Angle Sensors Help Stabilise Submersible Vehicles
Variohm Eurosensor has supplied angle sensors that provide rotary position feedback for actuators used on the steering and ride stabilisation control system on unmanned marine vehicles. ASV designs and constructs unmanned marine vehicle systems for commercial and military applications, providing solutions for tasks such as hydrographic surveys, surface surveillance, gunnery training and mine hunting. When optimising the design of its ASV 6000 coastal class semi-submersible vehicle, ASV selected Novotechnik GL series hollow-shaft potentiometric angle sensors from Variohm Eurosensor.
The sensors provide rotary position feedback as an intrinsic part of in-house designed actuators used for the steering and ride stabilisation control system. The ASV 6000 was developed for hydrographic survey and surveillance work in shallow coastal waters and is operated remotely via a continuous GPS communications link. With an overall length of 6m, the semi-submersible operates just below the water surface and carries a payload capacity of 300kg for sonar equipment, computers, sensors, winches and camera equipment. Its diesel propulsion systems allow a range of 400 miles at four knots.
The relatively shallow submersion requirement for the ASV 6000 meant that actuators specifically for subsea use, operational at much greater depths, were massively over-engineered and consequently very expensive. Other commercially available actuators either did not provide angle position feedback or were not waterproof. As well as to drive down associated costs, the decision to build the actuators also allowed ASV to manage the design within a considerably space-restricted area on the vessel, freeing up space for payload equipment. The hollow-shaft GL series angle sensor is fitted directly on the actuator motor shaft, reducing the overall assembly length compared to rear shaft-mounted variants with couplings.
ASV chose commercially available brushless servo motor technology for the steering and ride control actuators and fitted a sealed waterproof casing around each complete assembly, encasing the motor and angle sensor, as well as including connectors for motor power, commutation and sensor feedback. The GL series angle sensors offer high-resolution potentiometric output, which presents the steering and pitch angular positions as a proportional voltage output through a zero to 340 electrical range to the ASV-designed control system. With independent linearity to +/-0.25 per cent, the steering and ride stabilisation capability for the vehicle is more than sufficient.
The robust and durable shaft-mounted GL sensor has a long pedigree of challenging angle position feedback applications such as auto sports, construction equipment and agricultural machinery. The range is supplied in four nominal sizes, suitable for shaft diameters from 6mm to 30mm. The compact one-piece assembly is designed for easy installation and is housed in an anodised-aluminium casing with a slotted ball bearing for maximum support. The conductive plastic resistance element and precious metal multi-finger wiper assembly combine for a long life of more than 10 million movements.
The sensors provide rotary position feedback as an intrinsic part of in-house designed actuators used for the steering and ride stabilisation control system. The ASV 6000 was developed for hydrographic survey and surveillance work in shallow coastal waters and is operated remotely via a continuous GPS communications link. With an overall length of 6m, the semi-submersible operates just below the water surface and carries a payload capacity of 300kg for sonar equipment, computers, sensors, winches and camera equipment. Its diesel propulsion systems allow a range of 400 miles at four knots.
The relatively shallow submersion requirement for the ASV 6000 meant that actuators specifically for subsea use, operational at much greater depths, were massively over-engineered and consequently very expensive. Other commercially available actuators either did not provide angle position feedback or were not waterproof. As well as to drive down associated costs, the decision to build the actuators also allowed ASV to manage the design within a considerably space-restricted area on the vessel, freeing up space for payload equipment. The hollow-shaft GL series angle sensor is fitted directly on the actuator motor shaft, reducing the overall assembly length compared to rear shaft-mounted variants with couplings.
ASV chose commercially available brushless servo motor technology for the steering and ride control actuators and fitted a sealed waterproof casing around each complete assembly, encasing the motor and angle sensor, as well as including connectors for motor power, commutation and sensor feedback. The GL series angle sensors offer high-resolution potentiometric output, which presents the steering and pitch angular positions as a proportional voltage output through a zero to 340 electrical range to the ASV-designed control system. With independent linearity to +/-0.25 per cent, the steering and ride stabilisation capability for the vehicle is more than sufficient.
The robust and durable shaft-mounted GL sensor has a long pedigree of challenging angle position feedback applications such as auto sports, construction equipment and agricultural machinery. The range is supplied in four nominal sizes, suitable for shaft diameters from 6mm to 30mm. The compact one-piece assembly is designed for easy installation and is housed in an anodised-aluminium casing with a slotted ball bearing for maximum support. The conductive plastic resistance element and precious metal multi-finger wiper assembly combine for a long life of more than 10 million movements.
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