Design and Fabrication of ROV (Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle) for Underwater Exploration

Introduction

Due to technology improvements obtained in the last decades, it is possible to use robotic vehicles for underwater exploration. This vehicle is called ROV (Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle) and has been substituting for divers in accomplishment of task that may result in risks to human life. ROVs also used thoroughly in the research of subsea phenomena and in the assembly, inspection and repair of offshore structures [1].

ROVs are powered by electric current and it is transported by wires in a long cable, called a tether or umbilical that connects the underwater robot with its power source. ROVs are directly controlled by a pilot who is usually stationed on a ship or on shore while the vehicle is underwater doing some sort of work. The pilot’s control system is linked to the ROV by the same tether. It provides an electrical part for control and video signals to travel between the control box and the robot. If a camera is mounted on the ROV, it will enables the pilot to alert what the robot is encountering underwater and thus effectively navigate and control the robot movement [2].

Problem Statement

In many active areas in marine engineering there is a need to use unmanned underwater robotic vehicles (UUVs) with improved ability and increasingly autonomous or independent behaviour in order to lower cost and increase safety and reliability of missions or works. UUVs can be classified into two main categories which are remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).

The use of these vehicles is quickly growing as they can operate in deeper and riskier areas where divers cannot reach. Usual applications which include both commercial and military activities as well as scientific research are inspection and structural evaluation of submersed installations, transportation and assembly of underwater structures, ship rescue, mine hunting, geotechnical and environment data gathering, dump or toxic waste location and many others. Therefore, it is highly desirable to design and fabricate an ROV for underwater exploration.

Objective of the Research

The main objective is to focuses on the issues of design and fabrication development of an ROV. The factors that affect the ROV performance will be identify by experimental verification and trials.

Scope of the Research

The scope of this research is more focus on:

i) The mechanical construction of ballast tank for buoyancy system.
ii) The chassis fabrication using aluminium.
iii) The electrical system for monitoring and controlling the ROV.

Materials and Methodology

i) Material

The material will be used in this research were the chassis of ROV made from aluminium and using some electronic components. The propeller made from alloy-copper material.

ii) Research Process Phase

The flowchart shows the research process for this project. First step is problem identification or problem statement, then reviewing information or literature review. Next process is data collection and analysis. The last step of the project research process is making the conclusion.

To complete this project, research process is divided into three phase. First phase are starting the research, choosing the general topic, narrowing the topic and collecting information. Second phase are recording information, organising ideas and analysing. Last phase are writing, documentation and presentation.