ROV Drill Assembly for Ship Skin Tapping in Marine Salvage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marine salvage drilling methods are inefficient and hazardous, involving manual drilling by divers, which is time-consuming, costly, and limited to shallow waters, and often results in drilling into vessel frames or leaking fluids.
Innovation Solution
A remotely-operated underwater drilling system with a drilling assembly that includes a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) and a drilling unit with a linear and rotary actuator, capable of attaching to a ship's skin using magnets and installing a tap assembly for fluid extraction, allowing for diver-less operations in deeper waters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual drilling by divers is used, then the drilling process can be performed with simple equipment, but the operation is time-consuming and limited to shallow waters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical drilling operations with an automated drilling system that includes a remotely operated vehicle, linear actuators, and rotary actuators. This substitution eliminates the need for divers to manually perform drilling operations, significantly improving productivity and enabling operations in deeper waters while maintaining equipment simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The drilling system is designed to autonomously perform drilling operations without human intervention in the water. The system includes self-contained actuation mechanisms (linear and rotary actuators) that automatically control the drilling process, allowing the system to service itself during operation and eliminating the need for divers to be present during drilling
2Ease of manufacture
If manual drilling by divers is used, then the operation cost is lower, but the process is hazardous and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hazardous manual drilling operations with a remotely operated automated system. This substitution eliminates safety risks to human divers while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the use of standard actuation components and a modular platform that can be deployed without expensive support infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The remotely operated vehicle serves as an intermediary between the operator and the drilling environment. This mediator performs the hazardous drilling operations in place of human divers, eliminating direct human exposure to risks while maintaining operational control through remote actuation of the linear and rotary actuators
3Productivity
If automated drilling system with ROV is used, then the drilling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the automated drilling system into distinct functional modules: a remotely operated vehicle platform, a linear actuation system, a rotary actuation system, and a drilling tool interface. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed, tested, and maintained, managing overall system complexity while achieving high drilling efficiency through coordinated operation of the modules
Solution Approach 2:
The remotely operated vehicle platform is designed with universal actuation capabilities that can perform multiple functions: linear actuation for positioning, rotary actuation for drilling, and potential adaptation to different drilling tools. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized equipment for each operation, managing device complexity while maintaining high productivity across various drilling scenarios
4Reliability
If automated drilling system is used, then the operation safety is improved, but the extent of automation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated actuation systems controlled from the surface. This substitution achieves high safety by completely removing human operators from the hazardous underwater environment while maintaining a manageable level of automation through direct remote control of the linear and rotary actuators, allowing operators to monitor and adjust operations in real-time
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 efficient and safe fluid extraction from sunken vessels by automating the drilling process, reducing risks and costs, and allowing operations in deeper waters, thereby mitigating environmental hazards.
Implementation Method 1
The drilling assembly comprises a frame comprising an attachment element configured to hold the drilling assembly to a surface of the ship skin
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling system configured to install a tap assembly into a ship skin is disclosed. The drilling system comprises a remotely-operated underwater vehicle and a drilling assembly configured to be operated by the remotely-operated underwater vehicle. The drilling assembly comprises a frame comprising an attachment element configured to hold the drilling assembly to a surface of the ship skin. The drilling assembly further comprises a drill actuation system comprising a linear actuator attached to the frame and a rotary actuator, wherein an actuation of the linear actuator is configured to move the rotary actuator relative to the frame to install the tap assembly into the ship skin by driving the tap assembly with the rotary actuator and the linear actuator.