WO2014182880A1

WO2014182880A1 - Systems and methods for underwater reconnaissance

Info

Publication number: WO2014182880A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/037265
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Matthew LOWE III; Roy Chester JARNAGIN III; Steven Blake TIDWELL; Maxwell Upson WOOLSEY; Larry D. OVERSTREET; Brian George NOAKES; Carol Blanton LUTKEN
Original assignee: University Of Mississippi; The University Of Southern Mississippi
Priority date: 2013-05-08
Filing date: 2014-05-08
Publication date: 2014-11-13

Abstract

An underwater reconnaissance system includes an underwater reconnaissance platform configured to monitor conditions at a seafloor, carry at least one instrument, and deploy at least one instrument at the seafloor. The underwater reconnaissance system further includes a control station configured to monitor and control operation of the underwater reconnaissance platform, and a cable communicatively coupling the control station to the underwater reconnaissance platform.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UNDERWATER

RECONNAISSANCE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/821,086 filed May 8, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH &

DEVELOPMENT

[0002] The claimed subject matter was developed with Government support under Grant No. M10AC20009, awarded by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The Government has certain rights in the claimed subject matter.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to underwater reconnaissance.

BACKGROUND

[0004] Scientists and researchers use instruments specially designed to withstand the rigors of marine deployment and maintenance to monitor phenomena (e.g., gas vents and/or oil leaks) and acquire samples at the seafloor. For deployment, these instruments are attached to a cable and lowered towards the seafloor, mounted on a lander that is lowered to the seafloor via cable, or allowed to free-fall from a support vessel. However, without being able to view conditions proximate to the seafloor, the instruments are dropped blindly. Accordingly, scientists and researchers are unable to determine, accurately, whether the instruments are deployed in an appropriate location. Further, as the exact location of the deployed instrument is unknown, it may be difficult and time- consuming to locate and retrieve the deployed instruments, posing risk not only to the recovery of expensive instruments but to the valuable data they were designed to retrieve. SUMMARY

[0005] In one embodiment, an underwater reconnaissance system includes an underwater reconnaissance platform configured to monitor conditions at a seafioor, carry at least one instrument, and deploy the at least one instrument at the seafioor. The underwater reconnaissance system further includes a control station configured to monitor and control operation of the underwater reconnaissance platform, and a cable communicatively coupling the control station to the underwater reconnaissance platform.

[0006] In another embodiment, a method for deploying an instrument on a seafioor includes attaching the instrument to an underwater reconnaissance platform, lowering the underwater reconnaissance platform to the seafioor using a cable, wherein the cable communicatively couples the underwater reconnaissance platform to a control station, monitoring, using the control station, conditions at the seafioor to determine a deployment location, and deploying the instrument by releasing the instrument from the underwater reconnaissance platform at the deployment location.

[0007] In yet another embodiment, an underwater reconnaissance platform includes a frame, at least one video camera mounted to the frame and configured to acquire video footage at a seafioor, at least one high power LED light mounted to the frame and configured to illuminate the seafioor, a release mechanism configured to selectively attach at least one instrument to the underwater reconnaissance platform, and a cable configured to communicatively couple the underwater reconnaissance platform to a control station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an underwater reconnaissance system;

[0009] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an underwater reconnaissance platform that may be used with the system shown in Fig. 1 ;

[0010] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative underwater reconnaissance platform that may be used with the system shown in Fig. 1; [0011] Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of the underwater reconnaissance platform shown in Fig. 3;

[0012] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a control system that may be used with the system shown in Fig. 1;

[0013] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the control system shown in Fig. 5;

[0014] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the control system shown in Fig. 5;

[0015] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the underwater reconnaissance platform shown in Fig. 3;

[0016] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the underwater reconnaissance platform shown in Fig. 3 and an exemplary instrument;

[0017] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the underwater reconnaissance platform and the instrument shown in Fig. 9; and

[0018] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the underwater reconnaissance platform and the instrument shown in Fig. 9.

