Uncrewed Offshore Node Deployment With Autonomous Sensor Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore sensor array deployment methods, particularly OBN seismic surveys, require large vessels and crews, leading to high operational costs and limitations in accessing hazardous environments.
Innovation Solution
An uncrewed offshore node deployment system utilizing a modular, uncrewed surface vessel with a control system, robotic arms, conveyors, lifting cranes, and ROVs to autonomously deploy sensor nodes independently, eliminating the need for human crew and enabling operation in challenging conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional OBN seismic survey methods are used with large vessels and crews, then deployment capability and reliability are improved, but operational costs increase and access to hazardous environments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The uncrewed surface vessel performs deployment operations autonomously without human crew intervention. The control system automatically navigates the vessel, operates the robotic arm, and manages the node deployment process, eliminating the need for personnel on board while maintaining operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Manual operations by crew members are replaced with an automated control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators to perform navigation, robotic arm control, and deployment sequencing. This substitution reduces device complexity in terms of human requirements while maintaining or improving deployment capability
2Device complexity
If uncrewed surface vessels are used for node deployment, then operational costs are reduced and access to hazardous environments is improved, but deployment precision and reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously receives feedback from sensors monitoring vessel position, robotic arm orientation, and node deployment status. This feedback loop enables real-time adjustments to maintain precise deployment accuracy despite the absence of human operators, ensuring reliability is not compromised by reduced vessel size
Solution Approach 2:
The automated control system replicates the decision-making and operational capabilities of a human crew through programmed algorithms and artificial intelligence. The control system copies the functional roles of crew members, enabling uncrewed vessels to perform complex deployment tasks with precision comparable to or exceeding manual operations
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple nodes are stored and deployed independently, then deployment versatility is improved, but system complexity and operational time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The node storage container is divided into multiple independent compartments or storage positions, each capable of holding individual nodes. The robotic arm can access and retrieve nodes from different positions independently, enabling versatile deployment configurations while managing system complexity through modular storage design
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple nodes are pre-positioned in the storage container before deployment begins. The control system plans the entire deployment sequence in advance, pre-coordinating robotic arm movements and node retrieval operations to minimize operational time while maintaining the flexibility to deploy nodes in various configurations
Data Source
AI summary
An offshore node deployment system includes a control system, a surface vessel including a deck, and a propulsion system in signal communication with the control system, a node storage container supported by the deck of the surface vessel, wherein the node storage container is configured to store a plurality of nodes which are physically disconnected from each other, and a node deployment system supported by the deck of the surface vessel and controllable by the control system, wherein the node deployment system is configured to retrieve the nodes from the node storage container and deploy the nodes to a subsea location.