No, we’re not heading to the Crossfit Games, we’re talkin’ about a different type of movement here. We’re moving things in water, so we’re taking “thruster” back.
An underwater thruster is a propulsion device that combines a propeller with electric motor. It’s mounted on an underwater robot for propulsion and control. Thrusters are commonly used on Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), and Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs).
Here at Blue Robotics, we make the most popular underwater thrusters in the world, the T200 and T500 Thrusters.
T200 Thruster
T200 Thruster
T200 Thruster uses our patented underwater thruster design consisting of a fully-flooded brushless motor with encapsulated motor windings and stator as well as coated magnets and rotor. The thruster body and propeller are made from tough polycarbonate plastic and the only exposed metal components are made from marine grade 316 stainless steel.
It’s easy to use and generates over 5 kgf of thrust, enough to propel a wide array of marine vehicles. Since it’s release in 2014, it’s become the most popular underwater thruster in the world.
T500 Thruster
T500 Thruster
The T500 Thruster is our next-generation underwater thruster with three times more thrust than the T200 Thruster. With a 24V / 43.5A power rating, high efficiency, and ruggedized design, it is an ideal choice for high-power ROVs, surface vessels, AUVs, and more!
the technology
The fully-flooded design is unique compared to thrusters existing before the T200. It allows the motor to be water-cooled and the plastic bushings to be water-lubricated. It eliminates the need for shaft seals, magnetic couplings, and air- or oil-filled compartments, making the thruster naturally pressure tolerant. The design is compact and has a minimal number of parts so that we can offer it at an affordable price.
The core motor design is a three-phase brushless outrunner motor, similar to what you’d see on drones and RC airplanes, but optimized for underwater use. A sensorless brushless electronic speed controller (ESC) like our Basic ESC is required to run the thruster in all situations. It’s optimized to run at a voltage of 16v (such as a 4s lithium-ion battery pack), but can run at a range of voltages.
BlueROV2
BlueROV2
The T200 Thruster is used on a number of underwater ROVs, AUVs, and underwater drones including our flagship underwater ROV, the BlueROV2. The thrusters provide compact but powerful underwater propulsion on the ROV.
The BlueROV2 uses the patented T200 Thrusters in a vectored configuration, providing a high thrust-to-weight ratio and the ability to move precisely in any direction. The ROV comes with six thrusters but is expandable to eight thrusters with the Heavy Configuration Retrofit Kit, providing full six-degree-of-freedom control and feedback stability.
other ROVs
other ROVs
Many companies are utilizing Blue Robotics thrusters in their vehicles! One of our Distributors, JM Robotics, has developed the JM-HD3 using T500 Thrusters. The HD3 is used by oil and gas companies, such as Chevron to perform subsea inspections.
Outland Technology has also developed an ROV using T500 Thrusters.
The ROV-3000 is intentionally designed for ease of use and ruggedness, its features include a 600 meter depth rating, auto depth, auto heading, auto pitch, and tool-free maintenance. Options include sonar packages, DVL station keeping, a single function and/or two function manipulator, cleaning brush tool, skid packages, and more.
BlueBoat
BlueBoat
Propulsion isn’t all about thrusters, we also have vehicles running on motors, like our M200 Motor! The M200 Motor is a subsea motor designed to run in harsh ocean conditions. It has the same performance as the T200 Thruster, but without a nozzle, making it perfect for use on USVs (like the BlueBoat), AUVs, and more!
Our BlueBoat’s unique deep hull shape pushes weeds and debris down and out of the way. Anything that isn’t pushed down is brushed away by highly swept weedless propellers driven by two M200 Motors.
other USVs
other USVs
ROVs aren’t the only place thrusters are being used! GPA Seabots utilizes T200 Thrusters in their SB100 Pro.This USV is a compact and versatile marine robotic data collection platform that is ready to work right out of the box with easy deployment and high capacity to add any type of sensor.
AUVs
AUVs
Seaber’s micro-AUV, YUCO, is equipped with a T200 Thruster to create a uniquely reliable tool combining exceptional performances and low maintenance. YUCO is operable in all types of coastal waters for applications ranging from coastal monitoring to aquaculture to search and rescue.