EXPLORER Missions

DESIGN BRIEF

Aircraft

• Use flight data to determine the search zone for the wreckage
• Identify the aircraft using the tail section
• Remove debris from the engine using a lift bag*

· Attach the lift bag to the debris
· Inflate lift bag to raise debris
· Move the debris from the wreck area
· Release the lift bag from the debris using one of the following: 

▫ A manual release
▫ A magnetic/reed switch release
▫ WiFi or Bluetooth release
▫ Frequency-selective acoustic release

• Return the engine to surface using a lift bag*

· Attach the lift bag to the engine and inflate
· Return the engine to surface, side of pool

• Return all lift bags to the surface side of the pool

*Teams must provide their own lift bags and release mechanism, which must be constructed as per the specifications outlined in the competition manual.

Earthquakes

Prior to the competition...

• Develop a inductive coupling connector capable of providing power at 5 volts, 1 amp, 5 watts to an ocean bottom seismometer (OBS).

During the competition… 

• Insert the power connector into the port on the OBS
• Power indicator LED is lit

Prior to the competition...

• Develop a device capable of receiving WiFi data.

During the competition…

• Level the OBS using data transmitted by one of the following:

· The OBS via WiFi OR data
· A bubble leveler

• Receive and accurately display a seismograph data transmitted by the OBS via WiFi

Energy

• Use tidal data and nautical chart to determine the optimum region for a tidal turbine
• Use tidal current data to calculate the maximum possible megawatt generation at this location
• Install a tidal turbine in the optimum location

Install the base on the bottom Install the turbine onto the base 
Latch the turbine in place 

• Install an Intelligent Adaptable Monitoring Package (I-AMP) to monitor area

Transport the I-AMP to its stand
Lock the I-AMP onto the stand

• Place a mooring a given distance from the base of the tidal turbine

Measure the given distance from the base
Place the mooring on the bottom – 5 points

• Suspend an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) at a given height on the mooring line

Measure the given distance above the bottom
Attach the velocimeter to the mooring line

Note: Additional WiFi protocol information will be included in the competition manual

SPECS

What follows is a summary of the electrical and fluid power requirements for the EXPLORER class.  The complete design and building specifications will be included within the competition manual.

NOTE:  Watch for new safety requirements and additional, detailed electrical specifications within the competition manuals.

• 48 volts, 30 amps DC. Conversion to lower voltages must be done on the ROV, not topside. 
• Pneumatics and hydraulics are permitted provided that the team passes the MATE Fluid Power Safety Quiz and follows the specifications included within the competition manual.
• Lasers are permitted provided that the team follows the specifications included within the competition manual.
• Camera is required.
• Depth requirement at the international competition: 5 meters.
• Maximum size: 92 cm in diameter. Vehicles above this size will not be allowed to compete in the product demonstration. See below for additional details on size requirements.
• Maximum weight: 35 kg. See below for additional details on weight requirements.

SIZE AND WEIGHT POINT VALUES

The Applied Physics Laboratory at the University of Washington has included an ROV size and weight requirement in the request for proposals (RFP). Smaller, lighter vehicles will be given special consideration and vehicles above a certain size and weight will not be considered.

All size and weight measurements will include the vehicle, all tools and components, and the tether. The topside control system and 1 meter of tether going into the control system will NOT be included in the length or weight measurement. To receive points for smaller sized vehicles, the two largest dimensions of the vehicle and tether must fit through a round hole of the following dimensions:
 

Vehicles above 92cm in diameter, or greater than 35kg in weight, will not be allowed to compete in the product demonstration.

NOTE: In addition to the size and/or weight limitations described above, companies must be able to personally transport the vehicle and associated equipment to the product demonstration station and to the technical sales presentation room. The ROV systems must be capable of being safely hand launched.

RESOURCES

Teams are permitted to use the materials of their choice provided that they are safe, will not damage or otherwise mar the competition environment, and are within the defined design and building specifications.

Teams are encouraged to focus on engineering a vehicle to complete the product demonstration tasks; when considering design choices, teams should ask themselves which one most efficiently and effectively allows them to solve the problem. Re-using components built by previous team members is permitted provided that the current team members evaluate, understand, and can explain their engineering and operational principles. Using or re-using commercial components is also permitted, provided that team members evaluate, understand, and can explain their engineering and operational principles. Teams will be questioned extensively on their overall design and component selections during their technical sales presentations.

TIME
The complete competition manual will be released by November 15, 2017; teams have from that date until the regional events in the spring of 2018 to construct their vehicles and prepare the engineering and communication components (technical reports, engineering presentations, and poster displays).  Visit the MATE website at www.marinetech.org or request to be added to the MATE competition listserve to ensure a timely delivery.