DINA moule integration on underwater vehicles for improved under ice capabilities and autonomy

• Main Author: Casillas Rodriguez, Jorge
• Other Authors: Ludvigsen, Martin, Insinööritieteiden korkeakoulu, Forsman, Pekka, Aalto-yliopisto, Aalto University
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: undewater vehicles; autonomy; under ice operations; design; Svalbard; Kongsfjord; Kongsfjord*; ice covered waters
• Online Access: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/117103

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) currently depend surface vessels for their launch and recovery. While operating they still need either to be tethered to the surface vessel or resurfacing maneuvers to reliably operate in the sea. This in turn leads to logistical challenges and limitation to their overall autonomy given that in environments like heavy sea states or ice-covered waters, UUVs cannot rely on the surface without being exposed to the risk of damage or total loss. This thesis proposes a station that will allow UUVs to operate fully autonomously without depending upon the surface as it integrates the multi communications module developed in the MarTERA UNDINA project to give UUVs the possibility of conducting their navigation and communications while underwater. It will also give UUVs the possibility of not having to be retrieved and taken back to base to have their batteries recharged as the UUVs would have the possibility of recharging them between deployments by docking unto the proposed station. The proposed mechanical design for the station is demonstrated to be fit for its planned installation in Tronheimsfjord by aligning with DNV recommended practices and standards that ensure a sustainable building of the structure as well as for its safe installation with deck crane. Finally, an alternative designed is proposed for the station that will make it suitable for its possible installation in other sites besides Trondheimsfjorden like Kongsfjord in Svalbard where the station would also be of help to deploy UUVs with more reliability. The next steps in this line of work would be to build the proposed station for it to be installed in its planned deployment location and the development of the inductive module which is still in its concept state. Obemannade undervattensfordon; UUV för förkortningen på engelska, med tillgängliga teknik, beror på ytfartyg som ska sättas in och bärgas. När de slutför a uppdrag behöver de antingen ha anslutning till ytfartyget eller då och då en stege till ytan för att ...