The present disclosure relates to methods, techniques, and systems for underwater vehicles, in particular buoyancy driven vehicles such as vertical profiling floats. An example vertical profiling float vehicle is constructed from two independent substantially cylindrical pressure housings that each have a concave end. The housings are coupled to one another at their concave ends, such that the concavities face one another and form a chamber. The chamber is open to the environment and houses an external displacement bladder, such that the bladder is located at or about the midplane of the vehicle. The vehicle may also include a fluid return system that is operable to precisely control the return of fluid from the displacement bladder to an internal reservoir. The vehicle in some embodiments may also include a fixed-displacement pump configured to pump fluid from the internal reservoir to the displacement bladder.

An apparatus includes a first member having a housing that encloses a power source and a controller, a second member coupled to the first member that is seeded with a target product, and a sensing module coupled to the first member to allow power from the power source to be transmitted to the sensing module and sensor data from the sensing module to be transmitted to the controller. The sensing module including a sensor oriented toward at least a portion of the second member. The sensor configured to obtain sensor data associated with at least one characteristic of the target product.

An apparatus includes a first member having a housing that encloses a power source and a controller, a second member coupled to the first member that is seeded with a target product, and a sensing module coupled to the first member to allow power from the power source to be transmitted to the sensing module and sensor data from the sensing module to be transmitted to the controller. The sensing module including a sensor oriented toward at least a portion of the second member. The sensor configured to obtain sensor data associated with at least one characteristic of the target product.

The present invention provides a device useful for transporting and/or handling equipment in an underwater environment for performing work, the device comprising at least the following components: a floating hydraulic unit (1) comprising a first enclosure (1a), preferably with a cylindrical wall, containing an electrical pump unit (6), a battery (8) suitable for electrically powering the pump unit, and a fluid tank (7), preferably containing oil, said first enclosure (1a) being suitable for being made submersible by first ballast (16); at least one hydraulic tool (3) connected or suitable for being connected to at least one hydraulic coupling (11, 12) of said hydraulic unit via at least one flexible hose (30); at least one independent float (4), preferably having a cylindrical wall, connected or suitable for being connected to said hydraulic tool (3) via a sling (5) of adjustable length, said float (4) being suitable for being made submersible by second ballast (43); and a wired remote control (2) for switching on or stopping the pump unit (6), said wired remote control comprising a handle (22) fitted with an electrical contactor (2a) at a first end of an electric wire (20), the second end of the electric wire (20) being connected or suitable for being connected at least to said pump unit (6).

The present invention provides a device useful for transporting and/or handling equipment in an underwater environment for performing work, the device comprising at least the following components: a floating hydraulic unit (1) comprising a first enclosure (1a), preferably with a cylindrical wall, containing an electrical pump unit (6), a battery (8) suitable for electrically powering the pump unit, and a fluid tank (7), preferably containing oil, said first enclosure (1a) being suitable for being made submersible by first ballast (16); at least one hydraulic tool (3) connected or suitable for being connected to at least one hydraulic coupling (11, 12) of said hydraulic unit via at least one flexible hose (30); at least one independent float (4), preferably having a cylindrical wall, connected or suitable for being connected to said hydraulic tool (3) via a sling (5) of adjustable length, said float (4) being suitable for being made submersible by second ballast (43); and a wired remote control (2) for switching on or stopping the pump unit (6), said wired remote control comprising a handle (22) fitted with an electrical contactor (2a) at a first end of an electric wire (20), the second end of the electric wire (20) being connected or suitable for being connected at least to said pump unit (6).

The present invention relates to an automatic falling-off device for a self-sinking and floating type profiling float diversion shell and the diversion shell. An automatic falling-off device for a self-sinking and floating type profiling float diversion shell, comprises a locking device and an unhooking device; the locking device comprises a locking hook plate and a locking core plate; the locking hook plate is provided on one half diversion shell, and the locking core plate is fixed on another half diversion shell; a locking hook at a front end of the locking hook plate fits with a locking ring at a front end of the locking core plate for locking; the unhooking device comprises a base and a buoyancy airbag; and the base is provided below the locking hook plate, and the buoyancy airbag is mounted between the base and the locking hook plate.

A device (10) for detecting a signal of interest in order to locate an underwater source of the signal. The device includes a receiver (13) configured to detect the signal of interest, an actuator (14) configured to allow at least a portion of the detection device (10) to move towards a zone indicating a result of detection of the signal of interest in response to the receiver being operated, and an emitter (15) configured to indicate the result of detection of the signal of interest.

A device (10) for detecting a signal of interest in order to locate an underwater source of the signal. The device includes a receiver (13) configured to detect the signal of interest, an actuator (14) configured to allow at least a portion of the detection device (10) to move towards a zone indicating a result of detection of the signal of interest in response to the receiver being operated, and an emitter (15) configured to indicate the result of detection of the signal of interest.

A hydraulic depth-control device for a submersible body comprises:

a variable-volume ballast space,
a pressure accumulator comprising a hydraulic chamber and a gas chamber, which chambers are separated by a deformable or mobile wall, the gas chamber containing a gas at an absolute pressure higher than atmospheric pressure,
a hydraulic pump coupled to an electric motor, the hydraulic pump having a suction inlet connected to the ballast space and a delivery outlet connected to the hydraulic chamber of the pressure accumulator,
a return hydraulic circuit connecting the hydraulic chamber of the pressure accumulator to the ballast space via an electrically operated valve, and
a hydraulic fluid arranged in the ballast space, the hydraulic pump, the hydraulic chamber of the pressure accumulator and the return hydraulic circuit.

A hydraulic depth-control device for a submersible body comprises:

a variable-volume ballast space,
a pressure accumulator comprising a hydraulic chamber and a gas chamber, which chambers are separated by a deformable or mobile wall, the gas chamber containing a gas at an absolute pressure higher than atmospheric pressure,
a hydraulic pump coupled to an electric motor, the hydraulic pump having a suction inlet connected to the ballast space and a delivery outlet connected to the hydraulic chamber of the pressure accumulator,
a return hydraulic circuit connecting the hydraulic chamber of the pressure accumulator to the ballast space via an electrically operated valve, and
a hydraulic fluid arranged in the ballast space, the hydraulic pump, the hydraulic chamber of the pressure accumulator and the return hydraulic circuit.