Electromagnetic Tether Management for Lightweight ROV Launch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tether manage systems for optical fiber remote control submersibles are heavy and complex, requiring high-capacity winches and robust cables, limiting their applicability in marine scientific investigations and seabed mapping.
Innovation Solution
A tether manage system with an upper cylinder and lower cylinder, equipped with electromagnets and iron plates, uses a light armoured optical and power composite cable connected to a light load-bearing optical fibre cable, allowing for a low dead-weight design that simplifies the system and reduces mechanical complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional top hat system or garage system is used with heavy mechanical structures, winches, and armoured optical cables, then the submersible can be launched and recovered, but the system weight and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical winch system with an electromagnetic launching mechanism. Electromagnets mounted on the TMS attract ferromagnetic materials on the submersible to provide launching force, eliminating the need for heavy winches and complex cable twisting mechanisms while maintaining reliable launch capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the heavy mechanical components (winch, large armoured cable) from the TMS system and replaces them with lightweight electromagnetic components. The TMS retains only the essential functions of electromagnetic attraction for launching and buoyancy control, significantly reducing system weight
2Force
If heavy armoured optical and power composite cables are used to support the submersible weight, then the submersible can be hoisted and powered, but the cable requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a buoyancy bag filled with buoyant material to counterbalance the submersible weight. This eliminates the need for heavy armoured cables to support the full weight, as the buoyant force offsets gravity, allowing the use of lighter optical fibre cables for power and data transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical hoisting through heavy armoured cables with electromagnetic launching. The electromagnets provide the force needed to launch the submersible, eliminating the need for complex cable twisting and winding mechanisms
3Reliability
If complex mechanical structures with hooks, latches, and locking mechanisms are used, then the submersible can be securely attached and detached, but the system complexity and operational procedures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical attachment mechanisms (hooks, latches, locking mechanisms) with electromagnetic attraction. Ferromagnetic materials mounted on the submersible are attracted to electromagnets on the TMS, providing secure attachment during launching without complex mechanical structures
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using passive mechanical structures that require active engagement and disengagement, the patent uses active electromagnetic fields that can be turned on and off to control attachment and separation, simplifying operational procedures
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional TMS designs are used to support marine scientific investigations and seabed mapping, then the submersible can operate, but the heavy system limits application versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical TMS structures with lightweight electromagnetic and buoyancy-based systems, reducing overall weight and enabling deployment in a wider range of marine applications including scientific investigations and seabed mapping where weight constraints are critical
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
The system achieves a low dead-weight and simplified operation, improving the applicability of the submersible by reducing the requirements for the composite cable and winch, while ensuring safe and reliable cable management during operation.
Implementation Method 1
matched electromagnets and iron plates are respectively installed in the two parts
Implementation Method 2
the light armoured optical and power composite cable may provide electric power for the electromagnets
Implementation Method 3
an end of the light armoured optical and power composite cable inside the upper cylinder is optically connected with an end of the light load-bearing optical fibre cable inside the lower cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A TMS for an optical fiber remote control submersible is provided, including an upper cylinder equipped with a counterweight and a lower cylinder equipped with a buoy; the upper cylinder and the lower cylinder are sleeved with each other, and matched electromagnets and iron plates are respectively installed in the two parts; the upper cylinder is connected with a mother ship through a light armoured optical power cable, and the light armoured optical power cable may provide electric power for the electromagnets, and the lower cylinder is connected with a submersible through a light load-bearing optical fiber cable; and an end of the light armoured optical power cable inside the upper cylinder is optically connected with an end of the light load-bearing optical fiber cable inside the lower cylinder.