Integrated probes and probe systems suitable for attachment to a robotic arm of a remotely operated vehicle are disclosed. The probes and probe systems serve to perform cleaning operations and both cathodic protection (CP) voltage measurements and ultrasonic testing (UT) thickness measurements at an underwater surface. The cathodic protection measurement system includes one or more electrically conductive legs that extend outwardly from the probe. These legs are arranged about a cleaning tool and an ultrasonic sensor. When the integrated probe contacts the underwater surface, at least one leg contacts the surface, thereby providing a desired distance between the probe and the underwater surface for efficient cleaning and UT inspection. The underwater surface can be cleaned and CP and UT measurements can all be performed using a single, integrated probed during a single operation, without having to reposition the probe.

Integrated probes and probe systems suitable for attachment to a robotic arm of a remotely operated vehicle are disclosed. The probes and probe systems serve to perform cleaning operations and both cathodic protection (CP) voltage measurements and ultrasonic testing (UT) thickness measurements at an underwater surface. The cathodic protection measurement system includes one or more electrically conductive legs that extend outwardly from the probe. These legs are arranged about a cleaning tool and an ultrasonic sensor. When the integrated probe contacts the underwater surface, at least one leg contacts the surface, thereby providing a desired distance between the probe and the underwater surface for efficient cleaning and UT inspection. The underwater surface can be cleaned and CP and UT measurements can all be performed using a single, integrated probed during a single operation, without having to reposition the probe.

The invention relates to an apparatus and related method for cleaning vessel hulls and other subsea structures at sea. In an embodiment, a hull cleaning system comprises a housing defining an interior void; a multifunction bar; a propulsion system; a power system; a positioning system; a water pump operatively connected to the power system; a high flow manifold operatively in fluid communication with the water pump; a hull cleaner; and a suction device configured to selectively adhere the hull cleaning system to a hull. In a further embodiment, a remotely operated work class vehicle, which is typically able to be deployed from any platform outfitted to accept its launch, recovery and support equipment and which may further be innately unstable when not adhered to an underwater structure such as when flying through open water, comprises a frame; an inspection sensor; a hydraulically powered, high pressure water jet pump; a predetermined tooling set connected to the housing; and a propulsion system, which includes a suction device, configured to propel the remotely operated work class vehicle about a surface.

The invention relates to an apparatus and related method for cleaning vessel hulls and other subsea structures at sea. In an embodiment, a hull cleaning system comprises a housing defining an interior void; a multifunction bar; a propulsion system; a power system; a positioning system; a water pump operatively connected to the power system; a high flow manifold operatively in fluid communication with the water pump; a hull cleaner; and a suction device configured to selectively adhere the hull cleaning system to a hull. In a further embodiment, a remotely operated work class vehicle, which is typically able to be deployed from any platform outfitted to accept its launch, recovery and support equipment and which may further be innately unstable when not adhered to an underwater structure such as when flying through open water, comprises a frame; an inspection sensor; a hydraulically powered, high pressure water jet pump; a predetermined tooling set connected to the housing; and a propulsion system, which includes a suction device, configured to propel the remotely operated work class vehicle about a surface.

The present invention was designed as a technological package capable of implementing the removal of up to 30 cm of biofouling, normally originating from sun coral, on support vessels of ships and oil platforms, without the need for help from divers. The integration of the solution consists of a robotic platform containing a robot for flat areas and a robot for recessed areas, which sends the waste originating from the removal, capturing and crushing to a modular waste-treatment system (MSET). The operations center enables the functioning of all of the integrated systems, being housed in a support vessel, which also has a system for automatically launching and recovering the robot, the control of the robotic platform containing a software architecture capable of allowing the operator to view, plan and record the missions.

The present invention was designed as a technological package capable of implementing the removal of up to 30 cm of biofouling, normally originating from sun coral, on support vessels of ships and oil platforms, without the need for help from divers. The integration of the solution consists of a robotic platform containing a robot for flat areas and a robot for recessed areas, which sends the waste originating from the removal, capturing and crushing to a modular waste-treatment system (MSET). The operations center enables the functioning of all of the integrated systems, being housed in a support vessel, which also has a system for automatically launching and recovering the robot, the control of the robotic platform containing a software architecture capable of allowing the operator to view, plan and record the missions.

The present invention relates to a remotely operated underwater robot device for removing marine biofouling, mainly aimed at organisms such as sun coral, settled on hulls of floating units for transporting oil and derivatives thereof, or on exploration and production platforms. The system comprises a remotely operated robot that removes the marine biofouling from said hulls, without damaging the hull, containing and capturing the waste. It is an intelligent device that is capable of operating in two modes: as an ROV to allow it to travel through the water, and as a crawler to perform the actual functions of removing the macrofouling containing sun coral and the functions resulting therefrom. It has non-georeferenced reference systems using acoustic elements to facilitate location by the operator. It uses computer vision to enter the parking areas without human assistance. It contains thrusters for controlling aquatic movements and self-levelling systems with control of the centre-of-buoyancy dynamics, and has wheels for movement, which can be electromagnets or a set of wheels that works in conjunction with a magnetic fastening system, both with variation in the coupling force. It has either a system for removing, containing, capturing and crushing the biofouling or a removal system using cavitation and mechanical impact that can have an approximate height of 30 centimetres, normally applied to sun coral.

The present invention relates to a remotely operated underwater robot device for removing marine biofouling, mainly aimed at organisms such as sun coral, settled on hulls of floating units for transporting oil and derivatives thereof, or on exploration and production platforms. The system comprises a remotely operated robot that removes the marine biofouling from said hulls, without damaging the hull, containing and capturing the waste. It is an intelligent device that is capable of operating in two modes: as an ROV to allow it to travel through the water, and as a crawler to perform the actual functions of removing the macrofouling containing sun coral and the functions resulting therefrom. It has non-georeferenced reference systems using acoustic elements to facilitate location by the operator. It uses computer vision to enter the parking areas without human assistance. It contains thrusters for controlling aquatic movements and self-levelling systems with control of the centre-of-buoyancy dynamics, and has wheels for movement, which can be electromagnets or a set of wheels that works in conjunction with a magnetic fastening system, both with variation in the coupling force. It has either a system for removing, containing, capturing and crushing the biofouling or a removal system using cavitation and mechanical impact that can have an approximate height of 30 centimetres, normally applied to sun coral.

A load arrangement is provided for powering a load on a surface (30) of a marine structure (50) exposed to a liquid (10). The load arrangement has a carrier (100) and a conductor arrangement (110) arranged on the surface of the marine structure and coupled to one pole of a power source (1). The other pole is coupled to the liquid. The carrier has a back surface (102) to cover part of the conductor arrangement and the surface (30) of the marine structure. A load (20) in the carrier receives supply current from the power source via a front electrode (130) arranged for coupling to the liquid, and a back electrode (120) at the back surface arranged for coupling to the conductor arrangement. The load may be an UV-C LED for emitting anti-fouling light.

A load arrangement is provided for powering a load on a surface (30) of a marine structure (50) exposed to a liquid (10). The load arrangement has a carrier (100) and a conductor arrangement (110) arranged on the surface of the marine structure and coupled to one pole of a power source (1). The other pole is coupled to the liquid. The carrier has a back surface (102) to cover part of the conductor arrangement and the surface (30) of the marine structure. A load (20) in the carrier receives supply current from the power source via a front electrode (130) arranged for coupling to the liquid, and a back electrode (120) at the back surface arranged for coupling to the conductor arrangement. The load may be an UV-C LED for emitting anti-fouling light.