PMC-NOAA has been a valued MTNW customer since 1995. The photo is a typical installation for the LCI-90 Line Control Instrument, taken aboard the R/V "McArthur". MTNW designed the NEMA 4X console specifically for this application, but repeated interest in the enclosure has made it an in-stock product. Not only does the console provide a watertight shelter for the LCI-90 or 90R displays but it also provides an integral splash cover to protect the displays from damage during ship transits and shipyard repair times. Refer to the products page for dimensions.

Dynacon winches are found on commercial and military ships around the world, and receive heavy use in ROV oceanographic research, oil field support, cable laying, and other marine activities. Since early 2000, Dynacon has specified the LCI-90 line control instrument as part of their winch systems because of its ability to capture and communicate line speed, tension, and count to the winch handling operator. The LCI-90's stainless steel construction and outstanding daylight visibility were key considerations, but Dynacon also found that marine scientists value the unit's data logging capabilities for matching cast information with collected samples. According to Dynacon, the only thing better that the LCI-90's performance to date is the support they've received from Measurement Technology NW.

PMC-NOAA contracted MTNW to provide a cost effective instrumented sheave solution for the R/V "McArthur". They were having problems with the existing instrumented block and wanted something reliable to interface with a recently installed LCI-90. Instead of the spending the big bucks to get a new block, MTNW retrofitted an existing block pulled from PMC inventory. MTNW replaced the bearings and completed a general overhaul of the sheave. We also coupled a NEMA 4X encoder housed in an explosion proof casing to the shaft of the sheave. The encoder and delrin coupling were light compared to the weight of the sheave, causing minimal off-axis wobble. This sheave when interfaced with the LCI-90 will provide a reliable readout of payout and speed.

MTNW has been a provider of winch instrumentation for Markey Machinery Co. since 1993. MTNW provided instrumentation for this Markey traction winch aboard the R/V "Ronald Brown". The photo illustrates a level wind fairlead with integral encoder and load pin on an AGOR Class research vessel.

Measurement Technology NW has partnered with Ingersoll-Rand since 1992 to provide line speed monitors for their Man Ride(tm) Air Winch series. These winches are used to hoist people - typically for inspections of oil rigs, smokestacks, and other industrial structures - and to do so they must meet stringent ANSI standards for maximum line speed. MTNW developed a cost effective line speed monitoring system that met the ANSI A10.22 standard and enabled Ingersoll-Rand to branch into this market segment.

Below is a typical application for generating payout and speed using proximity sensors. This configuration is located on the R/V "David Starr Jordan". The two 12VDC NPN proximity sensors provide both count and direction. These interface to a Model S.200 line instrument manufactured by MTNW.

Here is a typical example of a three-sheave tensionmeter. This winch is manufactured by Markey and installed on the R/V "LM Gould". This is a good example of how to use this configuration to determine line tension independent of entry and exit angles. The load is strictly placed on the center sheave and measured by a load pin placed on the center pins axis. The direction of the force is constant and thus eliminates the need for complicated wrap angle calculations and even more complicated two axis load pin configurations. The tensiometer also has built-in dual proximity sensors and targets for payout and speed calculations.

Another example of a three-sheave tensionmeter. This winch is also manufactured by Markey and installed on the R/V "Ka'imimoana". This tensiometer again is able to provide a tension value that is independent of entry and exit. This is an example of a tensiometer that has a built-in rotary encoder. Encoders provide the most accurate method of obtaining data concerning a sheave rotation. Care should be taken when using an encoder. The encoder must be housed in a watertight j-box and the encoder shaft must not be subjected to the load on the sheave.

Probably the largest remote display of winch parameter data in the world was fabricated for the R/V "Roger Revelle" by MTNW. The display measured 60" wide, 28" tall and 6" deep. The standard parameter data was displayed; payout, speed and tension using 6" tall numeric characters composed of super bright long lasting LEDs. Parameter titles and units were displayed with green 3" tall characters backlite with a green fluorescent light. The display was fabricated to NEMA 4 specification using an anodized aluminum frame and real glass windows. The monster display integrated to the existing RS-485 network broadcasting from the local units already aboard the vessel. The big display is mounted in the staging bay to keep the people on deck up to date on the depth and ascent rate of the package they will retrieve when it reaches the surface.