Click to view a short film produced by Marine BizTV  of Nu-Shuttle being deployed from RV Callista 

Product Description

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Features

	Proven open ocean capability & reliability
	Clean lines, all sensor inboard
	An extremely rugged stainless steel/polyethylene construction
	Highly stable, light weight & robust
	Generates its own power for vehicle control
	Large payload capability
	Pre-programmable or real time control
	Fast data acquisition (logged or real-time)
	Wide tow speed range (5-15 knots)
	Undulation depth range from 0 to 150m
	Low cost

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. 

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Performance Nn-Shuttle can be towed from research vessels and ships of opportunity at speeds of 5 to 15 knots, to operational depths of 150m. It can be launched and recovered while the vessel is underway, by a non-scientific crew with minimal training.

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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, AQUA^shuttle.

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 FAST^tracka 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.

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Specification

 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

 Photographs courtesy of Mepeco, Italy 

Chelsea Technologies Group Ltd
55 Central Avenue, West Molesey,
Surrey, KT8 2QZ, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)20 8481 9000    Fax: +44 (0)20 8941 9319
Email: sales@chelsea.co.uk

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