OSIL Builds New Autonomous Profiling Winch

Marine engineering experts Ocean Scientific International Ltd (OSIL) has produced a new and compact autonomous profiling winch that will operate unmanned for 30 days.

OSIL were approached with a requirement for a 24V waterproof winch system to mount to existing automated surface vehicle systems. The winch will undertake 10 profiles per day, with a 15kg payload, for 30 days continuously.

The design was constrained by the size of the available space and a maximum weight restriction, in addition to the payload requirements.

The winch has 200m drum capacity using 3mm diameter dyneema, and is equipped with a level wind to prevent entanglements and ensure the cable spools evenly onto the drum. The winch drum is also fitted with an encoder for pay out readings and an internal brake which operates automatically.

OSIL said it has worked closely with the end client to ensure that the specification is exactly as required.