Page 63: of Marine Technology Magazine (July 2012)

Saab Seaeye is a manufacturer of electric ROV systems, claiming a market share of about 60% of the offshore energy market. It is a major ROV resource for defense forces, ma- rine science and hydro engineering. Saab and Saab Seaeye is a leader in sensor systems, precision engagement systems, and remotely operated and autonomous underwater vehi- cles. When Saab transferred its underwater defense division to Saab Seaeye?s UK operations, it introduced to the energy and hydro industries unmanned vehicles in the form of hybrid AUV\ROVs. This follows a history of innovations pioneered by the company since it was founded in 1986. These include: The brushless DC thruster; Polypropylene chassis; Carbon  -ber electronics pod; Distributed intelligence; Modular control system; Dual fault-tolerant self-diagnostic redundancy; High frequency power distribution; Simpli ed man/machine inter- face; Control of TMS position using electric thrusters; and The intelligent control of nodes (iCON). The company is accred- ited to DNV ISO 9001 and is represented and supported in 28 countries around the world. More than 550 ROV systems have been sold since the company was formed. Many have been  t-ted with a range of standard and custom designed tooling that includes cameras, manipulators, sensors, cutters, tracking sys-tems, sonar, torque tools and water jetting. The company also designs and manufactures a range of ROV handling devices including Launch and Recover and Tether Management Sys- tems, together with custom-designed control cabins.The Tech The Tech Saab Seaeye has an ROV solution for virtually all subsea tasks with size, power and tasking options that range from the easily man-handled Falcon ROV, to the world?s fastest swim- ming ROV of its type, the Panther XT Plus, and the pioneer- ing work-class Jaguar, rated to 3000m. Recent breakthrough concepts include:- Complete dual-redundancy that allows a failed compo- nent to be isolated and the ROV kept working. - An innovative high frequency 800Hz power system that has cut the size of the ROV?s on-board transformer by 80% and signi cantly reduced the vehicle?s power to weight ratio. - A voltage boost to 3000V to feed on-board systems, that has also reduced the diameter of the umbilical and tether cables, cutting the winch drum size and tether drag through the water. - The risk of entanglement when multiple ROVs are de- ployed under a single vessel has been overcome by  tting powerful thrusters to each Tether Management System so it can hold position automatically and remain orientated ready for recovery of the ROV into the cage. - The technology of hovering hybrid AUVs has been in- troduced to the offshore energy market from the defence market. This brings the bene ts of autonomous and semi- autonomous  eld maintenance and inspection to the energy and hydro industries in the shape of a new range of hybrid AUV/ROV vehicles. - The new iCON concept - intelligent control of nodes - al- lows each microprocessor node within the ROV to report its unique status to a central control system and take action if necessary. Essentially iCON manages three modes: operational, diagnostic and update. It offers a gateway into the heart of the vehicle, where users can access diagnostics, software upgrades and system inventory directly over an en- abled web interface. 20 Brunel Way, Segen- 20 Brunel Way, Segen- sworth, Fareham, Hamp- sworth, Fareham, Hamp- shire, UK PO15 5SD shire, UK PO15 5SD +44 (0) 1489 +44 (0) 1489 898000 898000 Email: dave.grant@ Email: dave.grant@ saabgroup.com saabgroup.com Website: Website: www.saabseaeye.com www.saabseaeye.com CEOCEO: Dave Grant, MD Testing Capabilities Testing Capabilities: An in-company pressure test tank facility is installed at the company?s 24,000 sq. ft. factory in the UK. In Swe- den there is a 7m deep by 10m diameter test tank. Employees Employees: 170 SAAB SEAEYE LTDSAAB SEAEYE LTDwww.seadiscovery.com Marine Technology Reporter 63MTR #6 (50-65).indd 63MTR #6 (50-65).indd 638/3/2012 9:18:03 AM8/3/2012 9:18:03 AM