About the Competitions
We are building a specialized ROV that is designed to complete tasks that simulate real-world missions. In the competitions we will be participating in, we will be in a pool, but the ROV will be built to the standards of a lake or even the ocean. The competition tasks can be anything: taking measurements and samples, delivering objects back to the surface, or even removing 'biofouling' from underwater structures in the pool.
Our team will be competing in the Great Lakes Regional 2015 Annual MATE Ranger competition in Alpena, Michigan. We will be competing against approximately 20 other teams from around the Great Lakes region. Our goal is to rank first or second so we can move on to the international competition in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, at which we will compete against teams from around the world.
For more information on the competition, visit http://www.marinetech.org/
Last season, the Utica Center for Science and Industry team brought home the Innovation award and the Engineering Award. In addition to placing, we would like to maintain these honors.
For more information on the competition, visit http://www.marinetech.org/
Last season, the Utica Center for Science and Industry team brought home the Innovation award and the Engineering Award. In addition to placing, we would like to maintain these honors.
This Year's Tasks
We have 15 minutes to complete the following:
Task 1: Science Under the Ice
- Maneuvering through 75cm x 75cm hole in the ice
- Collecting a sample of algae from the underside of the ice sheet
- Collecting an urchin located on the seafloor
- Using a species ID handbook to identify and count species of a sea star
- Deploying a passive acoustic sensor in a designated area
- Measuring the dimensions of an iceberg and calculate its volume
- Using coordinates to map the location of the iceberg
- Using the location, heading, and keel depth to determine the threat level of the iceberg to area oil platforms
Task 2:
- Conducting a CVI (close visual inspection) of an oil pipeline for corrosion
- Turning a valve to stop the flow of oil through the pipeline
- Examining a gauge dial to determine that the pipeline oil pressure is zero
- Measuring the length of the section of corroded pipeline
- Attaching a lift line to the corroded section
- Cutting (simulated) the section of corroded pipeline
- Removing the section of corroded pipeline and return it to the surface
- Installing and securing an adapted flange over both cut ends of the pipeline
- Installing a gasket into a wellhead
- Inserting a hot stab to simulate injecting corrosion