WO1992021557A1 - Procede et systeme permettant de localiser et de recuperer des objets immerges dans la mer - Google Patents

Procede et systeme permettant de localiser et de recuperer des objets immerges dans la mer Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1992021557A1
WO1992021557A1 PCT/AU1992/000245 AU9200245W WO9221557A1 WO 1992021557 A1 WO1992021557 A1 WO 1992021557A1 AU 9200245 W AU9200245 W AU 9200245W WO 9221557 A1 WO9221557 A1 WO 9221557A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
transmitter unit
accordance
release
transmitter
parameter sensor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1992/000245
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Michael Hilderbrandt
Kevin Murray Laye
Original Assignee
Landcare Research New Zealand Limited
Satellite Telemetry Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Landcare Research New Zealand Limited, Satellite Telemetry Pty Ltd filed Critical Landcare Research New Zealand Limited
Publication of WO1992021557A1 publication Critical patent/WO1992021557A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C7/00—Salvaging of disabled, stranded, or sunken vessels; Salvaging of vessel parts or furnishings, e.g. of safes; Salvaging of other underwater objects
    • B63C7/26—Means for indicating the location of underwater objects, e.g. sunken vessels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
    • B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
    • B63C11/48—Means for searching for underwater objects

Definitions

  • This invention relates to location and recovery of underwater and deep sea objects and in particular to a release platform transmitter terminal and surface transmitter and method of use thereof.
  • a problem associated with such operations is the inadvertent loss of componentry and the general difficulty in locating objects lost at sea.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide an improved location and recovery device adapted to operate in oceanic conditions.
  • the invention provides an oceanic location and recovery device comprising a support body for fitting to a submarine object, a buoyant surface transmitter unit releasably secured to said body and a parameter sensor characterized in that said surface transmitter unit is released from said body upon activation of said parameter sensor thereby allowing the transmitter unit to move to the ocean surface for transmission of a receivable signal, while said transmitter remains attached to said body by a tether means.
  • the support body may house the parameter sensor and release means and preferably the surface transmitter unit houses the transmission means in a separate sealed capsule.
  • the surface transmitter unit is preferably attached to the body by a retention means such that upon release the said retention means allows the surface transmitter to move to the ocean surface.
  • the release of the surface transmitter unit is controlled by a parameter sensor which is adapted to sense a selected parameter, for example pressure, depth, temperature, vibration or acceleration, etc. Upon detection of the defined parameter being above a preset level, the sensor initiates the release of the surface transmitter unit from the body, wherein the surface transmitter unit proceeds to move to the surface of the ocean.
  • a parameter sensor which is adapted to sense a selected parameter, for example pressure, depth, temperature, vibration or acceleration, etc.
  • the parameter sensor is preferably a pressure transducer using a strain gauge to detect hydrostatic pressure and may be mounted in the support body.
  • the parameter sensor is able to signal the release means by way of electronic circuitry comprising a set point comparator and timing circuitry to provide a defined output pulse from a relay to drive the release means.
  • electronic circuitry comprising a set point comparator and timing circuitry to provide a defined output pulse from a relay to drive the release means.
  • the release means may be a solenoid and/or a mechanical release means.
  • the support body of the device is adapted for attachment to a submarine object, for example a seismic cable and incorporates a tether means attached to the surface transmitter unit to ensure constant physical attachment between the support body and surface transmitter unit after separation.
  • the tether means is most preferably a monofilament nylon tether having a breaking strain of about 6 kg and a stretch of about 20% .
  • the tether may be reeled onto a spool contained within the body of the device.
  • the transmission means may be either a radio, light or sound transmitter adapted to communicate the location of the object to a given addressee whence the tether may be used to precisely locate the object.
  • the transmission means transmits a signal when the longitudinal axis of the transmitter capsule is at an angle of less than 50" to the vertical.
  • FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of the support body end of the device in accordance with the present invention
  • FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the transmitter capsule which connects with the support body shown in FIGURE 1
  • FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the release mechanism between the support body and transmitter capsule shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.
  • FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram of ship laying a seismic cable using the device in accordance with the present invention
  • FIGURE 5 is a schematic diagram of a cable fracture scenario
  • FIGURE 6 is a schematic diagram of the cable sinking to a predetermined critical depth with the consequent release of the surface transmitter unit
  • FIGURE 7 is a schematic diagram of the surface transmitter unit sending a signal whilst remaining tethered to the seismic cable;
