Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF
Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF
Design ohne Titel - 1

3D Measurement Systems for Underwater Use

Accurate 3D capture of large and complex underwater structures, even in motion

 

Without markers and with efficient calibration, 3D inspections of foundations, cables and other structures of offshore wind energy installations or the inspection of subsea pipelines can be carried out.

 

The three-dimensional capture of large and complex underwater structures is becoming increasingly important. Be it the inspection of foundations, cables and other structures of offshore wind energy installations or the inspection of subsea pipelines: There will be an increasing demand for 2D and 3D underwater inspection services in the future. The goDEEP3D inspection system developed at the IOF, which can be carried by common underwater vehicles (ROV - remotely operated vehicle), can be used in water depths of up to 1000 m for this purpose. Our team, with more than 30 years of experience in optical metrology, has provided a metrological solution for the efficient and accurate capture of large and complex underwater structures with its pioneering development of continuous 3D sensing in motion.

Our services

 

We have implemented our metrological solution in the goDEEP3D 3D sensor, which can be combined with standard ROVs. It is characterized by its operational capability at depths of up to 1000 m, a detailed resolution up to 1 mm depending on the water turbidity), a large measuring field of up to 0.9 m × 0.8 m, a measuring distance of 1.0 m - 2.5 m, measurement in motion of up to 1 m/s through the use of motion compensation, as well as simultaneous 3D and high-resolution 2D colour detection of the measurement objects. Measurements can be carried out directly on customers’ structures or a sensor specially tailored to a measurement task can be developed together with the customer. The areas of application can come from the industrial sector as well as from the fields of biology and archaeology.

In close cooperation with you, we research and develop solutions from simulation to usable and manufacturable prototype.

What characterizes our metrological solution and where are the areas of application?

goDEEP3D – a flexibly deployable measurement system for the three-dimensional capture of underwater structures in motion

The underwater 3D sensor goDEEP3D (red), mounted fit for operation on a ROV.
© Fraunhofer IOF
The underwater 3D sensor goDEEP3D (red), mounted fit for operation on a ROV.

In cooperation with several partners, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF developed a demonstrator for high-resolution color and shape capture of underwater structures in motion. This approach makes it possible to forego the manual attachment of additional markers at depths of up to 1000 m, which can only be reached with great effort, as well as fast and, under these conditions, more cost-effective capture of larger areas thanks to its active motion compensation up to speeds of 1 m/s. In addition, the sensor can be calibrated accurately and efficiently on site in the water. In 2022, the system successfully demonstrated its measurement capabilities in an extensive offshore deployment in the Digital Ocean Lab, an underwater test field for marine technology in the Baltic Sea.

The measurement method offers an extremely broad range of applications for a wide variety of use scenarios. Initial precise 3D measurements have already been carried out on pipelines, cables, anchor chains, munition (dummies) and archaeological objects.

From data recording to 3D reconstruction:

2D image of two terracotta structures
© Fraunhofer IOF
2D image of two terracotta structures
high-resolution 3D reconstruction
© Fraunhofer IOF
high-resolution 3D reconstruction
resulting, detailed textured 3D reconstruction
© Fraunhofer IOF
resulting, detailed textured 3D reconstruction
The goDEEP3D sensor system during insitu calibration using specially developed underwater calibration objects in the clear water basin.
© Fraunhofer IOF
The goDEEP3D sensor system during insitu calibration using specially developed underwater calibration objects in the clear water basin.
Screen of the control software developed for the underwater sensor goDEEP3D for the ROV operator. Left: high-resolution color 2D image; right: real-time 3D reconstruction of the currently overflown measurement object for real-time control.
© Fraunhofer IOF
Screen of the control software developed for the underwater sensor goDEEP3D for the ROV operator. Left: high-resolution color 2D image; right: real-time 3D reconstruction of the currently overflown measurement object for real-time control.
The goDEEP3D sensor (red, in front), mounted fit for operation on an underwater ROV, during the journey to the testing in the underwater test field.
© Fraunhofer IOF
The goDEEP3D sensor (red, in front), mounted fit for operation on an underwater ROV, during the journey to the testing in the underwater test field.
 

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