Patent ID: 10464645

Abstract:
A method of adjusting buoyancy of an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) includes measuring buoyancy drift of the UUV when underwater. After docking the UUV with a subsea station, a quantity of a flowable buoyancy-adjustment material held onboard the UUV is changed by transferring that material from the station to the UUV or from the UUV to the station. A buoyancy adjustment system for a UUV includes: an onboard tank for holding a variable quantity of the buoyancy-adjustment material and upwardly-opening and downwardly-opening passageways communicating with the tank for transferring the buoyancy-adjustment material to or from the UUV. The subsea station includes: a dock for docking a UUV; a holding tank for holding the buoyancy-adjustment material; and at least one upwardly-opening or downwardly-opening passageway aligned with the dock and communicating with the holding tank for transferring the buoyancy-adjustment material to or from the docked UUV.