CAVECAM
The Karst Research and Technology Center (KRTC) is
involved in the development of new technologies for use in the research and
exploration of caves and karst. KRTC has
designed and is currently working to build the CAVECAM: a remotely controlled
device to survey and record data in difficult or inaccessible areas of caves
and voids.
The CAVECAM is a helium balloon fitted with a gondola and
an attached low- lux video camera and light.
The CAVECAM is designed to be flown into high lead areas in caves, where
accessibility with conventional maypoles, grappling hooks or rock-climbing
rigging (pitons, chocks, pins) is either difficult or dangerous. The CAVECAM will allow remote viewing of
passageways that have been avoided because of the difficulty of access.
Another use for the CAVECAM will be the viewing of caves
and voids that have been seen only by a borehole or are hard to enter. The CAVECAM will have the ability to be
lowered into a borehole, dropped to the level of the cave, and then flown into
the cave a distance of 300’ to videotape the interior of the cave.
1
2 3
5
4
6 7
Where
1 is the helium balloon
2 is the support structure
3 is the camera
4 is the gondola
5 is the fan
6 is the light source
7 is the ballast (weights)
Monitor and VCR
CAVE
The CAVECAM will be tethered by optical cable to the
surface where it will reel out as needed.
The video camera will have a playback screen for viewing in real time
and a video recorder attached to capture the images and date and location of
the survey.
The in-cave CAVECAM will only have the video monitor and
no taping capability.
The CAVECAM should be ready for deployment in the 1st quarter of 2003 and will be available to caving organizations for a small rental charge to help offset the cost of design, development and fabrication. If you need to use the CAVECAM, please e-mail KRTC at info@karstresearch.com.
