A copy of these minutes are also available as a pdf at <200806desmi.pdf>.
Executive Summary:
The Deep Submergence Science Committee (DESSC) met on June 10-11, 2008 at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). The meeting began with a joint session of the DESSC and the Replacement Human Occupied Vehicle Committee (RHOC) to discuss and formulate a recommendation regarding the future direction of the Replacement Human Occupied Vehicle (RHOV) project. WHOI representatives provided a status report on the RHOV design effort, budget summaries, and options for moving forward.
The regular DESSC meeting followed the joint session and included agency reports from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Navy, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Representatives of the National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF) provided reports on:
· Vehicle operation summaries
· NDSF data management and archives
· Ship maintenance updates and vehicle improvements
· Navigation and imaging upgrades
· Deep submergence scheduling in 2009 and beyond
Summaries of the NDSF user debrief interviews were
reported. WHOI provided a summary of
proposed corrective actions to the issues raised by the users.
The DESSC discussed strategic planning for the future and agency
representatives commented on funding projections and initiatives within their
respective agencies. New science
directions that could potentially utilize deep submergence vehicles in Polar research
were discussed.
Recommendations:
· DESSC recommends to NSF that WHOI pursue the 6500m RHOV acquisition option. The DESSC recommendation for a 6500m, environmentally friendly HOV reaffirms DESSC and RHOC’s early recommendations.
· DESSC recommends that NSF adopt a uniform policy for requesting and funding the use of the National Deep Submergence Facility assets within their agency.
Action Items:
DESSC Action Items
from their June 2008 Meeting:
1) RHOV Letter – Deb Kelley and Cindy Van Dover will prepare a joint DESSC/RHOC letter to NSF recommending that WHOI pursue the 6500m RHOV acquisition option. The DESSC recommendation for a 6500m, environmentally friendly sub reaffirms DESSC and RHOC’s early recommendations. [Note – after the meeting it was decided that RHOC and DESSC should each send a letter to NSF.]
2) 2008 fall/winter DESSC Meeting Agendas and Forums –The 2008 winter meeting will be held at AGU.
· Finalize the draft DESSC agenda that was presented during the meeting. Select a topic for the afternoon session. Emphasis should be on engaging students and new users.
· Send the agenda to agency representatives for comment.
· Develop guidelines for PI Reports. Reports can include show-n-tells and short (1-minute) videos.
· Look into the cost and feasibility of having a mixer at a future meeting.
· Explore potential options/venues for a traveling “NDSF road show” that would attract students.
· The DESSC community meeting will alternate between AGU and The Ocean Sciences Meeting.
3) DESSC Letter to NSF Regarding Uniform Funding – Deb will draft a letter to NSF requesting that they adopt a uniform policy for requesting and funding the use of the National Deep Submergence Facility assets within their agency.
4) Sentry Transition into the NDSF – At the May 2006 DESSC meeting, DESSC endorsed WHOI’s proposal for incorporation of ABE into the NDSF and the replacement of ABE with Sentry when Sentry becomes fully operational. The criteria for Incorporating new Assets into the National Deep Submergence Facility <http://www.unols.org/committees/dessc/CRITERIADOCUMENT_062206.PDF>, states that the operator should be prepared to provide DESSC with information on: “Is the asset proven to be robust and beyond a developmental stage? Documentation of successful missions/deployments should be included with records of reliability, durations of deployments, and life expectancy.” Upon receipt if this information from WHOI, DESSC can consider the replacement of ABE with Sentry.
5) DESSC Membership and Nominations: Hedy Edmond’s second term will end in September 2008. A call for nominations will be announced seeking candidates with a background in chemical oceanography and experience with use of deep submergence vehicles. The deadline for nominations will be September 15th.
6) NDSF Vehicle Debrief Interviews – Appoint a DESSC member to replace Hedy as the debrief leader for ABE/Sentry.
Continuing Action Items:
7) Pilot Retention and Career Advancement –DESSC recommends that WHOI prepare a document that articulates the institution’s strategies for pilot retention as well as procedures for implementing exit interviews for those pilots who resign. DESSC recommends that WHOI management promote learning opportunities and career advancement opportunities for pilots.
8) Mode of Operation for Jason Watches – DESSC recommends that WHOI explore options for staggering the start and end times for Jason watches with the goal of achieving better continuity through a dive cycle.
9). Science Outfitting Survey for the Replacement HOV – At the appropriate time, develop a community on-line survey and circulate it to the community.
10. Science Training Opportunities for Pilots - DESSC will formulate suggestions on workshop/training science sessions for pilots. The session(s) should demonstrate how the data from the vehicles are used for different research disciplines. We will make an outline for different disciplines (e.g. geology, biology, chemistry) on what elements of these programs would be beneficial to the pilots and work towards putting these documents together.
