Background Information

Remotely Operated Vehicles or ROVs are unmanned vehicles that operate and perform tasks underwater and are operated by a person above the surface. The operator and robot communicate through a series of electrical signals sent across power lines between the control box and the robot. Many ROVs can be affixed with a manipulator or a claw, a camera, and many other tools. ROVs come in all different sizes, from very small to so large they need an A frame to be launched into the water. One major benefit of the ROV is that it makes these diving operations much simpler and safer. ROVs take on missions that humans would never be able to take on because of limited oxygen and pressure at very deep depths. The ROV can also stay submerged for extended periods of time, unlike humans. The ROV also must be very maneuverable underwater in order to navigate obstacles and to complete its assigned task. The ROV needs to be able to move an object in its path, fix something underwater on an oil rig, or explore the ocean floor, therefore the ROV needs to be able to adapt to its situation to complete its task. The ROV can perform a wide range of tasks. Many are used by scientists for exploration of the ocean. ROVs are used by NOAA to aid their deep sea submarines in their missions. The ROV can help rescue an incapacitated sub, investigate dive sites before the sub is deployed, or take the place of the sub if there is inclement weather.



An ROV from the MATE competition in Hawaii

 

3-D model of an ocean floor ROV



A shot of NOAA’s ROV Hercules



An ROV from the MATE 2009 Competition





The purpose of our ROV project is to design a vehicle that will compete in an ROV competition in the spring. The ROV will combine three different elements, the hull design, the electrical system, and the manipulator or the claw. The hull will house the other two systems, while providing equal buoyancy. The electrical system will power the ROV and the claw will manipulate the objects in the pool to complete our assigned tasks. If each element of the project is designed well the project will succeed.

            My element of the project is the manipulator or the claw. It will be a claw device that will clamp down on the object at the bottom of the pool in order to properly manipulate it, in order to complete our assigned task. The claw will need to be able to pick up and relocate objects around the pool at the least. The claw needs to be able to manipulate the pin and control box on HUGO. The claw also needs to take samples from various places in the pool, including a cave, a deep sea vent, and a bacterial mat.
            For the MATE competition the ROV needs to complete certain tasks. The four tasks are resurrecting HUGO, collecting samples from a cave, sampling a vent site, and sampling a bacterial mat. Each task has a specific set of requirements needed to be completed in order to receive full credit. The first task is resurrecting HUGO. First, the ROV must remove one pin to release the high-rate hydrophone. Then, using the claw the ROV must remove the HRH from the elevator. Next, using the hydrophone the team must identify the rumbling site. The ROV must then install the HRH in a .5 by .5 square in the rumbling area. The cap must then be removed from HUGO’s junction box, and the ROV must retrieve the HRH power cable from the holder. Lastly, the claw must insert the power connector into the port. This completes the first of four tasks. In the next task the ROV must collect samples within a dimly lit cave. The ROV must be able to enter the cave and maneuver to the back wall of the cave. Next, the ROV must collect 3 samples and maneuver out of the cave. Lastly, it must return the samples to the team on the surface. The next task is to sample a vent site on the bottom of the pool. The ROV must measure the temperature of the vent fluid at three different locations along the height of the vent chimney. Next, it must create a temperature versus height graph of the data. Lastly, the ROV must collect a sample of the vent spire and return to the surface. The final task is to sample a bacterial mat in the pool. The claw must collect a sample of the mat so that it is removed and no longer in contact with the seafloor. The ROV must then return to the surface with the sample.

            In conclusion, ROV’s are multi faceted tools that can be used in many different environments and complete many different tasks that may be difficult for humans. They are used commercially, for research, and in the military. Our goal is to design an ROV to compete in the MATE competition and be able to successfully complete all of the tasks assigned to it. My individual goal is to design a manipulator that is able to pick up, carry, and drop specific items around the area of the pool.