The Deep Submergence Vehicle Alvin an Advanced Platform for Direct Deep Sea Observation and Research by W
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The Deep Submergence Vehicle Alvin An Advanced Platform for Direct Deep Sea Observation and Research by W. Bruce Strickrott WHOI 34 The Journal of Ocean Technology, VOL. 12, NO. 1, 2017 Copyright Journal of Ocean Technology 2017 Copyright Journal of Ocean Technology 2017 The Journal of Ocean Technology, VOL. 12, NO. 1, 2017 35 Human occupied vehicle (HOV) Alvin enables this challenge, a team of WHOI engineers in-situ data collection and observation. collaborated with the US Navy to develop the deep submergence vehicle Alvin and in June The question “what is the most extreme of 1964 Alvin officially entered service. Since creature you encounter during a deep dive its commissioning, Alvin has made thousands in Alvin?” is often asked during our public of dives and has played a critical role in outreach events with schools and museums. the continuing advances in oceanographic There are many answers and all are worthy science (Figure 1). Alvin’s entry into service of the title as most extreme – the giant Rifita as a scientific research tool represented a Pachyptila tube-worms that live and feed at significant change to the methods used to hydrothermal vent environments; Alvinella study the deep ocean. Pompejana worms that live directly in the high temperature vent fluids; the unique Thousands of scientific observers have used vent shrimp, Rimicarus Exoculata, that use Alvin to make the amazing journey to the specialized cells on their carapace to sense seafloor. Their experiences have led to many hydrothermal vents in the infrared spectrum. significant discoveries and helped uncovered All thrive in extreme environments. However, the secrets of Earth’s deep water environments. the most appropriate answer to the question Today, a newly rebuilt Alvin remains in service is that human beings are the most extreme and continues operations as a valuable asset for species in the deep ocean. deep sea research and understanding. Humans are not physically capable of surviving Alvin is Never Finished – An Evolving Design in the high pressure, often toxic, environment Periodically, Alvin’s systems are replaced and of the deep ocean. However, we are capable of upgraded with more advanced components and safely visiting harsh environments on Earth and the newest technologies. Through the years, in our solar system. To do so, humans have had the vehicle’s capabilities have continually to utilize our amazing intellect to overcome the evolved to meet the changing demands of the challenges to a physical presence in extreme scientific users and to enable new methods for environments. Through the application of our oceanographic research. understanding of the natural world and our knowledge of physical laws, humans have In 2013, the Alvin team completed the most developed advanced technologies to enable extensive upgrade to the vehicle’s systems successful human visitations to the harshest since its original inception. Completion and locations on Earth. certification of the new vehicle represented the culmination of years of design studies, For over 51 years, the Woods Hole project planning and new system development. Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has The major overhaul and upgrade period was a exhibited this unique human trait through significant technological endeavour intended the operation of one of the world’s premier to greatly improve Alvin’s capabilities and to extreme vehicles, the manned, deep ensure that the vehicle is an advanced, 21st submergence vehicle Alvin. century deep sea research tool. Beginning of a Legacy Bigger is Better – Alvin’s New Sphere In the early 1960s, Allyn Vine, a WHOI A principal part of the upgrade was the oceanographer, identified the need for a new installation of a new titanium personnel class of deep diving submersible. At that time sphere. The new sphere is the third in Alvin’s there was no effective means for scientists history, replacing a smaller sphere installed to perform direct research, exploration and in 1973. WHOI engineers, in collaboration experimentation in the deep sea. To tackle with the Southwest Research Institute and the 36 The Journal of Ocean Technology, VOL. 12, NO. 1, 2017 Copyright Journal of Ocean Technology 2017 Figure 1: Alvin dive WHOI statistics. scientific user community, optimized the new The replacement sphere represents a significant sphere configuration and in-hull environment. improvement over the older system, which was Sphere size, maximum depth rating, total smaller, had only three small viewports, no viewport compliment, size and placement overlapping observation areas and was limited were important variables considered during to a depth of 4,500 metres. the design