[0019] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The systems and methods described herein provide an underwater reconnaissance platform for surveying a seafloor and accurately deploying and retrieving one or more instruments at the seafloor. The underwater reconnaissance platform is communicatively coupled to a control station that enables a user to investigate, remotely, the seafloor for suitability to the particular instrument package being deployed, and monitor and control operation of the underwater reconnaissance platform. Video cameras onboard the underwater reconnaissance platform provide real-time video footage to the user at the control station. [0021] Referring now to the drawings and in particular to Fig. 1, one embodiment of an underwater reconnaissance system is generally indicated at 100. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the system 100 includes an underwater reconnaissance platform 102 tethered to a marine vehicle (e.g., a boat) 104 by a cable 106. The marine vehicle 104 is located on a surface 108 of a body of water (e.g., the ocean) and includes a control station 110 communicatively coupled to the underwater reconnaissance platform 102. The control station 110 enables a user to monitor and control the underwater reconnaissance platform 102, as described herein. The underwater reconnaissance platform 102 can be raised and lowered using a winch (not shown) onboard marine vehicle 104 and coupled to the cable 106. Accordingly, maintenance and/or diagnostics may be performed on the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 by raising it onto the marine vehicle 104.

[0022] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, one or more instruments or landers 112 are attached to the underwater reconnaissance platform 102. The one or more instruments 112 may include, for example, a sensor array. The one or more instruments 112 may be deployed and retrieved using the underwater reconnaissance platform 102, as described herein. More specifically, the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 surveys a seafloor 114 to facilitate determining, in real time, deployment locations for the one or more instruments 112.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the underwater reconnaissance platform 102. Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the underwater reconnaissance platform 102. As shown in Figs. 2-4, the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 includes a plurality of components mounted to a substantially barrel-shaped frame 202. For example, a plurality of real-time video cameras 204 are mounted to the barrel-shaped frame 202 and configured to provide footage of the seafloor 114 to the user at the control station 110. Although the frame 202 is barrel-shaped in the embodiments shown in Figs. 2-4, the components described herein (cameras, lights, sensors, batteries, etc.) may be mounted to any suitable frame.

[0024] In the embodiments shown in Figs. 2-4, the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 includes four real-time video cameras 204 arrayed in a pattern to give a near-hemisphere (i.e., substantially 360°) visual coverage of the seafloor 114 and near-seafloor portions of water-columns. In the embodiments shown in Figs. 2-4, video cameras 204 are wide angle cameras. Alternatively, the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 may include any number and/or type of video cameras 204 that enables underwater reconnaissance platform 102 to function as described herein. Video footage is transmitted from the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 to the control station 110 via the cable 106.

[0025] A plurality of high output light-emitting diode (LED) lights 206 are mounted to the barrel-shaped frame 202 to provide lighting for the real-time video cameras 204, as depths greater than 200 meters below the surface 108 are otherwise in substantially complete darkness. By providing light from the plurality of high output LED lights 206, features on the seafloor 114 are discernible in the footage provided by the realtime video cameras 204, allowing the user to identify potential obstacles and suitable deployment positions. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2-4, the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 includes four LED lights 206 arrayed around the frame 202. Alternatively, the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 may include any number of LED lights 206 that enables underwater reconnaissance platform 102 to function as described herein. For example, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, in addition to the four video cameras 204 and the four LED lights 206 arrayed around the outside of the frame 202, the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 also includes a video camera 204 and a LED light 206 mounted to a central strut 212 of the frame 202 to facilitate viewing the area directly below the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 and to facilitate viewing a release mechanism, as described below. Further, in other embodiments, the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 includes a video camera 204 and a LED light 206 oriented to monitor the cable 106.

[0026] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the video cameras 204 and LED lights 206 are mounted to the frame 202 by articulating arms 214 and joints 216 that enable a user to adjust an orientation and position of the video cameras 204 and LED lights 206. Further, the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 has a modular design such that video cameras 204 and LED lights 206 may be added, removed, and/or replaced with one another. [0027] One or more sensor modules 208 onboard the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 includes a plurality of devices for monitoring operation of the underwater reconnaissance platform 102. For navigational purposes, the underwater sensor module 208 includes an ultra-short baseline (USBL) navigation system that uses acoustic pulses to determine, accurately, a position of the underwater reconnaissance platform 102. Using the USBL navigation system, the exact location where one or more instruments 112 are deployed can be determined, enabling accurate and relatively rapid retrieval of those instruments 112. The sensor module 208 may also include an altimeter (not shown) for low altitude bottom reconnaissance. Specifically, the altimeter measures a distance between the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 and the seafloor 114.

