News
28/05/2021
Phoenix Conducts Underwater Inspection of Wishon Dam
Phoenix International Holdings, Inc. (Phoenix), in partnership with Underwater Acoustic International, L.L.C. (UAI) and Ocean Tech Services (OTS), mobilized a sonar team and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) team to the Wishon Reservoir to perform a comprehensive underwater acoustic imaging and visual inspection of the Wishon Dam for the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).
The intent of the inspection was to collect a baseline of current conditions to enable planning for effective repair and remediation. The acoustic imaging was accomplished utilizing a high resolution Underwater Acoustic Steered Beam Imaging system from UAI. The visual inspection was performed using an inspection class ROV. Operators maneuvered the ROV along the dam face to collect visual images of areas identified in the acoustic imaging inspection. The results of this acoustic and visual inspection were provided to PG&E within a 100+ page report that included mosaic images of the acoustic data and visual images from the ROV to provide a clear picture of the underwater condition of the dam.
Phoenix is an employee-owned, ISO 9001-2015 Management System certified marine services contractor providing manned and unmanned underwater solutions, design engineering, and project management services to a diverse set of clients worldwide. Expertise is available from seven regional offices in the areas of wet and dry hyperbaric welding, Nondestructive Testing, (NDT), subsea engineering services, conventional and atmospheric diving, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and ROV operations. The company’s capabilities are directed to underwater inspection, maintenance, and repair; deep ocean survey, search and recovery operations; submarine rescue; construction; subsea tieback; plug and abandonment; subsea mining; archaeological; and documentary projects.
UAI (a subsidiary of C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates, L.L.C.) specializes in the utilization of underwater acoustic remote sensing for the investigation, imaging and modeling of submerged structures and the adjacent water bottom environments. Fenstermaker develops and deploys custom configured sensors, deployment platforms and software packages that are designed to specifically address the needs of the Hydro-Electric Dam Operator. OTS provides marine environmental measurement and operational maritime support to a wide range of industries.
18/04/2021
UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS INTERNATIONAL SELECT THE ISS360 IMAGING SONAR
Underwater Acoustics International (UAI) have chosen the ISS360 Imaging Sonar for installation on their Seamor Chinook ROV.
The ISS360 sonar is the world’s smallest imaging sonar, providing a full 360° field of view around the underwater vehicle. The ISS360 Sonar can detect targets within a range of 90 meters and has a unique inductive coupling of the transducer to enable maintenance-free long term operation.
Ryan Wallace, UAI Project Manager commented “The ISS360 has been an amazing ROV Navigation tool for us and does not take up any real estate on our sub. The software does not get any easier to operate and the quality construction of the sensor puts it in a class of its own”.
Underwater Acoustics International is a leading underwater services company, specializing in the inspection of penstocks, flooded conduits and tunnels. The company offer robotic systems equipment with best-in-class acoustic imaging systems that enable predictive maintenance.
Special thanks were given to ECHO81 – Impact Subsea’s distributor of products in the USA – who supplied the ISS360 sonar to UAI. For interested parties within the USA, ECHO81 are able to discuss all technical requirements, assist with integration and servicing, and provide demonstrations of the ISS360 sonar.
Learn more:
ISS360 Sonar: Click here.
Underwater Acoustics International: Click here.
ECHO81: Click here.
Article images are courtesy of Underwater Acoustics International.
Underwater Structural Inspections
Scour & Undermining inspections
Scour & Undermining inspections
Scour & Undermining inspections
Concrete spalling & crack detection
Concrete spalling & crack detection
Concrete spalling & crack detection
ROV HD Video Inspections
ROV HD Video Inspections
ROV HD Video Inspections
ROV DYE Release leak detection
ROV DYE Release leak detection
(UT) Ultrasonic-thickness measurements
(UT) Ultrasonic-thickness measurements
Hydrographic Services
Hydrographic services
Hydrographic services
Hydrographic services
Penstocks & Tunnels
Flooded Inspection Services
Flooded Inspection Services
Flooded Inspection Services
Dewatered Inspection Services
Dewatered Inspection Services
Dewatered Inspection Services
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Intake gates & Trash Racks 1
Intake gates & Trash Racks 2
Intake gates & Trash Racks 3
Intake gates & Trash Racks 3
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3D Laser/LiDAR Services
3D Laser/LiDAR Services
3D Laser/LiDAR Services
Data Analysis
Data Analysis
Data Analysis
why uai
Leading-edge inspections using advanced remote sensing solutions in 2D and 3D.
Data collection above and below water to track and manage change over time.
Leveraging technology to minimize downtime and costs.
Comprehensive 360-degree view of the Dam Infrastructure, below and above water.
Safety first by placing technology at risk, not people.