phase. Staying Afloat – Complex Syntactic Foam Ultimately, the new personnel sphere was 20% Buoyancy larger, capable of diving to 6,500 metres and Primary buoyancy for deep water vehicles includes a suite of five strategically placed is provided by externally mounted syntactic viewports. Three large (18 cm) forward facing foam material. As a part of the upgrade, Alvin viewports and two smaller (13 cm) side received new lighter foam rated for 6,500 viewports provide excellent overlapping fields of metres. Every block was extensively tested for view extending from the front of the submersible manufacturing quality and pressure tolerance to the extreme port and starboard sides. to ensure the material was adequately safe for Copyright Journal of Ocean Technology 2017 The Journal of Ocean Technology, VOL. 12, NO. 1, 2017 37 manned use. Advanced machining technologies component of the data system. Equipment allowed implementation of complex shapes interfaces used analogue circuitry with no that give the new vehicle a modern, more additional digital command and control streamlined appearance. capability. Science data needs utilized serial data methods (RS232) to transfer information Ergonomically Speaking – Alvin’s New to dedicated in-hull notebook computers Interior (typically user supplied). The system was The larger sphere and new systems required limited in bandwidth and had no significant a redesign of the in-hull environment. WHOI means for real-time vehicle system and science engineers solicited input from scientific users, data integration and processing. All data students from the Rhode Island School of travelled over hard-wired circuits with the Design, experienced spacecraft engineers associated limit to data transfer rates. and senior Alvin pilots to develop the new interior. The final design balances personnel The new submersible includes a modern, comfort, equipment placement and access vehicle-wide data network that links with a configuration that naturally promotes primary vehicle systems and sensors with use of the five viewports (Figure 2). New a suite of in-hull computers and externally seating arrangements, ergonomically placed distributed microprocessors and controllers. piloting controls, HD touch screen interfaces Intelligent science interfaces and dedicated and video monitors transform Alvin’s interior. microprocessor controlled power supplies Observers entering the vehicle for the first time are linked throughout the data system via a routinely use the word “wow” to describe their redundant fibre optic data loop. Video and impression of the new design. imaging systems are integrated into the wider data system for access and control. Science Light Speed – Fibre Optic Penetrators supplied sampling devices and sensors utilize Principal to Alvin’s mission is the ability to the network to collect and process large collect large quantities of dive data. External quantities of environmental data. Advanced, sensors and components continually send user supplied sampling tools, notebook information to the in-hull network for display computers, tablets and any other network and processing. To enable high speed data capable equipment can easily integrate into the transmission, WHOI engineers worked with new data system. Lancer Systems to develop a high-pressure fibre optic penetrator for Alvin. Through-hull Alvin’s data system is designed specifically penetrators are populated with a total of 24 to enable users to integrate novel high-tech optical fibres that provide a superb means sampling devices and sensors for enhanced to transmit large quantities of data and high data collection. definition video information. High-speed transmission of vehicle commands and system Taking Command – The New Command status are effectively distributed through the and Control System vehicle’s new data network. Historically, Alvin has relied on analogue circuitry to provide pilot and observer interface Network of the Deep – Alvin’s New Data with submersible systems and manoeuvring System controls. Although effective, the method Prior to 2012, Alvin’s data system was limited supplied little informational feedback to the in the ability to process large quantities of pilot for system status and fault evaluation. data. While there was a serial data network The new Alvin includes a fully redesigned for a small number of in-hull science data command and control (C&C) system that computers, the system did not utilize a greatly enhances the pilot’s ability to manage dedicated in-hull network as a primary the submersible’s systems. 38 The Journal of Ocean Technology, VOL. 12, NO. 1, 2017 Copyright Journal of Ocean Technology 2017 Utilizing a hybrid digital/analogue command Alvin retains a redundant analogue control architecture, the C&C balances an integrated system for use in the event of a full digital microprocessor interface