B63G8/08

Subsea inspection vehicle

A subsea vehicle capable of supporting inspection of underwater objects while underway includes a body that provides a capability to allow the subsea vehicle to submerge underwater and follow or position near an object while maintaining an orientation to the object appropriate for inspection of, and safety requirements for, the object. The vehicle includes a set of deployable, semi-rigid arms to support the movement of inspection sensor probes near or lightly touching the inspection target with the probes. A controller helps tracks the intended inspection object using various sensor inputs along with a priori knowledge of the object to drive and position the subsea vehicle such that the appropriate orientation to the inspection target is maintained.

Propulsion system for field configurable vehicle

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a modular propulsion system with magnetic drive.

Propulsion system for field configurable vehicle

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The vehicle can include a modular propulsion system with magnetic drive.

SPLASH ZONE INSPECTION ROBOT

The invention relates to the field of special purpose robotic systems to conduct external functions such as cleaning, monitoring and inspection of structures such as tubular assets in a splash zone. The splash zone is defined as the section of a marine structure that is periodically in and out of water due to the action of waves or tides, usually falling within (+)10m to (−)20m water depth. In embodiments, splash zone inspection robot system 1 comprises station 300, submersible saddle 350, submersible robot 400, and subsea robot controller 308. A predetermined set of controllable clamps selectively secure submersible robot 400 to submersible saddle 350 or structure 2 and allow incremental traversal along submersible saddle 350 or structure 2.

SPLASH ZONE INSPECTION ROBOT

The invention relates to the field of special purpose robotic systems to conduct external functions such as cleaning, monitoring and inspection of structures such as tubular assets in a splash zone. The splash zone is defined as the section of a marine structure that is periodically in and out of water due to the action of waves or tides, usually falling within (+)10m to (−)20m water depth. In embodiments, splash zone inspection robot system 1 comprises station 300, submersible saddle 350, submersible robot 400, and subsea robot controller 308. A predetermined set of controllable clamps selectively secure submersible robot 400 to submersible saddle 350 or structure 2 and allow incremental traversal along submersible saddle 350 or structure 2.

Field configurable spherical underwater vehicle

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The main body of the vehicle is a spherical body.

Field configurable spherical underwater vehicle

A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The main body of the vehicle is a spherical body.

Systems and methods for gas disposal

A method for controlling the saturation level of gas in a liquid discharge includes obtaining temperature and pressure measurements of a solvent in a mixing vessel and obtaining a pressure measurement of a source feedstock in a feedstock tank, correlating the temperature and pressure measurements of the solvent to baseline data to generate a theoretical uptake rate for the source feedstock into the solvent and a theoretical flow rate of the source feedstock into the mixing vessel, and determining a required opening setting for a feedstock valve in the feedstock input line in order to achieve a desired liquid displacement in the mixing vessel. The method includes determining an uptake duration and achieving an uptake displacement equivalent to the reverse of the desired liquid displacement. The method includes generating a valve operating control law for how the feedstock valve should function in a cycle.

Systems and methods for gas disposal

A method for controlling the saturation level of gas in a liquid discharge includes obtaining temperature and pressure measurements of a solvent in a mixing vessel and obtaining a pressure measurement of a source feedstock in a feedstock tank, correlating the temperature and pressure measurements of the solvent to baseline data to generate a theoretical uptake rate for the source feedstock into the solvent and a theoretical flow rate of the source feedstock into the mixing vessel, and determining a required opening setting for a feedstock valve in the feedstock input line in order to achieve a desired liquid displacement in the mixing vessel. The method includes determining an uptake duration and achieving an uptake displacement equivalent to the reverse of the desired liquid displacement. The method includes generating a valve operating control law for how the feedstock valve should function in a cycle.

Neutrally buoyant liquid supply units for underwater vehicles

An underwater liquid supply unit includes a first bladder containing a first liquid, a second bladder containing a second liquid, and a third bladder containing a third liquid. The combined volume of the first liquid, second liquid, and third liquid is neutrally buoyant relative to a surrounding medium the liquid supply unit is disposed in (e.g., in seawater). As the first liquid, second liquid, and third liquid are dispensed from the bladders, the bladders may reduce in size in at least one dimension. As the liquids are dispensed, the liquids may be dispensed in a predetermined volumetric ratio based on the density of the liquids to maintain neutral buoyancy of the combined volume of liquid. The underwater liquid supply unit may also include an integrated generator such as a fuel cell, as well as a propeller.