11. R2K Lectureship program – DESSC recommends that the R2K Lectureship program include an Alvin or ROV pilot as a distinguished lecturer. (Kelley)
Appendices:
Meeting Summary
Report:
Day One: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - Carriage House
DESSC Joint
Session with the Replacement Human Occupied Vehicle Committee
Introductory Remarks, Meeting Logistics, and Introductions - Deb Kelley and Cindy Van Dover opened the joint meeting of the Deep Submergence Science Committee (DESSC) and the Replacement Human Occupied Vehicle Oversight Committee (RHOC). Participant introduced themselves. The meeting agenda and participant list are included as Appendix I and Appendix II.
Deb Kelley said that she wants the DESSC to have the opportunity to hear all details of the RHOV project and discuss as needed. Cindy said that she would like to have a joint recommendation from RHOC and DESSC at the outcome of this meeting.
Anthony
reported that the RHOV design scope was scaled back to include only systems
that overlapped with the
Teledyne
D.G. O’Brien is a penetrator vendor. The
RHOV double bulkhead penetrator design is similar to Alvin. The fiber and copper penetrator
development is considered low risk. Teledyne has no ABS experience but has
several MIL-STD-24217 compliant designs.
WHOI
visited Trelleborg Emerson and Cummings, Inc., a foam vendor located in
WHOI
visited Lithion Inc. (Yardney Technical Products Inc.) in
WHOI is
recommending that testing and qualification procedure development begin
immediately to reduce risk. All three of
the vendors agree that this should begin immediately.
Anthony
provided additional information on battery technology. John Inman, NSWC Subject Matter Expert (SME),
believes that a safe Pressure Balanced Oil Filled Lithium chemistry battery can
and will be developed using current technology.
Inman is considered an expert on lithium batteries and is willing to
work with WHOI. NSWC is willing to
collaborate with WHOI and the cell manufacturer in the development of purchase
and test specifications.
NSWC
has solicited a quotation for design feasibility and prototype demonstration of
PBOF Li cells. The quotation covers:
·
Cell Gassing Volumetric Analysis
·
Compensation Method development
·
Five prototype cells for testing
·
Test Plan development
·
WHOI assisted cell testing
The
estimate for the NSWC study is ~$300K. Bob
Detrick submitted a proposal to fund this study to Bob Houtman (ONR) the first
week of June 2008. Applications of the
study extend beyond HOVs. WHOI will
assist in this effort.
WHOI
evaluated the Shinkai battery for use in the RHOV. JAMSTEC switched the Shinkai 6500 battery
from Silver Zinc (AgZn) to a GS Yuasa-developed Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LiCoO2)
battery in 2004 because of performance, cost, and maintenance issues. The Shinkai 6500 battery does not meet
RHOV requirements for voltage, charge/discharge cycles, and energy. Yuasa was solicited for the RHOV battery
quote, but their quote was the highest. Lessons
learned on the design and implementation for the Shinkai 6500 can be
used to improve performance on the RHOV.
A study
was conducted on the 1 atmosphere battery housings and it concluded that the
option is viable for a 4500 meter vehicle, but may present weight problems if
designed for the 6500 meter depth.
The critical
system designs that are applicable to both the RHOV and upgraded Alvin
vehicle were reviewed. These included
the telemetry system, power switching, computer architecture, video system, and
high voltage selection. Focus is on
safety, reliability and maintainability.
A
hydrodynamic analysis of the RHOV is required to determine buoyancy, thrust and
horsepower requirements. LM completed
work on a High Fidelity RHOV model and determined the static drag coefficients
for 3 axes. The results are included on
Appendix III, slide 20.
WHOI
and LM were asked to develop a concept for an Alvin Upgrade that would use
the titanium personnel sphere now in production. The goals were to:
·
Satisfy as many target RHOV design goals as
possible
·
Keep RHOV improvements
·
Leverage RHOV design efforts
·
Reduce project costs
·
Allow for a phased upgrade to the full 6500m
vehicle over time
The
RHOV Project Design Goals from the National Research Council (NRC) were for a vehicle
that could offer:
·
Increased bottom time
·
Increased battery capacity
·
Improved fields of view
·
Improved interior ergonomics
·
Improved interior electronics
·
Automatic position keeping
·
Reduced seabed disturbance
·
Increased science payload
·
Increased operating depth
The
RHOV goals that could be accomplished with an Alvin Upgrade include:
·
Increased on-bottom time
·
Increased battery capacity
·
Larger personnel sphere; more interior space and
improved ergonomics
·
Improved field of view for pilots and observers
·
Improved interior electronics
·
Automated position keeping
·
Sampling basket load limits significantly
increased
·
Improved lighting and video systems
·
Increased
hydraulic plant capacity (improved manipulator performance)
·
Increased thruster horsepower (better maneuverability)
·
Improved mid-water research capability
The
RHOV goals that would not be accomplished and an Alvin Upgrade are:
·
Increased operating depth to 6500m
·
Reduced seabed disturbance (will continue to
rely on drop weights for ascent/decent)
·
Multi-purpose, large capacity seawater ballast
system (for trim, variable ballast, ascent/descent)
·
Elimination of mercury trim system
Some enhancements
that are not feasible with an upgraded 4500m Alvin and could be
implemented later when funds are available.
