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Acoustic release
User’s manual

F4105
Acoustic release
User’s manual

Contents

1. F4105 system description

1.1. Purpose

The system is an easy-to-use and functional solution for raising the line of bottom equipment deployed for a long period (up to 2 months). Uncoupling from the anchor is performed by a reliable screw mechanism, initiated by an addressed command transmitted over the underwater acoustic channel from the water surface (by means of a lowered transducer). After uncoupling, the lifting line unwinds from the float-reel, while the lower end of the line remains connected to the anchor (and the bottom equipment). This makes it possible to raise the bottom equipment by the upper end of the line.

1.2. System composition

The current version of the system consists of three devices:

F4105-SU
Figure 1 - Programming and control unit for releases F4105-SU
with a transducer on a cable

The figure below shows the front panel of the device with the controls:

F4105-SU
Figure 2 - Controls of the F4105-SU unit
1 - Transducer connector, 2 - Actuator test connector, 3 - Acoustic wake-up unit connector, 4 - Charger connector, 5 - Request indicator, 6 - Status indicator, 7 - Device power toggle switch, 8 - Code 1 switch, 9 - Code 2 switch, 10 - Button for writing the address into the acoustic wake-up unit, 11 - Request mode switch, 12 - Fuse holder

1.2.2. F4105-AU acoustic wake-up unit

The acoustic wake-up unit is the control device that supplies a signal which switches on the actuating device (actuator) upon receiving an addressed request over the underwater acoustic channel. The acoustic wake-up unit is equipped with a cable and a connector for interfacing with the setting device for address programming and for interfacing with the actuating device. The appearance of the wake-up unit is shown in the figure below:

F4105-AU
Figure 3 - Acoustic wake-up unit F4105-AU

1.2.3. F4105-BU release unit

The release unit is both the actuating device and the power source. It is designed for uncoupling the device from the anchor by means of a screw mechanism. Upon receiving a signal from the control device, a geared motor is activated in the actuator, which unscrews the lock nut connected to the anchor and thereby allows the actuator with the float to rise under the action of the buoyant force.

The appearance of the release unit is shown in the figure below:

F4105-BU
Figure 4 - Release unit F4105-BU

The actuator has a connector on a cable for:

1.4. Delivery set

The standard delivery set includes:

Programming and control unit F4105-SU 1 pc.
Underwater acoustic transducer type RT-1.524525-1 with a load-bearing eye 1 pc.
Carabiner 1 pc.
Rigging shackle 1 pc.
Mains charger for the programming and control unit 1 pc.
Adapter for connecting the acoustic wake-up unit 1 pc.
Adapter for connecting the release unit 1 pc.
Jumper with clamps 1 pc.
Spare fuse 1 pc.
   
Release unit F4105-BU with a lock nut 1 pc.
Mains charger for the release unit 1 pc.
Spare sealing ring (O-ring) for the lock nut 1 pc.
Reel 1 pc.
Reel cover 1 pc.
Line 4 mm 50 m
Lock nut pin 1 pc.
   
Acoustic wake-up unit F4105-AU 1 pc.
Stabilizer float 1 pc.

2. Working with the system

The typical operating sequence consists of the following stages:

2.1. Programming the address of the wake-up unit

Minimum set of equipment for programming the wake-up unit:

Procedure for programming the wake-up unit:

  1. Place the programming unit on a flat surface and open the lid by unlatching the catches on the sides of the case
  2. Make sure that the unit is switched off: toggle switch (7) Power is in the Off position
  3. Make sure that toggle switch (11) Request is in the Off position
  4. Connect the wake-up unit via the adapter to connector (3) Receiver
  5. Switch on the programming unit by setting toggle switch (7) Power to the On position
  6. Make sure that the unit has entered programming mode, namely, that indicator (6) Status blinks frequently
    • If the unit has not entered programming mode (indicator (6) Status is not blinking), the acoustic wake-up unit cannot be programmed. Try repeating the steps. If the situation repeats, contact support
  7. Keep in mind that the unit automatically exits programming mode 2 minutes after being switched on. If the wake-up unit has not been programmed within this time, switch off the unit by setting toggle switch (7) Power to the Off position and repeat the steps starting from step 2.
  8. Use switches Code 1 (8) and Code 2 (9) to set the new wake-up code that will be programmed into the wake-up unit
  9. Press button (10) Program
  10. If the wake-up unit has been programmed successfully, indicator (6) Status stops blinking and stays lit continuously for two seconds, after which it starts blinking again, signaling readiness for programming
    • If an error occurred during programming, indicator (5) Request will light up for two seconds. In this case, try repeating all the steps from the beginning. If the error repeats, contact support
  11. Switch off the programming unit by setting toggle switch (7) Power to the Off position
  12. Disconnect the wake-up unit from connector (3) Receiver
  13. To program another wake-up unit, repeat the steps starting from step 2.

⚠ CAUTION! It is strongly recommended to keep a list that matches the factory number of the wake-up unit, the code programmed into it, and the place and date of deployment. This will help avoid a situation in which the bottom equipment cannot be recovered because the ascent code has been lost. Given the total number of possible addresses, in this situation the equipment can be raised only directly (for example, by divers) or by trying the possible codes. A sample form for keeping such a list is given in the Appendices.

