Rovtech ROVs Integrate Bender Monitoring Technology

Rovtech Solutions has designed the new Nano Seaker remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to work in arduous environments including highly radioactive storage ‘ponds’ at Sellafield and on other nuclear sites.

In addition, They can also be commissioned for use in lakes and reservoirs to help with underwater search tasks and surveying of underwater structures and containment tanks.

Weighing in at just 15 kilograms Nano Seaker is primarily designed as an ‘eyeball’ giving a live camera feed back to the operator. It can also be equipped with a grab, and with sonar to enhance its underwater search capabilities.

Bender’s Linetraxx RCM420 residual current monitor (RCM) notifies immediately if there is water ingress into the umbilical control tether or the ROV unit itself. The early warning of developing electrical faults is vital to ensure that the vehicle can be recovered under power before critical failure.

Rovtech Solutions technical manager, Barry Vernon, explains: “Our ROVs operate in a range of hostile environments and the Bender equipment monitors the status of the electronics which power and control the units. It prevents a simple leak developing into something potentially more serious, or presenting a safety risk to operators. Protection of the asset is vital, and continuous monitoring of the ROV allows optimum operational time for users of the Nano Seaker.”

Rovtech Solutions also aims to include Bender Linetraxx RCM technology in an upgrade of the larger adaptable Seaker ROVs.

Ulverston-based Bender UK works with a range of original equipment manufacturers in subsea and offshore oil and gas sectors to protect personnel, systems and production.

Bender UK industrial business manager, Phil Robinson, comments: “As a company developing its own range of advanced products, the team at Rovtech Solutions appreciate the capability of our technology and how it protects not only their assets but their reputation as one of Europe’s leading ROV specialists. Collaborations of this sort play to our strengths producing innovative products which are then complemented by Bender UK’s excellent applications engineering.

“Bender’s range of electrical safety and intelligent monitoring and measurement systems are designed to monitor and protect assets which work in some of the harshest operating conditions. We understand the critical importance of plant availability and resilience, and we welcome opportunities to work with original equipment manufacturers to deliver tailored solutions that safeguard their equipment.”