Workspace control system of underwater tele-operated manipulators on an ROV

This paper presents a control technique for structured undersea tasks that require a high degree of precision. The overall efficiency of tele-operated underwater manipulation is improved by reducing the burden on the human operator. A new workspace-control system composed of a computer and input devices in workspace was developed to support the operator. The computer transforms the desired velocity of end-effector in workspaces to desired joint angles by solving the inverse kinematics of the slave manipulators. The desired joint angles are transferred to the slave controller through RS-485 serial communication, and be followed by the slave manipulator. The developed master system provides advantages in conducting structured tasks(coring, drilling, underwater connector mating, etc.) that require precise control of the end-effector’s motion and attitude. The existing master system, however, is more useful for unstructured tasks than newly developed master system. By combining the two master systems, the work efficiency of the underwater tele-operated manipulator system was improved. This paper presents the development of the workspace-control system and a working strategy to alleviate operator’s burden in underwater works. Experimental results are presented to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method using underwater manipulators mounted on the KORDI deep-sea ROV Hemire.     

Design of a high performance variable structure position control ofROVs

An adaptive control scheme for dynamic positioning (DP) of remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV) is proposed based on a recently developed output feedback variable structure control (VSC) algorithm named VS-MRAC. Only position measurement is required. Precise modeling of the ROV is not needed and unmodeled perturbations can be effectively rejected. A simple method for discretizing the original continuous-time VS-MRAC is proposed based on dead-beat response. Other important practical implementation issues are considered. The performance is evaluated by simulation with a realistic ROV model and by full-scale experimental pool tests with an actual ROV     

反走私水下取证系统

介绍了如何根据近年来海上走私的新特点，利用成熟的声纳探测和水下机器人技术，进行反走私水下取证系统设计的设计思想和技术方案，并对系统的组成、性能及工作原理和使用方法进行了阐述。     

Laser-Triangulation Optical-Correlation Sensor for ROV Slow Motion Estimation

A laser-triangulation optical-correlation sensor for estimating the motion of underwater vehicles at low speed in the proximity of the seabed is described. Experimental results, obtained by processing image sequences acquired by the instrument mounted below the Romeo remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in operating conditions, are presented     

On the motions of the underwater remotely operated vehicle with the umbilical cable effect

In this paper, a hydrodynamic model is developed to simulate the six degrees of freedom motions of the underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) including the umbilical cable effect. The corresponding hydrodynamic forces on the underwater vehicle are obtained by the planar motion mechanism test technique. With the relevant hydrodynamic coefficients, the 4th-order Runge–Kutta numerical method is then adopted to solve the equations of motions of the ROV and the configuration of the umbilical cable. The multi-step shooting method is also suggested to solve the two-end boundary-value problem on the umbilical cable with respect to a set of first-order ordinary differential equation system. All operation simulations for the ROV including forward moving, ascending, descending, sideward moving and turning motions can be analyzed, either with or without umbilical cable effect. The current effect is also taken into consideration. The present results reveal that the umbilical cable indeed significantly affects the motion of the ROV and should not be neglected in the simulation.     

Evaluation and reduction of the dynamic coupling between amanipulator and an underwater vehicle

The formulation of the dynamic coupling between a manipulator and an underwater vehicle is presented. Results from a simulation of a particular manipulator-vehicle configuration illustrate the nature and extent of the dynamic coupling. The modeling processes for the underwater vehicle and the manipulator are described with an evaluation of the simple hydrodynamic effects that can be incorporated in the dynamic equations of the manipulator. The equations are formulated for the combination of a 6-degrees-of-freedom vehicle and a 3-degrees-of-freedom manipulator. The effect of the manipulator motion, assuming perfect manipulator joint angle tracking, on the vehicle's position/orientation and consequently the manipulator end-effector position is investigated assuming no vehicle control. Slotine's sliding mode approach has been used to reduce the effect of the manipulator disturbances. This technique allows the expressions developed for the manipulator disturbances to be incorporated in the control law. Control of the vehicle's yaw angle, in this particular manipulator-vehicle configuration, has been determined to be the single most important factor in reducing the end-effector error variation. This is shown to be beneficial in the regulation of the vehicle's yaw angle and offers improved performance compared to a sliding mode controller that does not incorporate the manipulator disturbances. This technique also demonstrates superior performance and insensitivity to parameter variations compared to a fixed-gain controller     

深海遥控潜水器多体系统非线性耦合动力特性模拟

建立带缆遥控潜水器(TROV)系统空间运动模型,探讨支持船-吊缆-中际站-脐带缆-潜水器多体之间的强非线性耦合运动机理。潜器的运动考虑为六自由度,缆索分段的三维动态方程中采用了"凝集参数"模型与平均切向量非线性流体动力载荷处理技术,通过计算非均匀缆索的动张力和瞬态构型,预报导致脐带缆保护层及其内部光电传输芯线结构破坏的巨大瞬间突变载荷,对避免谐振,延长缆索寿命和最大限度地扩大ROV系统安全操作的范围,确保潜水器安全入坞和回收,节约试验费,避免作业事故都具有重要意义。     

