Disclosed is a pile leg walking type manganese nodule mining robot. The robot includes a body, a pile walking mechanism, a vector propulsive mechanism, a negative pressure suction mechanism and a manganese nodule cutter suction mechanism. The invention involves a stable and efficient deep-sea mining robot which can complete the mining task on the geological layer where the manganese nodule are located, and effectively protects the marine life and living environment in the deep-sea mining area. The existence environment of manganese nodule is also protected. After mining, the regeneration environment of living or other resources on the deep-sea floor will not be affected, thus greatly resolving the sharp contradiction between resource exploitation and environmental protection.

Disclosed is a pile leg walking type manganese nodule mining robot. The robot includes a body, a pile walking mechanism, a vector propulsive mechanism, a negative pressure suction mechanism and a manganese nodule cutter suction mechanism. The invention involves a stable and efficient deep-sea mining robot which can complete the mining task on the geological layer where the manganese nodule are located, and effectively protects the marine life and living environment in the deep-sea mining area. The existence environment of manganese nodule is also protected. After mining, the regeneration environment of living or other resources on the deep-sea floor will not be affected, thus greatly resolving the sharp contradiction between resource exploitation and environmental protection.

This amphibious vehicle is provided with a body (11), a traveling device (12) that causes the body (11) to travel on land, a sailing device (13) that causes the body (11) to sail on water, a front flap (31) of which the distal end is inclined upward and the proximal end is rotatably supported by a horizontal shaft (34) on the front end of the body (11), a hydraulic damper (32) serving as a damping member that damps displacement of the front flap (31) relative to the body (11), and a compression coil spring (33) serving as a restoring member that restores the position of the front flap (31) relative to the body (11).

A leg-arm-paddle underwater robot is provided in the present invention, which includes: a frame, an operating mechanism, a traveling mechanism, and a propulsion mechanism. The traveling mechanism is adapted to enable the leg-arm-paddle composite underwater robot to travel. The propulsion mechanism is adapted to enable the leg-arm-paddle composite underwater robot to float in water. The operating mechanism includes a first robot arm, a second robot arm, and a first mounting base, wherein the first mounting base is detachably connected to the frame. Both the first robot arm and the second robot arm are rotatably connected to the first mounting base, and rotation centers of the first robot arm and the second robot arm are the same. The operating mechanism of the leg-arm-paddle composite underwater robot has a compact structure and a large working range. The leg-arm-paddle composite underwater robot has reduced volume, enhanced operation capability, wide applicability, and strong practicability.

Systems and methods for securing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to a subsea structure during cleaning, maintenance, or inspection of the structure surface are provided. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a pair of grasping hooks that are raised and lowered when driven by a motorized drive. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a rigid holder having a mechanical stop and connected to a swing arm, the swing arm configured to rotate inward, but not outward beyond the mechanical stop. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a plurality of linked segments in series, each connected at a plurality of pivot points. A pair of wires passes through the plurality of linked segments and connects to a pair of pulleys that extend or retract the wires, thereby rotating the plurality of linked segments.

Systems and methods for securing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to a subsea structure during cleaning, maintenance, or inspection of the structure surface are provided. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a pair of grasping hooks that are raised and lowered when driven by a motorized drive. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a rigid holder having a mechanical stop and connected to a swing arm, the swing arm configured to rotate inward, but not outward beyond the mechanical stop. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a plurality of linked segments in series, each connected at a plurality of pivot points. A pair of wires passes through the plurality of linked segments and connects to a pair of pulleys that extend or retract the wires, thereby rotating the plurality of linked segments.

Embodiments of amphibious vehicles are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the amphibious vehicle includes a body that defines a buoyant hull. The buoyant hull includes a bottom, and a pair of lateral sides. The bottom extends downward at the lateral sides to form a pair of pockets, and each pocket is open to atmosphere through an upper side of the hull and is closed at a lower end by the bottom of the hull. In addition, the amphibious vehicle includes a plurality of wheels mounted to the lateral sides of the body, and a pair of tracks disposed about the wheels.

A buoyancy module for use with a water environment robotic system of the type having an underwater robotic vehicle having a winch has a buoyancy configuration which can be selectively altered. The system includes a module that is configured to be repeatedly, selectively buoyantly engaged and buoyantly disengaged with the underwater robotic vehicle. A tether is connected to the module and is extendable and retractable in response to operation of the winch. Extending and retracting the module can buoyantly engage or buoyantly disengage the buoyancy module with the underwater robotic vehicle according to the operation of a state controller. By engaging and disengaging the buoyancy module, the buoyancy of the underwater robot can be selectively altered. A method is also disclosed.

A buoyancy module for use with a water environment robotic system of the type having an underwater robotic vehicle having a winch has a buoyancy configuration which can be selectively altered. The system includes a module that is configured to be repeatedly, selectively buoyantly engaged and buoyantly disengaged with the underwater robotic vehicle. A tether is connected to the module and is extendable and retractable in response to operation of the winch. Extending and retracting the module can buoyantly engage or buoyantly disengage the buoyancy module with the underwater robotic vehicle according to the operation of a state controller. By engaging and disengaging the buoyancy module, the buoyancy of the underwater robot can be selectively altered. A method is also disclosed.

A crayfish or crawfish harvesting apparatus employs an improved drive that uses hydraulic wheels (e.g., rubber tired wheels) encircled by one or more endless belts. One or more hydraulic motor drives can be used to drive the wheels. Lugs or guide lugs are placed on opposing sides of each wheel and are preferably connected to the belt. Fasteners (e.g., bolts or rivets) attach cleats (e.g., steel u-shaped channel cleats) to the belts and lugs.