Search results

This paper aims to propose a diverless weld bead maintenance welding technology to prevent the leakage of subsea oil and gas pipeline and solve the key problems in the maintenance of subsea pipeline.

Based on the analysis of the cross-section of the fillet weld, the multi-layer and multi-pass welding path planning of the submarine pipeline sleeve fillet weld is studied, and thus a multi-layer and multi-pass welding path planning strategy is proposed. A welding seam filling method is designed, and the end position of the welding gun is planned, which provides a theoretical basis for the motion control of the maintenance system.

The trajectory planning and adjustment of multi-layer and multi-pass fillet welding and the motion stability control of the rotating mechanism are realized.

It provides the basis for the prototype design of the submarine pipeline maintenance and welding robot system, and also lays the foundation for the in-depth research on the intelligent maintenance system of submarine pipeline.

The maintenance of diverless subsea pipeline is a new type of maintenance method, which can solve the problem of large amount of subsea maintenance work with high efficiency.

A console connected to servers over a broadband connection is an efficient system to provide electronic entertainment. Issues such as the role of the operating system, bandwidth requirements, network optimization, security and privacy need to be examined and solutions need to be evaluated. In this paper, we describe a model and an exploration environment in which we can examine issues and evaluate our design in a systematic manner. Simulation of the various components was required in which we were able to obtain some preliminary results.

An integrated Web engine (IWE) has been developed by the Internetworking program at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada to deliver remote learning experience to geographically remote Master's students. The University intends to increase its student base through online education, retaining the same quality of interactions as the onsite program. To this end, the IWE accommodates three technology‐enabled learning environments that correlate with the three pedagogical approaches and types of onsite interaction. Discusses the e‐learning metrics, pedagogical and technical considerations that influence the design and implementation of the IWE environment. The IWE uses de facto networking standards, commercial and broadband Internet connectivity to ensure real‐time secure interaction with equipment and deliver lectures respectively. A four‐tier role architecture, consisting of faculty, local, remote facilitators, and students, has been determined to be appropriate and adapted to maintain academic integrity and offer the same quality of interaction as the onsite program.

The robot is proving itself to be a reliable and effective automation tool and users are finding them relatively easy to install. But the main problems surround the peripherals and the integration into the production system. This process can be eased by thoroughly studying potential applications as GE have proved.

This paper describes the design development and testing of the remotely operated equipment which will be deployed to decommission the redundant Caesium Extraction Plant located at the British Nuclear Fuels plc Sellafield site in Cumbria, UK. The radioactive environment in which the project has to be carried out presents a number of unique challenges to the engineers involved. To carry out the project extensive new facilities are to be constructed. It is from these facilities that the Decommissioning Machine (DCM) will be deployed to remove the equipment located within the Caesium Plant. The DCM will be operated from a separate control room and observed by CCTV. Construction of the new facility is nearing completion with decommissioning operations due to start in year 2000.

THE monitoring of helicopter components and the detection of trends are vital parts of maintenance, vibration analysis plays an important part in the successful continuation of operations unhampered by the setbacks of unscheduled removals. Vibration can result in reduced performance, unnecessary wear on rotating components, structural damage to airframe, unreliability of avionics and weapon systems, and aircrew and passenger fatigue. In both the civil and military uses of helicopters, this can cause availability to be low and even when operation, the vibration levels frequently hamper the success of a particular flight.

To emphasise the need for remote fieldbus diagnostics and to show a technical solution based on industry standard approaches.

The design and approach takes a Profibus fieldbus, as an example candidate, and captures the diagnostic data using an OPC model and then uses a Java RMI object broker to develop/support the remote end clients.

The findings show, by an implementation example, that it is possible to implement remote diagnostics for a fieldbus network, without interfering with the operation of the network. The findings also highlight the need for security in such a solution.

The implementation example is rather cumbersome, but the paper suggests that all the hardware and software could be implemented on a single embedded processor in a single box. The security issues are flagged as a possible limitation, but solution approaches are briefly suggested.

The paper highlights the lack of standardisation around fieldbus diagnostics. Even for the same fieldbus type, different manufacturers will use different diagnostic protocols and codes. This paper suggests a practical implementation, where the diagnostic codes can be interpreted a fixed stage and presented to an end client in a consistent manner.

This work is based on a two year original research project. The solution makes heavy use of industry standard protocols but the work is original.

Aircraft flight pressurization/depressurization cycling causes the skin to inflate and deflate, stressing it around the rivets that fasten it to the airframe. The resulting strain, exacerbated by corrosion, drives the growth of initially microscopic cracks. To avoid catastrophe, aircraft are inspected periodically for cracks and corrosion. The inspection technology employed is ∼90 percent naked‐eye vision. We have developed and demonstrated robotic deployment of both remote enhanced 3D‐stereoscopic video instrumentation for visual inspection and remote eddy current probes for instrumented inspection. This article describes the aircraft skin inspection application, how robotic deployment may alleviate human performance problems and workplace hazards during inspection, practical robotic deployment systems, their instrumentation packages, and our progress toward developing image enhancement and understanding techniques that could help aircraft inspectors to find cracks, corrosion, and other visually detectable damage.

It is estimated that managers spend more time in meetings than in any other single activity — these will vary from informal discussion or briefing sessions around the workplace to carefully planned formal presentations involving sophisticated audio‐visual support Even in the smallest of organisations, the provision of comfortable, well‐designed and adequately equipped meeting rooms is essential. Not only is the meeting room a prime tool for management, training and selling the organisation's service, it is also the most potent indicator of corporate image and an important element in the overall design brief.

In June 1986 the London Borough of Bexley installed at its Central Reference Library a Private Videotex System (PVS) which was then launched as a public service in August 1986. This superseded the Library's small Prestel database, which had been in existence since 1979; but which is now curtailed to a few pages retained for online user registration.