Important Deployment Warnings ......................16 Lockout Procedure ..........................16 Installing the rapidCAST Interface Software ....................16 Software Architecture .......................... 17 A Tour of the RapidCAST Interface ....................... 17 Cable Connections............................18 Antenna Position ............................22 Switch Functions ............................23 LED Functions ............................... 24 Installing the rapidCAST System ........................
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Spool Retention Points ......................82 Figure 52. Spool Installed .......................... 82 IST OF ABLES Table 1. rapidCAST Depth versus Speed ....................12 Table 2. Inventory ..........................15 Table 3. Spare Parts Kit 71JK6004-00 ..................... 75 Page iv EAR-Controlled Technology Subject to Restrictions Contained on the Cover Page.
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Added Replacing the Spool to the maintenance procedures • Updated the tension arm calibration May 2016 • Updated manual to include changes from rapidCAST Interface software version 1.5.1 • Added Line Properties, Line Management, and Checking for Line Fouling sections • Updated Adjusting the LevelWind Position •...
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OTES Page vi EAR-Controlled Technology Subject to Restrictions Contained on the Cover Page.
Thank you for purchasing your rapidCAST system. Teledyne Oceanscience has a support team in place to assist you with understanding, operating, and deploying your rapidCAST system. Included with your system is documentation regarding the setup and deployment of the rapidCAST. We strongly encourage you to thoroughly read through this documentation to maximize your user experience.
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March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide The rapidCAST delivers a probe to a user-specified target depth while the vessel is underway, and re- trieves the probe automatically. Using an entirely new active tension management system, payout behav- ior is precisely controlled to ensure the probe depth is known at all times - even without a conducting ca- ble! Data transfer is achieved using an automated Bluetooth connection.
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide Terminology Use this section to learn the terms that will be used throughout the manual. Figure 1. Winch Assembly Overview Figure 2. Interface Module Overview EAR-Controlled Technology Subject to Restrictions Contained on the Cover Page.
User’s Guide March 2018 Figure 3. Control Module Overview • The top four connectors are latching non-threaded push-pull types. • The Control and Antenna connectors are threaded and screw • Ensure that connectors are fully-seated; otherwise water re- sistance may be compromised! •...
24 inches of the aft rail. Oceanscience can provide designs for mounting options if necessary. In- stallation of a serial cable running from the rapidCAST electronic control module to the survey PC is re- quired. As the probe uses wireless Bluetooth telemetry, no cabling is required for data download.
User’s Guide March 2018 Figure 5. Cable Clearance Requirements Figure 6. Mounting Requirements Appendix A - Installation Drawings for a detailed Pipe Mount Installation Drawing. EAR-Controlled Technology Subject to Restrictions Contained on the Cover Page. Page 7...
As long as the vessel retains a nominal forward motion to prevent entangling of the line in the ship propel- ler. The maximum profile depth is then limited by the amount of line on the rapidCAST spool and the probe pressure rating of 2000m.
User’s Guide March 2018 Power Cable Connections The diagram below shows how the power cables may be connected. Figure 7. Power Cable Connections Figure 8. 7000625 Cable Plug/Termina- Figure 9. 60309 Vessel Socket / Recepta- tion cle/ Outlet EAR-Controlled Technology Subject to Restrictions Contained on the Cover Page.
User’s Guide Table 1. rapidCAST Depth versus Speed The table above applies to the RapidSV probe. Call for details on other probes. Each standard spool is delivered with 1954 meters of line, of which 1700 meters can be used for normal...
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User’s Guide March 2018 Quick Review Check that you know the Reference Figure 1 through Terminology used. Figure 4. Check that the boat meets Reference page 6 to 8. the Mechanical and Electrical Requirements EAR-Controlled Technology Subject to Restrictions Contained on the Cover Page.
N S T A L L A T I O N I N C L U D E S T H E F O L L O W I N G S T E P S Unpacking the rapidCAST system Installing the RapidCAST Control Software Learning Cable Connections and Switch Functions...