一种新型潜水器HROV及其关键技术综述

介绍一种新概念潜水器———混合型潜水器(HROV)。该潜水器能在两种不同的模式下工作,可以像AUV一样进行大范围的探测和搜索,也可以通过直径小于1 mm的微细光纤,执行传统ROV的近距离观察和采样任务。介绍了HROV的系统组成和工作过程,探讨与之相关的关键技术及其主要研究内容,并对HROV技术的应用前景也作了一些分析。     

TROJAN: Remotely operated vehicle

Following success in remotely operated vehicle (ROV) designs such as MMIM, IZE, SOLO, ORVIL, CIRRUS, PIC, and OBSERVER, Slingsby Engineering Limited (SEL) has now developed its technology to build and prove a new ROV, TROJAN. TROJAN is a dedicated subsea support vehicle, which results from extensive market research being applied to a base of 15 years in the underwater technology market. SEL has been at the forefront of the evolution of this market from early manned submersible days, followed by atmospheric diving systems to ROV's. The TROJAN ROV is conceived as a subsea workhorse offering a new dimension to subsea support operations. TROJAN benefits by incorporation of proven technology developed by SEL in recent years on SOLO, PIC, and CIRRUS projects. Using standard components, TROJAN's high reliability and efficient performance offer a versatile and cost-effective work system.     

Multivariable self-tuning autopilots for autonomous and remotelyoperated underwater vehicles

The effectiveness of subsea intervention has been found to be dependent upon the capability of an autonomous underwater vehicle's (AUV's) or remotely operated underwater vehicle's (ROV's) auto-positioning system. However, these vessel's dynamics vary considerably with operating condition, and are strongly coupled; they are expensive and difficult to derive, theoretically or through conventional testing, making the design of conventional autopilots difficult to achieve. Multi-input-multi-output self-tuning controllers offer a possible solution. Two such schemes are presented. The first is an implicit linear quadratic online, self-tuning controller, and the other uses a robust control law based on a first-order approximation of the open-loop dynamics and online recursive identification. The controllers' performance is evaluated by examining their behavior when controlling a comprehensive nonlinear simulation of an ROV and its navigation system. An interesting offshoot of this study is the application of recursive system identification techniques to the derivation of ROV models from data gathered from the trials; the potential advantages of this method are discussed     

A chattering-free sliding-mode controller for underwater vehicles with fault-tolerant infinity-norm thrust allocation

There are two objectives to this paper. First, a chattering-free sliding-mode controller is proposed for the trajectory control of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Second, a new approach for thrust allocation is proposed that is based on minimizing the largest individual component of the thrust manifold. With regards to the former, a new adaptive term is developed that eliminates the high-frequency control action inherent in a conventional sliding-mode controller. As opposed to the common adaptive approach, the new adaptive term does not require the linearity condition on the dynamic parameters and the creation of a regressor matrix. In addition, it removes the need for a priori knowledge of upper bounds on uncertainties in the dynamic parameters of the ROV. With regards to the latter, it is demonstrated that minimizing the l_∞ norm (infinity-norm) of the thrust manifold ensures low individual thruster forces. The new control and thrust allocation concepts are implemented in numerical simulations of a work class ROV, and the chattering-free nature of the controller is demonstrated during typical ROV manoeuvres. In the simulation studies, the l_∞ norm-based thrust allocation problem is cast as a linear programming problem that allows direct incorporation of the thruster saturation limits and a fault-tolerant property. To achieve real-time solution rates for the l_∞ norm-based thrust allocation problem, a recurrent neural network is designed. In the simulation studies, the l_∞ norm-based thrust allocation provides smaller maximum absolute value of the largest component of the thrust manifold than that of a conventional l₂ norm (2-norm) minimization, satisfies the saturation limits of each thruster, and accommodates faults that are introduced arbitrarily during the manoeuvre.     

自治水下机器人机械手系统协调运动研究

简单描述了自治水下机器人搭载的三功能水下电动机械手的设计,鉴于自治水下机器人-机械手系统运动学冗余、内部可能干涉以及载体圆筒式外形等特点,将惩罚调节因子引入系统运动学伪逆矩阵,保证了关节在允许范围内运动,避免载体大幅度姿态变化及载体与机械手之间的干涉,同时采用梯度投影法优化海流作用下的系统推力。仿真表明,该算法在解决系统冗余度的同时,有效地协调多任务下的系统动作。     

Segmentation methods for visual tracking of deep-ocean jellyfish using a conventional camera

This paper presents a vision algorithm that enables automated jellyfish tracking using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The discussion focuses on algorithm design. The introduction provides a novel performance-assessment tool, called segmentation efficiency, which aids in matching potential vision algorithms to the jelly-tracking task. This general-purpose tool evaluates the inherent applicability of various algorithms to particular tracking applications. This tool is applied to the problem of tracking transparent jellyfish under uneven time-varying illumination in particle-filled scenes. The result is the selection of a fixed-gradient threshold-based vision algorithm. This approach, implemented as part of a pilot aid for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute's ROV Ventana, has demonstrated automated jelly tracking for as long as 89 min.     

