Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for improved location of any and all underwater structures or equipment installed underwater. In particular, systems are disclosed that combine optical and acoustic metrology for locating objects in underwater environments. The systems allow for relative positions of objects to be determined with great accuracy using optical techniques, and support enhanced location of devices that utilize acoustic location techniques. In addition, location information can be provided by the system even in conditions that make optical metrology techniques impossible or impractical.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 10, 2018
Date of Patent:
December 10, 2019
Assignee:
3D at Depth, Inc.
Inventors:
Carl W. Embry, Neil Manning, Derek D. Pierce, Julian Peter Rickards, Cory S. Moore
Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring underwater structures are provided. First and second sets of point cloud data that are obtained at different times are compared to determine whether the location of the underwater structure has changed. For detecting vibration, a series of range measurements taken along a line intersecting the underwater structure are compared to one another to determine an amplitude and frequency of any vibration present in the underwater structure. For detecting temperature, the ratio of different components of return signals obtained from a point in the water surrounding the underwater structure is measured to derive the temperature of the water. Leak detection can be performed by scanning areas around the underwater structure. Monitoring systems can include a primary receiver for range measurements, and first and second temperature channel receivers for temperature measurements.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 27, 2019
Publication date:
July 18, 2019
Applicant:
3D at Depth, Inc.
Inventors:
Carl W. Embry, Mark Hardy, Brett Nickerson, Neil Manning
Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for improved location of any and all underwater structures or equipment installed underwater. In particular, systems are disclosed that combine optical and acoustic metrology for locating objects in underwater environments. The systems allow for relative positions of objects to be determined with great accuracy using optical techniques, and support enhanced location of devices that utilize acoustic location techniques. In addition, location information can be provided by the system even in conditions that make optical metrology techniques impossible or impractical.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 10, 2018
Publication date:
January 10, 2019
Applicant:
3D at Depth, Inc.
Inventors:
Carl W. Embry, Neil Manning, Derek D. Pierce, Julian Peter Rickards, Cory S. Moore
Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning objects in underwater environments are provided. The geolocation of a target for an object is determined, and a light source provided as part of a positioning system is operated to project a visible target at that location. The determination of the target location relative to the positioning system can include determining a location of the positioning system using information obtained from a laser system included in the positioning system. The light source used to project the visible target can be the same as a light source included in the laser system. A location of an object relative to the target location can be tracked by the laser system as the object is being moved towards the target location. The described methods and systems utilize one or more non-touch subsea optical systems, including but not limited to laser systems, for underwater infrastructure installation, measurements and monitoring.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 10, 2018
Publication date:
January 10, 2019
Applicant:
3D at Depth, Inc.
Inventors:
Carl W. Embry, Neil Manning, Derek D. Pierce, Mark Hardy
Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring underwater structures are provided. First and second sets of point cloud data that are obtained at different times are compared to determine whether the location of the underwater structure has changed. For detecting vibration, a series of range measurements taken along a line intersecting the underwater structure are compared to one another to determine an amplitude and frequency of any vibration present in the underwater structure. For detecting temperature, the ratio of different components of return signals obtained from a point in the water surrounding the underwater structure is measured to derive the temperature of the water. Leak detection can be performed by scanning areas around the underwater structure. Monitoring systems can include a primary receiver for range measurements, and first and second temperature channel receivers for temperature measurements.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 4, 2018
Publication date:
November 8, 2018
Applicant:
3D at Depth, Inc.
Inventors:
Carl W. Embry, Mark Hardy, Brett Nickerson, Neil Manning