The rapidCAST Control Software is located on the documentation CD. To install the drivers and software: 1. Connect the system and apply power. Connect the PC to the Control USB port of RapidCAST In- terface Module, which should automatically install two USB Serial Port devices on the PC.
Software). • RapidCAST Interface is a graphical user interface that runs on a PC and is the primary method for operating the winch. It functions as a messaging and task management layer that transmits com- mands to RapidCAST Motion, hiding the latter’s complexity behind a friendly and intuitive graph- ical interface.
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide The spool indicator shows the speed of the line out (blue) and line in speed (yellow). The two white circles represent the LevelWind position, and blink when the LevelWind is at the full left/right positions.
User’s Guide March 2018 Figure 12. Removing the Winch Assembly Covers Figure 13. Winch Assembly Connectors To Connect the Cables: 1. Route all five (5) cables through the cable routing hole. Ensure that the cables do not interfere with the motion of the spool, LevelWind, or tension arm.
Figure 15). 9. Connect the AC power cable to the Control Module. Do not connect the 9000783 USB cable to PC computer until the rapidCAST Interface software is installed and the system is powered up. See Connecting the Winch to a PC details.
User’s Guide Antenna Position The rapidCAST system includes two types of antenna. The size of the vessel will determine which antenna to use. Omni Antenna – Use this antenna when the distance between the Interface Module and Control Mod- ule is less than 10 meters.
Control Module and one on the Interface Module. If the emer- gency stop button is pushed in, turn and pull out to restore power. The rapidCAST system will reboot in a few seconds.
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide LED Functions LEDs on the Control Module provide a snapshot of power supply health and system status. During nor- mal operation, all LEDs should be lit. These LEDs consist of: 48V LED (GREEN): Indicates the state of the 48V supply which powers the Spool Motor.
Installing the rapidCAST System Environmental Conditions The RapidCAST is rated to IP65. All exterior components are sealed and water-tight when the cables are mated. Dust caps should be installed on connectors when they are not in use. Overall, the system has very good UV resistance, but should not be left outdoors for extended periods of time, i.e.
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide Lifting the RapidCAST System DO NOT USE THE TENSION ARM AS A LIFT POINT. The tension arm is not load bearing and could be damaged if it is used as a lifting point. The system should be lifted by any of the four (4) handles available on the covers. If the covers are re- moved, the system can be lifted by the frame.
A custom mounting plate is required to mount the Pipe Mount, PN 8000592. An adapter is available from Oceanscience that will facilitate the installation of a RapidCAST where an Underway CTD was previously installed. One such adapter is shown below.
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide Installing the Winch on the Pipe Mount Pipe Mount 2. Disengage the winch spring pin by pulling and then rotating. Slide the winch on to the pipe mount and rotate the winch back and forth until it is fully seated on the pipe mount.
User’s Guide March 2018 Installing the Control Module The control module has two standard 1-5/8 inch strut channels located on the back. These will accept standard pipe mounts (not included). The control module is mounted within 8 feet of the winch and to the ship’s rail or other available mounting location...
1645 m of White Line: Normal line used for deployment. • 254 m of “Terminal” Red Line: Bottom part of the spool. The RapidCAST winch software prevents this portion from being paid out, and in fact, automatically stops deployment before this portion of line is reached. If, for some reason, the winch ends up using this segment of line (perhaps through misconfiguration, improper homing, or this safeguard is overridden).
User’s Guide March 2018 Line Routing Procedure IMPORTANT!!! Follow the lockout procedure before routing the line. Before routing the line, remove the short section of Duct Tape (PN 9002203) that is securing the line to the spool. The spools are shipped with the line secured to the spool. Removal of the middle cover may be necessary.
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide Installing and Connecting the Probe Remove tailspool - depress white button and rotate tailspool as shown while holding probe. 2. Pass end of winch line thru shackle on tailspool. 3. Slide tailspool thru eye of winch line.
