Small ROV goes 1,000m deep

April 21st, 2006 by admin in ROV, AUV, UUV and NEWS

For deep water work, inshore, offshore and down tunnels, where a small, portable, yet powerful ROV is needed, Seaeye has launched its 1,000m-rated Falcon DR.

This new addition to the Falcon range comes with built in fibre optics, giving high volume data transmission over a long umbilical, and the ability to use broadcast quality video cameras.

Tilting variable intensity lights are linked to a new camera tilt mechanism for superior illumination when filming above or below the vehicle.

The introduction of the new Falcon DR follows the worldwide success of the innovative Falcon concept. The design has proved itself in a range of operational conditions where it is essential to use an extremely compact and highly manoeuvrable vehicle that can be fitted with a variety of tooling options.

The new deep-rated Falcon DR incorporates a number of rolling developments in the Falcon range. These include improved tolerances to the gearboxes of the five independent thrusters for smoother running and a longer life. These powerful brushless thrusters, each with velocity feedback, are designed to give precise and rapid control for finger-tip maneuverability.

Also newly introduced is a lightweight surface control unit that is almost half the size of the earlier units and is much lighter. It comes with a fold out 17 inch flat screen and keyboard. The unit operates through a universal single phase, self-selecting AC input of 100 to 270 volts at 2.8 kW. And for hostile conditions an optional IP68 waterproof surface control unit is also available.

Like the rest of the Falcon range the new Falcon DR model, with its open polypropylene frame, allows standard accessories such as cameras, sonars and manipulators to be easily bolted-on. Additional custom tooling kits can be added, when needed, by fitting an under-slung module.

Such operational flexibility is made easy because each controllable device, such as thrusters and camera tilt mechanism, contains its own microprocessor. Control comes through a distributed intelligence system that allows 128 devices to be connected together on a single RS 485 serial network.

source: Seaeye