Electrochemical power sources for unmanned underwater vehicles used in deep sea survey operations

A comparison of available energy from different power sources for unmanned underwater vehicles, discharged at atmospheric pressure or at ambient pressure, has been undertaken. The basis for the comparison has been a neutrally buoyant power source with a total volume of 300 l. For deep diving vehicles, the use of batteries that can operate at ambient pressure is advantageous. This advantage increases as the mean density of the battery decreases and as the mean density of the pressure hull increases. A fuel cell using spherical gas containers is also an attractive power source for deep diving survey underwater vehicles.