USA as Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Chris Richburg

Donald D Hobden

Charles Bernstein

Kenneth Ford

Don Hobden

Chris Cook

Jeffery Pray

Mike Conn

Russell King

Spencer Harris

Wells Parker

Brian Coppola

Brooke Parker

David Emery

Don Tibbetts

Sally Lankamer

A light system for defining a line of approach uses light sources arranged in an array. The light sources are arranged such that they define a primary field-of-view (FOV) from which all of the light sources are visible. Less than all of the light sources are visible from positions outside of the primary FOV. The light sources are further divided into sections with each section having a portion of the light sources associated therewith. The light sources are controlled in accordance with cyclical on/off sequences. A primary waveform of light energy is defined by the cyclical on/off sequence visible from within the primary FOV. A plurality of secondary waveforms of light energy are defined by the cyclical on/off sequences visible from positions outside of the primary FOV.

Light system for defining line of approach

A system provides guidance to a vehicle on an approach to a position. A guidance transmitter stationed at the position includes light sources arranged in an array and a controller coupled to the light sources. The array defines a primary field-of-view (FOV) from which all light sources are visible. The light sources are divided into a plurality of sections with each section having a portion of the light sources associated therewith. Operation of each section of light sources is governed by the controller in accordance with unique cyclical on/off sequences. A primary waveform of light energy is defined by a composite of the cyclical on/off sequences visible from within the primary FOV. A plurality of secondary waveforms of light energy are defined by the cyclical on/off sequences visible from positions outside of the primary FOV. A guidance receiver mounted on a vehicle traveling towards the position of the guidance transmitter includes (i) sensor(s) for sensing light energy generated by those light sources visible thereto, (ii) a database for storing calibration waveforms indicative of corresponding guidance correction signals, and (iii) a processor for determining which one of the calibration waveforms matches or is closest to the sensed one of the primary waveform and secondary waveforms. The guidance correction signal associated with the matching calibration waveform can be used to control navigation of the vehicle.

System for guiding a vehicle to a position

A tactile sensor comprises a sensing bladder in pneumatic communication with a first diaphragm side of a pneumatic diaphragm via a first fluid; the pneumatic diaphragm being actuatable by a displacement of the first fluid within the sensing bladder; the pneumatic diaphragm further comprising a second diaphragm side in fluid isolation from the first diaphragm side; the second diaphragm side being pneumatically biased against the first diaphragm side, and the second diaphragm side and the first diaphragm side of the pneumatic diaphragm each being in pneumatic communication with an external environment.

Ambient pressure compensated tactile sensor

A method of guiding a vehicle to a position is provided. Light sources arranged in an array are placed at a position with the light sources defining a primary field-of-view (FOV) from which all of the light sources are visible. Less than all of the light sources are visible from positions outside of the primary FOV. The light sources are divided into sections with each section having a portion of the light sources associated therewith. The light sources are operated in accordance with cyclical on/off sequences so that a primary waveform of light energy is defined by the cyclical on/off sequence visible from within the primary FOV and secondary waveforms of light energy are defined by the cyclical on/off sequences visible from positions outside of the primary FOV. The light energy generated by the light sources is sensed by an approaching navigable vehicle. Based on the position of the vehicle, one of the primary waveform and the plurality of secondary waveforms is sensed. A database on the vehicle stores calibration waveforms indicative of guidance correction signals that can be used to control navigation of the vehicle. The calibration waveform that is closest to the primary and secondary waveforms so-sensed is indicative of the guidance correction signal.

Method of guiding a vehicle to a position

An unmanned system for investigating underwater regions utilizes an unmanned mothership and a plurality of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The mothership transports the UUVs to and from the vicinity of an underwater region, releases the UUVs into the water, and facilitates recovery of the UUVs from the water. Each UUV can traverse an underwater region, generate sonar and image data associated with the underwater region, and transmit the sonar and image data through the water for receipt and re-transmission by the mothership. A docking system mounted partially onboard the mothership and partially onboard each UUV couples each UUV to the mothership and selectively releases each UUV into the underwater region. A guidance system mounted partially onboard the mothership and partially onboard each UUV guides each UUV back to the docking system from positions in the water. The mothership and UUVs can also be equipped with a non-contact electrical energy transfer system so that each UUV can return to the mothership and re-charge onboard batteries while underwater.

Underwater investigation system using multiple unmanned vehicles

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Panama City, FL, United States of America

Chris Richburg