Installing the Probe Software Follow the instructions shipped with the probe to install the probe software onto the same computer run- ning the rapidCAST Interface software. Verifying Probe Communications Follow the instructions shipped with the probe to verify that it can communicate using Bluetooth with the probe software.
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Reference figures Figure 12 installed. through Figure 27. Check that the cables are Reference figures Figure 14 connected. and Figure 15. Check that the rapidCAST Reference page 16. Interface Software is installed Verify you can Reference page 33 communicate with the probe EAR-Controlled Technology Subject to Restrictions Contained on the Cover Page.
To connect the winch to the PC and verify communication: 1. Apply power to the Control Module, follow Power Up Sequence. 2. Start the RapidCAST Interface software. The Select Communication Ports dialog will open. To re- open this screen, click the Comms menu.
1. Turn power ON using the Power Up Sequence. 2. Start the rapidCAST Interface software. 3. On the Control Module, set the Control Switch to the Local Control position. 4. Use the joystick to pay OUT and pay IN a few meters of cable. See...
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide Adjusting the LevelWind Position As line is deployed in or out, the direction of the LevelWind travel and the direction the line as it is rolled off the spool should be in-line with each other. The LevelWind’s reciprocating motion is generated entirely mechanically via rotation of a diamond screw.
User’s Guide March 2018 Line Management While the probe is in the water or hanging in the air, it pulls on the line and keeps it under tension. This helps prevent line fouling. When the probe is on deck, line is not normally under tension. If the spool is rotated outward while there is no tension on the line, loose loops can form.
To set the Home position: 1. Turn power on to the system and start the rapidCAST Interface software. 2. On the Control Module, set the Control Switch to the Local Control position (joystick control) or PC Control position (use the In, Out, Stop and Speed buttons on the Jog and Teach tab).
1. Move the probe to the topmost position next to the swivel block at the end of the davit. 2. Click the Jog and Teach tab on the rapidCAST Interface software. 3. Click Dock and then click the Teach Button. On the Record Position dialog, click OK.
2. Move the probe to where the probe antenna (the black portion of the probe) is out of the water. 3. Click the Jog and Teach tab on the rapidCAST Interface software. 4. Click Comm and then click the Teach Button. On the Record Position dialog, click OK.
Typically set the Recovery position farther out from the Launch position. After the tension-controlled payout has finished, the rapidCAST will start reeling the probe back in. The reel-in speed can be fairly high (up to 200 RPM). The Recovery position is the point at which you are comfortable having the probe EAR-Controlled Technology Subject to Restrictions Contained on the Cover Page.
1. Begin moving the boat forward. 2. Move the probe to beyond the wake. 3. Click the Jog and Teach tab on the rapidCAST Interface software. 4. Click Recovery and then click the Teach Button. On the Record Position dialog, click OK.
March 2018 Saving and Loading Workspaces The rapidCAST can save all of the settings for communications, Dock, Comm, Launch, and Recovery posi- tions, and Configuration Settings to a Workspace file (*.rcstprj file). The settings will be lost in the event of a power cycle and can be recovered if they are saved.
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March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide Quick Review Check that the Reference page 36 communication ports are assigned. Check the Basic Motion Reference page 37 Functionality Check that the Home, Reference page 40 Dock, Comm, Launch, and Recovery positions are set EAR-Controlled Technology Subject to Restrictions Contained on the Cover Page.
• Plain tailspool is used for deployments >100m To switch between pre-defined dive tables: 1. Start the rapidCAST Interface software. 2. Click the Dive Table tab. 3. The CURRENT DEPTH-TO-TIME COEFFICIENTS IN USE table shows the currently used dive table. To swap tables, select the Alternate Choice in the second table and click the Activate Se- lected Row button.
In cases where rapidCAST Interface and the hydrographic survey software both reside on the same PC, a virtual serial port may be the easier option to implement. If the survey software is already receiving...
