Microlander NOC flyer.pdf - National Oceanography Centre

COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY:
MicroLander - rapidly deployable
sea bed lander system
Self-deploying, disposable tripod lander, easily launched from
aircraft or a range of vessels
Technology source: Natural Environment Research Council
(NERC), UK
The Invention/Expertise
The National Oceanography Centre has a
long history of developing lander (pop-up)
instrument platforms for use in the deep
ocean and continental shelf.
The MicroLander builds on this expertise and
has been designed as a more compact
platform that can easily be deployed from
aircraft or any ship of opportunity.
MicroLander is designed to be disposable
and send data back to base via satellite or
acoustic telemetry.
The system has a self-deploying, tripod
ballast frame that provides a stable platform
for the sensor package to sit on. At the end
of the deployment, the tripod frame can be
released (e.g. under timer control) and the
buoyant instrument package returns to the
surface for collection or transmission of data
via satellite.
System Overview
Microlander consists of a tubular package
1.65m long and 127mm diameter. The upper
part of the package is a buoyant instrument
tube which houses the battery pack, data
logging and sensor interfaces. Mounted on
the top end cap are the sensors, data
telemetry antenna and hydrophone
transducer (if required).
Below the sensor tube is the landing
mechanism consisting of three heavy
lead feet which fit together tightly
when in the pre-deployment
configuration. These are attached to
steel legs which have pivot points for
the legs to swing out into the fully
deployed state. The deployed lander
has a footprint diameter of 1.2m,
giving good stability on the seabed.
Device Operation
MicroLander uses a pneumatic piston
to operate the lander tripod. During
deployment, a locking mechanism
prevents the legs from opening until
operating depth is reached.
Increasing sea pressure during descent
to the sea bed acts on the piston and
drives it out. Once operating depth is
reached, the landing mechanism is
locked and cannot retract.
The lander deploys fully at around 45
to 50m depth (although this could be
altered by design) and is then in a
stable configuration for descent to the
seabed. The relatively large area of the
lander pads stops the instrument
sinking into the sediment and provides
a stable platform.
Undeployed MicroLander
(the grey legs are a stand, not
part of the instrument)
For further information, contact Mr. Gerry Scott, NOC Commercialisation Manager
National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton. SO14 3ZH
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 6223 email: gerry.scott@noc.ac.uk noc.ac.uk
National
Oceanography Centre
NA TUR A L ENVIR ONM E NT R ESEA R C H C OUNC I L
World class marine research
and technology for your business
NATURAL
ENVIRONMENT
RESEARCH COUNCIL

COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY:
MicroLander - rapidly
deployable sea bed lander
system
Instrument Recovery
Recovery of the instrument package is achieved by
operating a release mechanism between the lower
tube end cap and the top of the lander tripod.
This system has not yet been fully implemented, but is
envisaged that it could consist of a “burn-wire”
system, corrodible bolts and/or a threaded bolt
controlled by motor and gearbox. An acoustic release
system could also be used. The end cap is also big
enough to accommodate an acoustic transducer for
data transmission, although the operating life may be
limited by the size of the battery in the instrument
housing.
After release, the instrument tube rises to the sea
surface using its own buoyancy at a rate of around 1.0
metres per second.
Once on the surface, the instrument tube floats with a
few inches of the tube out of the water, sufficient for a
good line of sight to the sky for satellite
communication.
The Opportunity
Microlander has undergone successful test
deployment at sea, as well as testing in a
pressurized test tank.
NOC is interested in finding a commercial partner
who understands the capabilities and potential
markets for MicroLander and would be interested
in manufacturing and marketing the device under
licence from NERC.
For further information, contact Mr. Gerry Scott, NOC Commercialisation Manager
National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton. SO14 3ZH
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 6223 email: gerry.scott@noc.ac.uk noc.ac.uk
National
Oceanography Centre
NA TUR A L ENVIR ONM E NT R ESEA R C H C OUNC I L
World class marine research
and technology for your business
The information in this Project Profile is provided "as is" without conditions or warranties and NERC makes no representation and gives no warranty that it is
the owner of the intellectual property rights in the technology described.
World class marine research
and technology for your business
Tripod stage in deployed state, showing steel legs and
lead pads/feet
NATURAL
ENVIRONMENT
RESEARCH COUNCIL