System for launch and recovery of remotely operated vehicles
First Claim
1. A launch and recovery system for a remotely operated vehicle comprising:
- a. a launch and recovery assembly comprising;
(i) a crane and a winch; and
(ii) a remotely operated vehicle tether;
b. a tether climbing component comprising;
(i) a frame;
(ii) a tether climbing device secured to the frame, wherein the tether climbing device positions the tether climbing component at a desired depth and receives the remotely operated vehicle tether;
(iii) a motor connected to the tether climbing device to pay in and out the remotely operated vehicle tether, wherein the motor pays in and out the remotely operated vehicle tether to allow the remotely operated vehicle a desired excursion distance while moving the tether climbing component up and down the tether to maintain a desired depth; and
(iv) a power source in communication with the motor; and
c. a remotely operated vehicle attached to the remotely operated vehicle tether; and
wherein the launch and recovery assembly deploys the remotely operated vehicle and the tether climbing component overboard, and further wherein the remotely operated vehicle is configured for tethered operation while maintaining the tether climbing component at the desired depth.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present embodiments relate to launch and recovery systems for a remotely operated vehicle. The embodiments eliminate or minimize the need for load lines, and provide virtually unlimited excursion distances for remotely operated vehicles, limited only by the amount of tether available at the launch point. Further, the embodiments allow for extended deployments of ROVs by allowing recharging of a tether climbing component while submerged. The system can include a launch and recovery assembly, a tether climbing component, and a remotely operated vehicle attached to a remotely operated vehicle tether. The launch and recovery assembly deploys the remotely operated vehicle and the tether climbing component overboard, and the remotely operated vehicle is configured for tethered operation while maintaining the tether climbing component at a desired depth.
44 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A launch and recovery system for a remotely operated vehicle comprising:
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a. a launch and recovery assembly comprising; (i) a crane and a winch; and (ii) a remotely operated vehicle tether; b. a tether climbing component comprising; (i) a frame; (ii) a tether climbing device secured to the frame, wherein the tether climbing device positions the tether climbing component at a desired depth and receives the remotely operated vehicle tether; (iii) a motor connected to the tether climbing device to pay in and out the remotely operated vehicle tether, wherein the motor pays in and out the remotely operated vehicle tether to allow the remotely operated vehicle a desired excursion distance while moving the tether climbing component up and down the tether to maintain a desired depth; and (iv) a power source in communication with the motor; and c. a remotely operated vehicle attached to the remotely operated vehicle tether; and wherein the launch and recovery assembly deploys the remotely operated vehicle and the tether climbing component overboard, and further wherein the remotely operated vehicle is configured for tethered operation while maintaining the tether climbing component at the desired depth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of deploying a remotely operated vehicle comprising:
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a. providing the launch and recovery system comprising; (i) a launch and recovery assembly comprising; (a) a crane and a winch; (b) a remotely operated vehicle tether; and (ii) a tether climbing component comprising; (a) a frame; (b) a tether climbing device secured to the frame, wherein the tether climbing device positions the tether climbing component at a desired depth and receives the remotely operated vehicle tether; and (c) a motor connected to the tether climbing device to climb up or down the remotely operated vehicle tether, wherein the motor pays in and out the remotely operated vehicle tether to allow the remotely operated vehicle a desired excursion distance while moving the tether climbing component up and down the tether as necessary to maintain the desired depth; and (iii) a remotely operated vehicle attached to the remotely operated vehicle tether; b. deploying the remotely operated vehicle into a liquid; c. lowering the tether climbing component to a desired depth; and d. maintaining the tether climbing component at the desired depth by using the motor to pay in or out the remotely operated vehicle tether, thereby causing the tether climbing component to climb up or down the tether. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification