Underwater Hull Cleaning Vehicle With Scheduled Autonomous Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated systems for cleaning underwater vessel hulls are inefficient, unreliable, and costly, requiring frequent human guidance and complex deployment mechanisms, making them impractical for private vessel owners and environmentally hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a vehicle with rotatable cleaning elements, a tether, and a processing unit that executes a repeating cleaning schedule, adjusting cycle periods based on environmental and structural factors, and sensor data to maintain optimal fouling removal without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated crawling systems are used to clean vessel hulls, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the cleaning function into separate modular components: a propulsion unit with cleaning elements (brushes, water jets) and a control unit with processing system. These can be deployed independently or combined, allowing flexibility in system complexity while maintaining effective cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning vehicle is designed with multiple cleaning mechanisms (brushes, water jets, sandblasting) that can be selected based on fouling type and severity. The vehicle can clean various underwater structures (hulls, pilings, platforms) making it a universal cleaning solution that adapts to different applications.
2Extent of automation
If automated crawling systems are deployed, then manual intervention is reduced, but reliability of maintaining contact with hull decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle incorporates sensors (cameras, sonar, proximity sensors) that continuously monitor its position and contact status with the hull. This feedback is processed by the control unit which automatically adjusts propulsion force and cleaning element pressure to maintain optimal contact, ensuring reliable operation without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning elements are designed with flexible mounting and adjustable pressure mechanisms that dynamically adapt to variations in hull surface geometry and fouling conditions. The propulsion system can dynamically adjust its force to maintain contact during vehicle movement across the hull surface.
3Reliability
If frequent cleaning is performed, then fouling accumulation is reduced, but operational time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements scheduled periodic cleaning cycles based on monitored fouling accumulation rates, environmental conditions, and vessel operational patterns. This prevents excessive fouling buildup while avoiding unnecessary cleaning operations, optimizing the balance between fouling prevention and operational time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle autonomously monitors hull condition using onboard sensors and determines when cleaning is necessary based on pre-set criteria and real-time data. The system self-manages its own operation schedule without requiring constant human oversight or intervention, reducing operational overhead while maintaining effective fouling prevention.
4Power
If large-scale cleaning vehicles are used, then cleaning power is increased, but deployment and recovery complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into modular units that can be deployed independently or in combination. Smaller vehicles with focused cleaning capabilities can be used for minor fouling, while multiple units can be combined for heavy-duty cleaning tasks, allowing power scaling without proportionally increasing deployment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A robotic arm or deployment mechanism acts as an intermediary between the vessel and the cleaning vehicle, simplifying deployment and recovery operations. The intermediary handles the heavy lifting and positioning, reducing the complexity of direct human intervention while enabling the use of powerful cleaning vehicles.
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 provides efficient, autonomous, and frequent cleaning of underwater structures, reducing fouling accumulation and maintenance costs while minimizing environmental impact and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaner device is pressed against the hull, typically by a suction or similar mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a central impeller which drives the vehicle against the hull
Implementation Method 3
an array of brushes surrounding high pressure water jets which are operable to remove fouling
Data Source
AI summary
A system for cleaning a structure arranged in a body of water. The system includes: a vehicle operable to move through the water and clean the structure; a tether connectable between the vehicle and a fixed position; a deployment mechanism securable relative to the structure and configured to move the vehicle into, and out of, the water; and a processing unit configured to communicate with the vehicle and the deployment mechanism. The processing unit is configured to execute a repeating cleaning schedule to cause the deployment mechanism to operate to move the vehicle into the water, the vehicle to operate to clean at least a portion of the structure, and the mechanism to operate to remove the vehicle from the water.