[0028] In all embodiments, a high-resolution sonar device (not shown), mounted directly onto the frame 202, detects obstacles on the seafloor 114 to assist in navigation. The high-resolution sonar device can identify and accurately locate obstacles before visual contact is made using the plurality of real-time video cameras 204. For example, the high-resolution sonar device may facilitate identifying seafloor equipment and/or bubble plumes. The high-resolution sonar may be installed to face downward towards the seafloor 114 or upwards towards the surface 108. When the high-resolution sonar is installed to face downward, it may be installed using a sliding mount that enables the sensor module 208 to be retracted upwards before lowering the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 onto a deck of the marine vehicle 104, preventing damage to the high-resolution sonar platform.

[0029] The sensor module 208 may also include additional devices, such as an electronic control unit/payload interface that includes an internal compass and an attitude sensor that detects an orientation of the underwater reconnaissance platform 102, and/or a depth sensor that measures a depth of the underwater reconnaissance platform 102. Further, the sensor module 208 may include a system health monitor that monitors the health (i.e., operability) of one or more devices onboard the underwater reconnaissance platform 102. In this embodiment, the cable 106 includes a single mode fiber uplink that enables communications between the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 and the control station 110. The cable 106 may also include other data communications media, such as an auxiliary fiber-optic channel, six serial channels (four RS-232 channels and two RS-422 or RS-485 channels), a 10/100/1000 Ethernet line, and/or custom power feeds.

[0030] In one embodiment, the cable 106 includes three optic fibers, with two of the optic fibers functioning as spares. Coarse wave division multiplexing may be used to merge multiple communication channels onto the single active fiber. Each channel includes different uplink and downlink frequencies, and passive filters may be utilized at both ends of the cable 106 to separate out the channels. For example, the cable 106 may support a first channel that is connected to a multiplexer for video and serial communications, and a second channel that may be connected directly to a media converter, another multiplexer, or a payload attached to the underwater reconnaissance platform 102. Each multiplexer supports three video feeds, and the control station 110 enables a user to selectively switch between the feeds.

[0031] In one embodiment, the cable 106 is a high-strength, armored cable connected to the winch located onboard the marine vehicle 104. The cable 106 is able to support heavy payloads, large instruments 112, and extreme snap-loads that may arise from conditions (e.g., inclement weather) at the surface 108. In this embodiment, the cable 106 has a working load of approximately 10,000 lbs. and a breaking strength of approximately 40,000 lbs.

[0032] In one embodiment, the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 includes a plurality of battery packs 210 for powering one or more devices onboard the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 (e.g., the video cameras 204, the LED lights 206, the USBL navigation system, the altimeter, and/or the high-resolution sonar device). In other embodiments, one or more devices, such as the USBL navigation system, the altimeter, and/or the high-resolution sonar device, may include internal batteries.

[0033] In the embodiments shown in Figs. 2-4, the battery packs 210 are modular such that depleted batteries can be replaced quickly with charged batteries in between deployments of the underwater reconnaissance platform 102. Further, to increase a total available power for devices onboard the underwater reconnaissance platform, the battery packs 210 are stackable. Accordingly, the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 can be deployed on missions that have a high power draw and/or a relatively long duration. The battery packs 210 may include, for example, 24 Volt gel-cell batteries in oil-filled housings.

[0034] As described above, one or more instruments 112, or payloads, are attached to the underwater reconnaissance platform 102. The instruments 112 may include, for example, an underwater research vehicle, a mooring, scanning sonar equipment, water sampling equipment, a station service device remotely operated vehicle (SSD ROV). For example, in some embodiments, the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 may be used to retrieve moorings or recover a damaged underwater research vehicle. Further, the cable 106 may function as a link between the instruments 112 and the control station 110, such that video feeds from the instruments 112 (e.g., the SSD ROV) can also be displayed at the control station 110. Accordingly, the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 functions as a smart termination for the cable 106.

