Remotely operated underwater vehicle

a remote-operated, underwater technology, applied in underwater equipment, special-purpose vessels, buoys, etc., can solve the problem of more drag forces, and achieve the effect of more drag forces and sufficient room for optical data fibers

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-08-26
BLUEFIN ROBOTICS
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Benefits of technology

[0005]The diving depth of the ROV can be limited by the length of the tether. The tether can have various lengths in diameters. A larger diameter tether will be stronger but will also result in more drag forces as the ROV moves through the water. A ⅜ inch tether cable can have sufficient room for a conductive wire cable and may be suitable for tether lengths up to 500 feet. A ⅛ inch diameter cable can have a length of up to about 1,000 feet and can have sufficient room for an optical data fiber. The system solves the problem of remotely controlling ROVs in a manner that allows the ROV to travel through any body of water while being in full high speed data communications with a controller.

Problems solved by technology

A larger diameter tether will be stronger but will also result in more drag forces as the ROV moves through the water.

Method used

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Embodiment Construction

[0010]In order to dispense with the tether, an alternate means for powering the ROV is required and an alternate means of remote control communication with the ROV are needed. Various energy systems can be employed to provide on board power for the ROV. In a preferred embodiment, the invention's power is provided by lithium ion batteries as used on Hawkes designed manned submersibles. In addition to the power supply, wireless communications are also required. Wireless communications are the most difficult problem and the system and method for providing wireless communications is a significant part of this invention.

[0011]The difficulty in providing a suitable means of communication is a problem with free swimming ROVs when human intervention and a control are needed at a high enough level to require a high band width. The ROV may be controlled by using acoustic control signals that are transmitted between the support boat and the ROV through the ambient water. This means of communic...

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Abstract

A system for communicating with a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) includes an ROV coupled to a surface buoy by a tether. A controller is coupled to a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver is attached to the surface buoy. Control signals are transmitted from the controller through the first wireless transceiver the second wireless transceiver on the surface buoy. The control signals are then transmitted through the tether to the ROV. Feedback and sensor signals are transmitted from the ROV through the wireless transceivers to the controller.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 155,658, REMOTELY OPERATED UNDERWATER VEHICLE, filed on Feb. 26, 2009 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]With reference to FIG. 1, remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV's) 101 are, widely used by industry and science for unmanned undersea work tasks. The ROV 101 requires an electromechanical cable connection (tether) 105 to the surface for communications and power which are typically located on a boat 109. The tether cable 105 presents serious constraints and difficulties in use. For example, the tether 105 can restrict the mobility of the ROV 101 due to its short length. Therefore it would be an advantage to be able to dispense with the tether that is coupled to the control station.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention is directed towards a control system for operating a remotely operated underwater veh...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B63G8/00B63G8/14
CPCB63B22/24B63C11/42B63B2203/00
Inventor HAWKES, GRAHAMCHIAU, CHARLES S.
Owner BLUEFIN ROBOTICS
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