G01K 11/12 - Measuring temperature based on physical or chemical changes not covered by group , , , or using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance
G01K 15/00 - Testing or calibrating of thermometers
G01M 3/04 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
G01S 7/481 - Constructional features, e.g. arrangements of optical elements
G01S 7/499 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group using polarisation effects
G01S 17/06 - Systems determining position data of a target
G01S 17/88 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications
Described herein are methods and systems for remote, contactless, laser sensing through a LiDAR system having an improved monostatic optical configuration. The LiDAR system includes a beam splitter that co-aligns the transmit and receive beams with reduced loss to either the transmit or receive beam when compared to traditional methods. The polarizing beam splitter can include a beam splitting surface having a first zone that is polarization selective and a second zone that is not polarization selective. The light source of the LiDAR system is aligned to pass light having a first selected linear polarization to a scene via the first zone. Light received at the LiDAR system as a return signal is passed to a detector by both the first and second zones of the beam splitter. This can significantly reduce receive signal loss if the receiver aperture size is not large compared to the transmit aperture.
G01S 7/499 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group using polarisation effects
G01S 17/42 - Simultaneous measurement of distance and other coordinates
G01S 17/89 - Lidar systems, specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G02B 26/08 - Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light
Methods and systems for improved inspection, measurements, mapping, monitoring, and trending of underwater infrastructure that contains or are located in fluids, and/or that is difficult to access. The methods and systems include a housing containing a light source, a hollow core motor, a reflector, and a pressure tolerant window. The light source is disposed to pass output light along a path that passes through an axis of rotation of the hollow core motor to the reflector. The reflector rotates about the axis of rotation of the motor and operates to reflect the light at an angle to the rotation axis. In at least some embodiments, the light is passed through a full 360 degrees about the axis of rotation. The described methods and devices utilize one or more non-touch underwater optical system (including laser systems) for underwater equipment and infrastructure inspection, measurements, mapping, monitoring, trending, and maintenance.
G02B 26/08 - Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
35 - Advertising and business services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Underwater LiDAR apparatus; underwater LiDAR targets;
underwater LiDAR mounts; software for operating the
underwater sensor and processing the data produced by the
underwater sensor. Data processing services. Underwater mapping services; computer modeling services
utilizing LiDAR-based data collection; underwater data
collection services utilizing LiDAR-based technology;
underwater data collection services utilizing autonomous
underwater vehicles and remote operating vehicles; subsea
oil and gas field and offshore wind field surveying;
underwater inspection and measurement in nuclear reactors
and spent fuel pools; underwater inspection and measurement
in hydroelectric plants; underwater inspection and
measurements for water tanks, pipes and infrastructure;
underwater inspection and measurement for marine hazards,
asset loss, and mining; computer software design and
development; metrology services; tool design; leasing of
subsea LiDAR sensors; leasing of remote operating vehicles
and autonomous underwater vehicles for underwater data
collection and inspection; measurement evaluations in the
underwater construction, survey, and inspection industry;
underwater optical sensor design and development; underwater
sensor design and development; underwater inspection and
measurement services; underwater inspection and measurement
tool design and development; engineering, namely, research
and development of new products.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
35 - Advertising and business services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
(1) Underwater light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems for geospatial mapping, inspection, and measuring relative distances consisting of cameras, LiDAR sensors, LiDAR scanners, laser scanners, 3D scanners, laser range finders, LiDAR optical targets, and LiDAR systems operating software; underwater LiDAR mounts; recorded software for operating underwater LiDAR sensors and for processing the mapping, inspection, and measurement data collected therefrom (1) Data processing services in the field of underwater and terrestrial measurements and mapping
(2) Underwater mapping services; computer modeling services utilizing LiDAR-based data collection; underwater data collection services utilizing LiDAR-based technology; underwater data collection services utilizing autonomous underwater vehicles and remote operating vehicles; subsea oil and gas field and offshore wind field surveying; underwater inspection and measurement in nuclear reactors and spent fuel pools; underwater inspection and measurement in hydroelectric plants; underwater inspection and measurements for water tanks, pipes and infrastructure; underwater inspection and measurement for marine hazards, asset loss, and mining; computer software design and development; metrology services; tool design; leasing of subsea LiDAR sensors; leasing of remote operating vehicles and autonomous underwater vehicles for underwater data collection and inspection; measurement evaluations in the underwater construction, survey, and inspection industry; underwater optical sensor design and development; underwater sensor design and development; underwater inspection and measurement services; underwater inspection and measurement tool design and development; engineering, namely, research and development of new products.
