Page 12: of Marine Technology Magazine (March 2020)

Tech Files

Innovative products, technologies and concepts

SMD is thinking

Outside the Box

SMD

All electric systems are starting to to be used as a harness for other form It’s also 20% more compact and 20% free companies from the traditional factor systems, such as AUVs because lighter, so it can be operated from strict form factors that ROVs tradition- of its modularity. Key was going all- smaller vessels. A hydraulic power unit ally take. With a more ? exible modular electric, using an in-house designed has been developed for using hydrau- harness, vehicles can be built from 25kW DC electric propulsion system, lic tools – until all-electric tooling is standardized building blocks. Saab Sea- to make it more environmentally developed – using the new DC thruster eye, a ? rm well versed in all-electric friendly but also more energy ef? cient, motors and new hydraulic control units. vehicles, has been making noises in compared with hydraulically powered When electric tools do come, they will this direction, using the smarts it’s been systems, says Collins. This includes be able to be stored on the vehicle in developing for the Sabertooth for new a new thruster, based on an enclosed the space freed up by removing hydrau- electric vehicles. Another ? rm looking magnetic gear box with only two mov- lics, instead of having to add skids.

to enter the resident vehicle space is ing parts, and a new HV DC trans- “The technology is a family of in-

UK-based subsea machinery ? rm SMD. mission system. That means smaller dustrialized building blocks for subsea

During Offshore Europe, it launched its diameter umbilicals can be used and machines,” said Collins. “These are

Quantum EV ROV. While the Quantum down to 6,000 m, providing power to a scalable and can be brought together to

EV ROV made the headlines, what 680v ring main DC system, that allows form different machines. We created a

SMD launched was a technology suite, plug and play systems. Work Class ROV using the technology rather than a single ROV, based on an It’s been designed to operate tethered for the initial launch, but that is because open-electric framework for whatever or untethered with a battery as a resi- it is familiar. We could have easily cre- shape vehicle is required and that can dent system or deployed from manned ated a underwater intervention drone or be adapted for a variety of tethered or or unmanned vessels. And, the design another type of vehicle. Starting at the untethered operations. aims to allow easy build-in of future foundation level and working up means

Mark Collins, SMD’s Director for technologies, such as developments in we can ensure every component and

Remote and Autonomous Technologies, arti? cial intelligence. sub-system is the best it can be. Clients says four years’ work has gone into the Collins says the EV will have 20% can then customize from a solid base design, which will be available as a more thrust and 50% fewer moving and layer on their own control meth- product this year [2020] – but will also parts, compared to hydraulic systems. ods.” 2020 March 12 MTR

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