THE ROV CHALLENGE

What is an ROV?ROV =

RemotelyOperatedVehicle

Unoccupied, remote controlled submersible vehicle

Used in deep and shallow underwater applications

What parts does an ROV have?Body/ChassisUmbilical

Carries power, control signals, video feeds, and data.

Arms/manipulatorsNavigation EquipmentSonarCamerasLightsSample Collection

systems

Umbilical

Control box

ROV

Battery

Our Arctic is Opening UpThe Arctic is facing major

challenges as the ice melts

More shipping and oil and gas exploration are happening

An oil spill in the arctic would be a huge disaster

Many plants and animals would be harmed

http://www.protect-the-arctic.com/

What is it like in the Arctic?RemoteDarkExtreme weatherShallow waterIce covered water

Ice can be unpredictable

Freezing conditions

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/2010/

http://www.polarfield.com/blog

http://www.arcticscience.org/whyStudy.php

Oil ExplorationDuring a recent exploratory oil drilling mission the Black Gold Oil Company

(BGOC) successfully located an offshore, ice-covered oil reserve and started

extracting.

Then…

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck and part of the pumping equipment separated under

the ice.

BGOC has contracted your company to build an ROV

1) Perform a scouting mission to search for

pools of oil trapped under the ice

2) Take a sample from a pool of oil under the ice

3) Return the sample to an analyzing station

4) Transport a piece of surface equipment

5) Respond to the open water spill in the

polynya and remove oil from the surface

MaterialsStructure- A variety of PVC joints and

lengths of pipe (3, 4, 6, & 12 inch).Zip Ties and Electrical Tape for attaching

motors, floats, and ballast. Motor Unit- Includes a control box,

umbilical cable, and 3 bilge pump motors.Shears for cutting floats, zip ties, and

tape. DO NOT cut your PVC Pipe!

Materials

The ChallengesTask 1 – Perform scouting mission to search

for pools of oil trapped under the ice.Drive ROV back and forth 20 feet out and back.

Task 2 – Take a sample from a pool of oil in the ice.Surface ROV inside a large floating ring and hold

position for 5 seconds.

Task 3 – Return sample and have it analyzed.Position ROV in front of an underwater square Hold position for 5 seconds

The ChallengesTask 4 – Transport floating equipment

Engage a beach ball floating in the poolReturn the beach ball to the side of the pool

Task 5 – Respond to a surface oil patch in a polynyaUse ROV to gather floating ping pong balls and return to

poolsideTask 6 – Deliver equipment to an underwater work

stationFly ROV back and forth through a large stationary

underwater ringPick up a small underwater ring.Deposit the small ring on a piece of anchored PVC pipe.

Challenge Diagram

OperationYou will be by the pool – you are not to go in

the pool!Keep batteries away from waterDo not drop control box in water The ROV Operator holds the control box

while the Tether Manager controls the tether.The Operator will pass the control box to the

Tether Manager when his/her turn is up. The next person in line becomes the Tether

Manager.

Teamwork PointsAll team members participate in design,

build, and break down ROV.All team members drive ROV during

challenge.Team members give each other positive

encouragement.Team members observe and obey all

safety rules.

Possible DemeritsTeam member bickers, argues, or acts with

disrespect.

Pool-side structural modification after challenges have begun.

Team pulls tether to move ROV.

Use of pool “seal” after challenges have begun.

StructureThink of what the ROV must do to

accomplish the tasks

Bigger ≠ Better

Distribute weight evenly

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2179/1519760291_a9bcb213a6.jpg?v=0

PurposeWhat are the specific tasks of the

challenge? Where in the water column does your

ROV need to operate (at the surface or down in the water?

What shapes/attachments/tools does your ROV need to accomplish the tasks?Collect and

retrieve objects floating at the

surface.

Collect a small ring and deposit

it on an arm.

‘Fly’ through large rings suspended

underwater.

Motor PlacementAttach motors with zip ties The propellers should not be able to hit a wall or

floorMotors must be underwater when the ROV is at

the surfaceUp/down motor is best placed as close to the

center of the ROV as possibleSide motors can be placed at front, middle or

back of ROV Test motors so you know which way they spin

before attaching them to the frame

Up/down motor is best placed as close to the center of the ROV as possible.

Side motors can be placed at front, middle or back of ROV.

Test motors so you know which way they spin before attaching them to the frame.

BuoyancyAttach floatation with zip tiesThe top of the ROV should float level just

at the surface Think of where your weight is

You want floatation over the weightBalance floatation so ROV doesn’t tilt

side to side or point up/downYou can attach ballast (additional weight)

if needed

ROV

Let’s Build an ROV!

Ballast

Float Float

Motors

Control Box

REMEMBER!DO NOT…

Share or modify parts of your kit.Go in the pool.Get batteries or control box wet.

DO…Show good sportsmanship.Learn something.Have fun!