An underwater robot based on a variable-size auxiliary drive and a control method thereof includes a variable-size auxiliary drive module and a main control system. The variable-size auxiliary drive module includes a first variable-size silo, at least two first variable-size units and at least two first gasbags. The first variable-size silo has a first accommodating space with at least two first accommodating subspaces. Each of the first variable-size units includes a first micro push rod motor, a first push rod, a first push plate and a first gas guide tube. The first micro push rod motor, the first push rod and the first push plate are accommodated in the corresponding first accommodating subspace. The first push rod is fixed to the first push plate. one of the first gas guide tubes correspondingly communicates with one of the first accommodating subspaces and one of the first gasbags.

The present invention discloses a device carrying platform based on an underwater robot. The device carrying platform comprises a mounting rack and more than two mounting seats. The mounting rack comprises a mounting plate and more than two mounting columns fixed to the bottom of the mounting plate, the mounting plate is provided with a plurality of mounting holes, the mounting plate is hinged with a protective screen, the protective screen is provided with an opening, and the opening is hinged with a screen door. The plurality of mounting seats arranged on the mounting rack can be used for mounting devices and instruments of various models, and a first butting part and a second butting part in a mounting groove are matched with each other, so that devices and instruments needed to be mounted are fixed.

Devices and methods for recovering an unmanned underwater vehicle. The device includes a gantry mounted on a recovery vehicle, a frame, and a shaft extending between the gantry and the frame and configured to vertically move the frame relative to the gantry. Attached to the frame are a plurality of rotatable arms movable between an opened position and a closed position. A first end of each arm is attached to the frame at a pivot. A flexible strap extends between each of the second ends of the arm and the frame. As the arms are moved to the closed position around the unmanned underwater vehicle, the straps will support the unmanned underwater vehicle.

Systems and methods are described where odometry information that is obtained from a video camera mounted on an underwater vehicle is used to estimate the velocity of the underwater vehicle. The techniques described herein estimate the velocity of the underwater vehicle passively without emitting sound or other energy from the underwater vehicle.

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The AUV includes a body having a flush shape; an intake water element located on the body and configured to take in water; at least one propulsion nozzle located on the body and configured to eject the water from the intake water element for actuating the AUV; at least one guidance nozzle located on the body and configured to eject water to change a traveling direction of the AUV; and a seismic payload located on the body of the AUV and configured to record seismic signals.

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is configured to record seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The AUV includes a body having a base (B) and first and second sides (A, C), the body having a head part and a tail part; a propulsion system for guiding the AUV to a final target on the ocean bottom; a seismic sensor configured to record seismic signals; and an anchoring system configured to rock or twist the base in a given sequence so that the base (B) penetrates into the ocean bottom.

Disclosed is an ocean bottom seismic node for recording seismic signals on the seabed. The ocean bottom seismic node may comprise an arched cathedral buoyant body coupled to a substantially flat bottom metal plate. The buoyant body may be formed of hard plastic (such as plastic injection in a mold) and have one or more cathedral type inner structures with columns that form a plurality of interconnected inner chambers, which may be dry or filled with foam and/or act as ballasts. One or more electronic components may be directly attached to the bottom metal plate (and within one or more of the internal cathedral chambers) and covered/protected by the buoyant body that is water and pressure resistant at seabed depths. The edge(s) of the buoyant body may seal around the metal plate on one or more peripheral edges of the plate and buoyant body.

A carbon dioxide cycle power generation system includes storage collectively storing portions of carbon dioxide liquid and gas and a transfer connection selectively directing flow of the carbon dioxide through a turbine. The system cycles between different seawater depths in order to employ at least one of seawater pressure and seawater temperature in creating the carbon dioxide flow. Inlet/outlet control valves on variable volume tanks, positioned below movable pistons within the respective tank, selectively allow seawater into or out of a lower portion of the respective tank below the piston to pressurize the carbon dioxide therein relative to the carbon dioxide within the other tank when at depth rather than near the surface. Inhibited versus uninhibited heat transfer between storage portions and the seawater allows different seawater temperatures at depth and near the surface to create the carbon dioxide flow. Acoustic communications may be driven concurrent with the turbine.

The present disclosure is directed to a helical conveyor for underwater seismic exploration. The system can include a case having a cylindrical portion. A cap is positioned adjacent to a first end of the case. A conveyor having a helix structure is provided within the case. The conveyor can receive an ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) unit at a first end of the conveyer and transport the OBS unit via the helix structure to a second end of the conveyor to provide the OBS unit on the seabed to acquire the seismic data. The system can include a propulsion system to receive an instruction and, responsive to the instruction, facilitate movement of the case.

A hairtail-imitating high-speed soft robot driven based on chemical exergonic reaction, including a fish head module, a fish body module and a fishtail module; wherein the fish head module includes a fish head shell, the fish head shell is internally provided with a rigid exergonic reaction bin, a combustible agent storage unit, a combustion promoter storage unit, and an exergonic reaction excitation device, and a rigid push plate is in sliding fit in the rigid exergonic reaction bin; the fish body module includes a flexible fishbone, restraint assemblies, and flexible fish skin; and the fishtail module includes a fishtail fixing block.