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This article describes how to bleed air from our standard Through-Hull Deployment Machine.

This normally only needs to be done once, at the commissioning stage following installation.

Having a properly-bled system improves system performance. In some instances, bleeding the system is the cure for old, rarely-used machines.

Procedure

  1. Start with the pole at the top position, with the locking pin in the gantry hole, as shown in the image above.
  2. Ensure the HPU tank is filled with hydraulic oil just above the Max level of its glass gauge.
  3. Disable the top sensor, so that the TOP light does not illuminate; see Note below.
  4. Press the UP button.
  5. Make sure the locking cylinder pin fully retracts.
  6. Hold the UP button for about 30 seconds.
  7. Release the UP button and immediately press the DOWN button (so that the pin does not have chance to retract until the pole is below the gantry hole).
  8. Release the DOWN button when the pole has been lowered below the hole.
  9. Enable the top sensor.
  10. Press the UP button until the flag reaches the sensor, and check that the pole automatically stops, and the pin extends into the hole.
  11. Top up the tank if required.
  12. Exercise the pole up and down a few times.
  13. Top up the tank to its maximum level with the pole at its top position.

Note
Disabling the top sensor can be performed in a number of ways. Choose one of the following methods:

This article describes the Sonardyne Through-Hull Deployment Machine and the installation procedures.

Description

Our Through-Hull Deployment Machine is described below.

Our standard model typically extends the pole so that the face of an attached Transceiver is about 2‑3 m below the hull.

We can also supply longer versions to accommodate deeper penetrations, or to overcome double-skinned hulls, or shorter ones where installation space is a premium.

These types of machine have been supplied to vessels of all sizes and types all over the world since 1996.

The Deployment Machine sits on a Gate Valve, and with the Gate Valve open, an operator can press a button from one of the available control panels, and the pole will move downwards.

Another button will move the pole up again.

Typically mounted on the end of the pole is our HPT Transceiver or Gyro USBL.

When in dry dock, this is easily serviced by deploying the pole through the hull.

At sea, with the Gate Valve closed, the Sea Chest can be drained, and then opened to gain access to the Transceiver/GyroUSBL.

Sometimes it will need cleaning, so it’s a good idea to inspect it now and again.

The machine is hydraulically driven from a Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU).

Control Panels

Control panels provide the user-interface, in order to lower and raise the pole, and – if a Hydraulic Actuator is fitted – open and close the Gate Valve.

This is the Main Control Unit.

This is the Local Control Unit, which is intended to be mounted inside the cofferdam, next to the Deployment Machine for commissioning purposes.

This is the Bridge Panel Assembly, which is often the preferred Bridge control device.

We also provide a Bridge Control Unit (similar to a Local Control Unit) for wall-mounting.

Bridge Panel Assembly

Here’s the Bridge Panel Assembly fitted.

HPU and Main Control Unit

The HPU and Main Control Unit should be mounted close to each other, but outside the cofferdam.

A water-tight cofferdam is the preferred location for the Deployment Machine, so that if it floods, at least only the Local Control Unit will be sacrificed.

The HPU has a hand pump, and in an emergency, and for some commissioning activities, this can be used to manually pump the pole up and down – and if a hydraulic actuator is fitted – pump the Gate Valve open and closed.

The new IDEC SmartAxis PLC introduced into the new Main Control Cabinet in July 2016, provides an RS485 interface, which can be used to control the Deployment Machine (and Gate Valve Actuator if fitted) via software.

Ranger 2 and Marksman

This is how it looks in Ranger 2 or Marksman.

Installation

Let’s look at a typical installation.

First of all, a suitable hole is cut in the hull of the vessel.

The vessel supplies a through-tube penetrator pipe, which is used to penetrate the vessel hull.

The Weldable Flange (which we supply) is welded to the through-tube penetrator pipe, and the Gate Valve will sit on top of this flange.

The length of the through-tube penetrator pipe should be kept to a minimum – typically 150-300 mm.

This provides adequate space to install the Gate Valve fixings but does not impact on the overall depth to which the transceiver will be deployed. A reduction in the deployed length could impact on the acoustic performance.

The through-hull pipe must have adequate internal diameter for the required sensor, as shown in the table below.

