MODULAR ROV DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

A modular first top container stackable to a modular second bottom container wherein first top container may be adapted to spool in and out a tether, umbilical cord, and so forth to an ROV that may be housed in second bottom container during deployment and or retrieval as well as second bottom container and or first top container may be adapted to house a control system for the ROV that may or may not be manned for deploying, operating and retrieving the ROV.

Claims

1. A modular ROV deployment system comprising: a modular first container having a top, a front side, a back side, a first openable side, a second openable side, a bottom with an aperture, and an interior having motorized spool for take up and pay out of an umbilical cord and a motorized slide with a pulley wherein said motorized slide with said pulley is positioned parallel to said top and adapted to extend out from and into said interior from said first openable side; a modular second container removably attached to said bottom of said first container having a top with an aperture aligned with said bottom aperture of said first container, a front side, a back side, a first openable side, a second openable side, a bottom, an interior with a control room in communication with said motorized spool, said umbilical cord, and said motorized slide, and a storage section below said aperture of said top adapted for holding and deploying said ROV through said openable first side of said second container; and wherein said umbilical cord from said motorized spool is in contact with said pulley of said motorized slide and said ROV and adapted to control operations of said ROV, raise and lower said ROV, and deploy and store said ROV.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PICTORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS, GRAPHS, DRAWINGS, AND APPENDICES

[0017] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed pictorial illustrations, graphs, drawings, and appendices.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a general illustration of a preferred embodiment in accordance with the current invention depicting a stored ROV.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a general illustration of a preferred embodiment in accordance with the current invention depicting a deployed ROV.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0020] Referring to the illustrations, drawings, and pictures, and to FIG. 1 in particular, reference character 10 generally designates a new and improved modular deployment apparatus, system, and method of using the same for a remotely operated vehicle also referred to as an ROV 20 and or other underwater craft and machines constructed in accordance with the present invention. For purposes of convenience, the reference numeral 10 may generally be utilized for the indication of the invention, portion of the invention, preferred embodiments of the invention and so on. Invention 10 is generally used in subsea and or water operations but is not limited to same. Invention 10 may be positioned on land, dock, ship deck, offshore oil derrick, and so forth.

[0021] Invention 10 may generally include, but is not limited to, a modular first top container 30 stackable to a modular second bottom container 40. It is contemplated that first top container 30 and modular second bottom container 40 may be of standard shipping container sizes known in the industry although greater and lesser sizes are contemplated. This may allow for easier transportation by land, sea, and air thus allowing for speedy delivery to a variety of desired locations as needed and or on short notice for both and not limited offshore service work and military applications.

[0022] Modular first container 30, may have a top 50, a front side 60, a back side 70, a first openable side 80, a second openable side 90, a bottom 100 with an aperture 110, and an interior 120. Modular first top container 30 may have a motorized spool 130 for take up and pay out of a tether and or umbilical cord 140 and a motorized slide system 150 with a pulley 160 wherein motorized slide system 150 pulley 160 is positioned parallel to top 50 and adapted to extend out from and into interior 120 through first openable side 80.

[0023] Modular second bottom container 40 may have a top 170 with an aperture 180 aligned with bottom 100 aperture 110 of modular first top container 30, a front side 190, a back side 200, a first openable side 210, a second openable side 220, a bottom 230, and an interior 240. Modular second bottom container 40 interior 240 may have an operations and or control room 250 in communication via wire, wireless, and combination thereof connection 260 to motorized spool 130 for rotation of same, umbilical cord 140 for operation and control of the ROV functions, and the motorized slide system 150 for the deployment and retraction of same.

[0024] Modular second bottom container 40 interior 240 may have a storage section 270 inside interior 240 and below bottom 100 of first top container 30 aperture 110 and below aperture 180 of top 170 for storing and moving ROV 20 wherein the apertures 110 and 180 form a passageway for the umbilical cord 140 to move outward when ROV 20 is deployed and inward when being stored in storage section 270. It is understood that umbilical cord 140 is in contact with pulley 160 of motorized slide system 150 and ROV 20 is adapted to control operations of ROV 20, and raise and or lower the ROV 20.

[0025] It is understood that openable sides 80, 90, 210, and 220 respectively may have hinged doors, overhead retractable sliding doors, framed openings, combinations thereof and so forth. It is also understood that umbilical cord 140 may also be considered a tether, and so forth to ROV 20. Tether and or umbilical cord 140 may be buoyant and or partially buoyant. It is contemplated that tether and or umbilical cord 140 may be un-armored but may also be and or combinations thereof.

[0026] Therefore, invention 10 may be modular ROV deployment system comprising a modular first container having a top, a front side, a back side, a first openable side, a second openable side, a bottom with an aperture, and an interior having motorized spool for take up and pay out of an umbilical cord and a motorized slide with a pulley wherein said motorized slide with said pulley is positioned parallel to said top and adapted to extend out from and into said interior from said first openable side; a modular second container removably attached to said bottom of said first container having a top with an aperture aligned with said bottom aperture of said first container, a front side, a back side, a first openable side, a second openable side, a bottom, an interior with a control room in communication with said motorized spool, said umbilical cord, and said motorized slide, and a storage section below said aperture of said top adapted for holding and deploying said ROV through said openable first side of said second container; and wherein said umbilical cord from said motorized spool is in contact with said pulley of said motorized slide and said ROV and adapted to control operations of said ROV, raise and lower said ROV, and deploy and store said ROV.

[0027] Changes may be made in the combinations, operations, and arrangements of the various parts and elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, names, titles, headings, and general division of the aforementioned are provided for convenience and therefore, should not be considered limiting.