Sonardyne Deployment Machines – Vessel (USBL, MODEM, DIVER DETECTION)

Description

The deployment pole design and installation has a direct effect on the performance of the USBL system. They incorporate various design features to mitigate against pole vibration. The deployment pole must be as rigid as possible to tie the transceiver into the vessel frame ensuring the measured pitch, roll and heading are valid at the transceiver face. Failure to successfully tie the transceiver into the vessel frame will reduce the USBL system performance. The rigid pole design allows the deployment of a wide range of third party sensors.

We offer a variety of deployment methods to suit all vessel requirements. These consist of:

Through hull deployment machine
Over the side deployment pole
Through tube deployment pole

All deployment machine and poles are supplied with installation kits to allow any Sonardyne transceiver or Sentinel head to be mounted

Through Hull

Our through hull deployment machine has been designed specifically but not exclusively for the deployment of our range of USBL transceivers and Sentinel Diver Detection Sonar devices.

The standard deployment machine has been designed to provide survey grade rigidity for use with USBL systems up to 7¹ knots with the ability to survive short duration exposure to higher speeds. For heavy duty installation where the pole is longer than 3 m or where operational water currents may reach 10 knots^{1, 2}, the pole must be installed using Sonardyne’s heavy duty installation requirements. For specialist or demanding applications, machines of this general type can be custom engineered to suit customer specific requirements.

The Through-Hull Deployment Machine consists of an electronically controlled but hydraulically operated pole running through a sealed bearing section. A service section (or sea chest) is provided with inspection door to allow fitting and servicing access to the USBL transceiver or Sentinel devices.

The Through-Hull Deployment Machine has been designed to fit on to DN300, DN350 and DN500 gate valves however other gate valves are also supported. Hydraulic control of the gate valve is provided as an option.

Sonardyne can give detailed application advice on positioning, installing and commissioning the machine.

The machine can be controlled from a main control panel or locally at the machine. A bridge control is also available as an option.

The hydraulic power pack and main control can be mounted remotely if the machine is to be configured for Zone 1 Ex rated classification.

The standard form of machine can be simply configured to the meet individual vessel requirements by changing the height of the machine and providing adaptor flanges for different size or specification gate valves.

For specialist or demanding applications, machines of this general type can be engineered to suit customer specific requirements.

Our Lodestar Gyro-Compass and Motion Sensor can easily be mounted in the pole for Optimised USBL and DPINS applications ensuring mechanical coupling between the Transceiver and the Lodestar.

¹ Total through water speed.
² Sonardyne to be consulted for any application with an operational through water speed greater than 7 knots.

Over The Side

Our modular over-the-side deployment system has been designed specifically but not exclusively for the deployment of our range of USBL transceivers. It is primarily for vessels where through-hull deployment options are not available or practical or where a temporary installation is required on a vessel of opportunity. The over-the-side deployment system provides survey grade rigidity without the high cost of dry docking and fitting a gate valve.

The system has been designed to work at operational speeds of up to five knots without degrading USBL positioning performance and to have a survival speed of up to ten knots.

Based on a pivoting sectional pole, the system can be supplied with either a hull or deck mount for the pivot, depending on the vessel arrangement. A brace / lock assembly positioned near the water line and 3 or 4 pole sections bolted together to form the arm such that the transceiver on the end of the arm is positioned below the hull by at least 1.5 m. The lower portions of the sectional pole are faired to mitigate against vortex induced vibration which can reduce performance.

The system is not limited to deploying USBL transceivers. A range of adapters for the end of the pole offer a high degree of flexibility in the type of equipment that can be attached and deployed.

Through Tube

Our Through-Hull Transceiver Deployment Machine consists of a hydraulically operated pole, a sealed bearing section and a sea chest service section, with inspection door. The whole machine sits on a gate valve which in turn is mounted on the flange of a through hull penetration pipe.

The ideal deployed length is dependant on each particular application, but in general terms it is best to minimise the deployed pole length to achieve a specified acoustic performance. Typically, a length of between one and three metres below the hull has been found to be acceptable. The pole is very rugged and is designed to be highly resistant to vibration caused by vortex shedding. Operational speeds of up to 10 knots through the water may be achieved safely (1) with the ability to survive short duration exposure to higher speeds.

We provide detailed application advice on positioning, installing and commissioning the machine. The sea chest, when the gate valve is closed, provides easy access to the retracted Transducer for service and inspection purposes. The gate valve also allows the machine to be removed without dry docking. An optional hydraulic drive for the valve is available.

The machine can be controlled from a main control panel or locally at the machine. A bridge control is also available as an option.

The hydraulic power pack and main control can be mounted remotely if the machine is to be configured for Zone 1 classification. The standard form of machine can be simply configured to the meet individual vessel requirements by changing the height of the machine and providing adaptor flanges for different size or specification gate valves.

For specialist or demanding applications, machines of this general type can be engineered to suit customer specific requirements.