DEVICE FOR COLLECTING MARINE SEDIMENTS USING A REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), comprising at least one handle, at least one central body, at least one drive mechanism, and at least one cover, in which at least one central body includes a lower end comprising an opening, wherein the drive mechanism comprises at least one joining means for connection to a drive system of the ROV, and wherein the at least one cover comprises at least one hingeable structure including at least one connection means with at least one drive mechanism.

Claims

1. A device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), comprising: at least one handle; at least one central body; at least one drive mechanism; and at least one cover; wherein the at least one central body includes a lower end comprising an opening; wherein the drive mechanism comprises at least one joining means for connection to an ROV drive system; and wherein the at least one cover comprises at least one hingeable structure having at least one connection means for connecting to at least one drive mechanism.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one handle is attached to the upper part of the central body.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the at least one handle has a “T” shape, and comprises one or more vertical rods attached to the central body.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one central body is tubular, parallelepiped, or cylindrical.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one central body comprises an internal space for storing the marine sediments.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the opening at the lower end of the central body is chamfered.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one drive mechanism is attached to the upper part of the central body.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one drive mechanism comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder or at least one pneumatic cylinder.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the ROV drive system comprises a hydraulic system or a pneumatic system.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the cover is attached to the central body through the at least one hingeable structure.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the cover is movable between a position parallel to the body center and a closed position adjacent the opening at the lower end of the central body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0018] In order to complement the present description and to obtain a better understanding of the features of the present invention, there is presented attached a set of figures, where in an exemplified way, although not limiting, its preferred embodiment is represented.

[0019] FIG. 1 represents the device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the cover closing the lower opening of the central body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is described in detail based on the attached figures.

[0022] According to FIG. 1, the device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 10 comprises at least one handle 1, at least one central body 2, at least one drive mechanism 3, and at least one cover 4.

[0023] With respect to the handle 1, this is attached to the upper part of the central body 2, wherein this attachment can be carried out through any suitable means of attachment; such as, for example, screw, screw with nut and washer, or welding. The handle 1 can be manufactured from any material that can be applied to the marine environment, such as stainless steel or stainless-steel alloys.

[0024] Additionally, the handle 1 is configured to allow the device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 10 can be transported, for example, by an operator. In addition, the handle 1 allows the connection of cables, moorings or chains to carry out the submersion of the device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 10 from the sea surface to the ocean floor, as well as in the up moving of the same from the ocean floor to the support vessel.

[0025] As seen in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the handle 1 may have a “T” shape and, preferably, comprise one or more vertical rods attached to the central body 2.

[0026] With respect to the central body 2, this comprises an internal space for storing marine sediments and can be manufactured from any material that can be applied to the marine environment, such as stainless steel or stainless-steel alloys.

[0027] At least one central body 2, as the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrates in FIG. 1, may have a tubular shape, for example, where the central body 2 is at least a tube, for example.

[0028] In this sense, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the central body 2 is formed by a tube, wherein the tube is a partially or completely hollow tube, which allows an internal space therein for the storage of marine sediments. Additionally, the central body 2 can have any shape, such as a tubular, parallelepiped, or cylindrical shape, for example.

[0029] Furthermore, the central body 2 includes a lower end comprising an opening 2.1. The opening 2.1 at the lower end of the central body 2 has the function of allowing marine sediments to enter the interior of the central body 2.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the opening 2.1 at the lower end of the central body 2 is a chamfered opening 2.1. More specifically, the chamfered opening 2.1 at the lower end of the central body 2 serves to carry out the spiking of the device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 10 on the ocean floor.

[0031] FIG. 1 additionally presents at least one drive mechanism 3, where at least one drive mechanism 3 is attached to the central body 2. More preferably, the drive mechanism 3 is attached to the central body 2 with a structure suitable for the type of drive mechanism and providing a secure attachment thereof to the central body 2. According to another preferred way, at least one drive mechanism 3 is attached to the upper part of the central body 2.

[0032] Furthermore, at least one drive mechanism 3 is at least one hydraulic cylinder or at least one pneumatic cylinder, for example.

[0033] The drive mechanism 3 comprises at least one joining means 3.1 for connecting to a drive system of the ROV, wherein, preferably, the drive system of the ROV is a hydraulic system or a pneumatic system. The joining means 3.1 can be any joining means that interconnects the drive mechanism 3 with a compatible ROV drive system, such as, for example, an elbow.

