UUV System for Ice-Covered Remote Underwater Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater work systems face challenges in maintaining or repairing offshore facilities, particularly in icy regions where surface ships cannot access, due to limitations in remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) for complex tasks and inadequate continuous data transmission for remote control operations.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) system comprising a remote-controlled underwater vehicle, an autonomously operating underwater vehicle, and a control center, with dedicated connections for data exchange, energy supply, and navigation, enabling secure and high-performance data transmission and maneuverability for complex underwater work beneath ice sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) is used for complex underwater tasks, then work capability is improved, but the vehicle cannot operate independently in icy regions without surface support
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into three distinct vehicle types with specialized functions: a flow-optimized unmanned vehicle for transportation, a maneuverable autonomously operating vehicle for establishing connections, and a remotely operated vehicle for complex work tasks. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, resolving the contradiction between work capability and independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomously operating underwater vehicle acts as an intermediary between the remotely operated vehicle and the local interface. It establishes the data connection that enables the ROV to operate remotely without direct surface support, mediating the communication gap in icy regions.
2Speed
If a flow-optimized unmanned underwater vehicle is used for long-distance transportation, then transportation efficiency is improved, but maneuverability for establishing local connections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the transportation function from the connection-establishment function. The flow-optimized unmanned vehicle handles long-distance transportation efficiently, while the smaller, more maneuverable autonomously operating vehicle handles the precise maneuvering required for establishing local connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomously operating underwater vehicle independently performs the task of locating and establishing connections at the destination. It uses its own sensors and navigation capabilities to find the local interface and set up data transmission without requiring the larger unmanned vehicle to perform these delicate maneuvers.
3Ease of operation
If an autonomously operating underwater vehicle is used for establishing connections, then maneuverability is improved, but energy storage capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomously operating underwater vehicle performs only the specific task of establishing connections rather than undertaking the entire mission. Its energy storage capacity is sufficient for this limited purpose of navigating to the local interface and setting up data transmission, without needing excessive energy for long-duration operations.
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for carrying out remote controlled underwater works.