sporter
Apr 18, 2008, 04:42 PM
Thanks to help from folks in this forum, I fabricated a sampling platform for water quality sampling. The first generation barge can be seen here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=811362&highlight=sampling+barge
I have almost completed phase II. I gave the barge a wider stance and used some better pontoons.
Here is our little pitch: The MACOV II is almost complete and ready for wet-testing. Notice the SD900 sampler on-board. The original MACOV is currently in use, and collects monthly samples for the LA Sanitation District from the San Gabriel Estuary for low-level copper, EPA 1640, nanogram per liter detection levels.
The unmanned Mactec Oceanographic Vehicle (MACOV) is designed to collect mid-depth discrete grab samples remotely. The SD900 automated sampler allows a time delay before the 3700ml sample is collected. This delay is necessary to position the boat at the sampling location before filling the sampling jar. Additional equipment such as depth sensors, velocity probes, and water quality probes can be added on this working platform. Samples can be collected from areas where water is too shallow for manned boats or where conditions are too dangerous for manned vessels.
This device uses an electric brushless motor and speed control, making it “air powered” and produces over 2 pounds of thrust (3-4 knot max speed). There are no submerged props or rudders. So, nothing touches the water but the protocol cleaned intake sample tubing and the Teflon-coated ABS pontoons. The blue deck is coated in food-grade Silicone. These materials can be laboratory cleaned and blanked to prevent contaminating the water for ultra-low detection level water analysis. The sampler head and batteries are supported by aerospace grade carbon fiber panels and aircraft grade aluminum tubing, fastened with stainless steel hardware.
The total length is about 42” and the weight is about 30 pounds. Two HACH 12V gel-cells are the power supply. The boat is fully maneuverable (10ft turn radius) and remote controlled with a range of 800 yards. Sampling personnel stay safe and dry at shore while The MACOV does the dirty work.
Thanks again for the help.
Sean
I have almost completed phase II. I gave the barge a wider stance and used some better pontoons.
Here is our little pitch: The MACOV II is almost complete and ready for wet-testing. Notice the SD900 sampler on-board. The original MACOV is currently in use, and collects monthly samples for the LA Sanitation District from the San Gabriel Estuary for low-level copper, EPA 1640, nanogram per liter detection levels.
The unmanned Mactec Oceanographic Vehicle (MACOV) is designed to collect mid-depth discrete grab samples remotely. The SD900 automated sampler allows a time delay before the 3700ml sample is collected. This delay is necessary to position the boat at the sampling location before filling the sampling jar. Additional equipment such as depth sensors, velocity probes, and water quality probes can be added on this working platform. Samples can be collected from areas where water is too shallow for manned boats or where conditions are too dangerous for manned vessels.
This device uses an electric brushless motor and speed control, making it “air powered” and produces over 2 pounds of thrust (3-4 knot max speed). There are no submerged props or rudders. So, nothing touches the water but the protocol cleaned intake sample tubing and the Teflon-coated ABS pontoons. The blue deck is coated in food-grade Silicone. These materials can be laboratory cleaned and blanked to prevent contaminating the water for ultra-low detection level water analysis. The sampler head and batteries are supported by aerospace grade carbon fiber panels and aircraft grade aluminum tubing, fastened with stainless steel hardware.
The total length is about 42” and the weight is about 30 pounds. Two HACH 12V gel-cells are the power supply. The boat is fully maneuverable (10ft turn radius) and remote controlled with a range of 800 yards. Sampling personnel stay safe and dry at shore while The MACOV does the dirty work.
Thanks again for the help.
Sean