Executive Summary of Research

In recent years at MAST, many groups have attempted to build ROVs of their own. A previous years group used Arduino connected to PlayStation to control their ROV. This program works great for projects like this because you can control Arduino to do certain task. Another group also installed ballast tanks in the frame of the ROV so the PVC can fill with water and submerge. As well as the tanks, the group used a mechanical arm to operate the ROV’S tasks underwater.

Just as the previous year has done, we will be using PVC pipe for the main body of our ROV. Unlike their ballast system which mimics that of a traditional submarine, my group will be doing our best to make the submarine neutrally buoyant to the point where the ROV freely moves up and down in the water. Besides that, we will also be using typical propellers to move the ROV in all six ways. A mechanical claw will pick up the objects dispersed around the bottom the pool. Finally, a PlayStation controller will connect to all of the motors where a button on the controller will correspond to a certain motor, either rotating clockwise or counterclockwise. The main goal of our ROV challenge is to retrieve multiple blocks on the bottom of the pool while navigating small obstacles as well. This can all be easily accomplished with the right team and design.

Testing Procedures

Assembling the ROV
Testing Type: Assessment
Testing Stage: Preliminary
State of Solution: In construction
Condition of Testing: On dry land
Tools and Equipment: Claw, ROV hull, electrical components
1. Meat with team
2. Ensure each members' parts' locations meet the design requirements
3. Ensure each members' parts meet the parts' designs specifications and
limitations

To Test PlayStation Controller

Testing Type: Exploratory

Testing Stage: Preliminary
State of Solution: Stationary
Condition of Testing Stage: On dry land
Tools and Equipment: Completed controller, ROV, wire
1. Toggle all buttons interfaced with ROV
2. Ensure each button activates correct part of ROV
3. Identify and address all noted issues

To Test Camera Connection

Testing Type: Assessment

Testing Stage: Preliminary
State of Solution: Stationary
Condition of Testing Stage: On dry land
Tools and Equipment: Camera, LED screen, Ethernet cable
1. Turn camera on
2. Ensure camera image live feeds to LED screen
3. Identify and address all noted issues


To Test Claw

Testing Type: Assessment
Testing Stage: Preliminary
State of Solution: Stationary
Condition of Testing Stage: On dry land
Tools and Equipment: ROV claw, controller, ROV
1. Toggle button that activates claw
2. Ensure the button activates claw according to the claw's specifications and limitations
3. Identify and address all noted issues

To Test Waterproofed Tether
Testing Type: Validation
Testing Stage: Secondary
State of Solution: Submerged underwater
Condition of Testing Stage: Underwater
Tools and Equipment: Ohm meter, waterproofed tether cable, water
1. Use ohm meter to find initial resistance of cable
2. Submerge cable in water
3. Take cable out of water
4. Use ohm meter again to test new resistance of wet cable
5. Ensure that the second test results did not decrease from first test results

Specs and Limits

Specs and Limits

The solution must be able to operate all components requiring power
     Limitations:
     The solution is limited to a 12 Volt Power Source
     The solution is limited to 4 thrusters

The solution must be able to attach to the hull
     Limitations:
     The solution is limited to the size of the hull
The solution must be in an organized layout
The solution must be water proof
The solution must be able to be operated from the surface
     Limitations:
     The solution is limited to one controller

Design Briefs

Design Briefs

Group

To design and integrate a system of components to interface and operate propulsion or any such device to control the six degrees of movement for an underwater ROV to be used in the lab during testing and in a pool during a timed event. 

Individual

To design and create a system of components to power an electrical system for an underwater ROV in a lab or pool during a timed event.

Background Information

Background Information

The oceans are very deep, dark and hard to explore. This underwater world makes it very hard for people to explore. Many challenges limit the growth of exploration and retrieval in the deep seas. With the help of ROVs, many more doors become open to push the limits of the ocean. The task at hand is to simulate a wreck where certain objects need to be recovered and brought to the surface. The ROV we will design will simulate those challenges.

        

Figure 1: Fibre-optics in rovs       Figure 2: People can only go so far below the surface

Figure 3: Pressure Chart  Figure 4: Shipwreck

Figure 5: Rov Kit

A large variety of people use ROVs for very different reasons. Scientists, engineers, historians are among the crew required for investigating a wreck. Each person has a unique role just as the ROV has many different operable parts. For us, we will need a camera, light, propulsion and a claw. Thats why there is a crew of people operating these machines.

Figure 6: Rov using camera              Figure 7: NOAA logo    Figure 8: ROV lowering into water

Figure 9: ROV control room      Figure 10: ROV arm to grab objects

In the depths of the ocean, 96.5 percent of our planets marine life is held. As well as that, many unexplored trenches and caves and reefs have yet to be explored. ROVs lead the way into the ocean and inspire a new breed of scientists. No human will ever be able to reach the depth of an ROV.

Figure 11: ROV research Figure 12: Deep water exploration

Figure 13: Titanic Exploration        Figure 14: Shipwreck exploration

Figure 15: Deep water exploration

The design process is very important to building an ROV. Individual roles are necessary to speeding things up and keeping them organized. There is an person on each to dedicated to the electrical, the mechanical and the propulsion. This keeps all work steady and easy to follow.

Figure 16: ROV arm Figure 17: ROV camera

Figure 18: ROV propulsion    Figure 19: ROV body

Figure 20: ROV light

Summer Work