Auto-Repeat disabled, additional casts will not be performed without operator authoriza- tion. This feature ensures that if contact with the depth sounder is lost, rapidCAST Interface will not be using old/outdated depth data. For operational safety, if depth readings resume, the user must manually re-enable Auto-Depth and/or Auto-Repeat, as desired.
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide If Reject sentences with bad NMEA checksums is checked, the rapidCAST Interface will calculate the checksums of each message received, and ignore sentences with invalid checksums, thus ensuring that the reported depth readings have not been altered by communication noise.
The Offset parameter is additive: positive offsets will make the probe fall deeper, negative offsets will make it fall shallower. RapidCAST Interface 1.5.1 introduces a multiplier factor called Coverage. Coverage is a positive-valued parameter that can adjust Nominal Target Depth from 0% thru +100% to give the user increased flexibil- ity in specifying a correction factor.
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide Performing Your First Cast COMM Recovery Launch A S T I N G I N C L U D E S T H E F O L L O W I N G S T E P S Step 1 –...
3. Slowly lower the probe into the water by holding the line and slipping it out by hand 4. Check that swivel is locked or unlocked in the desired position Step 2 – Set Target Depth Start the rapidCAST system and verify that the Home, Dock, Comm, Launch, and Recovery positions are set (see Initial Setup).
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide Step 3 – Set Parameters The software sequence will execute the following actions, in order. The actions have a default setting and are all user settable. Review the settings by scrolling through: Hold Position – time before next task begins with an audio/visional notification option.
Step 4 – Move to Point Launch Move the boat forward at the desired survey speed. Click the Start button. Watch the video showing a rapidCAST deployment. When Auto Repeat is checked, once the start button is checked, the deployment sequence will automatically repeat at the conclusion of each cast until Auto Repeat is unchecked.
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide Step 5 – Tension Controlled Payout Observe the progress bar as each step is completed. Observe the winch tension control arm and line EAR-Controlled Technology Subject to Restrictions Contained on the Cover Page. Page 56...
User’s Guide March 2018 Step 6 – Move to Point Recovery Observe probe as it is rapidly retrieved to the Recovery position. Set the Hold position before Recovery equal to the Tension Controlled payout duration. This will help in the initial retrieval of the probe by using the boat’s forward speed.
2, use an offset for the next cast. When Auto Repeat is checked, set the final Hold Position long enough for the probe to download data. The rapidCAST will start another cast until Auto Repeat is unchecked. Complete That’s it! You completed a cast.
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User’s Guide March 2018 Quick Review Setup and check system Step 1 - Setup Check that target depth is Step 2 – Set Target Depth Review/Set Parameters Step 3 – Set Parameters and verify hold positions have been entered as...
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide Disassembly and Packing If the winch needs to be disassembled, use the following steps: 1. Power down the controller. Disconnect all cables on the controller and stow it in the Ancillaries Case. 2. Remove the probe from the line and stow it in its case.
Resolving Fault Conditions section. To change a Winch Configuration Settings: 1. Start the rapidCAST Interface software. 2. Click the Winch Config tab. 3. Locate the Parameter Name on the list and enter the DesiredValue. 4. Click the Commit All button.
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide Resolving Fault Conditions P R O B L E M : The Control Module does not appear to be powered. I N D I C A T I O N S : One or more LEDs on the Control Module are off.
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User’s Guide March 2018 P R O B L E M : The Motor Brake does not appear to be engaging/stopping the spool. I N D I C A T I O N S : If the Control Module detects that the spool has rotated 10 or more revolutions...
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March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide P R O B L E M : The Motor Brake is not releasing the spool when commanded to. I N D I C A T I O N S : One or more of the following conditions may indicate a brake failure to release: •...
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User’s Guide March 2018 P R O B L E M : Manual recovery of the probe is required and not possible by hand. I N D I C A T I O N S : One or more of the following conditions may require a manual probe recovery: •...
