389 results about "Remotely operated vehicle" patented technology

A method and apparatus for deployment and retrieval of ocean bottom seismic receivers. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a carrier containing a plurality of receivers attached to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The carrier comprises a frame in which is mounted a structure for seating and releasing said receivers. The structure may comprise a movable carousel or a movable conveyor or fixed parallel rails or a barrel. In the case of the barrel, the receivers are axially stacked therein. The structure is disposed to deliver said receivers to a discharge port on said frame, where the receivers are removable from said carrier. The apparatus includes a discharge mechanism for removing said receivers from said carrier. In another embodiment, the method comprises the steps of loading a carrier with a plurality of receivers, attaching said carrier to an ROV, utilizing said ROV to transport the carrier from a surface vessel to a position adjacent the seabed and thereafter utilizing said ROV to remove receivers from said carrier and place the receivers on the seabed. In yet another embodiment, an ROV adjacent the seabed engages a deployment line extending from the vessel. The deployment line is used to guide receivers attached thereto down to the ROV for “on-time” delivery and placement on the seabed.

A method and system for handling granular material, such as proppant used in hydraulic fracturing in well drilling, is provided. In an operational configuration, a delivery module having conveyors receives and conveys granular material to a delivery location, and one or more mobile storage modules receive, hold and dispense granular material downward to the delivery module. The mobile storage modules comprise a raised, angular container portion for holding granular material. Each mobile storage module may comprise a rock-over chassis for support against ground. A remote control module provides centralized, remote control of the system. Mobile support unit modules may also be provided as a remotely controlled vehicle capable of providing power, control, heating, and the like to other modules. Mobile in-feed elevator modules may also be provided as a remotely controlled vehicle for feeding granular material to mobile storage modules. In a transportation configuration, each module is separately transportable.

A remotely operated vehicle assembly for picking up storage bins from a storage system includes a vehicle body that displays a cavity for receiving a storage bin situated somewhere within the storage system, a vehicle lifting device at least indirectly connected to the vehicle body for lifting the storage bin into the cavity, driving mechanisms or components connected to the vehicle body allowing remotely controlled movements of the vehicle assembly within the storage system, a wireless communication link that provides wireless communication between the vehicle assembly and a remote control unit such as a computer, one or more main power sources supplying electrical power to the driving mechanisms or components and vehicle coupling means for operational and releasable coupling of the main power source to the vehicle body.

Methods for navigating a remote controlled vehicle, methods for maintaining a formation of remote controlled vehicles, and remote controlled vehicles using those methods. A vehicle is navigated using the Global Positioning System (GPS). Upon dropout of the GPS, the vehicle is navigated using a laser tracking system and one or both of: (i) a compass and (ii) wheel encoders. The navigation system may be used, in one embodiment, to maintain an echelon formation of remote controlled mine detection vehicles.

The present invention provides a position control system for a remote-controlled vehicle, a vehicle operated by the control system, and a method for operating a remote-controlled vehicle. An electromagnetic energy receiver is configured to receive an electromagnetic beam. The electromagnetic energy receiver is further configured to determine a position of the remote-controlled vehicle relative to a position of the electromagnetic beam. The vehicle is directed to maneuver to track the position of the electromagnetic beam.

Sensors, including fiber optic sensors and their umbilicals, are mounted on support structures designed to be retro-fitted to in-place structures, including subsea structures. The sensor support structures are designed to monitor structure conditions, including strain, temperature, and in the instance of pipelines, the existence of production slugs. Moreover the support structures are designed for installation in harsh environments, such as deep water conditions using remotely operated vehicles.

An Automatic Service Station Facility (ASSF) for replenishing various motivational energy sources onboard different types of AUV, Drones, and Remotely Controlled (RC) or robotic vehicles is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the automatic service station facility includes a rack, replaceable fuel tanks, a service module, and an electronic computer control system. The replaceable fuel tanks are stocked on the rack and substantially filled with various fluids which are utile as motivational energy sources within fuel-operated vehicles. The service module is mounted on the rack, and the electronic computer control system is connected in electrical communication with the service module. In this configuration, the service module is controllably operable to receive a depleted replaceable fuel tank from a fuel-operated vehicle and also selectively deliver one of the filled replaceable fuel tanks onboard the vehicle. In another embodiment, the service station facility may also stock replaceable batteries for selective delivery onboard battery-operated vehicles. In another embodiment, the ASSF is self-propelled, remotely controlled, and solar powered, being able to move long distances to remote locations which may be hazardous to humans, such as disaster zones or battle fields, where the ASSF can service AUV, Drones, and Remotely Controlled (RC) or robotic vehicles needed for the particular applications. Alternatively, the solar powered ASSF can be made to move continuously and service vehicles continuously for long duration operations like herding cattle for example.

An array of three-axis magnetometers used for dynamic magnetic anomaly compensation are located at the corners of a parallelopiped, with pairs of magnetometer outputs used to derive a magnetic anomaly gradient vector used to compensate a compass and / or the output of a gyroscope in an inertial management unit. The system may be used in a neutrally buoyant remotely operated vehicle to permit ascertaining of course and position in the absence of surface control signals.