  • the device in accordance with the present invention comprises a support body 10 adapted for fitting to a marine object, such as a seismic cable by an attachment means 12.
  • the attachment means may be any known clamping or fixing device which secures the body to the submarine object.
  • a release mechanism associated with the support body 10 may be hydrostatically operated and comprise a pressure transducer 18, electronic signal conditioning circuitry 20, a release motor 22 and mechanical release components 23.
  • the pressure transducer, electronic conditioning circuitry and release solenoid are housed within a sealed compartment 24 of the support body 10.
  • the mechanical release components are separated from the sealed compartment 24 by a 1 mm thick bulk head 26 approximately 38 mm from the end of the body and these components outside compartment 24 are exposed to the marine environment.
  • the hydrostatic release mechanism detects a pressure above a predetermined set point, an electronic timing sequence is activated. The timing sequence allows a preset period between zero and seven and one half hours to lapse. If the detected pressure is still above the preset level at the end of that time period the transmitter unit is released.
  • a monofilament nylon line which may be as long as 500 metres is reeled onto nylon spool 30 and acts as a tether 40 for the transmitter unit 14.
  • the transmitter unit which contains a transmitter means such as a radio transmitter 17 -and has an overall bulk density of less than the sea water, floats to the surface to allow signal transmission, preferably to an orbiting satellite.
  • the support body 10 and the transmitter capsule 19 are secured together by the release mechanism shown.
  • the end 15 of the transmitter capsule 19 is fitted with a threaded cylindrical socket 28 which is received within the acetal capsule bulkhead 27 of the unit 14 and is held in place by retaining pin 33-
  • the release motor 22 sealed within the support body 10 by support bulkhead 26 and sealing rings 26a is coupled to a hexagonal drive pin 3 of stainless steel drive shaft 35-
  • the release motor is powered by 8 x 1.5 V alkaline AA cells and is capable of both forward and reverse drive.
  • the drive shaft 35 passes through the centre of spool 30 and protrudes beyond the end thereof.
  • the shaft is fitted with sealing rings 35a which maintain the isolation of compartment 24 from the marine environment and is held in position by abutments 34a and surclips 16a.
  • the protruding end of shaft 35 is threaded and forms threaded shaft 16 which co-operates with the threaded socket of transmitter capsule 14.
  • the capsule 19 is prevented from rotation by anti- rotation pin 50 which engages forward support 12.
  • the rotation of the shaft on the threaded socket draws the transmitter capsule into engagement with guides 29 of the support unit and sealing rings 29a.
  • a pressure port 31 at the end 32 of the support body 10 allows the hydrostatic pressure to be sensed by a strain gauge type linear pressure transducer 18.
  • the transducer 18 and electronic signal conditioning circuitry are sealed into the support body 10 against pressures of up to 20 bars (300 p.s.i.) by "0" ring seals 26a.
  • the signal conditioning circuitry 20 is mounted on a small circuit board sandwiched between two battery packs 36,37.
  • the circuitry consists of a set point comparator and timing circuitry which provides a defined output pulse from a relay to drive the release motor 22. To reduce the battery consumption to a minimum, the pressure is sampled very briefly, about once every 3 «6 seconds, and if the pressure is found to be above the set point for two or more samples, the release is triggered.
  • the pressure adjustment is continuously variable over a desired range by means of a single turn control.
  • This control which is a pressure setting trim pot 21 is situated on the top face of the electronic module under the other battery pack.
  • the depth setting may be calibrated over the range 20 to 200 meters but adjustment can be made to less than 20 meters. However, with settings closer to zero meters, the release may operate inadvertently due to hysteresis and tolerance effects, making presetting the release to depths of less than 10 meters not recommended.
  • the transmitter means is activated by a mercury switch housed within the transmitter capsule.
  • the mercury switch turns on the transmitter every time the longitudinal axis of the transmitter unit is at an angle of less than 90° to the vertical. When within 4° of the vertical, it is preferred that the transmitter 17 transmits at 50 second intervals. In rough seas the transmitter unit axis will frequently swing more than 50" from the vertical and will transmit every time the capsule rights itself. This produces the desirable result of increasing the transmission rate which enhances the speed of locating the unit by satellite.
  • the .transmitter is powered by battery pack 34 which houses 4 x 1.5V AA size arranged in two rows connected in parallel.
  • the preferred transmission device is the CLS Argos UHF 88 which is housed in heat shrinkable tubing for shock protection.
  • the antenna 4l is a tuned quarter wavelength whip of 6 mm diameter stainless steel.
  • the action of the device is schematically represented as a seismic cable 42 as being laid (FIGURE 4).
  • the cable may break at 46 and begin to sink to the ocean floor 43 (FIGURE 5).
  • the device activates the release of the surface transmitter unit 14 (FIGURE 6).
  • the surface transmitter capsule moves to the ocean surface 44 and beg * is to send a radio signal via its Argos transmitter to a satellite (not shown) which in turn transmits a signal to the ship 45-

