Observatory Modules

Batteries | Camera Module | Oceanographic Module | Acoustic Module | Sediment trap Module

Batteries

All modules require battery packs to provide enough power for 6 month deployment. We are using Li-Ion battery chemistry in a multiple pack solution offered by Ocean-Server Inc. using inspired energy cells.

DELOS Battery pack specification

• 14.4v, 1520 watt-hour (105 amp-hour)
• Peak current output capability 53 amps
• Constant current output capability 44 amps
• Shelf life 3.4 years (15% of capacity lost in 6 months)
• Operating temperature
  • Discharge -10^oC to +50^oC
  • Charge 0^oC to +45^oC

Battery packs have been packaged so that multiple packs can be connected to increase capacity:

Left: Battery pack in its housing, Right: The battery pack

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Camera Module

(Click the image to enlarge)

Close view and wide view camera system are controlled by an Oceanlab controller. Pictures are scheduled at intervals specified in the program loaded into the controller prior to deployment.

• Identical camera systems for close and wide view applications
  • Kongsberg oe14-208 digital stills camera, oe11-242 flash
  • 5.1 Mpixcel; 4 Gbyte storage
  • Pictures possible every 1 to 3 hours (6 month deployment) depending on image quality and image content (compression)
  • Controlled by in-house controller, can bias pictures to periods of interest

Left: Close view Camera (one flash), Right: Wide view Camera (three flashes)

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Oceanographic Module

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A suite of standard oceanographic instruments used to record local environmental parameters as a background for the remaining experiments on the platform. Each instrument is controlled by a central Oceanlab controller that takes readings against a pre programmed schedule.

• Teledyne RDI 300kHz ADCP
  • Current profiles of water column above the DELOS platform
  • Long range mode
    • Range 165m
    • Depth cell size 8m
  • 2 Gbyte data storage
• Wet labs C star Transmissometer
  • Measures total particle load in water column (includes organic matter/ sand/ sediment etc.)
    • Wavelength 660nm
    • Pathlength 25cm
    • Range 0 to 100%
    • Resolution 0.03%
    • Accuracy temperature dependent 0.02% / deg C
• Wet labs combination fluorometer and turbidity sensor (ECO FLNTU)
  • Measures the organic matter content of the particle load identified by the transmissometer
  • Turbidity
    • Wavelength 700nm
    • Sensitivity 0.01 NTU
    • Range 0 - 25 NTU
  • Flouresence
    • Wavelength 470nm (Excitation) 685nm (emission)
    • Sensitivity 0.02 ug/l
    • Range 0.02 to 60 ug/l
• Aanderra current meter 3820R
  • Velocity
    • Range 0 to 300 cm/s
    • Resolution 0.03 cm/s
    • Accuracy +/- 0.15 cm/s
  • Direction
    • Range 0 to 360^o
    • Resolution 0.35^o
    • Accuracy +/- 5o
  • Measurement range 0.4 to 2.2m
  • Acoustic frequency 2MHz
• Aanderaa Pressure Sensor 4017E
  • Range 0 to 4000m (40Mpa)
  • Resolution +/-0.02% of full scale (0.8m)
  • Accuracy +/-0.04% of full scale (1.6m)
  • RS232 output
• Aanderaa Conductivity Sensor 3919
  • Conductivity for calculation of seawater salinity
    • Range 0 to 75 mS/cm
    • Resolution 0.002 mS/cm
    • Accuracy +/- 0.05 mS/cm
• Aanderaa Oxygen Sensor 3975
  • Oxygen
    • Range 0 to 500umol/l (0 to 120%)
    • Resolution < 1umol/l (0.4%)
    • Accuracy < 8umol/l (<5%)
  • Temperature
    • Range 0^oC to 36^oC
    • Resolution 0.01^oC
    • Accuracy 0.1^oC

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Acoustic Module

(Click the image to enlarge)

A passive and active sonar system controlled from a central Oceanlab controller to schedule module activity at pre-programmed intervals.

(Click the image to enlarge)

• Passive acoustic
  • Sensor Technology hydrophone SQ42
  • Sound Devices 722 digital recorder
  • 1 Hz to 96kHz bandwidth
  • 192 dB dynamic range
  • Recording duration
    • 96kHz BW (32 bit) 100h cont.
    • 48kHz BW (32 bit) 200h cont.
    • 24kHz BW (32 bit) 400h cont.
    • 24kHz BW (16 bit) 600h cont.
    • etc...
    • Hard drive limited...
  • Oceanlab controller schedule recording interval and period as required

(Click the image to enlarge)

• Active acoustic
  • Kongsberg High Resolution mechanically scanned sonar head
    • Frequency 675kHz
    • Range 100m (150m optimum)
    • Resolution >= 19mm
    • Scan increment 0.225o
  • Controlled by Oceanlab controller utilising Kontron JREX single board PC, 300Gbyte hard drive

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Sediment Trap Module

A Sediment trap and winch system controlled by an Oceanlab controller to raise the sediment trap 100 metres above the sea floor to gain unbiased samples. The winch can be actuated either under pre-programmed control, acoustic command from a surface vessel, ROV operated push buttons, or an ROV T bar system that overrides all control systems in the case of a system failure.

(Click the image to enlarge)

• McLane Parflux 78H-21 Sediment trap
  • 21 sample bottles
  • 250ml and 500ml bottles available
  • Programmable sample duration

• InterOcean VPS winch
  • With manual winch update
  • 3000m depth rated

• Sonardyne 7970 SSM with acoustic actuation
  • Location beacon
  • Acoustic code enables winch to operate

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