Testing Procedures

The final ROV is expected to perform a series of tasks at the MATE ROV competition. Individual systems will also be tested prior to integration with the ROV. This testing will be done both in the lab and at home. The testing for the electrical systems will mainly be done by the electrical engineer. Each motor will need to be tested to ensure that it functions properly. The hydrophone, thermometer, and cameras will all need to be tested for functionality. Finally the entire electrical system will be assembled with and appropriate fuse to ensure it does not exceed to power requirements.

The preliminary stage of testing will be ensuring that the motors run properly. This will be a stationary validation test where power is applied to the motor. If the motor runs the test is successful. If the motor is non-functional it is defective and requires repair.

The secondary stage will be a test of each motor's output. This will be a stationary assessment test. The motor will be tested in a bucket of water and the amount of pressure that the water moving through the propeller generated will be measured. Motors will be adjusted so they are all supplying equal thrust.

The tertiary stage of testing will be a sensor test. This will be a stationary validation test. Each camera will be attached to a monitor screen to ensure that it provides a clear image. The hydrophone will be attached to a speaker to ensure that the sound quality is accurate. The thermometer will be placed in a bucket of water to ensure it is taking an accurate temperature reading.

The quaternary testing stage will be a test of the full electrical system. All of the components that need to be run simultaneously will be activated. If the 25 ampere fuse blows then the system must be rearranged to fall back within the power requirements.

 The final testing stage is the ROV competition. The entire ROV will be palced in the pool and attempt to accomplish the assigned tasks. Last years tasks were as follows:

Task 1 Resurrect HUGO

Remove the HRH from the elevator.
Identify which of three potential sites is rumbling (generating sound).
Install the HRH within a 0.5m by 0.5m square at the site that is rumbling.

Remove pins to release the HRH from the elevator.

Remove the cap from the port on the HUGO junction box.Retrieve the HRH power/communications connector from its holder on the elevator.

Insert the HRH power/communications connector into the port on the HUGO junction box.

          Task 2 Collect Crustacean Samples
Maneuver to the back wall of the cave.
Collect up to three samples of crustacean.
Maneuver out of the cave.
Return the samples to the surface.

Enter the cave.

        Task 3 Hydrothermal Vent Temperature Sample
Create a graph of the temperature data versus chimney height.
Collect a sample of a vent spire.
        Task 4 Bacterial Mat Sample
Return the sample to the surface.
Return the sample of the vent spire to the surface.

Measure the temperature of the venting fluid at three different locations along height the

chimney.

Collect a sample of a bacterial mat.                                           The ROV must accomplish all of these tasks within 15 minutes. This test will be assessed by the competition judges who score the event.