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
  • Testing Or Calibration Of Command Recording Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne un système d'aide pour la détection et la récupération d'objets perdus en mer. Ledit système comprend une unité de transmetteur (14) montée de manière amovible sur un élément de support (10) qui se fixe sur un objet immergé tel qu'un câble sismique (42). L'élément de support (10) contient un détecteur de paramètres (31) qui met en ÷uvre un système de libération entre l'élément de support et l'unité de transmetteur (14) lorqu'il détecte que le paramètre en cours de détection, tel que la pression, a dépassé une valeur prédéterminée. Lorsque l'unité de transmetteur (14) a été libérée, elle flotte à la surface de l'eau tout en restant physiquement attachée à l'élément de support (10) et à l'objet immergé (42) par l'intermédiaire d'un système d'amarre (40). L'unité de transmetteur (14) émet un signal qui permet de récupérer l'objet immergé (42).
PCT/AU1992/000245 1991-05-28 1992-05-28 Procede et systeme permettant de localiser et de recuperer des objets immerges dans la mer WO1992021557A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPK6369 1991-05-28
AUPK636991 1991-05-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1992021557A1 true WO1992021557A1 (fr) 1992-12-10

Family

ID=3775438

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1992/000245 WO1992021557A1 (fr) 1991-05-28 1992-05-28 Procede et systeme permettant de localiser et de recuperer des objets immerges dans la mer

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1992021557A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3062369A1 (fr) * 2017-02-01 2018-08-03 Peinture Industrielle Email Au Four Ets Biousse Systeme de securisation d'une balise immergee

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2820971A (en) * 1956-07-09 1958-01-28 Erwin K Welsh Submerged object marker
FR1563203A (fr) * 1968-03-01 1969-04-11
FR1563887A (fr) * 1968-02-12 1969-04-18
US4055138A (en) * 1975-02-07 1977-10-25 Klein Associates, Inc. Underwater vehicle towing and recovery apparatus
EP0024267A1 (fr) * 1979-07-06 1981-02-25 Selskapet for industriell og teknisk forskning ved Norges tekniske högskole (SINTEF) Balise acoustique sousmarine

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2820971A (en) * 1956-07-09 1958-01-28 Erwin K Welsh Submerged object marker
FR1563887A (fr) * 1968-02-12 1969-04-18
FR1563203A (fr) * 1968-03-01 1969-04-11
US4055138A (en) * 1975-02-07 1977-10-25 Klein Associates, Inc. Underwater vehicle towing and recovery apparatus
EP0024267A1 (fr) * 1979-07-06 1981-02-25 Selskapet for industriell og teknisk forskning ved Norges tekniske högskole (SINTEF) Balise acoustique sousmarine

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3062369A1 (fr) * 2017-02-01 2018-08-03 Peinture Industrielle Email Au Four Ets Biousse Systeme de securisation d'une balise immergee
WO2018142073A1 (fr) * 2017-02-01 2018-08-09 Peinture Industrielle Email Au Four Ets Biousse Systeme de securisation d'une balise immergee
CN110520352A (zh) * 2017-02-01 2019-11-29 斯卡特里公司 用于固定浸没式浮筒的系统
US11097811B2 (en) 2017-02-01 2021-08-24 Scatri SA System for securing a submerged buoy
CN110520352B (zh) * 2017-02-01 2021-12-10 斯卡特里公司 用于固定浸没式浮筒的系统

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