2.2. Checking the wake-up unit and the actuator

This procedure checks:

Minimum set of equipment for checking the wake-up unit and the actuator:

Before performing the checks, the equipment must be inspected for:

⚠ CAUTION! If at least one item from the list above is found, further checking of the equipment must be canceled, the equipment must be recognized as defective, and its further use until the fault is eliminated is completely prohibited!

Procedure for checking the wake-up unit and the actuator:

  1. Place the programming unit on a flat surface and open the lid by unlatching the catches on the sides of the case
  2. Make sure that the unit is switched off: toggle switch (7) Power is in the Off position
  3. Make sure that toggle switch (11) Request is in the Off position
  4. Connect the wake-up unit via the adapter to connector (3) Receiver
  5. Connect the release unit via the adapter to connector (2) Actuator; the lock nut of the actuator must be screwed in
  6. With the wake-up unit and actuator connected, use the jumper with clamps to connect the metal parts of their connectors to each other
  7. Connect the transducer to the programming and control unit via connector (1) Antenna
  8. Place the transducer and the body of the wake-up unit no more than 4 cm from each other, for example on the surface of a table
  9. Switch on the programming and control unit by setting toggle switch (7) Power to the On position
  10. Make sure that the unit has entered programming mode, namely, that indicator (6) Status blinks frequently
    • If the unit has not entered programming mode (indicator (6) Status is not blinking), switch off the unit by setting toggle switch (7) Power to the Off position and repeat the steps starting from step 2. If the situation repeats, contact support.
  11. Wait for approximately 2 minutes for the unit to exit programming mode, which will be indicated by indicator (6) Status ceasing to blink and staying lit continuously
    • If the unit does not exit programming mode after approximately two minutes, switch off the unit by setting toggle switch (7) Power to the Off position and repeat the steps starting from step 2. If the situation repeats, contact support.
  12. Use switches Code 1 (8) and Code 2 (9) to set the code corresponding to this wake-up unit
  13. Note the position of the lock nut of the actuator and indicator (5) Request
  14. Set toggle switch (11) Request to the On position
  15. Indicator (5) Request is lit while the underwater acoustic initiating signal is being emitted
  16. When the correct code is received, the actuator motor will be switched on for approximately 2 seconds.
  17. If the actuator motor switches on, the system is considered serviceable and operational.
    • If the motor does not switch on, check that the code set with switches (8) and (9) is correct.
  18. Set toggle switch (11) to the Off position
  19. Switch off the unit by setting toggle switch (7) Power to the Off position
  20. Disconnect the wake-up unit and the actuator from the unit
  21. To check another set of equipment, repeat the steps starting from step 2.

The actuator with the wake-up unit can also be checked without connecting them to the programming and control unit, but in this case the motor will be switched on for 90 seconds. To perform such a check, which in effect fully simulates the operation of the system in air, perform the following sequence of actions:

  1. Place the programming unit on a flat surface and open the lid by unlatching the catches on the sides of the case
  2. Make sure that the unit is switched off: toggle switch (7) Power is in the Off position
  3. Make sure that toggle switch (11) Request is in the Off position
  4. Connect the transducer to the programming and control unit via connector (1) Antenna
  5. Connect the acoustic wake-up unit to the actuator using the connector and make sure that the lock nut of the actuator is screwed in
  6. Connect the metal parts of the connectors of the wake-up unit and the actuator using the jumper with clamps (the connector may be immersed in a container of water so that the metal parts of both halves of the connector are completely submerged throughout the check)
  7. Place the transducer and the body of the wake-up unit no more than 4 cm from each other, for example on the surface of a table
  8. Use switches Code 1 (8) and Code 2 (9) to set the code corresponding to this wake-up unit
  9. Switch on the programming and control unit by setting toggle switch (7) Power to the On position
  10. Set toggle switch (11) Request to the On position
  11. Indicator (5) Request is lit while the underwater acoustic initiating signal is being emitted
  12. When the correct code is received, the actuator motor will be switched on for approximately 90 seconds
  13. If the actuator motor switches on, the system is considered serviceable and operational
    • If the motor does not switch on, check that the code set with switches (8) and (9) is correct
  14. Set toggle switch (11) to the Off position
  15. Switch off the unit by setting toggle switch (7) Power to the Off position
  16. Disconnect the wake-up unit and the actuator from the unit
  17. To check another set of equipment, repeat the steps starting from step 2.