Sonardyne Instrument Unit Diameter (mm)
HPT 2000 234
HPT 3000 234
HPT 5000 225
HPT 7000 310
Gyro USBL 5000 225
Gyro USBL 7000 310
Sentinel 330

It is advisable to have rigid straffing stakes around the through-tube penetrator pipe, to ensure a sturdy base for the Gate Valve and Deployment Machine.

This also helps take the strain when the pole is deployed, and can be vital in cases where the pole is accidentally left deployed and the vessel runs aground.

In such cases, a poorly-supported penetrator pipe could rupture before the pole bends, and cause serious flooding to the cofferdam.

The Gate Valve sits on top of the Weldable Flange and is bolted in position, with a gasket seal between each face.

The picture below shows a DN350 Gate Valve with a Hydraulc Actuator fitted.

The Hydraulic Actuator is optional. A standard delivery would be with just a wheel to manually open and close the valve, together with gasket, fixings, and open/close proximity sensors.

Our standard size is the DN350 Gate Valve (as the name suggests, this has a 350mm internal diameter).

If the Gate Valve is to be installed some time before installation of the Deployment Machine, and the vessel is to be floated out of dry dock, then a blind flange is recommended to guard against leakage through the valve seat seal.

A Deployment Machine being prepared for installation.

Bracing is fitted to the Bearing & Sealing Section to provide a rigid foundation for the Deployment Machine.

The machine is also supported at the top.

Although not as critical as the Bearing & Sealing Section bracing, it nevertheless, assists with the reduction of vibration.

Hydraulic hoses run from the HPU: one to provide hydraulic pressure to drive the pole down; another hose to drive the pole up.

A further two hoses are required to drive the Gate Valve open and closed if a Hydraulic Actuator is fitted.

The pole automatically stops when it triggers a proximity sensor at the top of the machine.

It also automatically stops when it triggers another at the bottom of the machine.

Gate Valves use the same type of proximity sensor to determine their Open and Closed state.

The Deployment pole is held rigid at any position along its travel – accomplished by its counterbalance (overcentre) valve.

However, at its fully-up and fully-down position, a hydraulic pin pushes into a securing hole, to provide an extra element of support.

For more detailed information, see the Deployment Machine support pages.

 

Please click the link below to download the HNAV message decoding sample code from our GitHub repository

HNAV message decoder

One of our most common questions is how long can I deploy my RT 6-1000 for?

In excess of 13 months. Using the internal and field replaceable Alkaline battery a RT 6-1000 will provide over a year of deployment at depth meaning it’s suitable for all but the longest of coastal asset deployments. Sonardyne always have stock on the shelf of the Alkaline batteries and being Alkaline, shipping them internationally is no problem.

If you need more battery life or more working load, why not have a look at our RT 6-3000?

Any questions? Please get in contact with our support and sales teams. Also check our knowledge base article on changing an RT 6-1000 battery.

For every deployment you need to load your RT6, this knowledge base article will discuss how to do this with a Sonardyne iWAND.

To load your RT6-3000 or RT 6-6000 setup your iWAND as below and then follow the steps as outlined:



iWAND procedure

1. On the iWAND main menu click Quick Check

2. To begin the sequence press ENT (To discover the RT6)

3. The discovery process will then find the RT6 and interrogate it for information.
4. You can then select TEST STD Release to open and close the release.

5. The iWAND Test STD Release screen will display the current state of the release mechanism.

6. To open the release mechanism select Open Release and then press ENT. Active will be displayed while release mechanism is operating. Always ensure you keep hands away from the release mechanism while operating.

7. Open is displayed when the release mechanism has opened.

With the release hook now open the following procedure can be followed, it is recommended to use Sonardyne supplied shackles and the assistance of a second person may be useful.

1. Insert the shackle into the hook opening.

2. Close the mechanism using a Sonardyne Loading Tool (640-6514) which is supplied with every RT 6-3000 and RT 6-6000.

3. Lift the end of the loading tool to swing the hook fully and insert the attached locking pin.

4. Follow the iWAND quick check to open the Test STD Release screen on the iWAND.
5. The iWAND should now display the current release state of the mechanism.

6. To close the mechanism select Close Release and then press ENT, Active will display while the release mechanism is operating.

7. Closed will display when the release mechanism has Closed.

8. Remove pin before deployment.

Note this procedure gives an overview of the methodology for loading an RT 6-3000 and RT 6-6000, consult the manual for safety warnings and a more in-depth procedure.

