Docking UUV Inspection Assembly for Tethered-Relay Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater inspection assemblies face challenges such as the need to drain fluid from tanks for inspection, limited access to 'hard-to-reach' areas due to vehicle size and wired communication restrictions, complex deployment processes, and delays from individual vehicle launches and recharging.
Innovation Solution
An underwater inspection assembly featuring a tethered first unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) with a docking station and a second UUV that can dock for simultaneous deployment and retrieval, enabling untethered access to 'hard-to-reach' areas through optical communication and power transmission via a tether.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wired connection is used for communication between the surface and unmanned underwater vehicles, then reliable communication is achieved, but the movement freedom and ability to access hard-to-reach areas is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the communication function into two parts: a tethered primary UUV that maintains reliable wired communication with the surface, and untethered secondary UUVs that provide movement freedom. The primary UUV acts as a communication relay, segmenting the system to resolve the contradiction between communication reliability and movement freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary UUV serves as an intermediary between the surface and secondary UUVs. It receives communication signals from the surface via tether and relays them to secondary UUVs optically, allowing secondary UUVs to access hard-to-reach areas without direct tether connections while maintaining communication reliability through the primary UUV.
2Ease of operation
If multiple unmanned underwater vehicles are deployed individually, then each vehicle can be controlled independently, but the deployment and retrieval process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple UUVs into a single deployable unit. The secondary UUVs are housed within the primary UUV, allowing all vehicles to be deployed and retrieved simultaneously as one unit rather than individually. This merging approach simplifies the deployment process while maintaining the ability to control each vehicle independently once deployed.
3Reliability
If the unmanned underwater vehicle is tethered for communication, then reliable communication link is maintained, but the vehicle's ability to access hard-to-reach areas is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the tether constraint by having only the primary UUV tethered to the surface, while secondary UUVs operate untethered within the primary UUV's communication range. This segmentation allows the secondary UUVs to access hard-to-reach areas without tether restrictions while the primary UUV maintains the reliable communication link.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary UUV acts as an intermediary that extends the communication range. It receives signals from the surface and relays them optically to secondary UUVs, effectively extending the communication network into areas that would be inaccessible to a directly tethered vehicle.
4Adaptability or versatility
If numerous unmanned underwater vehicles are used for inspection, then comprehensive inspection coverage is achieved, but the number of launches and recoveries increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple secondary UUVs are integrated within a single primary UUV, forming one combined deployment unit. This allows all UUVs to be launched and recovered together in a single operation rather than requiring separate launches and recoveries for each vehicle, significantly reducing the time loss while maintaining comprehensive inspection coverage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for efficient inspection of submerged structures without draining fluids, enhances access to previously inaccessible areas, simplifies deployment and retrieval, and maintains reliable communication while reducing operational costs and delays.
Implementation Method 1
the first and second unmanned underwater vehicles each comprise a respective optical transceiver so that the first and second unmanned underwater vehicles can optically communicate with one another
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the present invention there is provided an underwater inspection assembly (1,100) comprising, a first unmanned underwater vehicle (2) which comprises, at least a first propeller (3a), at least a first camera (4a), and at least a first optical transceiver (5a); a tether (7) a first end (7a) of which is connected to the first unmanned underwater vehicle; a docking station (21,121) which attached to the first unmanned underwater vehicle (2), and wherein the docking station (21,121) is configured to receive docking means (22, 122) mounted on at least a second unmanned underwater vehicle (12); at least a second unmanned underwater vehicle (12) comprising, at least a second propeller (3b) which can be operated independently of the first propeller (3a), at least a second camera (4b), and at least a second optical transceiver (5b), wherein said at least first and second optical transceivers (5a,5b) are configured to selectively optically communicate with one another; and a docking means (22, 122) which is attached to the at least second unmanned underwater vehicle (12), wherein the docking means (22, 122) is configured so that it can be selectively docked in the docking station (21, 121). There is further provided unmanned underwater vehicle suitable for use in an underwater inspection assembly; and a method of inspecting a structure using the underwater inspection assembly.