A fleet of autonomous sailing vessels that are equipped with monitoring and communication equipment for reporting environmental and other conditions. For optimal stability, the autonomous sailing vessels are multi-hulled vessels (catamarans) with self-righting capabilities. Each sailing vessel sends and receives information via one or more satellite links, using solar power to power the communications equipment as well as the monitoring equipment. Each sailing vessel includes an auto-sailtrim system to maintain a desired attack angle with the wind, and electric propulsion for use as required to maintain a desired heading. A modular design is used to support mission-specific payloads.
Autonomous sailboat for oceanographic monitoring
2016-02-10
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B63H Schiffsantrieb oder Steuerung der Schiffe , MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING |