Frame:
1. After completion of building, place in water at a depth of four meters.
2. The first test should be to check for any possible leaks of air in the sealed frame.
3. The craft should be close to neutral buoyancy, but slightly positively buoyant.
4. Make adjustments with buoyancy until desired buoyancy level is attained.
5. When slightly positive buoyancy is achieved, operate the craft’s propulsion system and mechanical arm system.
6. If the craft holds all of the components and the components operate successfully in performing the tasks set forth by the MATES competition; than the frame is successful.
Test Results:
Upon completion of the building the frame was tested. It was then brought to Ernie Vaughan’s house; a member of the team. First, the frame was dropped into the pool. The frame was positively buoyant. The frame was then pushed under the surface of the pool and held there for a minute or so to ensure that there were no leaks in the frame. This was successful and the frame was airtight.
After the frame was carefully checked over to ensure that it had no hidden leaks the frame was than checked for
neutral buoyancy. The frame was slightly positive. Several lead sinking weights were added to the frame in various points to bring it closer to neutral buoyancy. After the amount of weight needed to be added was determined, this weight was placed at various points on the metal mesh of the frame to equally distribute the weight and keep the craft evenly balanced. After this was completed the frame was once again placed in the pool. The craft was left alone for several minutes to assure that it was completely level. The craft stayed perfectly stable and did not roll either to the left or the right. The frame was than used with the propulsion system and the arm to assure that they all worked fluently. All of these systems worked well and the preliminary test was successful according to the testing procedures.The following weekend was the final test for the frame and the rest of the ROV. The ROV had to compete in the competition and collect PVC crabs on the surface of the bottom of the pool, and take a temperature from a thermal vent. The frame performed well. At the competition the frame was slightly positively buoyant as planned. The craft was successfully able to take the temperature from the thermal vent. The ROV was also successful in picking up a crab from the bottom of the pool. The ROV was unable to pick up another crab due to a malfunction in the hydraulic arm. However, the craft was still successful because it completed the entire task set forth by the testing procedures.
