Torque Balance Mechanism Applied to Oceanographic Profiler

Abstract:

The collection of periodic profiles of oceanographic data at specific bites is a critical component of oceanographic monitoring programs. Typically, this type of work is completed by lowering instrumentation from ships but the cost of these operations has often meant that the temporal and spatial coverage of these surveys is less than ideal. As an alternative, moored profilers have been developed but the energy required moving a substantial package up and down a mooring hire can represent a major limitation. A new profiling instrument with Torque balance mechanism is under development. This device is based on a taut single point mid-water mooring system. It incorporates a small, instrumented vertically profiling float attached via an electromechanical cable to a winch integral with the main subsurface flotation. On a pre-set schedule, the instrument float carrying sensors is winched up to the surface. And it can be immediately winched down to a certain depth. To respond to the concern of energy demands, torque balance mechanism has been designed to conserve a substantial portion of the potential energy lost during the ascent phase of each profile and subsequently use this energy to pull the instrument down. Compared with the previous singlepoint layered measurement, it is useful and economica1.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 365-366)
• Pages: 754-757
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.365-366.754
• Online since: August 2013
• Authors: Yong Hua Chen, Si Ren Li, De Jun Gong
• Keywords: Moored Underwater System, Profiling Measurement, Torque Balance Mechanism

References

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[3] A. Y. Bassam, P. P. Vlado. Prediction of hydrodynamic loading on a mini TLP with free surface effects. Ocean Engineering, 33(2006)181–204.

DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2005.04.007