ROV-Propelled Streamer Cleaning Unit for Barnacle Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of cleaning submerged streamers used in marine geophysical surveys is time-consuming and hazardous for workboat crews, as it requires manually lifting and cleaning long streamers, which can be obstructed by barnacles, affecting sensor sensitivity and survey data quality.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is used to attach and operate a streamer cleaning unit (SCU) or cleaning apparatus to submerged streamers, allowing for automated cleaning along the streamer's length without the need to lift it out of the water, with the ROV propelling the cleaning unit to remove obstructions like barnacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cleaning by workboat crew is used, then cleaning can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The streamer cleaning unit is equipped with its own propulsion system that allows it to travel independently along the streamer, cleaning it as it moves. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual handling by workboat crews, thereby improving safety while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical cleaning system with an automated cleaning unit that uses its own propulsion mechanism to move along the streamer. This substitution of human-operated mechanical systems with automated systems reduces both time and safety risks associated with manual cleaning.
2Ease of operation
If streamer is lifted out of water for cleaning, then cleaning access is improved, but the process becomes more time-consuming and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit operates autonomously on the submerged streamer, eliminating the need to lift the streamer for cleaning. This self-service approach maintains cleaning accessibility while avoiding the time-consuming and hazardous lifting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of lifting the streamer out of water to access it for cleaning, the patent inverts the approach by bringing the cleaning unit to the submerged streamer. This reversal of the traditional cleaning sequence allows cleaning to proceed without interrupting the streamer's submerged state, thereby maintaining productivity.
3Reliability
If progressive lifting of streamer portions is used, then complete cleaning is achieved, but the process extends over extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The self-propelled cleaning unit traverses the entire length of the streamer autonomously, ensuring complete cleaning coverage without requiring progressive lifting operations. This approach maintains cleaning completeness while dramatically reducing the total time required.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning unit operates continuously as it propels itself along the streamer, providing uninterrupted cleaning action throughout the entire streamer length. This continuous operation eliminates the intermittent lifting and lowering cycles, thereby reducing total cleaning duration while maintaining completeness.
4Reliability
If manual cleaning operations are performed, then barnacle removal is achieved, but crew safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit performs barnacle removal operations autonomously on the submerged streamer, eliminating crew exposure to hazardous conditions while maintaining the reliability of sensor sensitivity through effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The streamer cleaning unit acts as an intermediary between the cleaning objective and the streamer, performing the hazardous barnacle removal function without requiring direct human intervention. This intermediary approach maintains cleaning effectiveness while removing crew members from harmful environments.
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 method significantly reduces the time and danger associated with cleaning operations, maintains sensor sensitivity by preventing barnacle growth, and enhances the effectiveness of marine geophysical surveys by keeping the streamers submerged during cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
The SCU may subsequently be released from the ROV to perform a cleaning operation on the streamer. In one embodiment, the SCU is propelled by hydrodynamic drag from the forward end of the streamer to the rear end
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed relating to using a remote operated vehicle (ROV) to facilitate cleaning of a submerged geophysical equipment (e.g., a streamer) being towed behind a tow vessel. The ROV may, in one embodiment, attach a streamer cleaning unit (SCU) to the streamer, where the SCU is configured to clean the streamer. In another embodiment, the ROV may facilitate cleaning by cleaning the streamer itself using a cleaning attachment coupled to the ROV.