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.

An OTEC system and method utilize rigid containers, each of which defines a sealed volume partially filled with heavy water. A vessel houses the rigid containers and is disposed in ocean water. The vessel transports the rigid containers between a surface of the ocean water and a depth D of the ocean water at which the heavy water freezes to become frozen heavy water. An OTEC plant located at the surface of the ocean water melts the frozen heavy water in a condensing process.

A propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle includes a turbine engine, a generator mechanically coupled to an output shaft of the turbine engine, an electrical motor mechanically decoupled from the turbine engine and electrically coupled to the generator via a power bus architecture, and a propulsor mechanically coupled to a rotational output of the electrical motor. The power bus architecture includes a pair of AC buses and a DC bus.

An electric power transmission device transmits electric power to an electric power reception device including an electric power reception coil in water. The electric power transmission device includes one or more transmission coils which include an electric power transmission coil configured to transmit electric power to the electric power reception coil via a magnetic field, an electric power transmitter, configured to transmit AC power to the electric power transmission coil, a capacitor which is connected to the transmission coil and forms a resonance circuit which resonates with the transmission coil, a first tubular member which is waterproof and seals a periphery of the transmission coil, a second tubular member which surrounds the first tubular member and includes a plurality of holes, and an adjuster, configured to adjust an amount of air in a gap between the first tubular member and the second tubular member.

A system receives data from a submersible remote operated vehicle (ROV), the data being about the operation of an arm of the ROV. The system automatically controls, based on the data, movement of the arm in docking the arm to a tool holder. In certain instances, the system implements an image based control. In certain instances, the system implements a force accommodation control. In certain instances, the system implements both.

A tool interchange for a submersible remote operated vehicle (ROV) arm includes a first interchange body that affixes to an ROV arm. A second interchange body is carried by the first interchange body to rotate on a rotation axis. The second interchange body includes a tool mount actuable between gripping an ROV tool to the second interchange body and releasing the ROV tool from the second interchange body. An inductive power coupling part is provided in the tool mount. The inductive power coupling part is presented outwardly in the tool mount opposite the first interchange body, resides on the rotation axis and is fixed with respect to the first interchange body while the second interchange body rotates. The inductive power coupling part is adapted to inductively communicate power with a corresponding inductor power coupling part of the ROV tool when the ROV tool is docked in the tool mount.

A bionic underwater robot for achieving a variety of motions is disclosed. The bionic underwater robot includes a head and one or more tail structures. Each of the one or more tail structures includes one or more joint structures. Each of the one or more joint structures includes a connection plate, and a modular assembly, comprising an upper servo motor, a lower servo motor, and a bevel gear mechanism, is motorized for performing various movement motions of the joint structure. The bevel gear mechanism is integrally formed by an intermediate bevel gear, a first bevel gear, and a second bevel gear. The upper servo motor drives the first bevel gear from a first side of the modular assembly, while the lower servo motor drives the second bevel gear from a second side.

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 unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) with a hydraulic system (100) for use in cold surroundings and method of controlling such hydraulic system. The hydraulic system (100) comprises a hydraulic circuit (10). One or more tools (21,22) may be hydraulically operable via the hydraulic circuit (10). A pump (32) is configured to pressurize a flow of hydraulic fluid (F) via the hydraulic circuit (10) e.g. for actuating the tools (21,22). A valve system (40) comprises control valves (41,42,43) disposed in the hydraulic circuit (10) for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid (F) through the hydraulic circuit (10). A controller (50) is configured to control one or more of the control valves (43) as a function of a temperature (T) of the hydraulic fluid (F).

A device (110) for performing measurements on a seabed (3), comprises a chamber (111) containing a sensor (120) and a fluid (115) at a constant temperature and at an ambient pressure. This removes the need for calibration in large ranges of both pressure and temperature. In addition, this eliminates the need to wait until the sensor (120) has achieved ambient temperature, and thereby achieves a desired accuracy of the recordings from the sensor while decreasing the operation time. The device preferably comprises an insulating layer (113), an internal temperature stabilising device (130) and a circulating device (131) to ensure a constant temperature and low temperature gradients within the chamber (111). The pressure within chamber (111) may be equalised to ambient pressure by a pressure inlet (112).