Background
In a lab that is part Jacques Cousteau and part George Lucas, an east coast oceanographic institute is using advanced technology to open the doors for expanded open sea scientific research. The centerpiece of the lab is a 50‐thousand gallon water tank in which the aquatic research facility simulates open sea conditions while experimenting with autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remote operated vehicles (ROVs). These underwater vehicles conduct a wide variety of tests using lasers, targets and various large obstacles. These targets and obstacles weigh about 500 pounds on average and are typically about 5 feet long and 6 feet high. Perhaps the trickiest aspect of placing the targets in and out of the water tank is that they are hollow and fill with water, creating a dynamic lifting application.
The Problem
Perhaps the trickiest aspect of placing the targets in and out of the water tank is that they are hollow and fill with water, creating a dynamic lifting application. They must be lowered in very slowly to control the buoyancy and not cause any damage to the targets or the tank should the tank fill with water and drop suddenly. When they are being removed, the weight shifts significantly as water drains, which can cause unexpected movement of the object.
The Solution
The institute selected a Gorbel FS300DD freestanding jib crane with a 2‐ton capacity, 20‐foot span and 16‐foot height under boom. The crane was bundled with a radio to control the direct drive powered rotation as well as the chain hoist.
The Gorbel jib provides complete control to safely move any of the objects in or out of the water tank, and the powered rotation with radio control allows one technician to make changes to an experiment without waiting for a second person to assist with lifts.