2.3. Preparing the release for deployment

At this stage, it is assumed that:

Preparation for deployment consists of the following steps:

F4105-BU
Figure 5 - The lock nut is screwed onto the actuator shaft
F4105-BU
Figure 6 - The actuator is inserted into the reel
F4105-BU
Figure 7 - The cord is passed through the hole in the bottom of the reel
F4105-BU
Figure 8 - The cord is secured to the lock pin, the anchor loop is formed
F4105-BU
Figure 9 - Start of laying the cord into the reel
F4105-BU
Figure 10 - Laying the cord into the reel
F4105-BU
Figure 11 - Laying the cord into the reel
F4105-BU
Figure 12 - Laying the cord into the reel
F4105-BU
Figure 13 - Free (upper) end of the cord
F4105-BU
Figure 14 - Putting on the reel lid
F4105-BU
Figure 15 - Stopper knot
F4105-BU
Figure 16 - Securing the reel lid with the cord and forming the upper loop
F4105-BU
Figure 17 - Attaching the float
F4105-BU
Figure 18 - Attaching the small float (stabilizer float)

Deploy the equipment gradually, making sure that the cables and cords do not become tangled. The anchor must be lowered first (if there is one and if the bottom equipment is not heavy enough).

2.4. Transmitting the ascent command

Ascent commands are transmitted after reaching the area of the body of water where the bottom equipment fitted with F4105 releases is located. For commands to be transmitted successfully and received by the acoustic wake-up unit, there must be no more than 200 meters in a straight line between the transducer of the programming and control unit and the housing of the acoustic wake-up unit, with a direct line of sight (through the water column): there must be no natural or artificial obstacles between the transmitter and the receiver, such as vessels with a low draft, underwater and port infrastructure objects, bridge piers, elements of the bottom landscape and vegetation.

After reaching the area where the release to be raised is installed, follow the instructions below:

  1. Install the programming and control unit, securing it firmly on the vessel so that it cannot tip overboard
  2. Open the lid of the unit by unlatching the catches on the sides of the case
  3. Make sure that the unit is switched off: toggle switch (7) Power is in the Off position
  4. Make sure that toggle switch (11) Request is in the Off position
  5. Keep the vessel stationary (slight drift is permitted) to prevent the transducer of the programming and control unit from floating up
  6. Connect the transducer to connector (1) Antenna of the unit and secure it by its load-bearing eye to the case lid, or in another way that prevents it from sinking
  7. Lower the transducer overboard to a depth of at least one meter and no higher than one meter from the lowest point of the vessel
  8. Set toggle switch (7) Power to the On position
  9. Use switches Code 1 (8) and Code 2 (9) to set the code corresponding to this wake-up unit
  10. Set toggle switch (11) Request to the On position
  11. Indicator (5) Request is lit while the underwater acoustic initiating signal is being emitted
  12. Observe the surroundings, waiting for the buoy with the release (actuator, wake-up unit) to surface.
  13. When the surfacing of the buoy is observed, set toggle switch (11) Request to the Off position unless work with other releases is planned
  14. If the ascent of the release cannot be initiated within half an hour, make sure that the vessel is within the 200-meter zone around the release (the vessel may have been carried out of the zone by drift, etc.)

⚠ CAUTION! When removing the equipment from the water, it is prohibited to pull the wake-up unit or to apply any force to the cable!

⚠ CAUTION! If the programming and control unit is switched on while toggle switch (11) Request is in the On position (which is not recommended), a pause of approximately 30 seconds will be observed immediately before the device enters the Request mode, during which indicator (5) Request will blink.

After the equipment has been raised, it is necessary to:

3. Storage and maintenance

3.1. Storage and maintenance conditions

3.2. Charging the built-in power supplies

The built-in power supplies are charged with the supplied chargers. Chargers from different equipment sets are compatible with each other for devices of the same type.

The chargers are designed for connection to the AC mains and indicate two states:

The specific indication method may vary depending on the specific model and manufacturer of the mains charger. Therefore, to determine it, read the information on the housing of the device or, if none is provided, perform a simple check:

Charge the devices until the charger signals that charging is complete.

During long-term storage, the built-in power supplies must be charged with the supplied chargers at least 1 time every 6 months. Before being put into storage, all devices with built-in power supplies must be fully charged.

4. Obligations and disclaimer

4.1. Terms of replacement and free warranty service

The manufacturer’s warranty covers only factory defects that become apparent during operation of the device in accordance with this manual during the warranty period (2 years from the date of purchase).

The manufacturer guarantees free repair or replacement of faulty equipment from the delivery set specified in section 1.4. that has failed due to a factory defect.

Grounds for refusing free warranty service, free repair and replacement include:

4.2. Limitation of the manufacturer’s liability

ANY OF THE PARTS OF THE DELIVERY SET ACCORDING TO section 1.4., INDIVIDUALLY AND AS PART OF THE SYSTEM, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE “SUPPLIED EQUIPMENT”:

- WAS NOT DESIGNED AS RESCUE EQUIPMENT
- WAS NOT TESTED AS RESCUE EQUIPMENT
- IS NOT RESCUE EQUIPMENT
- THE MANUFACTURER DECLARES THAT THE SUPPLIED EQUIPMENT IS SAFE WHEN OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS, AND THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENCES OF THE USE OF THE SUPPLIED EQUIPMENT

Appendices

Bottom equipment installation form No.

Device Factory number Note
F4105-AU wake-up unit    
F4105-BU actuator    
No. Latitude of installation site Longitude of installation site Installation date Code Removal date Note
1            
2            
3            
4            
5            
6            
7            
8            
9            
10            
11            
12            
13            
14            
15            
16            
17            
18            
19            
20            

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