Separable Seabed Probe With Tethered Power for Long-Term Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marine geological environment survey equipment lacks means for long-term monitoring of seabed changes, is bulky and heavy, causing interference with measurements due to overall settlement, and has limited battery life for real-time data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
Tethered separable marine geological environment survey equipment with a screw-driven penetration method, utilizing a probing rod with integrated sensors and a cable winch system for real-time power and data communication, allowing the probing rod to be separated from the equipment body for long-term monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional CPT equipment is used for marine geological surveys, then penetration testing can be performed, but long-term monitoring of seabed changes cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment is divided into two separate parts: a probing rod that remains in the seabed for long-term monitoring, and a retrievalable equipment body that contains power and communication systems. This segmentation allows the probing rod to stay permanently installed while the equipment body can be retrieved, enabling long-term monitoring without leaving heavy equipment in the seabed.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing and data acquisition functions are extracted from the heavy equipment body and integrated into the lightweight probing rod. The probing rod contains all necessary sensors and a miniaturized data acquisition system, allowing it to function independently once installed in the seabed.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If heavy equipment is left on the seabed for long-term observation, then monitoring can be performed, but overall settlement occurs that interferes with measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy equipment body is completely removed from the seabed after installation. Only the lightweight probing rod remains in the seabed, eliminating the weight-induced settlement that would interfere with measurement precision during long-term observation.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the heavy equipment body from the probing rod, the system allows the probing rod to be left in the seabed without the burden of heavy equipment. The equipment body is retrieved to the surface, leaving only the minimal weight of the probing rod in the seabed, thus preventing settlement interference.
3Ease of operation
If self-contained collection methods are used, then equipment portability is improved, but battery capacity is limited resulting in short operational duration
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates power supply functions into the equipment body that is retrieved to the surface, while the probing rod contains only minimal power components necessary for operation. This allows the probing rod to remain in the seabed indefinitely while the main power system is continuously recharged at the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
An underwater cable connects the probing rod to the equipment body, serving as an intermediary for power and data transmission. This cable allows continuous power supply to the probing rod from the surface, eliminating battery limitations while maintaining the portability of the probing rod itself.
4Strength
If conventional penetration methods are used, then seabed penetration can be achieved, but equipment size and weight are large
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional hydraulic and friction wheel penetration methods are replaced with a screw-driven penetration system. The screw mechanism provides efficient mechanical advantage, enabling the probing rod to penetrate the seabed effectively while maintaining a compact and lightweight design.
Solution Approach 2:
The penetration mechanism uses a screw rod that rotates to convert rotational motion into linear penetration motion. This parameter change from rotational to linear motion through the screw mechanism provides efficient penetration capability with reduced force requirements, allowing for a lighter equipment design.
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 long-term, real-time monitoring of seabed sediments with reduced interference from equipment weight, facilitating prolonged observation and data acquisition through tethered power and communication.
Implementation Method 1
a screw rod lifting device, comprising two transmission screw rods, guide shafts, a transmission shaft, worm gear lifts, couplings, a driving motor chamber
Implementation Method 2
worm gear lifts, couplings, a driving motor chamber, a motor chamber mounting bracket, a reversing transmission shaft and reversing worm gear lifts
Implementation Method 3
a cable guide pulley and an underwater cable winch are installed inside the three-dimensional frame
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides tethered separable marine geological environment survey equipment and a working method thereof. The technical scheme of the invention integrates marine geological environment investigation and monitoring. It allows for geological surveys using a CPT probe during penetration and enables long-term monitoring of the marine geological environment through pressure sensors in a probing rod after penetration. An innovative electricity-powered screw-driven penetration method is utilized. To address the potential interference with measurements from overall settlement that may arise from excessive equipment weight during long-term observation, the probing rod is designed to be separable from an equipment body. After completing the penetration, only the probing rod is left on the seabed, and an underwater cable winch releases a cable during the separation process. The cable then returns to the deck along with the equipment body, and real-time power supply and data communication are performed via the deck, thus enabling prolonged observation and real-time measurement data acquisition.