(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2000-01)
Bowen, Martin F.; Bernard, P. J.; Gleason, D. E.; Whitcomb, Louis L.
Two classes of sample recovery devices have been fabricated for use with the Jason deep diving remotely operated vehicle (ROV). One class includes custom-built, autonomous vertical transporters (AVTs) that are capable of raising numerous benthic samples and other payloads to the ocean's surface independent of the sampling RAOV. AVTs are more commonly referred to as sample "elevators". Elevators are inexpensive to construct and can be deployed and recovered many times during the course of a single ROV dive in order to reduce wear and tear on the more expensive ROV. A second class includes a range of custom-built end effectors and articulated scoops that ROV operators mount onto the vehicle's manipulator and sampling cradle according to required sampling tasks. This report describes the design, fabrication, operation, and navigational tracking of these various non-destructive sampling devices. A ballast and flotation spreadsheeet is provided, which allows operators to customize each elevator deployment and sample recovery scenario while the ROV continues its work on the benthos.
