A transmission is presented, including a spool having a bore. An outer member disposed on the spool, and a cord is configured to at least partially wrap around the outer member. The outer member is configured to constrict and unconstrict to a force applied to the outer member. In this way, rotation of the spool causes a tension force to be applied to the cord, and a greater tension force in the cord will cause the outer member to constrict more than a lower tension force in the cord.

Systems and methods for securing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to a subsea structure during cleaning, maintenance, or inspection of the structure surface are provided. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a pair of grasping hooks that are raised and lowered when driven by a motorized drive. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a rigid holder having a mechanical stop and connected to a swing arm, the swing arm configured to rotate inward, but not outward beyond the mechanical stop. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a plurality of linked segments in series, each connected at a plurality of pivot points. A pair of wires passes through the plurality of linked segments and connects to a pair of pulleys that extend or retract the wires, thereby rotating the plurality of linked segments.

A surgical tool includes a drive housing having an input shaft arranged therein for rotation, a shaft extending from the drive housing and having an end effector arranged at a distal end thereof, and a drive cable extending within the shaft and operatively coupled to the end effector. A cable band is coupled to the input shaft and operatively couples the input shaft to the drive cable, and an idler pulley is rotatably mounted within the drive housing, the cable band being routed at least partially around the idler pulley. Rotation of the input shaft moves the cable band and thereby controls longitudinal movement of the drive cable to articulate the end effector.

Systems and methods for securing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to a subsea structure during cleaning, maintenance, or inspection of the structure surface are provided. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a pair of grasping hooks that are raised and lowered when driven by a motorized drive. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a rigid holder having a mechanical stop and connected to a swing arm, the swing arm configured to rotate inward, but not outward beyond the mechanical stop. In one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism includes a plurality of linked segments in series, each connected at a plurality of pivot points. A pair of wires passes through the plurality of linked segments and connects to a pair of pulleys that extend or retract the wires, thereby rotating the plurality of linked segments.

A surgical tool includes a drive housing having an input shaft arranged therein for rotation, an elongate shaft that extends from the drive housing, and an end effector operatively coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft. A cable band is coupled to the input shaft and operatively couples the input shaft to a drive cable that extends to the end effector. Rotation of the input drive correspondingly moves the cable band and thereby controls longitudinal movement of the drive cable to articulate the end effector.

A buoyancy module for use with a water environment robotic system of the type having an underwater robotic vehicle having a winch has a buoyancy configuration which can be selectively altered. The system includes a module that is configured to be repeatedly, selectively buoyantly engaged and buoyantly disengaged with the underwater robotic vehicle. A tether is connected to the module and is extendable and retractable in response to operation of the winch. Extending and retracting the module can buoyantly engage or buoyantly disengage the buoyancy module with the underwater robotic vehicle according to the operation of a state controller. By engaging and disengaging the buoyancy module, the buoyancy of the underwater robot can be selectively altered. A method is also disclosed.

An inspection crawler, and systems and methods for inspecting underwater pipelines are provided. The system includes the inspection crawler having a housing with a first side, an opposing second side, a power source, and a controller. The crawler includes an inspection tool, at least two pairs of latching arms, each latching arm including a rolling element, and at least two pairs of driving wheels. The system also includes at least one communication unit configured to communicate with the inspection crawler and to communicate aerially with one or more remote devices and, and at one sea surface unit. The inspection crawler can further include a connecting structure connecting the front and back portions of the crawler, and configured to elongate and shorten the inspection crawler.

A system for underwater inspection including an inspection crawler are provided. The inspection crawler includes a housing having first and second sides, a power source, a controller, an inspection tool, at least two driving wheels, and a moveable center of gravity. A method for traversing a weld joint with the inspection crawler having a moving mass is also provided. In the method, the crawler is parked proximate to the joint, and the mass is slid along a slide rail to the second end of the crawler distal to the joint. The first end of the crawler is then propelled over the joint and the mass is slid to the center of the crawler. A center portion of the crawler is then propelled over the joint and the mass is slid to the first end of the crawler. The second end of the crawler is then propelled over the joint.

An articulation assembly includes a proximal joint, a distal joint, a joint housing, and a plunger. The proximal joint is configured to couple to a central section of a drive shaft and to rotate in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The distal joint is rotatably coupled to the proximal joint such that rotation of the proximal joint effects rotation of the distal joint. The distal joint is configured to couple to a distal section of a drive shaft to rotate the distal section in response to rotation of the distal joint. The joint housing is disposed over the proximal and distal joints. The distal joint is rotatable relative to the joint housing. The plunger is engaged with the joint housing to prevent the joint housing from rotating from a centered position until the distal joint reaches a maximum articulation angle.

A planar spring has an outer ring, an inner ring, and two elastic components. The inner ring is disposed in the outer ring, and forms a space therebetween. The two elastic components are disposed in the space, and are symmetric with respect to a central line at a spaced interval. Each elastic component has an outer connecting portion, an inner connecting portion, and a flexible strip. The outer connecting portion is connected to the outer ring at a first connecting point. The inner connecting portion is connected to the inner ring at a second connecting point. The flexible strip is connected between the outer connecting portion and the inner connecting portion. An included angle between the first connecting point and the second connecting point from the center is greater than or equal to 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. A rotational series elastic actuator is also provided.