Pan-Tilt Arm for Precisely Positioning Underwater Laser Scanners by Newton Labs
A Steady Platform with Precise Positioning
The Pan-Tilt Arm, developed and manufactured by Newton Labs, enables precise and rapid positioning of underwater laser scanner models in order to capture dimensional measurements from multiple angles of a submerged target. The Pan-Tilt Arm is specifically designed to mount the family of Newton laser scanners: the NM200UW Nuclear Underwater Scanner, the M210UW Underwater Scanner and the M310UW Extended Range Scanner.
The Pan-Tilt Arm offers greater control in tighter locations. The flexible unit features an operation range of 185 degrees at the "elbow" and infinite rotation at the "wrist." All control signals and power for both the Pan-Tilt Arm and the scanner are conveyed through a single cable.
No Cable to Snag
A major feature of the Pan-Tilt Arm is that it offers complete freedom
of movement because all cables are internal. Signals to and from
the scanner head pass through the "wrist" and "elbow" and
the single, combined control/power cable emerges from a port in
the pole attachment, terminating with a Seacon Mini-con dry mate
connector.
The Pan-Tilt Arm can position a any of the scanner models
into restrictive underwater spaces without the concern of cable snags.
Construction:
The Pan-Tilt Arm is constructed of rugged, industrial-grade hardware and electronics and is specifically designed to tolerate the turbulence, heat and radioactivity characteristic of the in-vessel environment.
Deployment:
The Pan-Tilt Arm can be used to deploy a Newton scanner by a variety of methods: pole mounting, an ROV, or other robots.
Safety Features:
Two safety features are incorporated into the design:
- The "elbow" joint is fitted with a slip-clutch as an emergency removal provision in the event of power loss with the arm rotated. Applying approximately five pounds of force will allow the unpowered arm to rotate for extraction
- Both axis motors are encoded with a stall-detection feature, so that if either, or both, are stalled during rotation, they will instantly shut down.
Control:
Two-axis directional control of the Pan-Tilt Arm is achieved with a joystick that is installed on the front panel of the scanner control console. Pan and tilt speed is controlled with an adjacent rheostat knob.
| Technical Specifications |
|
| Elements |
Details |
| Length (main body) | 16.9 in. (429 mm) |
| Length (pole attachment) | 11.9 in. (303 mm) |
| Width | 5.25 in. (133 mm) |
| Height | 4.0 in. (102 mm) |
| Weight (in air) | 16.5 lbs. (7.5 kg) |
| Weight (in water) | 5.0 lbs (2.27 kg) |
| Cable | LLDPE polyurethane jacket, gel filled |
| Construction | Machined from solid billet of 6061-T6 aluminum stock |
| Fittings & retainers | 300 series stainless steel |
| Mounting attachments | To pole or robot: Ten, #8-32
threaded alternate mounting holes on “elbow” end ----------- To scanner: Two auto-aligning clamps engaged via a 3/16 in. Allen wrench |
| Standard operating temperature | 110° F (43.3° C ) in water |
| Storage temperature | 0° to 160° F (- 18° to 71° C) |
| Power input voltage/current | 2 amps, powered by scanner control unit |
| Range of operation - “elbow” | 185 degrees |
| Range of operation - “wrist” | Infinite rotation |
| Pan-tilt & rotation control | Via joystick and speed control rheostat on scanner control unit |
| Watertight depth rating | 320 ft. (100 m) |
