, greatly increasing the working time of the beacon. The LED lamp group gives positional information feedback through the light, which can reduce the system power consumption and increase the system working duration.

A submarine optical positioning beacon system with self-generating capability, which has an array of underwater beacons. When the underwater rover moves to the vicinity of an certain underwater beacon, the underwater beacon's COMS sensor detects the underwater rover's light and then turns on the LED lamp group. The COMS sensor of the underwater rover analyzes the light species of the LED light group and converts it into digital information. The underwater rover analyzes the digital signal to obtain its location. Each underwater beacon has an independent power generation component, which generates power by utilizing ocean current, greatly increasing the working time of the beacon. The LED lamp group gives positional information feedback through the light, which can reduce the system power consumption and increase the system working duration.

Systems and methods for positioning objects in underwater environments are provided. The geolocation of a target for an object is determined, and a light source provided as part of a positioning system is operated to project a visible target at that location. The determination of the target location relative to the positioning system can include determining a location of the positioning system using information obtained from a laser system included in the positioning system. The light source used to project the visible target can be the same as a light source included in the laser system. A location of an object relative to the target location can be tracked by the laser system as the object is being moved towards the target location. The described methods and systems utilize one or more non-touch subsea optical systems, including but not limited to laser systems, for underwater infrastructure installation, measurements and monitoring.

Systems and methods for positioning objects in underwater environments are provided. The geolocation of a target for an object is determined, and a light source provided as part of a positioning system is operated to project a visible target at that location. The determination of the target location relative to the positioning system can include determining a location of the positioning system using information obtained from a laser system included in the positioning system. The light source used to project the visible target can be the same as a light source included in the laser system. A location of an object relative to the target location can be tracked by the laser system as the object is being moved towards the target location. The described methods and systems utilize one or more non-touch subsea optical systems, including but not limited to laser systems, for underwater infrastructure installation, measurements and monitoring.

Disclosed is a mast intended to equip a marine or submarine vessel. The mast includes a metal structure extending along an axis and a fairing arranged externally to the structure in a direction normal to the axis. The fairing is removably assembled to the structure.

A multi-functional aquatic vehicle comprises a main body. The main body comprises: a propulsion system, comprising at least one propeller for changing a motion attitude of the main body; a camera system, comprising at least one camera; a communication system, comprising a signal receiving module for receiving an external signal detected by the aquatic vehicle and a signal transmitting module for transmitting a signal to an external control system; and a control system, for controlling an operating state of the propulsion system, adjusting a capturing angle of the camera system and controlling internal and external communication of the communication system. A towing hook device comprises: a driving system, a connecting mechanism and a towing hook mechanism. The driving system drives the connecting mechanism to rotate such that the towing hook mechanism turns over or rotates to release a load.