The method of taking a remotely operated vehicle to the ocean floor to land on and move along a subsea pipeline above or below the seafloor and repeatedly circulate seawater which has been heated electrically, mechanically, or chemically across the outer surface of the pipeline to melt hydrates or paraffins which have formed on the inside of the pipeline.

Sensors, including fiber optic sensors and their umbilicals, are mounted on support structures designed to be retro-fitted to in-place structures, including subsea structures. The sensor support structures are designed to monitor structure conditions, including strain, temperature, and in the instance of pipelines, the existence of production slugs. Moreover the support structures are designed for installation in harsh environments, such as deep water conditions using remotely operated vehicles.

A remote control vehicle comprising a body having a front end and a rear end and provided with first and second ground engageable propulsion means respectively disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle and in which the first and second propulsion means are driven by first and second transmission means respectively to permit the vehicle to be propelled and steered by driving the propulsion means on one side of the vehicle independently from the propulsion means on the other side of the vehicle, a boom assembly having carrying means for carrying an implement on the boom assembly, the boom assembly being mounted on the body for lifting movement between a raised position and a lowered position by a lifting means and wherein the ground engageable propulsion means and the lifting means of the boom assembly are operable by a receiver, of an electromagnetic signal, provided on the body.

A method and apparatus for storing, transporting, and transferring one or more sensor devices is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a transfer device having a frame, and a movable platform coupled to the frame. A mesh material may be coupled to the frame and surround at least one side of the movable platform and a mating interface is formed in a side of the frame that is adapted to couple with a remotely operated vehicle in an underwater location.

Disclosed is an underwater vehicle that can be operated as a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or as an autonomous vehicle (AUV). The underwater vehicle has a tether, which may be a fiberoptic cable, that connects the vehicle to a control console. The underwater vehicle has vertical and lateral thrusters, pitch and yaw control fins, and a propulsor, all of which may be used in an ROV-mode when the underwater vehicle is operating at slow speeds. The underwater vehicle may also be operated in a AUV-mode when operating at higher speeds. The operator may switch the vehicle between ROV-mode and AUV-mode. The underwater vehicle also has a fail-safe mode, in which the vehicle may navigate according to a pre-loaded mission plan if the tether is severed.

A pipeline connection assembly includes a landing platform and rotary or swivel connection hub which may be attached to a pipeline branch, termination, or manifold. The landing platform is mounted so that it may be rotated about the connection hub. This permits the installation of a subsea connection on a near level platform and allows the pipeline to be laid subsea with greater roll angles than would be acceptable otherwise. Orientation of the landing porch horizontally removes the requirement to manufacture the connection jumper to compensate for the roll differences in the hubs. In the preferred construction, the elevation of the platform can be adjusted by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and locked into place once the adjustment is completed.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the deployment of a plurality of autonomous underwater seismic vehicles (AUVs) on or near the seabed based on acoustic communications with an underwater vehicle, such as a remotely operated vehicle. In an embodiment, the underwater vehicle is lowered from a surface vessel along with a subsea station with a plurality of AUVs. The AUVs are configured to acoustically communicate with the underwater vehicle or a second surface vessel for deployment and retrieval operations. The underwater vehicle and / or second surface vessel is configured to instruct the AUVs to leave the subsea station or underwater vehicle and to travel to their intended seabed destination. The underwater vehicle and / or second surface vessel is also configured to selectively instruct the AUVs to leave the seabed and return to a seabed location and / or a subsea station for retrieval.

A remote control system for remotely controlling a vehicle includes a pair of hand controls to be engaged by hands of a user. The hand controls may be moveable in order to cause movement of the overall vehicle and accessories of the vehicle. Numerous switches on the hand controls may be operable for other purposes, such as operating cameras on the vehicle, while the user maintains a gripping or other physical engagement with the hand controls. There may be buttons or switches corresponding to a number of preset positions for the one or more cameras. The additional controls may include an actuatable switch, such as a slider, to control sensitivity of inputs provided by moving the hand controls. The remote control system allows precise remote control, with visual feedback, of vehicles in any of a wide variety of situations.

An apparatus and method is provided for transporting, installing, retrieving, and replacing a sensor array of individual sensor pods at a geographically remote location, such as on the sea floor. The apparatus consists of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), a carousel attached to the ROV, a pod ejector mechanism attached to the carousel, and a manipulator with a manipulator end effector attached to the ROV. The carousel contains a plurality of sensor pod holders, where each sensor pod holder is capable of holding a sensor pod. The pod ejector mechanism is capable of discharging a fresh sensor pod, while the manipulator end effector is capable of lifting a depleted sensor pod and placing the depleted sensor pod in an empty sensor pod holder in the carousel.

