A Seaeye bale arm TMS comprises a side entry garage configured to accommodate the size of vehicle installed. A detachable top section contains the tether management mechanism and controls. The tether is stored on a polypropylene bobbin with a bale arm mechanism to spool the tether evenly onto and off the bobbin. The bale arm is powered by a Seaeye SM4 thruster motor which is connected to the bale arm reduction gearbox by a hard rubber universal coupling. The control electronics are contained in a one atmosphere, hard anodised, pressure housing and all connectors are Seaeye metal shell type.
The garage is lowered to the working depth using contra-helically wound double armoured umbilical. This umbilical is mechanically terminated into a lifting device at the subsea end and electrically terminated at an oil filled, pressure compensated junction box. The umbilical is terminated on the surface into a slip ring fitted to the ROV lift winch.
A hydrostatic release mechanism ensures that the vehicle is held securely in the garage until it reaches a depth of 30 metres, safely below surface wave action.
At the working depth the ROV can be safely flown from the TMS to the extent of its tether. The pilot operates the TMS tether in and out mechanism from the hand controller as he manoeuvres the vehicle. The length of tether spooled out is displayed on the comprehensive video overlay provided as standard fit on all Seaeye ROVs. This is automatically calculated by the number of turns made by the bale arm mechanism during spooling in and out.
Three types of bale arm TMS are manufactured by Seaeye:
The Type 2 is used for the smaller vehicles, 600DT and Tiger,
The Type 4 bale arm TMS incorporates a level wind mechanism to improve tether spooling and increase the capacity of tether that can be accommodated on the bobbin.
Details
ROV Type
TMS Type
Tether Used
Excursion
Umbilical Used
Seaeye 600 DT
Type 2
5601
140 metres
ADU 3
Seaeye Tiger
Type 2
5601
140 metres
ADU 3
Seaeye Surveyor Plus
Type 3A
ROV 207
140 metres
ADU 3
Seaeye Panther and
Panther Plus
Type 3
ROV 206
150 metres
ADU 3
Seaeye Puma/Lynx
Type 4
ROV 208
200 metres
ADU 3
Specifications
Dimensions
Type 2
Type 3
Type 4
Length
1200 mm
1700 mm
1700 mm
Width
1200 mm
1400 mm
1400 mm
Height to lift eye
1640 mm
2250 mm
1880 mm
Total Weight in air
Approx 650 Kg*
Approx 1400 Kg*
Approx 1400 Kg*
Depth Rating
1000 metres
1500 metres
1500 metres
TMS Specifications
Construction
Galvanised steel
Baling System
Polypropylene construction with hard anodised aluminium central boss. Seaeye SM4 motor drive with hard rubber universal coupling to bale arm gearbox.
Junction Box (Types 3 & 4)
Hard anodised, oil filled and pressure compensated providing a central termination point for the armoured umbilical, tether cable and TMS electronics pod.
Electronics Pod
Hard anodised aluminium cylinder with piston sealed ends. Seaeye metal shell connectors.
