Abstract: An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) including a hydrogen fuel cell is provided. The fuel cell control computer is a separate, stand-alone control system that interfaces with a vehicle control computer (VCC) to ensure safe operation of the fuel cell system. Relay logic for disabling the fuel cell enables the VCC to determine if the fuel cell has shut down, ensuring that the AUV system does not send power to the fuel cell system if there are unsafe conditions.

Abstract: An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) comprising one or more propulsion devices that propel the AUV, one or more sensors that generate sensor data indicative of a signature of a vessel, memory, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry determines an underwater position at which the AUV collects the sensor data, controls the one or more propulsion devices to move the AUV to the underwater position, receives the sensor data from the one or more sensors while the AUV is at the underwater position, and stores the sensor data in the memory.

Abstract: A foot for a drilling device includes a foot frame and a plurality of louver assemblies attached to the foot frame. Each louver assembly includes a louver that is at a first position when the foot is on a surface and that is movable toward a second position to facilitate release of the foot from the surface.

Abstract: A sample collector includes a hollow sleeve and a removable sampler assembly within the sleeve. The sampler assembly includes a filter assembly including a filter element for filtering at least one material. The sampler assembly includes a first cover including a first sealing member to seal a first end of the filter assembly in the sleeve, and a second cover including a second sealing member to seal a second end of the filter assembly in the sleeve.

Abstract: A sampling device for underwater environments includes a first section that includes a support surface for supporting one or more sampling components that collect samples from a landing surface. The sampling device includes a second section coupled to the first section and separated from the first section by the support surface. The second section includes a hollow portion. The sampling device includes a pump in fluid communication with the hollow portion and configured to i) pump fluid from the hollow portion to an external environment to create a suction force to assist with anchoring the second section to the landing surface, and ii) pump fluid from the external environment to the hollow portion to assist with releasing the second section from the landing surface.

Abstract: A foot for a drilling device includes a foot frame and a plurality of louver assemblies attached to the foot frame. Each louver assembly includes a louver that is at a first position when the foot is on a surface and that is movable toward a second position to facilitate release of the foot from the surface.