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March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide 6. Remove the Brake: a. Remove the twelve (12) X M6 screws and washers using a 5mm hex key. b. Slide off the motor cover making sure the motor wires are no longer attached. Remove the four (4) X #8-32 screws using a 9/64 hex key.
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User’s Guide March 2018 10. Once the probe has been safely recovered, the malfunctioning brake must be replaced before fu- ture deployments can proceed. 11. To install the NEW brake, reverse the above procedure starting with Step 6. Take care to re-in-...
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March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide P R O B L E M : The Spool Encoder is malfunctioning. I N D I C A T I O N S : Any of the following may indicate a problem with the spool encoder: •...
To create a new calibration: 1. In the rapidCAST Interface software, click the Maintenance tab and then click the Calibration button (see Figure 39, page 71). 2. In the Calibration window, click the Save Backup File button to save the current (incumbent) calibration to a file on the PC.
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March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide 4. Remove all line tension from the Tension Arm so that the arm is resting against its lower hard stop. Under Tension-Arm Minimum Position click the Capture button to record the arm’s position. 5. Ensure that the line is routed through the LevelWind, Tension Arm, and Davit Pulley exactly as it would be during normal operation.
• The calibration settings are also stored in a local file on the PC. The file resides in a (normally hid- den) folder: C:\ProgramData\Teledyne Oceanscience\RapidCast Interface\[Ver- sion]\WinchCalibration.txt. When the Control Module boots up, it checks the microSD card for the calibration settings. If the calibra- tion settings cannot be found or if the card is inaccessible, the Interface software will automatically trans- mit the backup calibration data that is stored on the PC, so that the winch can operate normally.
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide Using the GUI Windows and Controls The rapidCAST system keeps track of system performance in the Telemetry and Message Log windows. To view the screens, click the desired menu item. Telemetry menu: MessageLog menu: EAR-Controlled Technology Subject to Restrictions Contained on the Cover Page.
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User’s Guide March 2018 About menu: EAR-Controlled Technology Subject to Restrictions Contained on the Cover Page. Page 73...
User’s Guide Updating the Winch Software To update the winch software: 1. Start the rapidCAST Interface software. 2. Click the Maintenance tab. 3. Click the Software Update button. 4. Click the File Location button and navigate to the folder that contains the Config.hex and Firm- ware.hex files.
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide Tailspool • Inspect the shackle and loop splice every time the probe is onboard and before it goes overboard. • The shackle should be shiny and have no burrs. If the shackle has any burrs or damage, replace it IMMEDIATELY.
User’s Guide March 2018 • The inline splice should be intact and not walking out. There is a high risk of losing the probe if the splice starts to walk out. The inline splice is only held by friction and is strongest when loaded.
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide Shackle Replacement ONLY USE ROPE TO THE REMOVE SHACKLE. Use of hard tools will create burrs and render the shackle useless. To replace the shackle: 1. Loosen and then remove the bolt and flat washer.
User’s Guide March 2018 Loop Splice During intensive surveys, the probe loop splice should be replaced daily by cutting 50cm of line from the end and re-splicing the termination. This will take just a few minutes. The entire line section should be replaced after 1000 casts as a preventative measure.
This procedure shows how to replace a spool in the rapidCAST. Removing the Spool 1. Position rapidCAST such that the rear of the unit can be accessed (Davit arm is extending away). 2. Using appropriate tools remove the four screws and washers holding the top cover of rapidCAST.
Removing the Spool Reassembling the Spool Module 1. Position the spool such that the strengthening bar is to the left of the rapidCAST as viewed from the rear (Davit pointing away). 2. The line should now be positioned to unspool from the top.
March 2018 rapidCAST User’s Guide 3. Lift the spool from the bottom of the chassis and position the square hole in the strengthener onto the motor axle. Motor Encoder Figure 51. Spool Retention Points 4. Position the encoder assembly so that the square axle aligns with the hole in the plastic side of the spool.
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