This includes upgrading to an operating depth rating of 6500m,
enhancements with a 3-D HiDef imaging system, and microfiber cabling for high
bandwidth and two-way communications to the surface.
Anthony
reviewed the project evolution steps for the upgraded
A new
lift point was needed and is on the sphere. Various lift points are being
evaluated and a fatigue analysis is being performed. On the starboard side there is a new variable
ballast (VB) sphere. The foam will have
to be relocated forward to offset the new sphere weight.
The Alvin recyclables that could be used on
the upgraded Alvin include the
following:
·
Frame (Partial)
·
Foam (50%)
·
Thrusters
·
VB pump, valves, and hydraulics
·
High Pressure Air system
·
Hydraulic Power Unit
·
Motor Controller Cans (2)
·
Aft Skins
·
Aft Main Ballast Tank
The overall
size of the upgraded
There
will be some new risks associated with the ungraded
·
Obtaining NSF Approval to re-scope the project
(from RHOV to Upgrade
·
ABS Certification Issues (transitioning
·
Schedule Delays – Delays could ultimately impact
Alvin’s overhaul requirements/schedule.
·
Management/Engineering Resources – this would
apply if WHOI is made the prime for the Upgraded
By
transitioning to an Upgraded
Discussion
followed:
·
Barrie Walden remarked that optimally, new
components for the upgraded
·
Hedy Edmond asked if it would be difficult to
incrementally upgrade Alvin to 6500m.
Bob
Detrick reviewed the financial status for the RHOV Project. The recent RHOV cost estimate from LM was
high. The estimated cost of the RHOV exceeds
the available budget by about $27M. The
shortfall includes WHOI’s pledged contribution and RHOC’s recommended
contingency funds. Cost increases have
been due to a number of factors. The
largest increase is due to the LM fixed fee estimate. There have been cost increases to the SwRI
contract as a result of delays and increased WHOI oversight that resulted in more
meetings.
The
project schedule has slipped by about eight months. The sphere delivery is expected in mid 2010
instead of 2009. The slip is due to
Ladish’s cautious approach. However, as
the timeline stretches, the cost goes up.
As a result of the high cost estimate for the RHOV,
WHOI was asked evaluate the costs for upgrading Alvin. A Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost
estimate was developed for the Alvin
upgrade project. The ROM estimate
assumes that the current contract with LM would be terminated. A commercial entity would provide
engineering, construction, integration and testing, and project management to the
Alvin upgrade. The WHOI effort
will remain consistent with their effort in the RHOV project.
The
assumptions made in developing the ROM include that the material costs will remain
fixed, the sphere will be available on the current schedule, and pressure
compensated Lithium batteries with 240 volt electrical system will be used. It is assumed that ABS will accept a large
percentage of the current Alvin frame and equipment with little additional
engineering and testing. A detailed
budget estimate with concept design will be required at a later date if the
decision is made to upgrade Alvin.
Bill Chadwick
asked if the Li batteries would be rated for the 6500m depth. Anthony Tarantino – Unless there is a glitch,
the batteries would be rated for 6500m.
If there are problems, the plan would be to use a 4500m depth rating.
The Upgraded
Alvin ROM estimated project costs are
$15M to $20M less than RHOV project cost, but the ROM cost still exceeds the
current project budget. If the Alvin
upgrade option is pursued, WHOI would be the prime contractor. The ROM estimate is based on an external
prime. The cost of upgrading Alvin to 6500m at a later date has not
been estimated.
WHOI has
spent or committed $15M to date on the RHOV project. Available funds are not sufficient to
complete the project. Susan Avery has
expressed her strong support for the project.
The WHOI Trustees met a few weeks ago and also expressed their support.
Bob Detrick
was asked what could be done with the remaining project funds. Bob replied that funds could be used to
complete the RHOV detail design. However,
the Navy may not want to certify Alvin
beyond 2010 and we would have a design that is unaffordable.
Dolly
expressed concern that the
RHOC is recommending the following path forward: