System reliability

The deep and ultra deep glider platforms proposed in this project are novel; they extend existing commercial glider maximum operating depth (700 to 1500 m) to 2400 m and 5000 m respectively and enable a step change in glider payload / sensor capacity. They will operate in extremely demanding environmental applications for which this type of technology has never been deployed.

Because of the lack of historical data there is no standardized reliability data for most, if not all, components that make up both the Deep and UltraDeep platforms. BRIDGES will address this problem by rapid prototyping of mechanical components, such as propeller, actuator components, pressurized hulls and sensors, and test them using novel approaches to enable the parameterization and quantification of component reliability.

BRIDGES will develop and use novel approaches to enable the parameterization and quantification of glider component reliability. NERC (its National Oceanography Centre (NOC)) has started the construction of a state of the art systems reliability laboratory (SRL). The equipment for this laboratory has been purchased and the construction has started and is due to end in June 2015. Components for both Deep and UltraDeep platforms will be reliability tested in the SRL at NOC. In additional to reliability testing the platforms will also undergo interface and systems validation testing in the laboratory.