The Nereus Hybrid Underwater Robotic Vehicle for Global Ocean Science Operations to 11,000m Depth

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Abstract:

This paper reports an overview of the new Nereus hybrid underwater vehicle and summarizes the vehicles performance during its first sea trials in November 2007. Nereus is a novel operational underwater vehicle designed to perform scientific survey and sampling to the full depth of the ocean of 11,000 meters -- almost twice the depth of any present-day operational vehicle. Nereus operates in two different modes. For broad area survey, the vehicle can operate untethered as an autonomous underwater vehicle AUV capable of exploring and mapping the sea floor with sonars and cameras. For close up imaging and sampling, Nereus can be converted at sea to operate as a tethered remotely operated vehicle ROV. This paper reports the overall vehicle design and design elements including ceramic pressure housings and flotation spheres manipulator and sampling system light fiber optic tether lighting and imaging power and propulsion navigation vehicle dynamics and control and acoustic communications.

Author(s):
Bowen, Andrew D. ; Yoerger, Dana R. ; Taylor, Chris ; Mccabe, Robert ; Howland, Jonathan ; Gomez-ibanez, Daniel ; Kinsey, James C. ; Heintz, Matthew ; Mcdonald, Glenn ; Peters, Donald B. ; Fletcher, Barbara ; Young, Chris ; Buescher, James ; Whitcomb, Louis L. ; Martin, Stephen C. ; Webster, Sarah E. ; Jakuba, Michael V.
Author Organization(s):
WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION MA DEPT OF APPLIED OCEAN PHYSICS AND ENGINEERING
Descriptive Note:
Conference paper
Supplementary Note:
Presented at the IEEE/MTS Oceans Conference held in Quebec City, Canada on 15-18 Sep 2008. Published in the Proceedings of the IEEE/MTS Oceans Conference, 2008. Sponsored in part by NSF and NOAA. The original document contains color images.
Pagination:
0011

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
ONR
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_6.1.1_Wired Transmission; JCA_6.1.3_Switching and Routing; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_2_Battlespace Awareness; JCA_2.2.2_Imagery Collection; JCA_2.2_Collection; JCA_7.2.1_Mitigate Lethal Effects; JCA_7.2_Mitigate; JCA_7_Protection; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_4.1_Deployment and Distribution; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_4.6_Engineering; JCA_1.2.3_Educating; JCA_4_Logistics
Modernization Areas:
Autonomy
Communities of Interest:
Autonomy
Descriptor(s):
*OCEANOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT, *UNDERWATER VEHICLES, *UNMANNED, SAMPLING, HYBRID SYSTEMS, REMOTE CONTROL, FLOTATION, DEEP OCEANS, TELEMETER SYSTEMS, ACOUSTIC COMMUNICATIONS, ROBOTICS, SYMPOSIA, FIBER OPTICS, SELF OPERATION
Field(s)/Group(s):
Submarine Engineering, Physical and Dynamic Oceanography
Keyword(s):
*NEREUS UNDERWATER VEHICLE, *AUV(AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER VEHICLES), *ROV(REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLES)
Report Date:
2008 Sep 01
Creation Date:
2009 Jun 24