ROV Deployment from Vessels of Opportunity with Buoyancy Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for deploying unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) from vessels are limited by the weight-bearing umbilical, which restricts depth and requires specialized structures, making it difficult to use vessels of opportunity for ROV deployment.
Innovation Solution
A method involving lifting a UUV docked to a TMS outboard into water, deploying an umbilical for communication, undocking the UUV, and suspending the TMS over the water for the UUV to perform a mission, using a crane and a mobile support unit to facilitate deployment and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a weight-bearing umbilical is used to suspend the TMS/ROV assembly, then the ROV can be deployed underwater, but the depth is limited by the umbilical's weight-bearing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buoyancy compensator as an intermediary device between the TMS and the ROV assembly. This buoyancy compensator provides additional upward buoyant force to offset the weight of the ROV and TMS, reducing the tension load on the umbilical cable. By adding this intermediary buoyancy element, the system can deploy ROVs to greater depths without exceeding the umbilical's weight-bearing limits.
2Ease of operation
If dedicated A-frame structures are installed on vessels for ROV deployment, then ROV deployment is enabled, but the vessel requires specialized equipment and cannot be a vessel of opportunity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ROV deployment system into a self-contained modular unit comprising the TMS, ROV, and buoyancy compensator that can be independently handled and deployed. This modular segmentation allows the system to be deployed using generic crane equipment rather than requiring dedicated A-frame structures, enabling vessels of opportunity to perform ROV operations without specialized permanent installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic deployment methods where the TMS/ROV assembly is lifted by crane to various positions (outboard over the side, over the stern, or to a moonpool) depending on sea state and operational requirements. This dynamic adaptability in deployment location and method allows flexible use on vessels of opportunity without fixed dedicated structures.
3Quantity of substance
If the umbilical supports heavier work-class ROVs, then more capable ROVs can be deployed, but the deployment depth is further restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the anti-weight principle by introducing a buoyancy compensator that provides upward buoyant force to counterbalance the weight of heavier work-class ROVs. This compensator acts as a counterweight system, offsetting the ROV's weight and reducing the load on the umbilical cable, thereby enabling deployment of more capable heavier ROVs to greater depths than would be possible with the umbilical alone.
Data Source
AI summary
A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) docked to a tether management system (TMS) is lifted outboard into water beside a vessel while deploying an umbilical that effects communication with the ROV via a tether of the TMS. After undocking the ROV to swim away from the TMS while deploying the tether, the TMS is suspended over the water while the ROV performs a subsea mission. A mobile or transportable ROV support unit can be positioned on a deck of a vessel of opportunity to facilitate deployment of the ROV, the TMS and the umbilical and to control the ROV during the mission.