Reconfigurable propulsion systems for the inspection of off-shore power generation plants

Inspection of offshore plants or harsh environments, requires underwater vehicles with high degree of autonomy, performances and maneuverability. These characteristics are deeply influenced by the features of propulsion layouts of this kind of vehicle. In particular, the study of maneuverability required by ROV and AUV implies the modelling of four quadrants operation of propellers and of three-dimensional interactions arising between complex propulsion and hull geometries. In this work, an application of reconfigurable propulsion layout of an inspection vehicle for offshore operation or harsh environments is introduced.