Any questions on loading an RT 6-3000 or RT6-6000 get in contact with our support team or request a manual.

So, you want to deploy your assets to the seabed, but don’t want to leave anything on the seabed post deployment? Then you need to make a rope canister or utilise Sonardyne’s rope canister. This article will explain what a rope canister is and why you might use one.

What’s the problem?

Typically when deploying assets to the seabed there are four main ways of recovering them:

  1. Weighing the assets down with a weight greater than their buoyancy, then using an acoustic release to release the buoyant assets to the surface whilst leaving environmentally friendly ballast on the seabed.
  2. Weighing the assets down with the minimum weight required to ensure no movement of the assets, and then using an acoustic release to release a pop up buoy to the surface which allows the weighed down seabed asset to be retrieved by hauling the rope.
  3. Deploying the asset to the seabed and recovering with an ROV or Divers.
  4. Deploying the asset to the seabed and having it permanently buoyed to the surface.

All of these above methods have benefits and negatives, but option number 2 has the least seabed footprint and few risks associated with it because:

As such lots of users will use rope canisters and pop up buoys, a typical configuration for deploying an ADCP is shown below.

Credit University of Hawaii

So I want to use a rope canister/pop up buoy, what options do I have?

  1. Make your own pop up buoy system.
  2. Use a Sonardyne provided pop up buoy/rope canister system.

Tell me more about Sonardyne and rope canisters with the RT 6-1000
Sonardyne’s rope canisters are designed to attach to the RT 6-1000 and come with configurable rope lengths and two 400m depth rated 3.5kg upthrust buoys.

What does a rope canister look like?

What’s in a rope canister kit?
A typical 70m kit looks as below, with two buoys, rope canister and rope.

What variants of rope canister kits are there?
Rope canister kits are available in 70m, 120m and 160m variants with different strain ratings depending on the rope thickness.

Why not check out our other article about our two recommended ways of using a rope canister? Or alternatively contact our support or sales teams to request a manual.

One of our most common questions is how long can I deploy my RT 6-3000 or RT 6-6000 for?

In excess of 32 months. Using the internal and field replaceable Alkaline battery both the RT 6-3000 and RT 6-6000 will provide over 2.5 years of deployment at depth.

Sonardyne always hold stock of the user replaceable batteries for RT 6-3000 and RT 6-6000. Changing these batteries is covered on the knowledge base and in depth in our manuals. Because these units use alkaline batteries, they are also hassle free to ship internationally.

Don’t also forget to use the battery disconnect fob, this means your RT 6-3000 or RT 6-6000 are both safe to ship and you know they are not using any of their battery while on the shelf.

Any questions? Please get in contact with our support and sales teams.

 

 

Rope canisters and pop up buoys are in use across the industry with acoustic releases, how do Sonardyne recommend using our acoustic release kits with our rope canisters?

Here we will discuss our two favourite methods of using an RT 6-1000 with our rope canisters. However feel free to use these methodologies with your DIY rope canisters.

These methods are tried and tested across decades of Sonardyne being involved in shallow water releasing and mooring.

Method 1

This is Sonardyne’s preferred method whereby a RT 6-1000 and rope canister are not attached to the seabed structure.

The RT 6-1000 and rope canister are positioned vertically on the seabed and are not attached to the subsea asset. When released the flotation buoy will bring the RT 6-1000 and rope canister to the surface whilst spooling out rope. The subsea asset can then be retrieved by means of the rope.

The advantages and disadvantages of this method are shown below:

Advantages

Disadvantages

Method 2

This is an alternative method of using a pop up buoy and rope canister whereby the tope canister is attached to the seabed structure.

In this example the RT 6-1000 and rope canister are fixed to the structure. When released the flotation buoy brings the rope end to the surface leaving the RT 6-1000 and rope canister on the seabed. The subsea structure together with the RT 6-1000 and rope canister can then be retrieved by means of the rope.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Do you have any other ways of using our rope canisters and RT 6-1000 in shallow water? Or do you use deep water rope canisters and think we could update this page? If so, get in contact.

If you want more information, the methodologies here are covered in more detail in our manuals including how to rig up both of the examples discussed above.

How do you recover an RT 6-1000? This video covers the recovery of an RT 6-1000 through an in-water demonstration.

If you have any more questions about RT 6-1000 have a look at our other videos in the series or contact our support/sales teams.