SUBMARINE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Offshore Engineering, R&D and Consultancy
PROTEUS
Launch and Recovery System
Developed by STL Research, the Proteus LARS is an innovative, stand-alone, deck mounted system, that enables the safe launch and recovery of autonomous or semi-autonomous marine equipment such as; ROV’s, AUV’s and ASV’s, under local or remote control.
ABOUT US
STL Research is a consultancy, design, development and project implementation group, specialising in the offshore and sub-sea industries.
Initially operating from Aberdeen and now based in Cowes, STL Research has been involved in many leading edge projects within the offshore and subsea markets. Two key focus areas are the safe launch and recovery of autonomous marine equipment under local or remote control (Proteus), and safe and efficient personnel access (Neptune).
Proteus is an innovative, stand-alone, deck mounted launch and recover system, which uses computer vision to automatically synchronise movement of the interchangeable coupling tool with the target, to eliminate wave-induced motions, which eases attachment and safe retrieval of ROV, AUV, ASV.
The Neptune 20M Personnel Access System enables transfer of personnel with equipment, or cargo, from a vessel via a gondola, to a fixed or floating, offshore structure with full (6DoF) motion-compensation to remove wave-induced motion.
Legacy projects include diving systems, hyperbaric lifeboats, HP/HT valves, well head control & monitoring systems and automatic ultrasonic NDT.
SPECIFICATION
Proteus 100 Prototype
| Maximum payload weight: | 100 kg |
|---|---|
| Lift height capability (without optional tool extension arm): | -1.2 m to +1.5 m (coupling tool relative to deck level) |
| Lift height capability with optional tool extension arm: | -1.7 m to +1.0 m (coupling tool relative to deck level) |
| Maximum reach: | 3.5 m |
| Gimbal range: | +/- 24 degrees |
| Slewing range: | 90 degrees |
| System deck weight: | 675 kg |
| System foundation radius: | 1.63 m |
| Hydraulic power requirement: | 30 kW @ 95 bar |
Proposed Proteus 500 *
| Maximum payload weight: | 500 kg |
|---|---|
| Lift height capability: | -2.0 m to +2.5 m (coupling tool relative to deck level) |
| Maximum reach: | 4.8 m |
| Gimbal range: | +/- 15 degrees |
| Slewing range: | 270 degrees |
| System deck weight: | 1,000 - 4,000 kg (installation specific) |
| System foundation: | 4.0 m x 2.5 m |
| Hydraulic power requirement: | 50 kW @ 95 bar |
*Specification subject to change without prior notification
APPLICATION
STL’s robotic arm, Proteus, was primarily designed to simplify the launch and recovery of underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) from their host vessels. This exercise is labour-intensive and potentially hazardous to personnel and the equipment itself. Proteus aims to increase efficiency, safety, availability, and expand the weather window for operations.
In the future, Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs) will play an important role in servicing and repair of offshore installations for wind energy generation and hydrocarbon production. In order to carry out useful intervention tasks, these ASVs will need to make use of autonomous tools and manipulators. Future developments of Proteus aim to answer this requirement and enable the execution of intervention tasks – e.g. equipment transfers, survey and inspection, or launch and recovery operations.
DESCRIPTION
Proteus consists of an articulated three-section arm mounted on a foundation containing a slew-ring and gimbal, located on the vessel deck. It carries an interchangeable coupling tool on the end of the last arm section which can automatically latch onto a free-floating target for retrieval, and under manual control can deploy it into the water. The slew-ring, gimbal and arm sections are moved hydraulically under computer control to compensate for all wave-induced motions between the target and host vessel, guided automatically by a camera-based visual target tracking system. The gimbal keeps the arm assembly in the vertical plane, guided by data from a deck-mounted Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), which can also be engaged to keep the tool stationary with a reference to a fixed target, compensating for deck motion.
OPERATION
To deploy the target device, Proteus simply serves as a steerable hoist, latching onto the device on the vessel deck, lifting it clear and over the side of the vessel, then lowering it down into the water where it is released to depart on its mission.
For retrieval, a returning target must first manoeuvre into the field of view of Proteus’ tracking system, then Proteus moved into its starting position, and the tracking system engaged. This will acquire the target’s position using markers on its body, and guide the coupling tool down onto the target’s connection point, automatically tracking and compensating for its relative movement in the water so it can latch on smoothly and securely. As soon as it has latched, Proteus will lift the target clear of the water, where it can then be swung inboard and lowered onto the deck.
