Thursday, September 27, 2007

Background

Background Information

Underwater remotely operated vehicles are most commonly used to do what humans are unable to do underwater. They are unoccupied, highly maneuverable, and are controlled by someone aboard a surface vessel. They are attached to the vessel by a tether and are commonly equipped with two cameras, robotic arms, and lights to gather information (Remotely Operated Vehicle).

Underwater ROVs can range in size from that of a bread box to the size of a small truck. Smaller ROVs such as micro and mini (aka eyeball) are used as diver alternatives. They are given the name eyeball to differentiate them from other ROVs that would be able to perform intervention tasks. General ROVs typically have less than 5 horsepower of propulsion and generally have one three fingered hand to accomplish small tasks. They usually don’t go deeper than 1000m (Remotely Operated Vehicle).

Light workclass and high workclass ROVs are each able to carry some manipulators. They cannot work below 2000m and 3500m. the last class of ROVs is the Trenching/Burial. They have more than 200 horsepower of propulsion and have the ability to carry a cable laying sled and work at depths up to 6000m (Remotely Operated Vehicle) .

Although there are different classifications for underwater ROVs all are made for different purposes. Some ROVs are kept aboard the ship to be used in emergency. For instance if the ship becomes entangled or otherwise incapacitated the ROV can be sent to investigate so the crew knows how to react. Another use for ROVs is science objectives and support exploration. When the water is too dangerous for a submersible or for divers the ROV can be sent to explore and collect data. It can also be used to confirm that a dive site is safe before a sub is deployed, limiting risk to the expensive subs and their pilots (Remotely Operated Vehicle).

In all no matter what classification an underwater ROV is they are designed to perform specific tasks that the creator wants it to do, from investigating dive sites before more complex and expensive submersibles are deployed or to collect small amounts of data from a specific area (Remotely Operated Vehicle).

There are many different types of remote controls, including radio, ultrasonic, laser, mechanical, and infrared controls. When controlling vehicles like cars, boats and planes, radio controls are most often used. Ultrasonic control is used in telephone answering machines and in some television sets. Guided weapons such as bombs and missiles generally use laser control. Mechanical control is used in handling radioactive materials and Infrared control uses a photodetector in most televisions, VCR's, stereos, and car audio systems.


Testing



Expectations

This controller must operate all of the motors and open and close the arm. It must be comfortable for my team to use. It must be tested in the Monmouth University pool no later than two weeks before the MATEs competition in Falmouth, MA.

Procedures

  1. Check to make sure each function of the ROV works out of water in the Tech Lab (Left motor, Right motor, Vertical motor, Open/close of arm)
  2. Put ROV into water and make sure all functions work, make sure nothing is short circutted (Tech Lab)
  3. Go to Monmouth University Pool and do all out of water tests again (Left motor, Right motor, Vertical motor, Open/close of arm)
  4. Put ROV into pool
  5. Move ROV around pool
  6. Perform tasks set by MATEs competition
  7. Take notes on how the controller preforms, how it feels, and how easy it is to understand and use. Comment on ways it did not meet expectations and how to fix these problems.
  8. Make sure each teammate and the three team members from the other team test controller.

Limitations

Limitations
  • The maximum surface power cannot be over 13 volts, 25 amps
  • There will be a maximum of 3 monitors/display screens
  • There can be no onboard power with the exception of the lights

Specifications

Specifications
  • Must be able to operate in all weather conditions
  • Must be able to operate all the functions of the underwater ROV
  • Must be easy to set up
  • Must be easy to use
  • Must be comfortable for the user
  • Must operate on DC voltage
  • The tether must be the appropriate length for the distance the ROV will be traveling (so it is not too short or too long)
  • Must pass safetly check before being able to operate

Design Brief

Design and create a control system to operate all the functions of an underwater ROV to be used by my team in the MATEs competition.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Calender MP1



































September


Monday


Tuesday


Wednesday


Thursday


Friday




























20


Put calendar onto blog


21


Put all summer work onto blog


Update blog


24


Do more research for brainstorming (type of control, size, shape)


25


Work on isometric drawings for alternate solutions


Update blog


26


Finish isometric drawings and start working on 3d drawings


27


Finish 3d drawings



28


Make sure everything for presentation is finished


Update blog











































October


Monday


Tuesday


Wednesday


Thursday


Friday


1


Make outline for presentation


2


Practice presentation make sure it’s between 4 and a half and 5 minutes


Update blog


3


presentations


4


presentations


5


presentations


8


Begin working on selection rejection report


9


Pros/cons of first solution


Update blog


10


Pros/cons of second solution


11


Pros/cons of third solution


12


Finalize selection rejection report


Update blog


15


Get materials for model


16


Work on model in tech lab


Update blog


17


Work on model in tech lab


18


Work on model in tech lab


19


Work on mode in tech lab


Update blog


22


Work on model in CAD


23


Work on Model in CAD


Update blog


24


Work on model in CAD



25


Work on model in CAD


26


Finish model


Update blog


29


Make outline for formal presentation


30


Put all material onto blog



31


Practice presentation











































November


Monday


Tuesday


Wednesday


Thursday


Friday








1


presentations


2


presentations


5


presentations


6


Start working on calendar for MP2


7


Finish calendar for MP2


8


Start the developmental work


9


Continue working on developmental work


Update blog


12


Keep working on developmental work


13


Update blog