Abstract: Autonomous underwater vehicles and systems are provided with fast stabilization and fine attitude control with a constant and high rotational speed flying wheel to rotate the vehicle's body with respect to its core and optionally a combination of reaction masses used in three perpendicular axes. The gimbal and the reaction mass inertial systems are used for fast response to any angular or linear disturbance coming from the ocean current or waves. When equipped for optical communications, the vehicle has an optical receiver and transmitter and controller that provides three levels of attitude stabilization: gimbal and the reaction mass inertial systems; isolated movable platform and fine optical beam steering for targeting the laser beam from the transmitter. The ability to maintain precise positioning allows multiple vehicles to be optically linked.

Abstract: A submergible wave energy converter and method for using the same are described. Such a wave energy converter may be used for deep water operations. In one embodiment, the wave energy converter apparatus comprises an absorber having a body with an upper surface and a bottom surface and at least one power take-off (PTO) unit coupled to the absorber and configured to displace movement of the absorber body relative to a reference, where the power take-off unit is operable to perform motion energy conversion based on displacement of the absorber body relative to the reference in response to wave excitation, and where the power take-off unit is operable to return the absorber body from a displaced position to a predefined equilibrium position and to provide a force acting on the absorber body for energy extraction.

Abstract: Autonomous underwater vehicles and systems are provided with fast stabilization and fine attitude control with a constant and high rotational speed flying wheel to rotate the vehicle's body with respect to its core and optionally a combination of reaction masses used in three perpendicular axes. The gimbal and the reaction mass inertial systems are used for fast response to any angular or linear disturbance coming from the ocean current or waves. When equipped for optical communications, the vehicle has an optical receiver and transmitter and controller that provides three levels of attitude stabilization: gimbal and the reaction mass inertial systems; isolated movable platform and fine optical beam steering for targeting the laser beam from the transmitter. The ability to maintain precise positioning allows multiple vehicles to be optically linked.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high bandwidth optical communications using a swarm of optically linked autonomous underwater vehicles and support vehicles that allow communications over long-distances between two points and over a wide area. At least one of the linked autonomous underwater vehicles transmit the optical communications to a control station and can receive control communications from the station. Communication pathways and networks between vehicles in the swarm are dynamic and may be redundant.

Abstract: A submergible wave energy converter and method for using the same are described. Such a wave energy converter may be used for deep water operations. In one embodiment, the wave energy converter apparatus comprises an absorber having a body with an upper surface and a bottom surface and at least one power take-off (PTO) unit coupled to the absorber and configured to displace movement of the absorber body relative to a reference, where the power take-off unit is operable to perform motion energy conversion based on displacement of the absorber body relative to the reference in response to wave excitation, and where the power take-off unit is operable to return the absorber body from a displaced position to a predefined equilibrium position and to provide a force acting on the absorber body for energy extraction.

Abstract: A carpet of wave energy conversion (CWEC) device mechanically couples an absorber carpet to one or more energy converters, thereby allowing for wave energy extraction from passing waves. The absorber carpet may be flexible material of a composite material that has a low elastic modulus in a longitudinal direction (to allow for stretching), and a relatively higher elastic modulus in a transverse direction (to better couple energy from wave to converters). Such designs have minimal wave reflections and high efficiencies within a relatively short extent of deployment. The resultant converted useful energy is available as either: 1) mechanical power including direct desalinization or electrical production; or 2) hydraulic power for a number of applications (including hydraulically powered motors supplying power to powered devices including generators), or pumping of the wave medium under pressure to an alternate location for irrigation or energy storage.

Abstract: A carpet of wave energy conversion (CWEC) device mechanically couples an absorber carpet to one or more energy converters, thereby allowing for wave energy extraction from passing waves. The absorber carpet may be flexible material of a composite material that has a low elastic modulus in a longitudinal direction (to allow for stretching), and a relatively higher elastic modulus in a transverse direction (to better couple energy from wave to converters). Such designs have minimal wave reflections and high efficiencies within a relatively short extent of deployment. The resultant converted useful energy is available as either: 1) mechanical power including direct desalinization or electrical production; or 2) hydraulic power for a number of applications (including hydraulically powered motors supplying power to powered devices including generators), or pumping of the wave medium under pressure to an alternate location for irrigation or energy storage.