A driving method is implemented to a lifting device of an underwater survey system, and the lifting device includes a phase-change heat exchange module, an oil bag module, a pressurized energy storage module, and a drive energy storage module. The driving method includes: controlling the pressurized energy storage module to extract hydraulic oil in the oil bag module to descend the lifting device; during a transformation of a phase-change material, the pressurized energy storage module transmitting hydraulic oil to the phase-change heat exchange module; transmitting the hydraulic oil inside the oil bag module to the pressurized energy storage module to descend the lifting device; controlling the drive energy storage module to transmit hydraulic oil to the oil bag module for rising the lifting device; and during a transformation of the phase-change material, transmitting the hydraulic oil in the phase-change heat exchange module to the drive energy storage module.

The disclosure provides a method and system for hierarchical disturbance rejection depth tracking control of an underactuated underwater vehicle, and the depth tracking of the underactuated underwater vehicle is divided into kinematic layer guidance and dynamic layer pitch tracking. Adaptive line of sight guidance is used in the kinematic layer to convert a depth error into a desired pitch angle and to estimate and compensate an angle of attack to reject disturbance introduced by an unmeasurable true angle of attack. Based on the above, in the dynamic layer, the active disturbance rejection sliding mode pitch tracking method is used to observe a composite disturbance including an unknown dynamic model and an environmental disturbance by using the active disturbance rejection framework. The model is compensated as a unified integral series type, a sliding mode control law is finally designed to resist an observation error, and a control elevator angle is calculated.

The disclosure provides a method and system for hierarchical disturbance rejection depth tracking control of an underactuated underwater vehicle, and the depth tracking of the underactuated underwater vehicle is divided into kinematic layer guidance and dynamic layer pitch tracking. Adaptive line of sight guidance is used in the kinematic layer to convert a depth error into a desired pitch angle and to estimate and compensate an angle of attack to reject disturbance introduced by an unmeasurable true angle of attack. Based on the above, in the dynamic layer, the active disturbance rejection sliding mode pitch tracking method is used to observe a composite disturbance including an unknown dynamic model and an environmental disturbance by using the active disturbance rejection framework. The model is compensated as a unified integral series type, a sliding mode control law is finally designed to resist an observation error, and a control elevator angle is calculated.

An unloading type sinking rescue device of a subsea mining vehicle and a use method thereof are provided. The unloading type sinking rescue device includes an assembly support, an unloading system, an ejection system and a control system. The assembly support is box-shaped, fixed to a subsea mining vehicle, and provided with a plurality of enclosed cavities. The unloading system includes a counterweight, a counterweight cable, a counterweight fixing bracket and a counterweight recovery cavity. The ejection system includes an anchor, an ejection cavity, an anchor cable, an anchor recovery shaft, a pulley, a spring and a boosting device. The control system controls the operation of the unloading system and the ejection system. The use method includes: (1) unloading; (2) ejection; (3) recovery of a part of counterweights; (4) recovery of the anchor; and (5) recovery of remaining counterweights.

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a mechanisms that magnetically attaches to a ferry vehicle for transport to the location of use.

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a mechanisms that magnetically attaches to a ferry vehicle for transport to the location of use.

A submersible node and a method and system for using the node to acquire data, including seismic data is disclosed. The node incorporates a buoyancy system to provide propulsion for the node between respective landed locations by varying the buoyancy between positive and negative. A first acoustic positioning system is used to facilitate positioning of a node when landing and a second acoustic positioning system is used to facilitate a node transiting between respective target landed locations.

A submersible node and a method and system for using the node to acquire data, including seismic data is disclosed. The node incorporates a buoyancy system to provide propulsion for the node between respective landed locations by varying the buoyancy between positive and negative. A first acoustic positioning system is used to facilitate positioning of a node when landing and a second acoustic positioning system is used to facilitate a node transiting between respective target landed locations.

Underwater apparatuses and methods of operating underwater apparatuses. The apparatus includes a power source such as an aluminum-water cell. Waste product from the power source may be channeled into various portions of the apparatus to adjust the buoyancy of the apparatus, the center of buoyancy of the apparatus, and/or the trim of the apparatus.

Underwater apparatuses and methods of operating underwater apparatuses. The apparatus includes a power source such as an aluminum-water cell. Waste product from the power source may be channeled into various portions of the apparatus to adjust the buoyancy of the apparatus, the center of buoyancy of the apparatus, and/or the trim of the apparatus.