APPENDIX XIII
New Equipment Used, Tried or Evaluated ALVIN - 1995
- ABE
- Rock Drill
- NAVOCEANO Gravimeter
- Pan/Tilt Mechanism
- HBOI 10mw micro lasers
- DSP&L Thallium Iodide light for HMI ballast
- TriTech sonar
- Imagenex sonar
- New Moog motor controllers
- Cameras
- DSP&L small 1-chip color
- DSP&L small ICCD
- WHOI HiDef B/W
- WHOI Macro
- Benthos/Kodak ESC
Battery Power
- Bottom time comparisons
- ALVIN bottom time
- Bottom time variables
- Improvement efforts
A figure that shows the Cruise Averages
of Bottom Time is available from the UNOLS Office.
Comparison of On-Bottom Times for Different Deep Diving Submersibles
| ALVIN |
(1500 dive average 1985-1995) |
4 hr 47 min |
| |
(dives >1500 m,>2 hr) |
|
| NAUTILE |
(200 dive average 1994) |
4 hr 8 min |
| CYANA |
(200 dive average 1994) |
5 hr |
| SHINKAI-2000 |
(at 2000m 1994) |
4 hr |
| SHINKAI-6500 |
(at 6000m 1994) |
4 hr |
| |
(at 6500m 1994) |
3 hr 30 min |
| |
(at 3000m 1994) |
5 hr |
Comparison of Battery Characteristics & Cost Factors for
Deep-Diving Submersibles
| SPEC |
ALVIN |
NAUTILE |
SHINKAI 6500 |
| Type |
Pb acid |
Pb acid |
AgZn |
| Capacity |
37.4 kwh |
38.4 kwh |
86.4 kwh |
| |
(80%) |
(80%) |
(80%?) |
| Cost/set |
$7,800 |
$42,000 |
$2,630,000 |
| Dives/set |
200 |
200 |
75 |
| $/dive |
$39 |
$210 |
$35,000 |
| $/kwh |
$208 |
$1,141 |
$30,440 |
| Maint. Int. |
60 dives |
50 dives |
30 dives |
Variables Affecting Alvin Power and Bottom-Time
Long-Term Variables
- Power Characteristics of Battery Type
- Charging Equipment and Procedures
- Changing Configuration and Number of Power Consumptive Operational Equipment
and Science Equipment
Short-Term Variables
- Science Mission Objectives
- Lead-Observer Experience and Organization of Science Tasks
- Piloting Style (e.g. throttle usage, trim control, mission planning, manipulator
skill, fatigue,
- Dive Depth
- Type of Terrain
- Lights (observation and video photography)
- Sampling/Hydraulics Demand
- Battery Condition
- Service - Maintenance Procedures
Improvement Efforts
- Continue Monitoring Battery Market
- Continue to Optimize Charge Cycle
- Continue to Optimize Battery Maintenance
- Continue Pilot Efficiency Training
- Continue Electronic Monitoring Development
Increased payload possibilities
- New motor controllers
- Reduce battery weight
- Variable ballast monitoring
Imaging Proposal Status
Complete:
- Macintosh computer monitor, laser printer
- Long baseline nav upgrade investigation
- EXACT system evaluation on ALVIN
- Additional shipboard recorders, monitors, editing station
- New HMI, quartz iodide lights
- Scaling lasers
- Spare relay can electronics
Pending:
- Additional 1-chip color camera
- 3-chip color camera
- Pan/tilt mechanism - selected, order Dec 95
Motor Controllers
- Housings complete
- Testing new endcaps and connectors
