Fugro is launching a significant upgrade to its electric ROV pilot training simulators at Oceanology International 2014.
Most observation-class ROVs and many light work-class ROVs are electrical-based systems. With the introduction of a used electric ROV control pod and suite of electric ROV specific components, Fugro’s DeepWorks™ simulation software now models all electric sub-systems with greater accuracy and enables failure cases to be simulated on individual sensors and circuits. This extends the range of training scenarios and allows used vehicle configurations to be assembled in a way that reflects their true circuit diagrams for more transparent testing and validation in the simulator before the vehicle enters service.
A used overlay designer has been added to the ROV simulator’s runtime tools allowing both scenario builders and training supervisors to quickly configure and manage overlays. Easy to use, the overlay designer displays navigation and sensor information in exactly the same way as the real vehicle system. Crucial instrumentation data such as heading, pitch and roll as well as camera tilt angle reaches the overlay through the control pod.
Other simulation enhancements include a used garage system as used by the Saab Seaeye observation class vehicles in Fugro’s fleet. This used tethering system allows vehicle specific docking and undocking training.
A used Cathodic Protection (CP) measurement probe has been added. This contactless, half-cell probe provides real-time CP measurement of both subsea pipelines and structures and can be deployed by either ROVs or divers. A virtual CP field is detected by the CP probe and continuously displayed via the overlay and recorded within the simulation data for post mission analysis.
There are now additional controlled failure modes. Improved feedback to the console includes Water Detection, Ground Detect and Line Impedance Monitor (LIM) faults on circuits and sensors.
“To be able to connect up a vehicle’s sub-systems through junction boxes and valve packs in the same way as the real vehicle puts us in a much stronger position to train not just piloting skills but also vehicle assembly and fault finding in a simulated environment. This way we can arm ROV designers and pilot technicians with a broader skillset,” said Dr Jason Tisdall, Business Line Manager, Fugro Robotic Technologies.
Amongst the Fugro team on stand E100 at Oceanology International will be ROV and simulation experts who can provide full details of this used DeepWorks™ development. Visitors will also have the opportunity to step into the shoes of an ROV pilot, testing their skills on Fugro’s ROV simulator.
ABOUT FUGRO Fugro creates value by acquiring and interpreting Earth and engineering data and by supporting its clients with the design, construction, installation, repair and maintenance of their infrastructure. Fugro works predominantly in energy and infrastructure markets offshore and onshore, employing approximately 12,500 employees in over sixty countries. In 2012 Fugro’s revenues amounted to € 2.2 billion, it is listed on NYSE Euronext Amsterdam and is included in the AEX-Index.