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Post by jeff on Dec 15, 2017 21:20:52 GMT
Since vessels will intensionally be in the water for extended periods, even, potentially permanently, ROVs would make good means of inspection and Routine servicing, such as scrubbing biofouling and inspecting moorings, etc.
There are various manipulator designs, as well as rotary scrubber attachments for removing biofouling, whether from a hull, or as algae from swimming pools, that could be adapted appropriately.
However, it is one thing to adapt an attachment, quite another to build an ROV to use it. I think this would be a good place to explore that possibility.
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Post by thebastidge on Dec 19, 2017 21:08:21 GMT
Well, a surface supply diving rig can be had for a couple thousand to a few thousand dollars depending on new/used, options, and how many divers it needs to support, and used for a wide variety of tasks, many of which might not have a common or predictable use-case. SCUBA can be and is often used for inspections and minor tasks. This is where I would put my money into equipment.
It's telling that the off-shore industry still uses divers far more than ROVs.
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Post by jeff on Dec 23, 2017 2:02:24 GMT
On the other hand, an ROV can generally be operated with less risk to personnel, w/o requiring training on SCUBA equipment and usage, or needing the pumps and filters needed to compress the air for SCUBA operations, as well as operating for longer periods with zero risk of decompression sickness
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Post by jackteach on Jun 25, 2018 21:55:30 GMT
A post from last year I know, but as this my first post on this group, I thought make one on a subject happen to know something about...
Firstly, Ships Husbandry, has been the commercial divers domain for a decades and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Whilst an ROV's can, and do perform inspection work on ships hulls, and other maritime structures. The actual hands on work is still done by a diver.
A diver, can react to buoyancy changes in ways an ROV cannot, such as the round of a bilge. An ROV, requires very large support, and deployment equipment on the surface for a workclass ROV capable of cleaning a ships hull. Whilst a diver can climb up a ladder, a workclass ROV with enough power to drive hydraulic brushes and other tools, needs heavy lifting gear to get it in and out of the water. Something that is not always possible. A diver can jump in from a pontoon, an ROV has to be lifted in.
Time, Depth wise, Decompression is not much of a problem, not many ships have a draught deeper then 10m(30ft), certainly not much more than that. As such decompression limits can be several hours before a deco stop is required. If the gas mix is tailored to the Maximum Operating Depth (MOD), then the Decompression liability can be further reduced.
I've cleaned many a ships hull, and a diver is far more efficient. At this time. ROV tech will no doubt catch up at some point, but for Ships Husbandry, divers will rule the roost for foreseeable future.
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Post by jeff on Jun 27, 2018 10:19:58 GMT
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Post by jackteach on Jul 2, 2018 8:36:20 GMT
Thanks for posting that article...
Clearly the tech has advanced enough to clean a hull. However, it has yet to catch up in terms of Cofferdams, sea chests & Propellers etc; something that is stated in the article.
Also, one aspect of ship maintainence, that so far Robotics has yet to catch up with is underwater Welding, and cutting
Yes, an ROV has laid a straight bead of weld under perfect conditions, but has yet to match a human. I seem to recall a project years ago about using Flux cored MIG with an automated setup underwater, but never heard much since. Have no idea if it was successful or not. But Flux cored MIG could work, instead of the standard Wet Stick welding, but blowing a shielding gas to depth will never work (would require much higher intermediate pressures and flow rates).
Still a long way to go, but ROV tech is getting there.
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