A remotely operated vehicle or robot for picking up storage bins from a storage system includes a vehicle body, which includes a first section for storing vehicle driving means and a second section for receiving any storage bin stored in a storage column within the storage system, a vehicle lifting device in order to lift the storage bin into the second section, a first and a second set of vehicle rolling means allowing movement of the vehicle along a first and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, respectively, within the storage system. The second section includes a cavity arranged centrally within the vehicle body. This cavity has at least one bin receiving opening facing towards the underlying storage columns At least one of the two sets of vehicle rolling means is arranged fully within the vehicle body.

A drilling riser adapter variably connects and releases a riser from a subsea wellhead assembly. The drilling riser adapter has a hydraulically actuated engagement assembly for selectively engaging and disengaging a lower end of the marine riser. The drilling riser adapter also includes a control panel communicatively coupled to the engagement assembly for actuating the engagement assembly to engage and disengage the lower end of the marine riser. The drilling riser adapter also includes a hydraulic fluid pressure receptacle on the control panel for engagement by a remotely operated vehicle to supply hydraulic fluid pressure to the engagement assembly. The drilling riser adapter may be actuated subsea to release a first riser from the wellhead assembly, and connect to a second riser.

The invention discloses equipment and a method for proportionally remote controlling a vehicle and an unmanned aerial vehicle by touching on intelligent terminal. The method comprises the following steps of setting a direction speed control area, a speed gear adjusting area, a flying height control area and a mode selection key area on a touch screen of the intelligent terminal, wherein the key area comprises remote control selection keys of different equipment; meanwhile, setting a state display area on a display unit; detecting a touch gesture on the touch screen; making sure that the detected gesture is a slide gesture in a direction control touch area; according to the slide track, calculating the slide direction and the slide distance of the gesture; transmitting control information containing flying direction and speed to the remote controlled equipment. Compared with the prior art, the equipment and the method have the advantages that operation action on the equipment, such as remote control vehicle and the unmanned aerial vehicle, on the intelligent terminal is simplified, and the using experience of controlling the equipment through the intelligent terminal by a user can be greatly improved.

This invention is directed to a system for actuating manipulator jaws. This system employs a double sided rack, each side of which engages a pinion at a first end of a rotatably mounted lever. The second end of each lever comprises a jaw region. The present invention may be used with subsea manipulators mounted on remotely operated vehicles (“ROV's”).

An apparatus and method is provided for transporting, installing, retrieving, and replacing a sensor array of individual sensor pods at a geographically remote location, such as on the sea floor. The apparatus consists of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), a carousel attached to the ROV, a pod ejector mechanism attached to the carousel, and a manipulator with a manipulator end effector attached to the ROV. The carousel contains a plurality of sensor pod holders, where each sensor pod holder is capable of holding a sensor pod. The pod ejector mechanism is capable of discharging a fresh sensor pod, while the manipulator end effector is capable of lifting a depleted sensor pod and placing the depleted sensor pod in an empty sensor pod holder in the carousel.

A method, system and apparatus for viewing and imaging an underwater structure from a submersible platform, navigating along the structure and constructing a map of the structure in the forms of a photo-mosaic and a 3-D structural map. The system can include a submersible platform, at least two cameras coupled to the submersible platform, and stereovision matching logic programmed to simulate a frontal view of a target underwater structure from a fixed distance based upon an oblique view of the target underwater structure obtained by the cameras from a variable distance. The cameras can be forward or side mounted to the submersible platform and can include optical cameras, acoustical cameras or both. Preferably, the submersible platform can be a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), or an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Finally, the system further can include absolute positioning sensors.

Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus and method of transferring seismic equipment to and from a marine vessel and subsurface location. In one embodiment, the method includes deploying at least one remotely operated vehicle from a vessel operating in a first direction, and operating the at least one remotely operated vehicle in a pattern relative to the direction of the vessel to form at least two receiver lines.

A robot or vehicle locomotes by tumbling. Legs distributed over the surface of the robot individually extend or retract. A control system coordinates the action of the legs to cause the robot to tumble in any direction. A robot using this form of locomotion is highly maneuverable, can climb slopes, and can step over obstacles. It can provide a smooth ride on rugged terrain. A variation can jump into the air and land safely. A variation can be built with as few as six moving parts, can fold to fit into a projectile, and instantly unfold on landing. It may use airbags instead of legs. It can include a video system without moving parts that produces a stable, non-tumbling view of its surroundings while tumbling. It is an ideal remotely operated vehicle for search and rescue, firefighting, or reconnaissance for the military or police.

A remotely operated vehicle or robot for picking up storage bins from a storage system includes a vehicle body, which includes a first section for storing vehicle driving means and a second section for receiving any storage bin stored in a storage column within the storage system, a vehicle lifting device in order to lift the storage bin into the second section, a first and a second set of vehicle rolling means allowing movement of the vehicle along a first and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, respectively, within the storage system. The second section includes a cavity arranged centrally within the vehicle body. This cavity has at least one bin receiving opening facing towards the underlying storage columns At least one of the two sets of vehicle rolling means is arranged fully within the vehicle body.