Seaeye Type 6 TMS
with Subsea Winch & Slip Ring
 

Type 6 TMS	Seaeye Lynx and the Type 6 TMS

Seaeye offer the choice of a lower cost bale arm or the more capable subsea winch and slip ring TMS systems. This page describes the Type 6 TMS and its subsea winch and slip ring mechanism. The TMS is manufactured for Seaeye and supersedes the earlier Type 5 systems.

ADVANTAGES OF THE TYPE 6 TMS

• Longer ROV excursions from the TMS to provide greater operating footprint
• Adjustable entry height to accommodate tooling skids when fitted
• Variable lift points to balance the TMS
• Fits all Seaeye ROVs (except Seaeye Panther Plus)
• Power pack motor common spare part with Seaeye SM4/M thruster
• Manual latching for dead TMS recovery
• Auto ROV release on payout to minimise tether damage
• Compensator pressure gauges to monitor hydraulic pressure
• Optional TMS camera and light to assist vehicle entry and view compensator pressure gauges
• Tilting drive sheave smoothes the path and reduces stress on the tether

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

Frame
The garage design accommodates all Seaeye ROVs with the exception of the Panther Plus for which a larger system is available. It incorporates telescopic legs that are simply extended with a 4 bolt adjustment to suit the ROV type or vary the height for a vehicle fitted with a tooling skid. The frame is designed to accommodate an optional ballast skid into which lead ingots can be added to increase the total weight of the TMS by 1310 kg. This may be an attractive option for operations in areas with extreme currents.

The bell mouth entry guides, garage base facings and internal guide runners are high density polypropylene for smooth entry and exit of the ROV. The same material is used for external bumper protection.

For safety, mesh doors are fitted on all sides of the top deck. They can be easily removed for maintenance and access to the top deck components.

The frame is designed to DNV codes and each is tested to its full design load.

The Winch Drive and Spooling Mechanism
The winch and sheave wheel are driven by hydraulic motors with power supplied by a 1.1 shp power pack comprising a Seaeye SM4/M brushless DC thruster motor directly coupled to a hydraulic pump.

The power pack is separately pressure compensated over ambient pressure using a 2.75 litre hydraulic pressure compensator and a gauge is provided within sight of the TMS camera to monitor the pressure. A single solenoid valve provides the flow to the motors that drive the winch drum or the sheave wheel during heave in or pay out of the tether.

A direct chain drive from the winch drum motor operates a diamond screw level wind that accurately controls the transverse speed of the tether as it is spooled on and off the drum.

The outboard side of the drive sheave is hinged while the inboard end is connected to the level wind allowing the sheave to tilt and follow the lead of the tether onto the drum. This helps to eliminate twisting and minimise damage to the tether.

ROV Latching
A spring loaded, hydraulically operated, latch hook is provided to latch the ROV and hold it within the garage. The latch hook automatically releases the ROV when tether is paid out. The spring loaded latch hook allows the ROV to be captured in the event of a TMS system failure.

Slip Ring and Junction Boxes
The slip ring is installed in the hollow shaft of the winch drum. The tether is terminated in the rotating junction box which is fixed to the cheeks of the drum. The fixed junction box into which the main lift umbilical is terminated is secured to the garage frame. All are oil filled and pressure compensated using a standard 2.75 litre compensator with pressure gauges located within view of the TMS camera.

Both junction boxes have clear covers so that any water ingress or air can be easily seen.

Control System and Electronics Pod
A single one atmosphere electronics pod contains the control electronics, sensors and power supplies. The control electronics use the same printed circuit boards as Seaeye ROV control systems. It is the electronics pod that determines the depth rating of the TMS which is 1500 MSW as standard with 3000 MSW available as an option.