Power Supply For Underwater Vehicles And Sensors

The present invention relates to a power supply system for underwater vehicles, in particular to a power supply system for autonomous underwater vehicles, to underwater vehicles equipped with such power supply systems and to a method of operating an underwater vehicle. The power supply system for underwater vehicles comprises a hydrogen fuel cell, which on the one hand is in fluid contact with a metal hydride storage tank, and on the other hand, with a membrane module that is capable of extracting dissolved oxygen from water. By combining the above mentioned components, the energy necessary to support the AUV operation and the operation of its sensors can be provided, replacing in an efficient and sustainable way the currently employed battery energy systems. For the operation of gliders, a weight compensating mechanism could also be implemented. 1. An underwater vehicle equipped with a power supply system , the power supply system comprising a hydrogen fuel cell , a metal hydride storage tank and a membrane module , wherein the hydrogen fuel cell is in fluid contact with said metal hydride storage tank and with said membrane module , the membrane module employing an oxygen selective membrane capable of harvesting dissolved oxygen from an aqueous environment.2. The underwater vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen fuel cell is a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell.3. The underwater vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the fuel cell is a fuel cell operating at a temperature between 60° C. and 120° C.4. The underwater vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the fuel cell is a fuel cell operating at a temperature between 60° C. and 80° C.5. The underwater vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the membrane module comprises a membrane of a material selected from the group consisting of polyolefins; polysilicones; polysilanes claim 1 , polysiloxanes claim 1 , and fluorinated polyolefins.6. The underwater vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the membrane material is selected from cross-linked poly( ...

Method for production of open-celled polymer foams for ultrafiltration applications

A continuous foam extrusion process for producing an open-celled foam comprising the steps of a) providing a polymer melt comprising at least one water-insoluble polymer and at least one water-soluble polymer in an extruder, b) introducing at least one blowing agent into the polymer melt, c) introducing water as co-blowing agent into the polymer melt, and d) extruding the blowing-agent containing polymer melt through a die into a region of lower pressure.

Power supply system for underwater vehicles

Power supply system for underwater vehicles and sensors

CA Application CPST Ref: 71404/00020 1 Abstract 3 The present invention relates to a power supply system for underwater vehicles, in 4 particular to a power supply system for autonomous underwater vehicles, to underwater vehicles equipped with such power supply systems and to a method of operating an underwater vehicle. 6 The power supply system for underwater vehicles comprises a hydrogen fuel cell, which on the 7 one hand is in fluid contact with a metal hydride storage tank, and on the other hand, with a 8 membrane module that is capable of extracting dissolved oxygen from water. By combining the 9 above mentioned components, the energy necessary to support the AUV operation and the operation of its sensors can be provided, replacing in an efficient and sustainable way the 11 currently employed battery energy systems. For the operation of gliders, a weight compensating 12 mechanism could also be implemented. CPST Doc: 293851.1 Date Reçue/Date Received 2020-09-25

Power supply for underwater vehicles and sensors

The present invention relates to a power supply system for underwater vehicles, in particular to a power supply system for autonomous underwater vehicles, to underwater vehicles equipped with such power supply systems and to a method of operating an underwater vehicle. The power supply system for underwater vehicles comprises a hydrogen fuel cell, which on the one hand is in fluid contact with a metal hydride storage tank, and on the other hand, with a membrane module that is capable of extracting dissolved oxygen from water. By combining the above mentioned components, the energy necessary to support the AUV operation and the operation of its sensors can be provided, replacing in an efficient and sustainable way the currently employed battery energy systems. For the operation of gliders, a weight compensating mechanism could also be implemented.

Power supply system for underwater vehicles

The present invention relates to a power supply system for underwater vehicles, in particular to a power supply system for autonomous underwater vehicles, to underwater vehicles equipped with such power supply systems and to a method of operating an underwater vehicle. The power supply system for underwater vehicles comprises a hydrogen fuel cell, which on the one hand is in fluid contact with a metal hydride storage tank, and on the other hand, with a membrane module that is capable of extracting dissolved oxygen from water. By combining the above mentioned components, the energy necessary to support the AUV operation and the operation of its sensors can be provided, replacing in an efficient and sustainable way the currently employed battery energy systems. For the operation of gliders, a weight compensating mechanism could also be implemented.