Integration Technology of Ocean Research Vessel Equipment
Ocean research vessels serve as core platforms for deep-sea scientific exploration, requiring interdisciplinary collaboration and extreme environment adaptability. Take China’s “TAN KAH KEE” as an example: it employs a fully electric silent propulsion system, using low-speed direct-drive motors and low-noise propellers to reduce underwater radiated noise below DNV standards, providing a stable environment for high-precision acoustic detection (e.g., a multibeam sonar with 160 transducers). The retractable fin-mounted ultra-clean seawater sampling system enables real-time trace metal data acquisition during navigation, integrated with containerized laboratories for “sampling-analysis” workflows.
In equipment coordination, the “TANSUO-3” research vessel integrates China’s “Haijing 3000” AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) and “Haihong II” ARV (Autonomous Remotely Operated Vehicle). Multi-modal sensors (acoustic, optical, chemical) synchronously collect data, while ROV-mounted horizontal clamp connectors achieve automatic docking of seabed observatory nodes with coaxiality errors less than 0.2mm. The “Mengxiang” (Dream) ocean drilling vessel breaks through 11,000-meter deep drilling technology, integrating hydraulic rigs and automated core transmission systems to realize fully automated drilling, coring, and storage, improving operational efficiency by 40%.
Key integration technologies include:
- Modular design: The “Mengxiang”’s elastic network and cloud data service system support real-time data aggregation and intelligent analysis of 20,000 monitoring points;
- Extreme environment adaptation: Ice-class research vessels adopt bow-stern dual ice-breaking structures and low-temperature compensation technology, enabling operations in PC4-level ice zones;
- Domestic substitution: The largest domestic watertight moon pool system and acoustic detection equipment developed by the 704th Research Institute promote autonomous control of core equipment.
These technological advancements have transformed China’s research vessels from single-function platforms to integrated “deep diving-drilling-observation” systems, providing solid support for deep-sea resource exploration and global climate change research.