 |
| |
|
|
| Fact Sheet (pdf) | |
|
Datasheet (pdf) |
Overview of all vehicles (pdf) |
|
|
|
| Applications | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The standard Nn-Shuttle package comprises the underwater vehicle, alternator and servo control system. Typical Instrumentation The Nn-Shuttle supplied for the Benguela Current large Marine Ecosystem programme (see below) is fitted with a MINIpack CTG-F to measure conductivity, temperature, depth and fluorescence, as well as an Autonomous Plankton Sampler.
|
The Nn-Shuttle is a stable, very robust, versatile undulating towed vehicle for the deployment of a wide range of oceanographic monitoring equipment. Developed by Chelsea Technologies Group & the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK, Nn-Shuttle has been designed to meet the requirements for a low cost, large payload vehicle which retains the hydrodynamic performance of its sister vehicle, AQUAshuttle. Nn-Shuttle has a large, uncluttered cargo bay of some 100 litres capacity and can fly with an expansive suite of instruments for the measurement of parameters such as conductivity, temperature, depth, chlorophyll, hydrocarbon and Gelbstoff fluorescence, turbidity, optical transmittance, bioluminescence, nutrient, redox and dissolved oxygen. It also has capacity to carry a mechanical Plankton Sampler or an Optical Plankton Counter. Nn-Shuttle has been designed to accommodate the new generation of oceanographic sensors such as the Fast Repetition Rate Fluorimeter FASTtracka which gives oceanographers a unique insight into phytoplankton health. Nn-Shuttle is constructed from a robust stainless steel frame to which are attached Polyethylene panels that are readily replaceable in the field in the event of damage. The top and bottom of the cargo bay are protected by strong metal plates, into which apertures can be cut to suit sensor requirements. The on-board alternator also powers a sophisticated PID (Proportional, integral, Differential) controller, which offers very tight control of the flight profile, such that - when programmed for level flight - the vehicle depth can be maintained within a few centimeters in reasonable conditions. Flight Control Software is supplied with each vehicle, together with appropriate documentation. Optionally, the CTG pitch and roll sensor, and/or an altimeter can be used to provide altitude and bottom proximity information. The
stand-alone capability, ease of handling, high data rate and versatility
of sensor & sampling packages make this a cost effective and
productive platform for large scale data collection.
|
|
Nn-Shuttle Body |
|||
|
Length (body): |
1.31m |
Weight (including Servo Control, In Air |
72kg |
|
Height: |
0.58m |
excluding instrumentation: In Water |
45kg |
|
Width: (ex. sponsons) |
0.50m |
|
|
|
Operating Profile |
|
|
Control: |
Self-contained processor control of elevator servo from pre-programmed profile or real-time communications |
|
Depth Range: |
0 to 80m unfaired (0 to >150m faired) typically |
|
Towing Speed: |
5 to 15 knots |
|
Drive / Climb Speed: |
up to 2 m/s |
|
Engineering Details |
|
|
Flight Programme: |
Input from computer via RS422 link |
|
Elevator servo: |
Digital control with depth sensor |
|
Power: |
Impeller driven alternator powering digital servo above 5 knots |
|
Material: |
Welded stainless steel frame onto which Polyethylene panels are fixed, Stainless steel frame & towing yoke |
|
Support Systems |
|
|
Winch: |
Dedicated winch with slip ring assembly only required when used in real time mode with power/data communication to surface deck unit. When towing on a bare cable, a standard ships capstan may be used. |
|
Cable: |
Rochester 7-H-314A or equivalent for real-time deployments |
|
Fairing: |
Indal Flexnose(R) fairing is used for increased depth and undulation range performance |
|
Typical Instrumentation Payload |
|
|
Combination of: |
CTD, Fluorimeter, Transmissometer, Nephelometer, Bioluminescence, Irradiance meter, Optical plankton recorder, Plankton Sampler, Nitrate/Nitrate sensor, and SeaWifs bands sensors |
|
|
|
All instruments & support systems can be supplied by
Chelsea Technologies
Group. |
|
|
