HERBI propulsión system with T200 Thrusters

• Price: Price on application

This propulsion system clips onto the rear of HERBI-USV when required but can be kept off at other times to keep HERBI-USV lighter and simpler to operate. The extra complexity, battery charging requirements and weight of the propulsion system are not always wanted so they are removable. The propulsion system folds to fit into the same half palette box as the HERBI-USV core. When in use the thruster support arms and peripheral floats (like outriggers) are splayed outwards and downwards deeper into the water so they do not draw through air. For rougher waves the outriggers should be splayed out further and deeper into the water.

The propulsion system relies on battery power fed from batteries kept in the HERBI core. A radio control receiver and motor speed regulators are incorporated into the unit. Replacement of the radio control with full autonomy using off the shelf electronics is feasible.

Coarse wire mesh hemispheres are fitted in front of the thrusters in situations where water weed ingress into the thrusters is a problem. Periodic pulses of reverse thrust clear off accumulated weed that can cling to and entangle the wire mesh hemispheres.

As of January 2025, the propulsion system still needs a central streamlined float incorporated into it. Without this it works well with certain HERBI weight load distribution but improvement for heavier load operation is prudent prior to commercialization. It is intended that versions of float may incorporate the Sontek RS5 or Ceescope engineering transducer.