Supply, Deployment, and Translation of Hydrophones for Underwater Acoustic Facility

NPL is seeking a solution for the deployment and translation of a set of hydrophones into an underwater acoustic facility.

The facility is an underwater acoustic calibration tank consisting of a large wooden vessel (5.5m in diameter and 5m deep) filled with potable water. The calibration activities will be performed with either 2 or 3 hydrophones deployed at the mid-depth point of the vessel. The hydrophones are mounted at the end of carbon fibre poles of minimum size to avoid acoustic reflections. The size and design of the poles is flexible and may be adjusted to the solution (this will be the responsibility of NPL). The poles may be permanently attached to the solution as long as the hydrophones can be removed and mounted onto the ends.

The schematic and model of the facility attached depict dimensions, swept volume required of each hydrophone (shown as coloured prisms), starting positions of the hydrophones (shown at the top of each prism) and extreme positions of the hydrophones (shown at the bottom of the prisms).

The facility is operated from the first floor, and it currently has 3 separate linear axis carriage systems (as shown in the images attached). The facility features a concrete floor, steel framework around the vessel, a HVAC system and an overhead crane. The size of the room cannot be altered, but modifications to the concrete floor and steel framework are feasible for attachment/fixing of solutions.

NPL has conducted initial research into possible solutions such as industrial robots. NPL is open to explore different solutions to meet the requirements below.

NPL is seeking engagement from suppliers who have capability to provide a solution to the following requirements:

This is not an evaluation exercise and nothing in this activity will limit the opportunity to engage in any follow on ITT.