Bottom crawler: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{Short description|Vehicle for underwater exploration and work}} | ||
[[File:Flexjet.jpg|thumb]] | [[File:Flexjet.jpg|thumb]] | ||
A '''bottom crawler''' is an [[underwater]] exploration and | A '''bottom crawler''' is an [[Underwater environment|underwater]] exploration, research and work vehicle.<ref name=TR>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.ca/books/edition/Technical_Report/2oEiAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22bottom+crawler%22&pg=PA54&printsec=frontcover |title=Feasibility Study and Comparative Analysis of Deep Ocean Load Handling Systems |date=December 1969 |publisher=[[Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command|Naval Facilities Engineering Command]] |first1=D. A. |last1=Davis |first2=M. J. |last2=Wolfe |pages=54-60 |accessdate=16 July 2025}}</ref> It is designed to sink to the bottom of a body of water, where it uses the traction of its wheels or [[Continuous track|tracks]] against the bottom and can move a load.<ref name=TR/> It can be manned or unmanned.<ref name=TR/> It can tethered to a surface ship by a cable or cables providing power, control, video, and lifting capabilities, but this is not essential. | ||
Such devices have been proposed for use in | ==Applications== | ||
Such devices have been proposed for use in [[deep sea mining]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Watanabe |first=Keisuke |date=2023 |title=Tank Experiment of a Seabed Walking Platform Model for Subsea Mining Exploration |url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jrnal/9/4/9_4/_article |journal=Journal of Robotics, Networking and Artificial Life |volume=9 |issue=4 |pages=326–330 |doi=10.57417/jrnal.9.4_326}}</ref> | |||
It was considered as a platform for nuclear missiles, but was rejected because it is restricted to essentially two dimensions, unlike a [[ballistic missile submarine]].<ref>[https://www.google.ca/books/edition/DA_Pam/nFC5AAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22bottom+crawler%22&pg=RA4-PA177&printsec=frontcover DA PAM (Department of the Army Pamphlet) issue 27], 1977, p. 177. Accessed 16 July 2025.</ref> | |||
==Limitations== | |||
Its use is limited by the composition of the bottom; unless it is firm, the crawler can become immobilized by sinking into [[sediment]].<ref name=TR/> Another serious problem is that the tracks or wheels can stir up the sediment, causing it to seriously degrade vision.<ref name=TR/> | |||
Its power source can be internal (batteries) or external (cable), but each presents problems.<ref name=TR/> Batteries are heavy and have limited capacity for sizable loads, while power cables can impede mobility.<ref name=TR/> | |||
==Remote Underwater Manipulator== | |||
In 1958, Victor Anderson began constructing the 10-ton, unmanned Remote Underwater Manipulator (RUM) for the [[Scripps Institution of Oceanography]] which was based on a [[United States Marine Corps]] self-propelled rifle carrier.<ref name=Scripps>{{cite web |url=https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=kt109nc2cj&chunk.id=d2_5_ch04&toc.id=ch04&brand=eschol |title=Scripps Institution of Oceanography: Platforms and Vehicles |publisher=University of California Press |accessdate=16 July 2025}}</ref> He attached a boom and claw which enabled it to manipulate objects up to {{convert|5|m}} away.<ref name=Scripps/> RUM was initially powered by a gasoline engine, but it was replaced by two electric motors.<ref name=Scripps/> It is paired with the Ocean Research Buoy (ORB), a barge with a center well.<ref name=Scripps/> RUM is lowered by crane, then a coaxial cable is attached for power and sensor signals.<ref name=Scripps/> | |||
RUM has taken core samples at depths down to {{convert|1900|m}} and has recovered equipment from {{convert|1260|m}}.<ref name=Scripps/> | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Benthic lander]], an autonomous observational platform that sits on the seabed | |||
* [[Benthic lander | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bottom Crawler}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Bottom Crawler}} | ||
[[Category:Oceanography]] | [[Category:Oceanography]] | ||
[[Category:Underwater work equipment]] | |||
Latest revision as of 09:51, 18 October 2025
A bottom crawler is an underwater exploration, research and work vehicle.[1] It is designed to sink to the bottom of a body of water, where it uses the traction of its wheels or tracks against the bottom and can move a load.[1] It can be manned or unmanned.[1] It can tethered to a surface ship by a cable or cables providing power, control, video, and lifting capabilities, but this is not essential.
Applications
Such devices have been proposed for use in deep sea mining.[2]
It was considered as a platform for nuclear missiles, but was rejected because it is restricted to essentially two dimensions, unlike a ballistic missile submarine.[3]
Limitations
Its use is limited by the composition of the bottom; unless it is firm, the crawler can become immobilized by sinking into sediment.[1] Another serious problem is that the tracks or wheels can stir up the sediment, causing it to seriously degrade vision.[1]
Its power source can be internal (batteries) or external (cable), but each presents problems.[1] Batteries are heavy and have limited capacity for sizable loads, while power cables can impede mobility.[1]
Remote Underwater Manipulator
In 1958, Victor Anderson began constructing the 10-ton, unmanned Remote Underwater Manipulator (RUM) for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography which was based on a United States Marine Corps self-propelled rifle carrier.[4] He attached a boom and claw which enabled it to manipulate objects up to Script error: No such module "convert". away.[4] RUM was initially powered by a gasoline engine, but it was replaced by two electric motors.[4] It is paired with the Ocean Research Buoy (ORB), a barge with a center well.[4] RUM is lowered by crane, then a coaxial cable is attached for power and sensor signals.[4]
RUM has taken core samples at depths down to Script error: No such module "convert". and has recovered equipment from Script error: No such module "convert"..[4]
See also
- Benthic lander, an autonomous observational platform that sits on the seabed
References
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