Underwater Vehicles
A-Frame for Chinese Sub When the Chinese Jiaolong manned submersible recently completed its world record breaking dive to 7015m (23 015ft) , it was A-frame lifting technology from marine handling systems specialist, Caley Ocean Systems, that safely recovered the submersible back on board. Mounted on the stern of the mother ship Xiangyanghong9, the Caley A-frame was used to both launch and recover the 22t manned submersible. The hydraulically-operated A-frame lifted and pivoted to position the Jiaolong above the water before lowering it. During recovery, the process was reversed. In addition to winches to lower and raise the submersible, Caley supplied two bespoke oceanographic winches for handling scientific instruments for ocean bed research. These too are deployed using the Caley A-frame. The Jiaolong submersible successfully completed its program of deep-sea dives in the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean at the end of June. l Caley Ocean Systems is also upgrading the US Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) R/V Atlantis research vessel’s A-frame handling system, for the launch and recovery of the new Alvin deep submergence vehicle. Originally designed and installed in 1983, the upgraded A-frame will handle the heavier Alvin submersible, capable of descending to 6500m (21 000ft). It involves the installation of a larger winch, high performance synthetic ropes and light tension control system providing accurate handling control of the submersible. Meanwhile, in Korea, Caley has been awarded a contract to supply oceanographic winches and A-frame systems to Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for a new oceanographic research vessel. This stateof-the-art, ocean-going, vessel is capable of surveying to the full ocean depth of 10 000m (32 808ft). Caley is also providing bespoke oceanographic winches designed to handle high tension, heavy loads, featuring ‘SMART’ control systems for fully active heave compensation and variable frequency drives, and a CTD Rosette handling system. The HHI research vessel will feature high performance, stern and side Caley A-Frame systems for seabed drilling and coring equipment. The handling systems will comply with the new DNV rules on Lifting Appliances.
UT2 August 2012
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