Adapting a casting winch for a non-stop wave propelled USV
Lead Participant:
AUTONAUT LIMITED
Abstract
This project is to adapt and develop a COTS casting winch to operate to 100m deep from the wave propelled AutoNaut uncrewed surface vessel (USV). Because the USV does not stop, and operates in the most extreme environments, this presents a special innovation challenge to achieve 100m plus, with 100% reliability.
The USV has proven ability to operate offshore for over 115 days and 4,000 nautical miles in all weather and without a supporting mothership. As such it is an ideal zero carbon platform for observing UK offshore and deep ocean biodiversity.
This is particularly relevant as floating offshore wind power (FLOW) is developed further offshore.
The winch will extend the horizon of USV observation. If successful, the innovation also presents a significant global market opportunity in science, as well as defence, Oil and Gas, FLOW and other commercial applications.
Winch sensor applications include CTD, camera deployment, profiling of currents, water quality, sound velocity, and also passive acoustic monitoring (PAM).
AutoNauts present special challenges for winch use. They do not stop because the wave propulsion is continuous, and for the same reason it surges. Until now no commercially available winch has been suitable for mounting in this 5m vessel.
We have now identified that the OSIL 'Micro Profiling Winch' should be suitable, with adaptations specific to the above challenges.
This proposal is to:
1.Fit and integrate the OSIL winch into a 5m AutoNaut
2.To design and build a deployment housing for sensors.
3.To design and fit a suitable emergency line-cutter.
4.To dry test the winch deployment.
5.To sea trial and prove the winch, sensor, and blue tooth data transfer. The sea trial area requires more than 100m depth. Therefore, for economy and practicality it is proposed to conduct the sea trial in Loch Ness, which offers a short distance to reach 100m+ depths, and the opportunity to make immediate adjustments.
The USV has proven ability to operate offshore for over 115 days and 4,000 nautical miles in all weather and without a supporting mothership. As such it is an ideal zero carbon platform for observing UK offshore and deep ocean biodiversity.
This is particularly relevant as floating offshore wind power (FLOW) is developed further offshore.
The winch will extend the horizon of USV observation. If successful, the innovation also presents a significant global market opportunity in science, as well as defence, Oil and Gas, FLOW and other commercial applications.
Winch sensor applications include CTD, camera deployment, profiling of currents, water quality, sound velocity, and also passive acoustic monitoring (PAM).
AutoNauts present special challenges for winch use. They do not stop because the wave propulsion is continuous, and for the same reason it surges. Until now no commercially available winch has been suitable for mounting in this 5m vessel.
We have now identified that the OSIL 'Micro Profiling Winch' should be suitable, with adaptations specific to the above challenges.
This proposal is to:
1.Fit and integrate the OSIL winch into a 5m AutoNaut
2.To design and build a deployment housing for sensors.
3.To design and fit a suitable emergency line-cutter.
4.To dry test the winch deployment.
5.To sea trial and prove the winch, sensor, and blue tooth data transfer. The sea trial area requires more than 100m depth. Therefore, for economy and practicality it is proposed to conduct the sea trial in Loch Ness, which offers a short distance to reach 100m+ depths, and the opportunity to make immediate adjustments.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| AUTONAUT LIMITED | £61,705 | £ 43,194 |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Mike Poole (Project Manager) |