Featuring magnetically coupled propeller drives and permanent-magnet brushless DC motors, Tecnadyne engineers have designed a new line of subsea thrusters that bring higher levels of propulsion efficiency to autonomous underwater vehicles.
Dedicated to highly reliable systems for the subsea market, another recent product development from the company is its Model 110 Pan & Tilt, a precision, closed-loop system designed to position cameras, lights and other sonar equipment up to 250 lbs with the utmost protection against the harshest of subsea environments. Using permanent-magnet brushless motors and strain wave gearing, the unit delivers exceptional reliability and high torque in an extremely compact, lightweight and easy to maintain package. Each axis can operate up to 360° of rotation with speeds up to 10 RPM. The innovative gearbox system offers extra smooth and precise movement.
Tecnadyne engineers have recently focused their attention on the growing AUV market and the need for higher efficiency thrusters. AUV-specific thrusters share many characteristics with other products from the company for subsea robotics, however, unlike an ROV or manned submersible, the optimal AUV thruster must be purpose analyzed, designed and manufactured to provide the highest achievable performance within a performance window that is unique to each different AUV.
Using sophisticated computational fluid dynamics and solid modelling tools, Tecnadyne is able to design both the propeller and the motor-gearbox assembly that will achieve the highest efficiency for the performance profile of each unique AUV. Using advanced prototype fabrication capabilities, it is able to manufacture AUV specific propellers and entire thruster assemblies in a timely and cost effective manner.
The performance achievements are the result of their design team’s holistic approach to optimizing gearbox function and redesigning the propeller. Tecnadyne believes that the high efficiency AUV brushless thrusters represent a significant new market contender, either for retrofit or installation at new build stage. They have successfully developed a series of models with thrust capabilities ranging from 30lbf to 240lbf of forward thrust at speeds to 10 knots.
For over 30 years Tecnadyne has been a developer of systems for the worldwide subsea robotics industry, manufacturing underwater brushless DC propulsion systems, rotary and linear actuators, pan and tilt positioners, hydraulic power units, position sensors, and pressure compensators for use on remotely operated vehicles, AUVs, manned submersibles and other subsea platforms.
Its products are used on thousands of vehicles throughout the world, operated by many leading offshore oil service companies, universities and research institutions. Recent customers include Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Stanford University, University of Washington APL, Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, GE Nuclear, Oceaneering International, Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding, L-3 and Electric Boat. Located in San Diego, California, the company is close to major oceanographic and naval research facilities as well as many other subsea industry companies. See www.tecnadyne.com.
