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Remotely Operated Vehicle(s)

H6000 ROV

Luʻukai H6000 ROV

SOEST's new 6000 meter-capable remotely operated vehicle (ROV), Luʻukai (Hawaiian for "sea diver"), was designed and constructed by Deep Ocean Exploration and Research(DOER). The Luʻukai will allow investigators to access the seabed of the majority of the Pacific Ocean and is the only vehicle currently operational in the existing fleet of UH manned, remotely operated, and autonomous underwater vehicles. Designed for maximum maneuverability and mission flexibility, the she has the ability to collect specimens; characterize substrates; capture video and still images of activities and surveys; monitor water column properties; install, connect and test seafloor equipment; and perform other specialized tasks. For more information about the Luʻukai, contact the UH Marine Center.

General Data

  • Size: 78.5" L x 55" W x 58: H (including skids)
  • Weight: not to exceed 3000 lbs (1360 kg)
  • Payload: 150 lbs (68 kg) minimum Depth Rating: 6000 m
  • Hydraulics: 2800 psi @ 12.5 GPM
  • Power: 25 shaft hp; 7 thrusters total (4 horizontal, 3 vertical) - 175 lb thrust each
  • Lights: 4 LED lights, 2 dimmable
  • Two manipulator arms: Schilling Orion 7P and Sea Mantis 5 function proportional
  • Falmouth Scientific MicroCTD (conductivity, temperature, depth)
  • Novatech xenon strobe locating beacon
  • Collision avoidance sonar
  • 5 mW red lasers (housing allows exchange for lasers of different color or power)
  • Fixed focus video cameras: Deepsea Power and Light Nano cameras and Multi Seacams (number TBD)
  • Zoom video cameras:
    • 1 Insite Pacific mini Zeus High Definition (HD) camera
    • 1 Standard Definition (SD) camera TBD
  • Science manifold providing spare bulkhead connections with power and communication links

Construction

  • Deep Ocean Exploration and Research (DOER), Alameda, CA

Equipment

  • High Definition (HD) video camera: 1 Insite Pacific mini Zeus on pan and tilt mount with zoom and focus control.
  • Falmouth Scientific MicroCTD (conductivity, temperature, depth) Science manifold providing spare bulkhead connections with power & communication links
    • 12, 24 and 48 VDC, up to 150 W each.
    • Two serial channels (RS-232 and RS-485) and one Ethernet (1 GB/s)
    • One spare fiber channel for custom applications
  • Closing specimen basket
  • 5 mW red lasers aligned with 15 cm separation. Housing allows exchange for lasers of different color or power.

Support Equipment

  • Control van: 20 ft; with graphical user interface-based control system: controls all ROV functions, provides pilot with system status on vehicle components, and allows for user-determined visual and audible alarm thresholds. Accommodates 3 ROV operators and several scientific observers.
  • Workshop van: 20 ft; for vehicle maintenance and spare supplies; power distribution unit; space for ROV shipping
  • Umbilical: Standard UNOLS 0.681 electro-fiber-mechanical cable transmits power, and provides data and communications links with vehicle
  • Neutrally-buoyant tether: Tether Management System (TMS) with capstan and slip ring winch drum for managing tether. TMS is deployed via the umbilical and is equipped with altimeter, compass, cameras, lights and USBL responder link. TMS is fitted with 110m of tether and can accommodate up to 200m.
  • Telemetry: 1 GB Ethernet; vehicle telemetry and HD video will be transmitted via a single fiber (this can support a variety of sensors including new-generation imaging multi-beams sonar). Spare fiber available for custom applications.
  • Underwater navigation: Sonardyne Ranger 2 ultrashort baseline (USBL) navigation system to 6000m; TrackLink 5000 USBL available for shallower operations.
  • Capable of being deployed from UH research vessels R/V KM and R/V KOK

RCV-150 ROV

The RCV-150 ROV was a remotely operated robotic submersible that was operated by HURL between 1998 and 2011. It was piloted from a shipboard station, receiving power and commands from the surface control console via a steel armored electro-mechanical fiber optical cable. The vehicle could operate to depths of 914 meters (3000 ft). It was equipped with two color video cameras with lights and a CTD which sent data directly up the wire. RCV-150 was primarily used as a video survey tool that could acquire extremely close-up views because of its small size and maneuverability.

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