BENTHIC LABORATORY 



395 



5-MHz bandwidth TV video signals from benthic to shore. The time -multiplex telemetering 

 system provides 128 channels in each direction with a 60-Hz sampling rate on each channel. 



The benthic hive is filled with optically clear acid -washed kerosene. The interior is 

 lighted by 16 lights which are turned on individually and in pairs via the shore -to-benthic time- 

 multiplex channels. Two television cameras with remotely operated pan/ tilt capability are 

 located inside the hive and provide vision for inspection and servicing of interior electronics. 



All circuits are made up on plug-in cards and are contained in 22 modular assemblies 

 arranged in a ring around a mechanical manipulator which is operated remotely over the time- 

 multiplex channels. The ring assembly is shown in Fig. 152. There are spare circuit cards 

 for all critical circuits stored in the modules for easy access by the manipulator. Other fea- 

 tures include manipulator -actuated switches, both rotary and toggle, and an instrumentation 

 patch panel where any one of over 70 voltages and waveforms may be selected for telemetering 

 to shore for system check or trouble shooting. 



Fig. 152. The benthic laboratory modular assemblies ar- 

 ranged in a ring around the mechanical manipulator 



A completely independent backup telemetering system, providing 24 channels for critical 

 control functions such as manipulator, lights, and TV, could be placed in service for trouble 

 shooting in the event a failure should occur in the primary system. 



A pair of hydrophones are mounted, one on each side of the manipulator. The hydrophone 

 outputs are transmitted to shore for stereo listening in order to give the operator an additional 

 sense of certain operating conditions which would not otherwise be available. 



The operation of the benthic lab is carried out from the benthic control room located on 

 shore. Fig. 153 shows the configuration of the operators' console. 



The initial attempt at manipulation within the benthic hive was carried out on Sept. 1, the 

 day after the emplantment of the benthic lab. The attempt was made using benthic TV camera 

 2, located between modules 22 and 23, near the TV modulator cards in module 21. This par- 

 ticular TV camera appeared to be faulty, and the picture definition was very poor, indicating 

 either an oil leakage into the optics or a faulty electromagnetic focus circuit. A comparison of 



