Systems and associated methods for rapid integration and control of payloads carded by a multi-mode, unmanned vehicle configured to accommodate a variety of payloads of varying size, shape, and interface and control characteristics. Mechanical, power, signal, and logical interfaces to a variety of payloads operate to enable environmental protection, efficient placement and connection to the vehicle, and control of those payloads in multiple environmental modes as well as operational modes (including in air, on the surface of water surface, and underwater).

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 sea-surface vessel configured to operate in an autonomous mode and to implement autonomous operation of one or more undersea autonomous vehicles is described herein. The sea-surface vehicle comprising a first control system on board the sea-surface vessel for implementing autonomous control of the sea-surface vessel, wherein the autonomous mode of operation includes a remotely controlled mode of operation of the sea-surface vessel, a first communications system for sending data and receiving data between an autonomous undersea vehicle and the sea surface vessel, a second control system for controlling the autonomous undersea vehicle by using information transmitted from the first communications system, the information including a command for activation of at least one pre-programmed maneuver for the autonomous undersea vehicle, a navigation system on board the sea-surface vessel for locating the sea-surface vessel and for providing the location information to the first control system, a thrust system for controlling sea-surface vessel speed and direction according to control instructions from the first control system and a second communications system on board the sea-surface vessel for exchanging information with a remote management system, wherein the remote management system sends information for activating at least one autonomous pre-programmed maneuver of the sea-surface vehicle and the remote management system receives information from the sea-surface vessel, including data from the undersea vehicle.

The present disclosure is directed to a skid structure for underwater seismic exploration. The system can include an underwater vehicle comprising a skid structure. A conveyor is provided in the skid structure. The conveyor includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A capture appliance is provided at the first end of the conveyor. The capture appliance includes an arm to close to hold a case storing one or more ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) units, and to open to release the case. The capture appliance includes an alignment mechanism to align an opening of the case with the first end of the conveyor. A deployment appliance can be at the second end of the conveyor. The deployment appliance can place an OBS unit of the one or more OBS units onto the seabed to acquire seismic data from the seabed.

The present disclosure is directed to underwater seismic exploration with a helical conveyor and skid structure. The system can include an underwater vehicle comprising a sensor to identify a case having a hydrodynamic shape, wherein the case stores one or more ocean bottom seismometer (“OBS”) units. The underwater vehicle includes an arm. The underwater vehicle includes an actuator to position the arm in an open state above a cap of the case, or to close the arm. The underwater vehicle can move the arm to a bottom portion of the case opposite the cap. An opening of the case can be aligned with the conveyor of the underwater vehicle. The conveyor can receive, via the opening of the case, a first OBS unit of the one or more OBS units. The conveyor can move the first OBS unit to the seabed to acquire seismic data from the seabed.

A submarine vehicle may include a storage area for storing loads. The submarine vehicle may further include a pressure hull. The submarine vehicle is configured to pick loads up from a seabed and/or set loads down on the seabed. The storage area may be positioned outside the pressure hull and, in some examples, between numerous pressure hulls. Further, the storage area may include a lower hatch disposed on an underside of the pressure hull or an upper hatch disposed on a top side of the pressure hull. Some submarine vehicles may include a load transporting system for picking the load up from the seabed, setting the load down on the seabed, and/or conveying the load within the storage area.

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for guiding other AUVs during a marine seismic survey. The guiding AUV includes a housing; a propulsion system located inside the housing; and an acoustic positioning system attached to an outside the housing. The acoustic positioning system emits at least three chirps from three different locations.

The invention relates to a launch apparatus for an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle—in particular, for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle or for a Remotely Operated Vehicle—with a launching tube having an inner wall and an outlet, and the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle contained within the launching tube, whereby the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle has a vehicle casing with a vehicle casing inhomogeneity, such that an ejection of the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle causes different contact loads between the vehicle casing and the inner wall, whereby the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle has a detachable compensating form, which is designed in such a way that the vehicle inhomogeneity is compensated, such that the result is a combination of the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle and the detachable compensating form, the combination whereof, when ejected, causes a substantially more uniform contact load to occur between the combination and the inner wall.