Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_SGN0089 | |
| Title | Robotic Roadworks (Stage 1) | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Computer Science and Informatics) 50%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Civil Engineering) 50%; |
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| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given SGN |
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| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 December 2015 | |
| End Date | 01 April 2016 | |
| Duration | 4 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £130,654 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Information Technologies | |
| Region | South East | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , SGN (100.000%) |
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_SGN0089 |
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| Objectives | The objective of this project is to: Carry out a preliminary investigation into performing current operational repair and maintenance activities using a new innovative robotic system. Generate a list of potential keyhole and compact excavation repair/maintenance operations that may be used in the system. Additionally, focus will be applied to finding operations, not currently performed in keyholes, which may be performed in a keyhole when using this new system. Begin to build a robust cost benefit analysis (CBA) which may be utilized to support an ongoing Stage 2. The success criteria for the project are: Generation of preliminary specifications for the system - Robotic Arm, Sensors, Custom Tooling or Adaptation of Existing Tooling, and Support Systems (Keyhole Rotary Cutting Unit, Vacuum, Compressor, Generator, Operator Controls, Etc) Evaluation of key system components against technical and operational specificationsGeneration of draft operational specifications and work plans outlining how the Robotic Keyhole System will be deployed in the field to perform keyhole excavationsPreliminary identification of key components including, Robotic Arm, Tooling, Sensor PackagesPreliminary 3D Computer Modelling of Robotic Arm CapabilitiesA preliminary analysis of the proposed process with the inclusion of operator intervention points and safety evaluationsProduce a detailed feasibility report and share the learning with the other network licensees. | |
| Abstract | Operations and maintenance costs represent a major portion of any GDNs budget. Gas main excavations as currently performed are very labour-intensive and disruptive, but necessary to repair aging infrastructure and install new asset. Various operational teams are required to perform asset location and mark up, excavation, sheeting and shoring, repair or replace and reinstatement. A single excavation represents a major investment of time, money, personnel, and equipment. The costs of these excavations are ultimately incurred by the gas customer. The cost of labour, the cost to operate and maintain the vehicles and equipment, and the cost of lane rental and permitting will only continue to increase. In addition, the underground networks of major cities can be very crowded, with gas, sewer, water, electrical, telecommunications, and other utilities running in close proximity to one another. These underground networks are often inadequately mapped and the locations of different utility infrastructure installed below street level are almost never integrated on the same map. This lack of integration can lead to accidental impacts with unknown buried infrastructure during excavation; potentially causing service disruptions, serious damage, and even loss of life and property. Keyhole excavation has become a standard method used to access buried utility infrastructure. Keyholes drastically decrease the size of the excavation - making them minimally disruptive to customers and the public. Although repairs and maintenance performed via keyhole is a substantial improvement over standard excavation techniques, improvements to the full end to end process would yield dramatic benefits to end users and to the GDNs. SGN are now looking to assess the possibility of introducing a more advanced innovative robotic roadworks solution to improve the operational processes, specifically around excavations and the works required in them. Four areas of research have been identified: Area 1 - Robotic ArmArea 2 - SensorsArea 3 - Tooling: Custom and Modification of ExistingArea 4 - Support SystemsLeading to the following Tasks being undertaken: Generate list of maintenance and repair operations which may be performed by system in compact excavations and keyholesGenerate a list of operations, not currently performed in keyholes, which may be performed in a keyhole when using this new systemGenerate preliminary robot arm specifications and perform research into suitable arm technologyAssess preliminary sensor and tool requirements and develop initial specificationsPerform a global search to find potential project partners for tool developmentPerform preliminary 3D computer modelling of robotic arm capabilitiesAssess the feasibility of operational and procedural factors associated with a field deployed operationNote : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 11/12/18 | |
