Patent Number: 052415724
Section: description

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, in a storage pond system 1 a plurality of racks 2 to receive MEB's 4 (multi element bottles) are submerged under pond water 5. The racks 2 containing MEB's 4 are transported and positioned within the storage pond 1 by a known pond handler 6. It is required to monitor the condition of the submerged MEB's 4 and for this purpose there is provided a floating platform 7. The platform 7 is radio controlled and powered by batteries which are located in compartments 8 on the platform 7, and has a remote control panel 24 and a data processing unit 26. Propulsion is by means of water jets 9 located below the level of the pond water 5 on each side or face of the platform 7. A propulsion pump 10 delivers pond water 5 to the jets 9, and shaped deflector plates 9a on the jets 9 provide manoeuvrability. Man access to the platform 7 is available for an on-board control option. The position of the platform 7 within the pond system 1 can be determined by an on-board laser (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 4) which can scan bar coded targets on the pond wall. Its position so determined is transmitted through a radio link to a remote control station in a control room. The platform 7 position can be displayed superimposed on a plan of the pond system 1. An operator can steer the platform 7 to a desired rack 2 location by means of the display. An underwater television camera 11 and floodlights 12 mounted on the platform 7 assist the operator during final positioning over the rack 2. An anti-collision device can be provided to warn operators when the pond handler and the platform 7 approach within a certain distance of one another. With the platform 7 positioned over the rack 2 four telescopic legs 13 extending from the underside of the platform 7 and having conical ends are lowered by drive units 22 to anchor and locate on rack pintles 14 and thereby lift the platform 7 into a partially buoyant position to provide a stable support for a scanning operation of the MEB 4 in the rack 2. A monitoring probe 20 is fixed to a telescopic leg 15 and is lowered to a set distance above the top of the MEB 4. To provide x-y scanning, the telescopic leg 15 is supported from a carriage 16 which runs on a rail assembly 17 in the `x` direction. The rail assembly 17 is likewise supported on rails 18 at opposite sides of a control opening 19 in the platform 7 to provide movement in the `y` direction. Interlocks can be provided to prevent movement of the platform 7 during monitoring of the MEB 4. Data from the monitoring probe 20 can be transmitted to a remote control station by a radio link (see FIG. 5). A back-up recording of the transmitted data can be stored on the platform 7. Computer software can allow a comparison to be made with the results from previous scans by means of a graphical display and provide a hard copy of all results. The control station can provide docking and battery recharging facilities. The platform 7 can be designed on a modular basis to enable ease of removal and replacement of equipment for renewal and maintenance. In addition, other features or facilities can be added to the platform 7. For example, pond desludging is possible by trailing a suction pipe from the platform 7 along the pond floor and circulating the water 5 through a filter. Such an arrangement could be incorporated in the platform propulsion system. Pond skimming is possible by using the length of the hull of the platform 7 for a submerged weir whereby the surface of the pond water 5 is pulled by suction into a treatment system prior to returning the water 5 to the pond. Further, means (not shown) can be provided on the platform 7 for checking and correcting the ullage on MEB's 4 and for taking samples, both liquid and gas, from the MEB's 4.