Ocean Observation

The objectives of the IOT Research Plan are to develop and transfer ocean technology solutions of importance to Canada, and to build a nation-wide portfolio of private and public sector clients and partners.

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) offer a safe, non-intrusive and cost-effective means of collecting data and performing surveillance tasks in the ocean environment. AUVs have been identified as a high potential technology for Canadian industry, and IOT is working with industrial partners to help realize that potential. Among the many ocean observation tasks to be addressed are Arctic seabed mapping, collection of oceanographic data, inspection of offshore petroleum equipment, and monitoring of pollution and the effects of climate change.

The Marport SQX1 underwater vehicle

The Institute is addressing several long-term objectives through its Ocean Observation research program. Among them is the development of a compact AUV for search and survey applications, a pipeline inspection vehicle, innovative thruster arrays, and current profiling capabilities for underwater gliders.

SQX1 AUV

Working under a technical cooperation agreement, IOT and Marport - a leading subsea acoustics technology company - are developing a compact AUV that will serve as a platform for the company's sonarbased sensing systems. The vehicle will provide a hydrodynamically stable platform, combined with reliable performance and low lifecycle cost. Mission applications include seabed mapping, intelligence gathering and surveillance, reconnaissance, mine hunting, climate change research and under-ice operations. The Institute is contributing its expertise in the areas of vehicle geometry, structure, propulsion and control systems. The goal is to produce three variants of the product, based on maximum operational depths of 500, 1500 and 3000 metres. As development continues, Marport is already receiving orders for its first production line of SQX1 AUVs.

Pipeline Inspection Vehicle

This project involves the development of an underwater robotic vehicle equipped with pipe inspection instruments, including non-destructive testing (NDT) sensors, to inspect in-service water mains of different materials. IOT is collaborating with the NRC Institute for Research in Construction. Development of the robotic vehicle and the NDT sensors will help operators of major drinking water supply lines, in Canada and worldwide, obtain information about the state of their systems. The risk of service disruptions due to breaks will be reduced, and the reliability and potability of water supplies will be enhanced.

Ocean Profiling Using Underwater Gliders

This project is developing current profiling capabilities for underwater gliders, as well as exploring the ability of gliders to acquire wave and drift information while surfaced. With funding from the Program of Energy Research & Development (NRCan), the project is making direct measurements with an acoustic doppler current profiler designed and built by Canadian company NORTEK. Indirect measurements are also being made using the glider dynamics to estimate the vehicle's ambient flow field. The project is advancing the technology of ocean current profiling by exploring a low-cost, long-term alternative to moored and ship-based measuring systems. Clients such as Canadian government departments, offshore industries and ocean observatory operators will benefit from advances in the technology.

"Deploying an underwater glider at sea

WIG Thruster Arrays

As the role of AUVs and ROVs expands into ocean monitoring, exploration and intervention, underwater vehicles will require higher degrees of manoeuvrability. Research into Wing-in-Ground (WIG) thruster arrays is designed to replace the tunnel thrusters currently used, and will allow vehicles to obtain zero radius of turning about their three axes, as well as translations in all three directions, simultaneously. The technology has considerable market potential, as WIG thruster products will extend the working envelope and dynamic positioning capabilities of any underwater vehicle.

For details on these and other projects, as well as information on collaborating with the NRC Institute for Ocean Technology, contact Noel Murphy, Business Development Officer, at (709) 772-4939 or e-mail noel.murphy@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Related Information

Institutes:

• NRC Institute for Ocean Technology