Survey of Robotic Tankship Inspection Technology
Abstract
Current tankship inspection techniques are manual, time consuming, and dangerous. Tankships are difficult to thoroughly inspect due to the constraints imposed by limited time available for inspections, the size of the vessel, and the inability to access the upper areas of large tank spaces. Robotic inspection systems applied to the inspection of tankships could provide a more complete examination of structural details, require less tank preparation if manned en were not needed, and improve inspector safety. This report provides industry and parties interested in exploring the feasibility of some new or existing robotic technology with guidance for possible design or adaptation of remote inspection systems for tankship use. Although robotic technology is utilized in many other applications, significant technology development and testing must occur before the inspection of tankships can be carried out completely with robotic/remote inspection systems. Many parts of the inspections will still have to be done with a man-in-the-tank for the foreseeable future. Progress is needed in the development of deployment systems, vision systems, operator interfaces, and long reach manipulator stability before a system can be produced that is viable for routine use. Robotic tankship, Vessel inspection.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA285871
Entities
People
- J. M. Alzheimer