Hydro-Wiper
Operation Manual
Hydro-Wiper # C for OBS3+ sensor
External trigger controlled version
Hydro-Wiper operation manual
Overview
The Hydro-Wiper is a mechanical wiper system designed to be easily
fitted to the D&A OBS 3+.
By wiping at regular intervals, the Hydro-Wiper keeps the optical
window of the OBS3+ clear of bio-fouling and other deposits such as
mud. This reduces the necessity for costly site visits to manually
clean the sensor, and maintains data quality throughout the
deployment.
The Hydro-Wiper consists of a wiper body that the OBS3+ is
clamped onto. The wiper body is connected to a wiper control
module by a cable. The wiper control module has a trigger input,
which is connected to the control line of a data-logger. When the
control line is driven high (+5 volt) by the data logger, the HydroWiper performs a wipe.
The wiper drive shaft features a slip mechanism which prevents
damage to the wiper motor gearbox if the wiper arm is knocked or
jolted during the deployment.
The wiper control module incorporates a micro-processor, which
intelligently manages the wipe operation. The wiper control module
also monitors the position of the wiper arm between wipes. If the
wiper arm is knocked or jolted so that it is in the region in front of the
OBS3+, then the Hydro-Wiper will detect this and move the wiper
arm to one side.
The Hydro-Wiper has been carefully designed for minimal power
consumption, making it suitable for remote field sites, where power
availability maybe limited.
Zebra-Tech Ltd
1
Hydro-Wiper operation manual
Installation
The OBS3+ is mounted in the clamp at the front of the wiper, with the
optical window facing directly away from the Hydro-Wiper. The
OBS3+ should be positioned so that the brush sweeps across the
whole surface of the optical window (Photo 1).
Photo 1. Mounting the OBS3+ in the Hydro-Wiper clamp
Zebra-Tech Ltd
2