Autonomous ROV Tether Management for Length and Tension Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tether management systems for remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are limited by the need for manual user supervision and are not suitable for mobile research vessels, as they rely on fixed underwater regions with continuous power and communication lines, and lack automated control over tether length and force.
Innovation Solution
A tether manager system that includes a spool, motor, and controller, allowing the ROV to autonomously control tether length and force through signals received via the tether, utilizing localization systems for precise adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tether management system is used to control the amount of tether extending between the ROV and the base, then the risk of entanglement and excessive tether drag is reduced, but the system requires manual user supervision and is not suitable for mobile research vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The ROV autonomously controls the tether manager by sending commands through the tether itself, eliminating the need for manual user supervision. The ROV can independently adjust tether length and force based on its position and operational needs, making the system self-managing and suitable for mobile research vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses localization data from the ROV to provide feedback to the tether manager, enabling automated control decisions. The tether manager receives positional information and automatically adjusts tether deployment and force application based on real-time ROV location and mission requirements.
2Reliability
If a submerged tether management system is used for larger-scale ROVs, then tether control is improved, but the system is only suitable for fixed underwater regions with continuous power and communication lines
Solution Approach 1:
The tether manager is designed to serve multiple functions and environments. It can operate in both submerged and surface configurations, and can work with ROVs of various scales. The system uses the existing tether for both power/communication and control signals, making it universally applicable to different vessel types including mobile research vessels without requiring fixed underwater infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static submerged installations to dynamic surface-mounted configurations that can move with the vessel. The tether manager mounted on the surface can actively deploy and retrieve tether based on real-time ROV position, enabling operation in mobile and changing environments rather than fixed regions.
3Reliability
If automated control over tether length and force is implemented, then entanglement and damage risks are minimized, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tether itself serves as the intermediary for control signals. The ROV sends automated control commands through the tether to the tether manager, using the existing communication infrastructure. This eliminates the need for separate complex control wiring or additional communication systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automated control capabilities.
4Ease of operation
If the tether manager allows the ROV to autonomously control tether parameters, then user supervision is eliminated, but the communication requirements through the tether increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges control signals with existing power and communication channels in the tether. Rather than requiring separate dedicated control wiring, the ROV sends tether management commands through the same tether infrastructure already in place for power and data, consolidating multiple functions into a single communication pathway and avoiding additional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A tether manager for use with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) includes a tether source and is configured to change an amount of tether deployed from the tether source in response to a signal received from the ROV via the tether. A controller controls operation of a motor coupled with a spool to increase or decrease the amount of deployed tether based on ROV distance from the tether source and/or an amount of tension in the tether. The tether manager may be part of a system including a submersible powered watercraft as the ROV and a surface watercraft carrying the tether source.