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
A metrology system, comprising:
- a pressure vessel;
- a light source;
- a variable filter;
- transmit and receive optics;
- a scanning device;
- a window;
- and
- a receiver, wherein the light source, the variable filter, the transmit and receive optics, the scanning device, and the receiver are disposed within an interior of the pressure vessel, wherein the variable filter adjusts a property of the light from the light source, wherein the transmit and receive optics direct light generated by the light source and passed through the variable filter to the scanning device, wherein the scanning device directs the light generated by the light source and received from the transmit and receive optics through the window in the pressure vessel toward a target location, wherein the scanning device receives light reflected from the target location through the window, wherein the scanning device directs the light received from the target location to the transmit and receive optics, and wherein the transmit and receive optics direct the light received from the scanning device to the receiver.
A method for determining a location underwater, comprising:
- placing a metrology system at an underwater location from which a plurality of targets disposed on an underwater structure and located within a target area are visible;
- scanning the plurality of targets on the underwater structure using a lidar system included in the metrology system and disposed in a pressure vessel to determine a location of the targets relative to the metrology system, wherein determining the location of the targets includes, for each of the targets:
- providing light from a light source;
- directing the light from the light source through a variable optical attenuator and to a scanning device;
- operating the scanning device to direct a beam of the provided light through a window in the pressure vessel to the target area;
- receiving light reflected from the target area through the window at the scanning device;
- directing the reflected light received through the window from the scanning device to a receiver;
- and
- executing program instructions to determine an azimuth angle and an elevation angle to the target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.