Impulse control method for hydraulic propulsion system used in 3500 m work-class ROV

In terms of the nonlinear characteristics of hydraulic propulsion system used in 3500 m rated work-class ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle), the paper improved the responsiveness of the hydraulic propulsion system by adding an impulse signal to the input end of the system. Because the maximum static damping moment provided from water is much larger than the dynamic damping moment, it results in large dead zone of thrust during the startup process of the hydraulic propulsion system. The dead zone of thrust caused by static damping moment can be effectively reduced by adding a specific impulse signal to the input end of the propulsion system. The results of numerical simulations and underwater experiments show that using this method, the nonlinear characteristics of the hydraulic propulsion system have been significantly improved.     

A wideband, high-resolution, low-probability-of-detection FFTbeamformer

Navigation of an underwater minefield by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or an autonomous undersea vehicle (AUV) requires the detection, localization, and avoidance of obstacles. The sizes of obstacles to be avoided range from the diameter of cables up to the size of other vehicles. A classical solution to this problem is the use of an obstacle avoidance sonar, but due to the high degree of sophistication of modern-day mines and unfriendly vehicles, it is desirable to avoid signal energies that might be detectable. The use of spread-spectrum signal structures is one possible way to avoid this difficulty while retaining the capability of despreading the energy at the receiver. This paper presents the development of a beamforming system that uses a frequency-decomposition FFT beamformer and a spread-spectrum signal structure for low-probability-of-detection navigation     

An ROV Stereovision System for Ship-Hull Inspection

Ship hulls, as well as bridges, port dock pilings, dams, and various underwater structures need to be inspected for periodic maintenance. Additionally, there is a critical need to provide protection against sabotage activities, and to establish effective countermeasures against illegal smuggling activities. Unmanned underwater vehicles are suitable platforms for the development of automated inspection systems, but require integration with appropriate sensor technologies. This paper describes a vision system for automated ship-hull inspection, based on computing the necessary information for positioning, navigation, and mapping of the hull from stereo images. Binocular cues are critical in resolving a number of complex visual artifacts that hamper monocular vision in shallow-water conditions. Furthermore, they simplify the estimation of vehicle pose and motion, which is fundamental for successful automatic operation. The system has been implemented on a commercial remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and tested in pool and dock tests. Results from various trials are presented to demonstrate the system capabilities     

堤坝检测水下机器人模糊自适应控制方法研究

GDROV是用于堤坝探测的水下机器人,设计上属于开架式机器人,其精确的数学模型很难获得.采用基于模糊逻辑的直接自适应控制方法,利用模糊基函数网络逼近理想控制输出,通过模糊逻辑动态调整控制器的参数自适应律,可有效解决水下机器人控制问题.建立GDROV的水动力模型,给出基于模糊逻辑的直接自适应控制算法,最后通过仿真试验和外场试验验证了该控制器对模型的不确定性具有较强的鲁棒性,且具有良好的跟踪性能.     

Coordinated motion planning and control of autonomous underwatervehicle-manipulator systems subject to drag optimization

A new motion coordination algorithm for an autonomous underwater vehicle-manipulator system (UVMS) is proposed. This algorithm generates the desired trajectories for both the vehicle and the manipulator in such a way that the total hydrodynamic drag on the system is minimized. Resolution of kinematic redundancy of the system is performed at the acceleration level so that this algorithm can be incorporated into the system dynamics. The dynamics of the UVMS are modeled using a quasi-Lagrange approach. A state-space formulation of the system along with a model-based controller design for trajectory-following tasks that includes thruster dynamics is also presented. The computer simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of this proposed method in reducing the drag on the system     

Vision-based tracking with projective mapping for parameter identification of remotely operated vehicles

Parameter identification of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is often based on the dynamic responses collected by its onboard sensors. However, for commercial ROVs, the required data for identification may not be available due to the absence of suitable sensors or limitations in accessing onboard sensor data. Therefore, this study proposes a vision-based tracking system to measure the dynamic response of an ROV. The tracking system is independent of the ROV, and is able to localize an ROV to a high degree of precision by means of projective mapping. The validity of the proposed tracking system is demonstrated through identification of a commercial ROV. A simplified nonlinear ROV dynamic model with six degrees of freedom (DOF) is used for identification. Uncoupled motions, including surge, sway, and yaw, are obtained from the ROV dynamic model, and the corresponding experiments are carried out for each DOF. Hydrodynamic parameters are then estimated with numerical optimizations by comparing the measured ROV responses with the output of the mathematical model. The experimental results show that the vision-based tracking system can accurately measure the transient and steady-state responses of an ROV. Additionally, the simulations of the ROV dynamic model, with the optimal parameter estimates, give results in agreement with the measured data.