ROVS
Totally New
TWO YEAR PROJECT
IHC Engineering Business, part of IHC Merwede, based in Stocksfield Northumberland, is in the final stages of a two year project to develop its latest subsea vehicle which has been part financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
The project has brought together the company’s incredible wealth of in-house experience, market research and key customer information. The team are very proud of their achievement in creating a revolutionary, class leading innovation for the Offshore Wind Energy sector.
“Hi-Traq is a highly versatile tooling platform capable of unequalled steering and traction for trenching operations,” says Chris Jones, Product Manager of the Subsea Vehicle Team at IHC Engineering Business.
Trenching System
Hi-Traq, the world’s first tracked trenching Remotely Operated Vehicle specifically designed for power cable burial in offshore wind farms, is about to be introduced to the market.
REDUCED OPERATING COSTS Chris also points out that Hi-Traq has been developed for shallow water environments. “It’s here – that resistance to seabed drag and lift forces becomes a key requirement sometimes overlooked by other equipment manufacturers. Hi-Traq increases the availability to work in harsh weather environments which crucially reduces operating costs.”
Its unique four track undercarriage means Hi-Traq can cope with the uneven seabed terrain found in offshore wind farms. It also allows it to maintain a flat bottomed trench. With its ability to turn tight radii, it can offer total product burial as close to the base of the wind turbine as needed.
CHOICE OF TOOLING
There is also a choice of tooling allowing an operator to configure the vehicle specifically for the job in hand. The tooling packages available consist of jet swords for softer soil conditions and cutter chains for trenching through harder sea beds. Capable of trenching to depths of 3m, Hi-Traq offers complete product protection in line with industry regulations.
STATE-OF-THE-ART
The IHC Engineering Business control system engineers have also developed a state-of- the-art hi-tech control suite. This gives the Hi-Traq user complete control of the vehicle
FEATURE SPONSOR
as it carries out its seabed work. A myriad of surveillance and locating technology means the operations can be viewed clearly from the seabed even at depths up to 500 metres.
TOTAL PACKAGE
IHC Engineering Business is part of IHC Merwede, who offer an extensive portfolio of vessels, equipment and services to the Dredging, Mining and Offshore markets.
Hi-Traq is just one important component of a total package of equipment. This includes the launch and recovery system, comprising of a specially designed a-frame, winch and HPU all supplied by IHC Merwede and specifically tailored to the operational requirements of individual customers.
HI-TRAQ KEY FEATURES… 1 Multiple tooling options 2 Unmatched product grading 3 Automatic tool platform levelling ensuring flat bottomed trench
4 Up to 3m trench depth 5 Ability to traverse sand waves 6 No 'break over' point eliminating sudden pitching
7 Small turning circle whilst trenching 8 No loss of traction whilst turning 9 Crab and wagon steering modes 10 Comprehensive surveillance equipment provided
11 Positive product engagement low friction system
12 High sea state launch and recovery system
13 Ground shear strength equivalent >10kPa
14 Operating environment >6 knots (combined wave and current velocity in any direction)
IHC Engineering Business
Click to view more info = Click to view video
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www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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