[0035] In one embodiment, a customized release mechanism onboard the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 detaches the one or more instruments 112 from the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 for deployment. In this embodiment, the release mechanism is controlled electronically using the control station 110. The customized release mechanism may also be operated to retrieve the one or more instruments 112 (i.e., reattach the one or more instruments 112 to the underwater reconnaissance platform 102). The customized release mechanism may be, for example, a grappling hook device.

[0036] The underwater reconnaissance platform 102 has a relatively large payload area for storing the one or more instruments 112. In another embodiment, the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 is auto-recoverable. In this embodiment, the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 may be brought to the surface 108 by releasing the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 from an anchor and allowing installed floats (not shown) to bring the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 to the surface 108.

[0037] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the control station 110. The control station 110 provides a user- friendly surface control/navigation system for the underwater reconnaissance platform 102. In the embodiment shown Fig. 5, the control station 110 is contained in an armored case 502 that enables rapid mobilization and deployment.

[0038] The control station 110 includes a plurality of large-screen displays 504 for displaying information, such as depth and orientation, and additional data to the user. The displays 504 may show, for example, real-time video footage from the plurality of cameras 204 and sonar data from the high resolution sonar device. By observing the data shown in the displays 504, the user can navigate the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 and determine deployment areas for the one or more instruments 112. For example, a user may observe features on seafloor 114, such as gas vents and/or oil leaks, where it would be desirable to deploy the one or more instruments 112. In this embodiment, the control station 110 further includes a four-terabyte sixteen-channel high resolution digital video recorder (DVR) system for archiving video footage and sensor data obtained by the underwater reconnaissance platform 102. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the control station 110 includes one or more user input devices 506 (e.g., a joystick, a keyboard, a computer mouse, etc.) that enable the user to control the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 and/or control the information/data shown on the displays 504.

[0039] Figs. 6 and 7 are perspective views of the control station 110 showing video footage from the plurality of video cameras 204. The large screen TV on the right (shown in Fig. 6) shows what the six cameras 204 on the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 see, including a camera 204 that has tracked the instrument 112 as it fell through the final 2-3m of the water-column and onto the seafloor 114 (shown on the upper left of the display 504).

[0040] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 prior to deployment. Platform 102 includes the components discussed above. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 linked to an instrument 112 through a custom frame with an extended release. A user, such as a marine systems specialist, can make final adjustments to the cameras 204 and lights 206 while colleagues in a tech room, viewing control station 110 output (as shown in Figs. 6 and 7) advise the user how to adjust angles and distances. [0041] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 atop the instrument 112 and attached to the cable 106. The underwater reconnaissance platform 102 is configured to ride down to near the seafloor 114, watching for an ideal deployment location and steering clear of hazards and/or obstacles. When the deployment location is reached, the instrument 112, which can include a camera, probe, collector, etc., is released from the underwater reconnaissance platform 102.

[0042] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the underwater reconnaissance platform 102 atop the instrument 112. Coordination of efforts from a winch operator, a tech room, and a deck support facilitate a successful deployment of the underwater reconnaissance platform 102.

[0043] The methods and systems described herein provide an underwater reconnaissance platform configured to survey a seafloor to select an appropriate deployment location for one or more instruments, and configured to release the one or more instruments at the deployment location. More specifically, the underwater reconnaissance platform described herein is configured to carry an instrument to the seafloor, view and select a deployment location, monitor a height above the seafloor, determine the precise location of the instrument on the seafloor, navigate back to the deployment location, recover the instrument, and communicate with a marine vehicle throughout the entire deployment and/or recovery process.

[0044] To strategically place research instruments on the seafloor and to be able to sample phenomena, such as gas vents and/or oil leaks, the underwater reconnaissance platform includes lights, cameras, a precise location system, a system for communicating with the marine vehicle at the surface, and a heavy lifting capacity. The underwater reconnaissance platform is capable of both deploying and recovering seafloor instruments in depths greater than 2000 meters. The underwater reconnaissance platform gives researchers on the marine vehicle a real-time view of the seafloor and allows the researchers to select the deployment location for their instrument interactively. The underwater reconnaissance platform has sufficient lighting and cameras to see in a completely dark environment and the navigation capability to map the location of the instrument accurately. After the instrument has fulfilled its mission, the underwater reconnaissance platform can be used to grab and recover the instrument. [0045] When introducing elements of the present invention or preferred embodiments thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising", "including", and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0046] As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An underwater reconnaissance system comprising: an underwater reconnaissance platform configured to: monitor conditions at a seafloor; carry at least one instrument; and deploy the at least one instrument at the seafloor; a control station configured to monitor and control operation of the underwater reconnaissance platform; and a cable communicatively coupling the control station to the underwater reconnaissance platform.

