Underwater optical metrology system
Assignee3D at Depth, Inc.
InventorsCarl W. Embry, Neil Manning, Ian Roberts
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Abstract
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.
Claims20
An underwater system, comprising:
- an underwater target, including:
- an optical target and
- indicia uniquely identifying the underwater target
- an object, wherein the underwater target is fixed to the object and
- an optical metrology system, wherein the optical metrology system determines a location of the underwater target within an underwater environment.
An underwater system, comprising:
- an underwater target, including:
- an optical target
- indicia uniquely identifying the underwater target and
- an acoustic transducer that is provided as part of an acoustic transponder.
An underwater target, comprising:
- an optical target and
- indicia uniquely identifying the underwater target, wherein the indicia is integral to the optical target, and wherein the optical target modifies at least one of a polarization, amplitude, phase, or wavelength of light.
An underwater target, comprising:
- an optical target
- indicia uniquely identifying the underwater target;
- and
- an acoustic transducer, wherein the acoustic transducer forms at least a portion of an exterior of the underwater target, and wherein the optical target is formed on a surface of the acoustic transducer.
An underwater target, comprising:
- a plurality of optical targets;
- and
- indicia uniquely identifying the underwater target,
- wherein at least some of the optical targets are in different orientations from one another, and wherein at least one of the optical targets is a three-dimensional (3-D) target.
An underwater target, comprising:
- a plurality of optical targets;
- indicia uniquely identifying the underwater target;
- and
- at least one of a housing or a monument, wherein at least some of the optical targets are connected to and spaced apart from the at least one of a housing or a monument by an arm, and wherein at least some of the optical targets are in different planes.
A method of locating objects in an underwater environment, comprising:
- providing an underwater target having a plurality of optical targets and identifying indicia;
- taking dimension control data of the underwater target;
- storing the dimension control data in a database;
- placing the underwater target in the underwater environment;
- locating the underwater target within the underwater environment;
- identifying the underwater target within the underwater environment from the identifying indicia;
- and
- storing the location of the underwater target within the underwater environment in memory included as part of the underwater target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.