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) 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.

A seismic apparatus includes one or more seismic cable systems configured to acquire seismic data, each seismic cable system having one or more of a cable jacket, a reservoir for a ballast fluid or other ballast medium, and an actuator or other transfer mechanism configured to transfer the ballast fluid between the reservoir and the seismic cable system during acquisition of the seismic data, e.g., where the ballast fluid is transferred to the seismic cable system within the cable jacket. A controller can be configured to adjust a buoyancy of the seismic cable system responsive to the transfer of the ballast fluid, e.g., where the internal volume expands or contract based on the fluid transfer.

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.

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.

A seismic apparatus includes one or more seismic cable systems configured to acquire seismic data, each seismic cable system having one or more of a cable jacket, a reservoir for a ballast fluid or other ballast medium, and an actuator or other transfer mechanism configured to transfer the ballast fluid between the reservoir and the seismic cable system during acquisition of the seismic data, e.g., where the ballast fluid is transferred to the seismic cable system within the cable jacket. A controller can be configured to adjust a buoyancy of the seismic cable system responsive to the transfer of the ballast fluid, e.g., where the internal volume expands or contract based on the fluid transfer.

A control system for a towed object (1, 6; 20; 30; 50) in or on a body of water comprise one or more towing members (3) extending between the object (1) and a towing vessel (2). One or more ballast members (4) are movably connected to a respective one of said one or more towing members (3) and controllably movable at least a distance along its respective towing member. The towed object (1) may be controlled by moving one or more ballast members (4) on a towing member (3) in order to control the catenary (c) of a towing member (3). Individual ballast members (4) may be manipulated individually in order to correct, preserve or otherwise change the geometry of a trawl.

A control system for a towed object (1, 6; 20; 30; 50) in or on a body of water comprise one or more towing members (3) extending between the object (1) and a towing vessel (2). One or more ballast members (4) are movably connected to a respective one of said one or more towing members (3) and controllably movable at least a distance along its respective towing member. The towed object (1) may be controlled by moving one or more ballast members (4) on a towing member (3) in order to control the catenary (c) of a towing member (3). Individual ballast members (4) may be manipulated individually in order to correct, preserve or otherwise change the geometry of a trawl.

Autonomous craft capable of extended duration operations as lighter-than-air craft, having the ability to alight on the surface of a body of water and generate hydrogen gas for lift via electrolysis using power derived from a photovoltaic system, as well as methods of launching an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a deployable envelope from a surface of a body of water.

Autonomous craft capable of extended duration operations as lighter-than-air craft, having the ability to alight on the surface of a body of water and generate hydrogen gas for lift via electrolysis using power derived from a photovoltaic system, as well as methods of launching an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a deployable envelope from a surface of a body of water.