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Coast Guard Successfully Test's MicroWing Conversion
Kit For VideoRay® ROV's
Installing the Nova Ray® performance MicroWing
was easy and quick. It took the place of the existing VideoRay®
float. The vertical thruster propeller was exchanged with
a worm drive that operated the elevator on the back of the
Nova Ray® MicroWing. The MicroWing provided almost 2
lbs of buoyancy more than the VideoRay float so more lead
was needed to keep the ROV neutrally buoyant.
Our first test, we towed the VideoRay®
ROV with the Nova Ray® MicroWing in Lake Washington
to simulate a 3 to 4 knott current. The ROV was stable and
was able to be towed between 35ft (with 50ft of cable) and
95ft (with 230ft of cable). Under its own power it was able
to descend deeper. While being towed, the ROV was able to
travel up to 20 degrees off of the boats heading before
returning to the boats original heading. The ROV maintained
a smooth and stable ride.
Under its own power, the ROV with the Nova
Ray® MicroWing provided a smooth and stable video. It
was difficult to maintain a constant depth unless it was
moving forward. The vertical thruster propeller was removed
to operate the elevator. Therefore forward motion or a current
is needed to dive, rise or maintain depth. We then took
a road trip down to Portland Oregon to attempt a river trial
in the Willamette River where we conduct normal ROV operations
each year. Due to a high tide and lack of rain fall the
river was not running at a current fast enough to utilize
the MicroWing properly but we believe that had the current
been greater we feel the outcome would have given us tool
that would greatly enhance the operation.
The most effective use of the Nova Ray®
MicroWing would help in keeping the ROV steady in a boat
tow with a side-scanning sonar. This would allow for a good
survey platform that can go and investigate any abnormalities
without dropping any other gear in the water.
The ROV with the Nova Ray® MicroWing could
be used to inspect the bottom of a barge or boat in a current.
The ROV thrusters would have to be powerful enough to overtake
the current. Or if running with the current, the tether
could be repositioned to keep the ROV facing forward.
The Nova Ray® MicroWing could be modified
to allow the forward camera to pan up for better visibility.
Tests were conducted by Martin Fairall and
Jon Myers at the request of Marcus at VideoRay®.
Jon R. Myers
Martin Fairall
US Coast Guard
MSST 91101
1519 Alaskan Way So.
Seattle, WA. 98134
206-217-6974
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