2. An underwater reconnaissance system according to Claim 1, wherein the underwater reconnaissance platform comprises a plurality of real-time video cameras configured to acquire video footage at the seafloor.

3. An underwater reconnaissance system according to Claim 1, wherein the underwater reconnaissance platform comprises a plurality of high power LED lights configured to illuminate the seafloor.

4. An underwater reconnaissance system according to Claim 1, wherein the underwater reconnaissance platform comprises at least one battery pack configured to supply power to one or more devices onboard the underwater reconnaissance platform.

5. An underwater reconnaissance system according to Claim 1, wherein the underwater reconnaissance platform comprises a release mechanism, and wherein the control station is configured to operate the release mechanism to detach the at least one instrument from the underwater reconnaissance platform.

6. An underwater reconnaissance system according to Claim 1, wherein to provide communications between the underwater reconnaissance platform and the control station, the cable includes at least one of a single mode fiber uplink, an auxiliary fiber-optic channel, one or more serial channels, an Ethernet line, and a custom power feed.

7. An underwater reconnaissance system according to Claim 1, wherein the underwater reconnaissance system includes at least one sensor module that includes at least one of an ultra-short baseline navigation system and a sonar device.

8. A method for deploying an instrument on a seafloor, the method comprising: attaching the instrument to an underwater reconnaissance platform; lowering the underwater reconnaissance platform to the seafloor using a cable, wherein the cable communicatively couples the underwater reconnaissance platform to a control station; monitoring, using the control station, conditions at the seafloor to determine a deployment location; and deploying the instrument by releasing the instrument from the underwater reconnaissance platform at the deployment location.

9. A method according to Claim 8, wherein monitoring conditions at the seafloor comprises monitoring video footage obtained by a plurality of cameras onboard the underwater reconnaissance platform.

10. A method according to Claim 8, wherein deploying the instrument comprises using the control system to instruct a release mechanism onboard the underwater reconnaissance platform to release the instrument.

11. A method according to Claim 8, wherein attaching the instrument comprises attaching at least one of a mooring, a lander, and a remotely operated vehicle to the underwater reconnaissance platform.

12. A method according to Claim 8, further comprising determining a position of the underwater reconnaissance platform using at least one sensor onboard the underwater reconnaissance platform.

13. A method according to Claim 8, further comprising recovering at least one additional instrument from the seafloor using the underwater reconnaissance platform.

14. A method according to Claim 8, wherein deploying the instrument comprises deploying the instrument proximate at least one of a gas vent and an oil leak.

15. An underwater reconnaissance platform comprising: a frame; at least one video camera mounted to the frame and configured to acquire video footage at a seafloor; at least one high power LED light mounted to the frame and configured to illuminate the seafloor; a release mechanism configured to selectively attach at least one instrument to the underwater reconnaissance platform; and a cable configured to communicatively couple the underwater reconnaissance platform to a control station.

16. An underwater reconnaissance platform according to Claim 15, further comprising at least one battery pack configured to supply power to one or more devices onboard the underwater reconnaissance platform.

17. An underwater reconnaissance platform according to Claim 15, further comprising a sensor module that includes at least one of an ultra-short baseline navigation system and a sonar device.

18. An underwater reconnaissance platform according to Claim 15, wherein the frame is a substantially barrel-shaped frame.

19. An underwater reconnaissance platform according to Claim 15, wherein the at least one video camera and the at least one high power LED light are mounted to the frame using articulating assemblies that enable a user to adjust a position and an orientation of the at least one video camera and the at least one high power LED light.

20. An underwater reconnaissance platform according to Claim 15, wherein the release mechanism is configured to selectively attach at least one of a mooring, a lander, and a remotely operated vehicle to the underwater reconnaissance platform.