Underwater Structural Inspections
Hydrographic Services
Penstocks & Tunnels
Intake Gates & Trash Racks
3D Laser Scanning & Lidar
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usv
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sonars
rov
SEAMOR CHINOOK ROV
Depth Rating 300m (1000’)
Tether Length 600m (2000’)+
SENSORS :
HD Video
Forward Looking Sonar
360 Scanning Sonar
3D Tunnel Profiling Multibeam Sonar
Underwater GPS Tracking
Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge
rov
SAAB FALCON ROV
Depth Rating 300m (1000’)
Tether Length 3000m (10,000’)
SENSORS :
HD Video
Forward Looking Sonar
3D Tunnel Profiling Multibeam Sonar
Underwater GPS Tracking
Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge
Five function manipulating arm
rov
BLUE ROV2
Depth Rating 100m (330’)
Tether Length 100m (330’)
SENSORS :
HD Video 1080p
High Accuracy Depth Sensor
rov
QYSEA FIFISH V6
Depth Rating 100m (330’)
Tether Length 100m (330’)
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Ultra Wide-Angle Lens 166° FOV
Slow Motion 120 fps
LED Lights – 4000 Lumens
usv
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WiFi Communication
SENSORS :
4K HD Video
LiDAR Mobile Unit (SLAM Based 3D Mapping)
Side Scan Sonar
Multibeam Echo Sounder (MBES)
AutoNav Control System
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usv
SEAFLOOR HYDRONE USV
Top Speed 6kn
Remote Range Up to 1Km
SENSORS :
AutoNav Control System
SonarMite MILSpec Echosounder
Dual Frequency Echosounder 200/30 KHz
crawler
AMPHIBIOUS TUNNEL CRAWLER
Max Operating Depth 300msw
Dimensions (LxWxH) 2.6m x 2m x 0.8m
Weight in Air 680 kg
Battery Life 8-12 Hours
Tether Length 4570m (15000’)+
Propulsion Electro/Hydraulic
SENSORS :
Above Water:
4K HD Video (Multiple Cameras)
LiDAR Mobile Unit (SLAM Based 3D Mapping)
Below Water:
Forward Looking Sonar
3D Tunnel Profiling Multibeam Sonar
Underwater GPS Tracking
crawler
INUNKTUN V150 CRAWLER
Max Operating Depth 60m (200’)
Dimensions (LxWxH) 41.7in x 13.4in x 18.2in
Weight in Air 45 kg (100lb)
Tether Length 1000m (3300’)+
Propulsion Electro
SENSORS :
Above Water:
4K HD Video
LiDAR Mobile Unit (SLAM Based 3D Mapping)
crawler
crawler
drone
MATRIX 600 PRO
Max Operating Altitude 4000m (12,000’)
Dimensions (LxWxH) 1.6m x 1.5m x 0.7m
Weight 10 kg
Max. Flight Endurance 32 min
Max horizontal Speed 65 km/h
SENSORS :
LiDAR Mobile Unit (SLAM Based Mapping)
Gimbaled HD Camera (Photogrammetry)
drone
RIEGL RICOPTER
Max Operating Altitude 4000m (12,000’)
Dimensions (LxWxH) 1.9m x 1.8m x .47m
Weight 8 kg
Max. Flight Endurance 30 min
Cruise Speed 20-30 km/h
Max horizontal Speed 60 km/h
SENSORS :
RIEGL VUX-1UAV LIDAR
Position Accuracy (typ) 0.05m – 0.3m
drone
drone
3d Laser scanner
LEICA ScanStation P50
Range accuracy
1.2 mm + 10ppm over full range (120 m / 270 m mode)
3 mm + 10ppm over full range (570 m / >1 km mode)
Angular accuracy
8” horizontal; 8” vertical
3D Position Accuracy
4.4 mm @ 50 m (> 1 km mode)
6.8 mm @ 100 m (> 1 km mode)
3d Laser scanner
FARO Focus Series S150
Range accuracy ±1mm
Angular accuracy
19 arcsec for vertical / horizontal angles
3D Position Accuracy
10m: 2mm / 25m: 3.5mm
Field-of-View
Horizontal-300° Vertical-360°
Color Unit
Resolution 165 Megapixel Color
3d Laser scanner
3d Laser scanner
sonars
Sonar Model
High-resolution scanning sonar
Multibeam tunnel profiling sonar
Side Scan Sonar
Multibeam Echosounder Sonar (MBES)
3D Mechanical Scanning MBES Sonar
HYDROELECTRIC DAM SONAR & LiDAR STUDY
Underwater Acoustics International executed an above and below water Sonar & LiDAR imaging study of the hydroelectric dam facility utilizing multibeam sonar, side scan sonar and high-resolution scanning sonar. The purpose of this project was to provide a comprehensive underwater 2D and 3D sonar imaging study of the submerged areas of the dam as well as the upstream and downstream areas of the river. The intent of the study was to create a digital baseline of the facility to be use for change over time comparison against subsequent underwater surveys.
HYDROELECTRIC DAM SONAR & LiDAR STUDY
Underwater Acoustics International executed an above and below water Sonar & LiDAR imaging study of the hydroelectric dam facility utilizing multibeam sonar, side scan sonar and high-resolution scanning sonar. The purpose of this project was to provide a comprehensive underwater 2D and 3D sonar imaging study of the submerged areas of the dam as well as the upstream and downstream areas of the river. The intent of the study was to create a digital baseline of the facility to be use for change over time comparison against subsequent underwater surveys.
SONAR SURVEY FOR CANAL LINING CONDITION ASSESSMENT
The primary objective of the canal lining investigation was to conduct a hydrographic and geophysical survey to evaluate the condition of the canal concrete lining. The UAI team successfully deployed an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) with multi-beam sonar and high-definition side scan sonar, proving that sonar is an effective predictive maintenance technology to evaluate the condition of the canal's concrete lining which is inaccessible due to being primarily beneath the water surface.
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ALAN DAY
PRESIDENT
+1.337.654.2036
RYAN WALLACE
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
+1.850.319.0961
RICK ZAUNBRECHER
DIRECTOR OF FIELD SERVICES
+1.713.757.2765
JAMES FENSTERMAKER
DATA PROCESSING MANAGER
+1.337.501.2095
Mike Holloway
UNDERWATER SERVICES MANAGER
+1.573.821.3573
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135 Regency Square • Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
(337) 237-2200