Integrated Ultrasonic and Cathodic Protection Probe for ROV Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional underwater ultrasonic testing (UT) and cathodic protection (CP) measurement systems require separate probes and robotic arms, leading to time-consuming and costly operations, limiting their use to larger Work-Class ROVs unsuitable for shallow or restricted access sites, and necessitating the development of an integrated system for smaller, lighter ROVs with single arms.
Innovation Solution
An integrated probe system that simultaneously performs CP voltage readings and UT thickness measurements using an outer gimbal, inner gimbal, and articulated conductive legs, allowing a single robotic arm to conduct both measurements efficiently, with a sensor housing containing an ultrasonic probe and flexible membrane, and electrically conductive legs that passively adjust to contact the underwater surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate probes and robotic arms are used for UT and CP measurements, then measurement functionality is provided, but inspection time increases and system size/weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate UT and CP measurement probes into a single integrated probe assembly. The UT transducer and CP reference electrode are housed together in a common structure with shared mounting components, allowing both measurement functions to be performed simultaneously by a single robotic arm rather than requiring separate probes and arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated probe assembly serves multiple functions: it performs both ultrasonic thickness measurements and cathodic protection voltage measurements simultaneously. The single probe assembly can be mounted on a single robotic arm that provides both UT and CP measurement capabilities, making the system versatile and adaptable to multiple measurement tasks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate probes and robotic arms are used for UT and CP measurements, then measurement functionality is provided, but system size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate UT and CP measurement probes into a single integrated probe assembly. The UT transducer and CP reference electrode are housed together in a common structure with shared mounting components, allowing both measurement functions to be performed simultaneously by a single robotic arm rather than requiring separate probes and arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated probe assembly serves multiple functions: it performs both ultrasonic thickness measurements and cathodic protection voltage measurements simultaneously. The single probe assembly can be mounted on a single robotic arm that provides both UT and CP measurement capabilities, making the system versatile and adaptable to multiple measurement tasks.
3Productivity
If two-armed ROV system is used for simultaneous UT and CP measurements, then both measurements can be performed, but ROV size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate UT and CP measurement probes into a single integrated probe assembly. The UT transducer and CP reference electrode are housed together in a common structure with shared mounting components, allowing both measurement functions to be performed simultaneously by a single robotic arm rather than requiring separate probes and arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated probe assembly serves multiple functions: it performs both ultrasonic thickness measurements and cathodic protection voltage measurements simultaneously. The single probe assembly can be mounted on a single robotic arm that provides both UT and CP measurement capabilities, making the system versatile and adaptable to multiple measurement tasks.
4Adaptability or versatility
If probe switching or readjusting is performed between UT and CP measurements, then both measurements can be taken, but time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate UT and CP measurement probes into a single integrated probe assembly. The UT transducer and CP reference electrode are housed together in a common structure with shared mounting components, allowing both measurement functions to be performed simultaneously by a single robotic arm rather than requiring separate probes and arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated probe assembly serves multiple functions: it performs both ultrasonic thickness measurements and cathodic protection voltage measurements simultaneously. The single probe assembly can be mounted on a single robotic arm that provides both UT and CP measurement capabilities, making the system versatile and adaptable to multiple measurement tasks.
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
Enables simultaneous CP and UT measurements, reducing inspection time, size, and weight of the robotic arm, and improving ROV agility, allowing smaller ROVs to perform inspections in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring device emit ultrasonic waves at the surface of the structure and to measure the time it takes for the ultrasonic wave to return to the measuring device
Implementation Method 2
measure the time it takes for the ultrasonic wave to return to the measuring device
Implementation Method 3
the technique of cathodic protection (CP) is applied. In CP, the metal surface of the underwater structure is made into a cathode of an electrochemical cell (e.g., a Galvanic cell) and the surface is coated with another metal having a greater negative electrode potential
Implementation Method 4
the metal surface of the underwater structure is made into a cathode of an electrochemical cell (e.g., a Galvanic cell)
Implementation Method 5
one or more legs, which each have an electrically conductive tip and a subsea housing containing a reference electrode, extend longitudinally away from the outer gimbal via the one or more ingresses and are arranged about the ultrasonic probe, such that the one or more legs are passively adjustable in response to a force imparted when the one or more legs contact the underwater surface
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses integrated probes and probe systems, which can be attached to the robotic arms of a remotely operated vehicle to perform both cathodic protection (CP) voltage measurements and ultrasonic testing (UT) thickness measurements at an underwater surface. In some embodiments, the integrated probe system couples an inner and outer gimbal together such that one or more electrically conductive legs pass from the outer gimbal through the inner gimbal. These legs are arranged about an ultrasonic sensor which extends from the front surface of the inner gimbal. When the integrated probe contacts the underwater surface, both the ultrasonic sensor and at least one leg contact the surface, thereby providing substantially simultaneous CP and UT measurements.