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Mitigation of USV Motions via Wave Sensing and Prediction

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Navy 		Award ID:
95161 		Program Year/Program:
2010 / STTR
Agency Tracking Number:
N10A-036-0550 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
NAVY 10T036 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Vector Controls Inc.
3 Bridge St Suite B100 Newton, MA 02458-
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2010
Title: Mitigation of USV Motions via Wave Sensing and Prediction
Agency / Branch: DOD / NAVY
Contract: N00014-10-M-0278
Award Amount: $69,981.00
 

Abstract:

A boat's coxswain is adept at analyzing the wave environment, adjusting the craft's propulsion system and control surfaces to mitigate its motions and reduce the chance of capsizing. There is a significant predictive component in the coxswain's control decisions. Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) lack the benefit of a highly trained coxswain reading and predicting oncoming waves - existing autonomous control systems are not aware of the wavefield, nor are they capable of combining near and far wave field information with current information about the craft in order to make adjustments to the propulsion system and control surfaces. This makes the USV susceptible to excessive shocks and motions, which may degrade mission performance, or capsizing. The proposed effort will develop a motion mitigation system including wave sensing and characterization, USV motion prediction, and vessel control for USVs. The system builds upon successful past and current research and development in using wave sensing data, advanced hydrodynamics for wave field reconstruction and vessel dynamics, and vessel control systems in improving steering and motion control of USVs in high sea states.

Principal Investigator:

Robert Mrovillo
President
6175278600
rmorvillo@vcinc.com

Business Contact:

Robert Morvillo
President
6175278600
rmorvillo@vcinc.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Vector Controls Inc.
3 Bridge St Suite B100 Newton, MA 02458

EIN/Tax ID: 043555419
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
Research Institution Information:
MIT
Center of Ocean Engineering
Dept of Mech Engr, Rm 5-321
Cambridge, MA 2139
Contact: Dick K.P. Yue
Contact Phone: 6172536823
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