TOOLS AND SENSORS DEPLOYED BY UNMANNED UNDERWATER VEHICLES Russian patent published in 2018 - IPC B63C11/52 B63G8/00 B63C11/48 

FIELD: vessels and other floating facilities; equipment therefor.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to shipbuilding and concerns subsea operations. Inspection, monitoring, maintenance and construction task is performed on a subsea structure by using an underwater vehicle to carry submersible package (24) to the subsea structure. Package comprises a tool or sensor arranged to perform the required task on the subsea structure, and an on-board power unit and controller arranged to power and control the tool or sensor. Package is transferred from underwater vehicle (10) to be supported by the subsea structure. Underwater vehicle can then stand off from the package. While the package is supported by the subsea structure, the tool or sensor of said package performs the required task on the subsea structure, powered and controlled by the on-board power unit and controller of said package.

EFFECT: invention provides an optimized process of inspection, monitoring, maintenance and construction on the subsea structure.

32 cl, 11 dwg