An underwater launching apparatus for a small unmanned aerial vehicle capable of floating on water, having an airbag, inflating module, airbag arm, cylindrical body, upper baffle plate, spring, airbag arm connecting rod, lower baffle plate, upper buckle and lower buckle. This apparatus has compact and reliable structure. Relative to a traditional underwater catapult, the apparatus has smaller body and completes deployment and ejection of the launching apparatus by means of elasticity of the spring. The underwater launching apparatus for the small unmanned aerial vehicle has high stability and diversified applications. After the airbag arm of the catapult is deployed on the water and the inflating module inflates the airbag, developed area is larger and resistance to wind and waves is stronger. In a deployed state, a sensor on the unmanned aerial vehicle can be matched and steadily deployed on the water for investigation.

An underwater launching apparatus for a small unmanned aerial vehicle capable of floating on water, having an airbag, inflating module, airbag arm, cylindrical body, upper baffle plate, spring, airbag arm connecting rod, lower baffle plate, upper buckle and lower buckle. This apparatus has compact and reliable structure. Relative to a traditional underwater catapult, the apparatus has smaller body and completes deployment and ejection of the launching apparatus by means of elasticity of the spring. The underwater launching apparatus for the small unmanned aerial vehicle has high stability and diversified applications. After the airbag arm of the catapult is deployed on the water and the inflating module inflates the airbag, developed area is larger and resistance to wind and waves is stronger. In a deployed state, a sensor on the unmanned aerial vehicle can be matched and steadily deployed on the water for investigation.

A system and method for sending instrument data from a sub-surface activity, such as data collection by one or more sensors, to another location, e.g., a satellite, a ground-based location, a vessel, etc., with minimal time exposure and minimal visibility of any system components at the water surface. Exemplary embodiments include a motorized payout-and-retrieval system or device, an air injection device, and a water-level sensor with automation control that together can be used to move a vessel, connected to an antenna, from a position in the water column in which the antenna is below the surface to a higher position in which the antenna is at or above the surface for data transmission.

A system and method for sending instrument data from a sub-surface activity, such as data collection by one or more sensors, to another location, e.g., a satellite, a ground-based location, a vessel, etc., with minimal time exposure and minimal visibility of any system components at the water surface. Exemplary embodiments include a motorized payout-and-retrieval system or device, an air injection device, and a water-level sensor with automation control that together can be used to move a vessel, connected to an antenna, from a position in the water column in which the antenna is below the surface to a higher position in which the antenna is at or above the surface for data transmission.

An aquatic transportation, storage, and distribution system, including one or more storage containers and a guide structure. The storage container is capable of retaining one or more items therein and is configured to selectively vary the buoyancy thereof to urge the storage container to float up or sink down within an aquatic environment. The guide structure is supported at least partially within the aquatic environment and includes at least one non-horizontal segment. The storage container is configured to interact with the at least one segment as the storage container is urged to float up or sink within the aquatic environment such that the storage container is moved along the guide structure and is routed to a specified extraction point for retrieval from the aquatic environment.

An aquatic transportation, storage, and distribution system, including one or more storage containers and a guide structure. The storage container is capable of retaining one or more items therein and is configured to selectively vary the buoyancy thereof to urge the storage container to float up or sink down within an aquatic environment. The guide structure is supported at least partially within the aquatic environment and includes at least one non-horizontal segment. The storage container is configured to interact with the at least one segment as the storage container is urged to float up or sink within the aquatic environment such that the storage container is moved along the guide structure and is routed to a specified extraction point for retrieval from the aquatic environment.

A subsea fluids storage facility comprises a tank for holding and separating fluids which is equipped with ballast capacity and a separable base to be deployed upon the seabed in shallow or deep water, and the storage facility is connectable to a surface production facility, especially a buoy for processing fluids. In deep water the tank is held at a depth above the base for temperature controlled stabilization of produced oil in the tank.

The present disclosure includes an underwater retrieval device for retrieving an underwater instrument. The device includes a buoyancy means, a cable reel, a controller configured to receive an external signal, a release mechanism in communication with the controller, and a locking mechanism configured to lock the cable reel. The locking mechanism can comprise a locking pin engageable with the cable reel, a locking lever biased in an unlocked configuration, and a lock for securing the locking lever in the locked configuration. There is also provided an underwater retrieval system that includes the underwater retrieval device and a rewinder device that can rewind the device without disassembly or replacement of parts. When the device receives the external signal, the controller sends a signal to the release mechanism, which releases the lock and unlocks the cable reel, which allows the device to return to the surface via the buoyancy means.

The present disclosure includes an underwater retrieval device for retrieving an underwater instrument. The device includes a buoyancy means, a cable reel, a controller configured to receive an external signal, a release mechanism in communication with the controller, and a locking mechanism configured to lock the cable reel. The locking mechanism can comprise a locking pin engageable with the cable reel, a locking lever biased in an unlocked configuration, and a lock for securing the locking lever in the locked configuration. There is also provided an underwater retrieval system that includes the underwater retrieval device and a rewinder device that can rewind the device without disassembly or replacement of parts. When the device receives the external signal, the controller sends a signal to the release mechanism, which releases the lock and unlocks the cable reel, which allows the device to return to the surface via the buoyancy means.

A subsea structure monitoring system can include a base device configured to be secured to a subsea structure. The subsea structure monitoring system can also include a release mechanism disposed within the base device, where the release mechanism has a default state and a released state. The subsea structure monitoring system can further include a buoy detachably coupled to the release mechanism, where the buoy includes a housing that houses a communication module and a switch. The subsea structure monitoring system can also include a trigger that is configured to convert the release mechanism from the default state to the released state. The release mechanism can be converted from the default state to the released state when the trigger exerts a minimum force on the release mechanism.