An Evaluation of the Hydrodynamic Stability and Operational Suitability of a Towed CTD Depressor System through Use of an Acoustic Tracking Range

摘要

In September 1979, MAR, Incorporated was contracted to perform an acoustic tracking test of a depressor designed to house a CTD instrumentation package. This report describes the planning, preparation and results of the test conducted at the BARSTUR range in June 1980. The depressor is a modified mine sweeping body employing an inertially actuated rudder for lateral stability and a closed loop servo-control system for depth and elevator control. A sketch showing the principal dimensions of the body is presented. The depressor can be operated either at constant, commandable depth or can be commanded to cycle up and down about a mean depth by inputting a wave form signal through the control system. Although the depressor was designed and demonstrated to be very stable during tow-basin tests, an at-sea demonstration was felt to be necessary to determine the spatial and temporal scales of stability when the system was subject to the perturbating influence of sea state, operational towcable lengths and the inclusion of the remote sensors.