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Energy Scavenging Unmanned Surface Vehicle for Long Range Surveillance

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N00014-07-C-0036
Agency Tracking Number: N054-021-0358
Amount: $491,839.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: N05-T021
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2005
Award Year: 2007
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2007-01-04
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2008-06-30
Small Business Information
2904 44th Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33714
United States
DUNS: 960092674
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: Yes
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Richard Sidley
 Engineering Supr - Power
 (727) 547-9799
 rsidley@custom-mfg-eng.com
Business Contact
 Nancy Crews
Title: President
Phone: (727) 547-9799
Email: ncrews@custom-mfg-eng.com
Research Institution
 FLORIDA STATE UNIV.
 Dave Cartes
 
Center for Advanced Power Syst 100 Levy Ave., Bold
Tallahasse, FL 32310
United States

 (850) 645-1184
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

FSU and CME developed an ocean-going, energy-scavenging platform for long-range surveillance. The objective was to develop and demonstrate energy scavenging technology for a low cost, autonomous surface vehicle that obtained all its power from the environment. The study included several areas of energy harvesting including renewable sources such as solar and wind, and non-renewable sources such as autophagous batteries and fuel cell for backup power. Energy storage, using battery technology such as lead acid and lithium ion, was studied. Studies narrowed the field of viable solutions to solar and wind energy as primary sources using a combination of electric motor and sail propulsion, solar panels and wind turbine energy scavenging, lithium battery storage and non-renewable batteries for backup power. Systems simulations supported the viability of the platform design and revealed an optimum mix of technologies. During Phase II, CME and FSU will define, document, design, build and test hardware and software subsystems for the platform. We will integrate and test the platform as a system including sea trials. We will study and characterize the performance of the platform and determine how close it needs the requirements of the STTR and what improvements may be needed or desired in future developments BENEFITS: Successful development of this energy scavenging technology will provide a ready stepping stone for incorporation into an Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) with greatly extended range and endurance and persistent, station-keeping capabilities.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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