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QUEST System Upgrade
Left: QUEST is getting a brand new control van - after 7 years of operation the original van needs to be replaced. The new van will have many improvements ranging from better AC control, seperation of pilot/science and electrical areas, and data infrastructure.
Right: In the new van, scientists joining a dive will have their own desk, sitting higher than the pilots and will gain a better view on all video feeds.
Left: The main upgrade of the QUEST ROV contains a new digital telemetry system. The upgrade will allow more robust and redundant data and video connection, as well as up to 10 channels of 100 Mbit Ethernet networking. The installation requires exchange of all telemetry HUBs and a complete re-routing of the seanet cable system.
Right: As our special guest for leading the upgrade, Greg Engemann from Schilling Robotics visits Marum from 28th Febr. to 12.th of March. He provides invaluable help and expertise, and has introduced QUEST 5 to Marum during the early Marum cruises back in 2003-2005.
Left: Several tests have to be scheduled during the upgrade, from powering lights inside the van over switching 3000V to tank testing in the test tank. All this can be done in the Marum technology hall and outside pool.
Right: Keeping the system tidy and organized requires a lot of planning of cable routing and setup of mechanical installations, ie. the thrusters. At sea, this will help to identify errors and problems faster.
Left: Early 2009 at the workshop facility at Marum, the 16 tonne Hyster forklift lifts the heavy buoancy block off the vehicle for maintenance and repair of cracks in the block.
Right: The block has to be turned aside for filling cracks with a special resin. Werner Schmidt from the Marum team prepares the block with a grinder.
Maintenance gallery
Left: After the cruise, QUEST is stored into it's special open top van (1 out of 4 in total), to be transported home to Bremen for the preparation of the next expedition.
Right: Not that much different from a motorists's workshop, maintenance around QUEST often needs full engagement...here Greg Engemann from Schilling Robotics dives deep into the early vehicle for cable routing work.
Left: More often than initially believed QUEST has to take off it's "red hat", today a routine work, allowing much easier access to the core components such as compensators, hydraulics and power supply.
Right: After re-assembly, often very shortly before shipping to the next expedition, QUEST is tested in Marum's large outside test basin. Only submerged, the system can be fully tested with 3000 Volts, utilizing almost 60 kW propulsion power.
Left: During one of the first cruises, Christian Seiter and Werner Schmidt had to maintain thruster bearings regularily. To be able to achieve minimum down times, a large set of spare parts is shipped together with the vehicle, covering almost everything from small o-rings to a complete spare submersible 3000V power transformer.
Right: Cable termination is a necessary issue after heavy recoveries or cable damage. The umbilical cable carries 3 fibre tubes and 3 high voltage lines, and has to be mechanically inforced to provide a ruggedized connection with the vehicle.
Contact
We will be happy to provide you with more information, higher resolution and/or further pictures. Please contact us:
| Name | Telefon | Fax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gerdes, Albert | 0421 218 - 65540 | 0421 218 - 65505 |  |
| Ratmeyer, Volker | 0421 218 - 65604 | 0421 218 - 9865604 |  |