New ROV features

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Louis_Cha
Posts: 26
Joined: Sep 9th, 2014, 5:36 am

New ROV features

Post by Louis_Cha »

Hi there,
I'm currently designing a small, affordable ROV to sold as a kit or pre-made as my A level project (so will be thoroughly researching, designing and testing it). My questions to all you experienced ROVers are:

- What features are most important to an ROV?
- What would you like to see on an ROV?

Thanks, Louis
Louis_Cha
Posts: 26
Joined: Sep 9th, 2014, 5:36 am

Re: New ROV features

Post by Louis_Cha »

Also how should the system be set up?
How have you set up yours?

Currently I'm thinking ROV camera --> small computer, raspberry pi? --> tether --> cable reel (is another raspberry pi needed?) --> controller, and back again. How should the system be set up? what type of computer should I use?

Also what should be pre-programmed into the ROV? So far I have that it should surface if the connection to surface controller is broken (i.e. tether cable cut)

onboard power or surface power?

- louis
Silver dollar
Posts: 75
Joined: Feb 20th, 2011, 3:03 pm
Location: Munkedal, Sweden

Re: New ROV features

Post by Silver dollar »

My wish list for a ROV:

Onboard batteries
Manipulator
Four orientation cameras: Front, back and left/right
One go-pro cam for HD-filming
LED lights (Enough Watt to use in night time)
Compass
Leak sensor onboard
Depth sensor

I have no idea on what computer to use.
Louis_Cha
Posts: 26
Joined: Sep 9th, 2014, 5:36 am

Re: New ROV features

Post by Louis_Cha »

Thanks Silver Dollar, I hadn't considered a leak detector.
Are you suggesting 4 equally important cameras for filming all around, or a main camera and various other cameras around to better manoeuvre in tight spaces?
Silver dollar
Posts: 75
Joined: Feb 20th, 2011, 3:03 pm
Location: Munkedal, Sweden

Re: New ROV features

Post by Silver dollar »

On the computer I suggest to have one frame with the main front camera and a second frame to toggle the other cameras.

Another configuration is to have three cameras: Front, back and down.
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TigerShark
Posts: 108
Joined: Jan 7th, 2014, 2:43 pm
Location: Washington State

Re: New ROV features

Post by TigerShark »

I like pan and tilt for my camera. Is there any reason you prefer to have many cameras? I can see a rear view camera being useful. With a single pan and tilt wide angle camera you can see nearly straight down in a dome.
scubersteve
Posts: 251
Joined: Jan 28th, 2013, 10:29 pm
Location: Milton, Florida

Re: New ROV features

Post by scubersteve »

I have found that with a 108 degree lens, I don't really need pan, but I really like tilt in a dome for bottom, forward or upward scanning. A reverse camera would be nice too, maybe also in a dome and with tilt too, while we're wishing. :D
Louis_Cha
Posts: 26
Joined: Sep 9th, 2014, 5:36 am

Re: New ROV features

Post by Louis_Cha »

With a dome what material do you use? glass? perspex? acrylic? or what and where do you get it, or how to make it?

Also with a dome is there any distortion to the camera view?
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TigerShark
Posts: 108
Joined: Jan 7th, 2014, 2:43 pm
Location: Washington State

Re: New ROV features

Post by TigerShark »

My camera has a 90 degree lense and it works out pretty well with a tilt. A little wider would be nice but seems to be hard to find for inexpensive cameras.

I use a VideoRay ROV dome. It is acrylic I think and about 1/8" thick and optically clear. Calculations show it to be good to 1500'. The ROV's it is used on are rated to 1000' which is my max operating depth. You can also find optical domes from various plastics manufacturers.
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