8.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LASER INSPECTION AND MEASUREMENTS
Described herein are methods and systems (160) for improved inspection, measurements, monitoring, and tracking of equipment installed underwater. They include structures or equipment installed in a nuclear reactor (108) and fuel storage pools (104). This includes, but is not limited to an entire nuclear reactor pool, an entire nuclear reactor, fuel assemblies (124), fuel assembly identification numbers, core barrels, core plates (120), lower internals, upper internals, fuel transfer systems, alignment pins, baffle walls, former baffle assemblies, vessels, instrument ports, coolant tubes, spent fuel pools, dry cask storage areas, weir gates, steam dryers, steam separators, top guides, jet pumps, inside and outside of pipes, and weld seams. The described methods and devices increase the performance and integrity of the inspection and measurements during nuclear refuel, inspection or outage activities. The described methods and devices utilize one or more non-touch underwater optical system (308) (including laser systems) for underwater equipment inspection, measurements, maintenance, monitoring, tracking and servicing.
B23K 26/04 - Automatically aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam, e.g. using the back-scattered light
G01S 7/48 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
G21C 17/01 - Inspection of the inner surfaces of vessels
G21C 17/06 - Devices or arrangements for monitoring or testing fuel or fuel elements outside the reactor core, e.g. for burn-up, for contamination
G21C 19/105 - Lifting devices or pulling devices adapted for co-operation with fuel elements or with control elements with grasping or spreading coupling elements
G21C 19/20 - Arrangements for introducing objects into the pressure vesselArrangements for handling objects within the pressure vesselArrangements for removing objects from the pressure vessel
9.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LASER INSPECTION AND MEASUREMENTS
Described herein are methods and systems (160) for improved inspection, measurements, monitoring, and tracking of equipment installed underwater. They include structures or equipment installed in a nuclear reactor (108) and fuel storage pools (104). This includes, but is not limited to an entire nuclear reactor pool, an entire nuclear reactor, fuel assemblies (124), fuel assembly identification numbers, core barrels, core plates (120), lower internals, upper internals, fuel transfer systems, alignment pins, baffle walls, former baffle assemblies, vessels, instrument ports, coolant tubes, spent fuel pools, dry cask storage areas, weir gates, steam dryers, steam separators, top guides, jet pumps, inside and outside of pipes, and weld seams. The described methods and devices increase the performance and integrity of the inspection and measurements during nuclear refuel, inspection or outage activities. The described methods and devices utilize one or more non-touch underwater optical system (308) (including laser systems) for underwater equipment inspection, measurements, maintenance, monitoring, tracking and servicing.
G21C 17/01 - Inspection of the inner surfaces of vessels
G21C 17/06 - Devices or arrangements for monitoring or testing fuel or fuel elements outside the reactor core, e.g. for burn-up, for contamination
G21C 19/105 - Lifting devices or pulling devices adapted for co-operation with fuel elements or with control elements with grasping or spreading coupling elements
G21C 19/20 - Arrangements for introducing objects into the pressure vesselArrangements for handling objects within the pressure vesselArrangements for removing objects from the pressure vessel
G01S 7/48 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
B23K 26/04 - Automatically aligning, aiming or focusing the laser beam, e.g. using the back-scattered light
10.
UNDERWATER OPTICAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
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.
G05D 1/247 - Arrangements for determining position or orientation using signals provided by artificial sources external to the vehicle, e.g. navigation beacons
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.
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.
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.
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.
E21B 43/01 - Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations
E21B 47/001 - Survey of boreholes or wells for underwater installations
G01H 9/00 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by using radiation-sensitive means, e.g. optical means
G01H 17/00 - Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves, not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
G01K 11/00 - Measuring temperature based on physical or chemical changes not covered by group , , , or
G01M 3/00 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures
G01M 3/38 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using light
G01M 99/00 - Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
G01P 13/00 - Indicating or recording presence or absence of movementIndicating or recording of direction of movement
15.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
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.
