Self-Developed Fiber Optic Winch Enables Precision Underwater Tunnel Detection
With the continuous expansion of major infrastructure projects in China, such as water conservancy facilities, urban underground pipelines, and cross-sea traffic tunnels, the safety inspection and maintenance of underwater tunnels have become increasingly critical. Traditional manual inspection methods are not only costly and high-risk but are also often limited by environmental conditions. In this context, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) paired with high-performance winch systems are gradually becoming the mainstream technical solution for underwater tunnel inspection.
However, ROVs still face multiple challenges when operating in complex underwater environments characterized by long distances, low visibility, and strong currents: difficulties in precise positioning, unstable data transmission, complex cable management, and power supply issues for long-duration operations. Especially in tunnels several kilometers long, conventional winch systems often struggle to meet the demands of continuous, stable, and high-precision cable deployment and retrieval.
Addressing these industry pain points, our company, leveraging years of technical expertise and in-depth collaboration with the Zhejiang University, has successfully developed a 10,000-meter level fiber optic winch system specifically designed for challenging inspection scenarios such as long-distance tunnels, municipal pipe networks, reservoirs, and water conveyance tunnels.
I. Self-Developed Core Technologies Solving Industry Challenges
This winch system employs fully self-developed intelligent control algorithms, integrated with top-tier hardware platforms from Siemens, Inovance, and others, achieving real-time high-precision control over cable tension, speed, and length. The system supports multiple control modes (local, remote, PC control) and features various industrial interfaces such as CANOpen and Ethernet/IP, enabling seamless integration with various ROV platforms and sensor systems.
Particularly noteworthy is the system’s built-in “black box” data recording and remote diagnostics function, which monitors key parameters like tension, current, and power in real time, providing early fault warnings and historical data review capabilities, significantly enhancing the reliability and transparency of inspection operations.
II. Leading Key Parameters, Adapted for Long-Tunnel Operations
| Parameter | Value |
| Rated Line Pull | 1st Layer: 0.4kN, Outer Layer: 0.2kN |
| Line Speed Range | 1st Layer: 0–71 m/min, Outer Layer: 0–137 m/min |
| Rope Capacity | 3mm diameter fiber optic, Length 10000 meters |
| Drive System | Electric (Siemens/ABB/Inovance optional) |
| Control Core | PLC + HMI Touch Screen, Self-Developed Control Algorithm |
| Protection Grade | IP56 |
| Corrosion Protection Grade | C5-M Marine Grade Anti-Corrosion |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to +65°C |
The system features zero-load cable deployment and retrieval capability, supporting rapid cable management under tension-free conditions, significantly reducing the risk of cable entanglement during ROV operations. Its modular design also allows for quick customization and delivery, adapting to various complex engineering environments.
III. Addressing ROV Operational Challenges with an Integrated Solution
Leveraging the research expertise of Zhejiang University’s Geotechnical Center in areas such as “Underground Engineering,” “Tunnel Engineering,” and “Intelligent Monitoring,” this system is particularly suited for:
- Long-Distance Positioning Assistance: Combining cable counting and intelligent algorithms to address positioning challenges in the absence of underwater GPS.
- Stable Communication in High-Interference Environments: Utilizing fiber optic transmission, resistant to electromagnetic interference, ensuring real-time data transmission.
- Operation in Highly Corrosive and Humid Environments: C5-M anti-corrosion rating and IP56 protection, suitable for harsh marine and tunnel environments.
- Multi-Mode Cooperative Control: Supporting advanced functions such as constant tension and AHC (Active Heave Compensation), enhancing ROV stability.
IV. Collaborative Innovation Driving Industry Technological Advancement
The Zhejiang University Center for Coastal and Urban Geotechnical Engineering possesses profound research foundations in fields like tunnel engineering, marine geotechnics, and intelligent monitoring, providing strong academic support for the technical validation and practical application of this project. Both parties are committed to translating research outcomes into practical engineering capabilities, promoting the development of China’s underwater infrastructure inspection technology towards intelligent, remote, and high-precision directions.
End
The 10,000-meter fiber optic winch is not merely a piece of equipment; it is core infrastructure for the future of underwater inspection systems. Its exceptional self-developed algorithms, reliable industrial design, robust environmental adaptability, and the technological ecosystem built in collaboration with our partners will provide safe, efficient, and economical inspection support for long tunnels, deep-water pipelines, underwater energy facilities, and more, both in China and globally.
If you have related project needs or technical inquiries, please feel free to contact us for more product information and technical solutions.