[0034] In turn, at least one cover 4 is arranged at the bottom of the device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 10. Specifically, the cover 4 is attached to the central body 2, and, preferably, the cover 4 is attached to the central body 2 through at least one hingeable structure 4.1.

[0035] More preferably, the cover 4 is attached to the lower end of the central body 2 through at least one hingeable structure 4.1. More specifically, the cover 4 is attached to the lower part of the central body 2 through at least one hingeable structure 4.1, so that the cover is parallel to the central body 2.

[0036] At least one hingeable structure 4.1 of the cover 4 comprises at least one connection means 4.2 for connection with the drive mechanism 3.

[0037] Specifically, the cover 4 is configured to be movable between a position parallel to the central body 2 and a closing position of the opening 2.1 of the lower end of the central body 2, wherein the movement takes place through the driving performed by at least one drive mechanism 3, wherein the at least one drive mechanism 3 is connected to at least one connection means 4.2 of the hingeable structure 4.1 of the cover 4 and to the drive system of the ROV 3.2, through the at least one joining means 3.1.

[0038] More specifically, the closing of the opening 2.1 at the lower end of the central body 2 by the cover 4 is carried out immediately after spiking the device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 10 on the ocean floor.

[0039] Thus, immediately after spiking said device 10 of the present invention on the ocean floor, the cover 4 is driven through at least one drive mechanism 3, wherein at least one drive mechanism 3 is connected to a drive system of the ROV and to the connection means 4.2 of the hingeable structure 4.1 of the cover 4, thus driving the cover 4 into the closing position of the chamfered opening 2.1 at the lower end of the central body 2. The drive mechanism 3 is at least one hydraulic cylinder or at least one pneumatic cylinder. The drive mechanism 3 comprises at least one joining means 3.1 for connection with a drive system of the ROV. preferably, a system compatible with the drive mechanism 3; in this case, a hydraulic system or a pneumatic system, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] The cover 4 and the hingeable structure 4.1 can be manufactured from any material that can be applied to the marine environment; for example, stainless steel or stainless-steel alloys.

[0041] FIG. 2 represents a sectional view of the device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 10, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which illustrates the cover 4 completely closing the chamfered opening 2.1 of the central body 2.

[0042] In addition, FIG. 2 presents at least one joining means 3.1 with cabling from the ROV drive system 3.2 connected to the same.

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 10 is submerged from the marine surface to the ocean floor, coupled to the ROV or through cables, moorings, or chains that are connected in handle 1.

[0044] In sequence, the device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 10 is spiked into the ocean floor, wherein the spiking into the ocean floor is carried out through the chamfered opening 2.1 at the lower end of the body 2.

[0045] Immediately after the device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 10 is spiked into the ocean floor through the chamfered opening 2.1, the cover 4 is driven to the closing position of the chamfered opening 2.1. Specifically, the cover 4 is attached to the lower end of the central body 2 through a hingeable structure 4.1, which comprises at least one connection means 4.2 for connection with the drive mechanism 3, wherein the drive mechanism 3 is connected to a ROV drive system 3.2, through at least one joining means 3.1.

[0046] Specifically, the cover 4 is movable between a position parallel to the central body 2 and a closing position of the opening 2.1, and this movement takes place through the driving carried out by at least one drive mechanism 3, which is connected to at least one connection means 4.2 of the hingeable structure 4.1 of the cover 4, as well as to a ROV drive system 3.2, through the at least one joining means 3.1.

[0047] The drive mechanism 3 is preferably at least one hydraulic cylinder or at least one pneumatic cylinder. The ROV 3.2 drive system is preferably a hydraulic system or a pneumatic system. The joining means 3.1 can be any joining means that interconnects the drive mechanism 3 with a compatible ROV drive system 3.2, such as, for example, an elbow.

[0048] After closing the chamfered opening 2.1 at the lower end of the central body 2 with the cover 4, the device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 10 is hoisted from the ocean floor to the sea surface and, subsequently taken to the support vessel, coupled to the ROV or through cables, moorings, or chains connected to handle 1.

[0049] Therefore, the immediate closing of the chamfered opening 2.1 at the lower end of the central body 2 by the cover 4, immediately after spiking the device for collecting marine sediments using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 10 on the ocean floor, ensures that sediments consolidated or poorly consolidated marine assets are not lost when hoisting the device for collecting marine sediments, using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 10, from the ocean floor to the support vessel.

[0050] Those skilled in the art will value the knowledge presented here and will be able to reproduce the invention in the presented embodiments and in other variants, covered in the scope of the appended claims.