A multi-robot collaborative underwater inspection system for high-dam environments, consisting of a surface-powered buoy and underwater inspection robots, is designed for large-scale and highly efficient cooperative detection of dam structures, which is considered of great significance for ensuring the safe operation of dams. However, the engineering application of this technology has been hindered by the lack of effective dedicated devices for the safe and efficient integrated remote deployment and recovery of the surface buoy and underwater robots. To address this issue, an automatic hook-release system based on a lever-based latch mechanism and an electric actuator was presented. Remote automatic hook release and locking were allowed, and a length-measuring wheel mechanism is integrated to monitor the deployment/retrieval length of the umbilical cable in real time. Integrated deployment, recovery, and dynamic management of the umbilical cable are supported through wireless remote communication. It is shown by experimental results that the proposed system operates reliably in practical lifting scenarios. The requirements for remote automatic hooking and release are met, and the safety and efficiency of deploying and retrieving large underwater robots are considerably improved.
WU Cheng-jian, ZHAO Chun, GUO Shuai-qi, XU Shen-yang, WU Gang, WAN Gang, ZHU Si-si, WANG Yan-jie.
Design and Application of Automatic Hook-release System for Multi-robot Collaborative Underwater Inspection in High-dam[J].
Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(19): 7989-7997 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2507540
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