The Naval Missile Center Water Sampler: An Integral Bathythermograph and Water-Sampling Apparatus for Use from Ships under Way

摘要

The Naval Missile Center water sampler was developed for use from a moving ship in the Ships of Opportunity programs. The water sampler has an air chamber that is pressurized to a pressure proportional to the water pressure at which the sample is to be taken. Two versions of the sampler were developed. One has a wing and is towed in a negative attitude. The other has no wing and is lowered on a cable of a bathythermograph (BT) winch. Both versions operate on a cable from a BT-type winch; however, the version with a wing can operate from other types of winches as well. With both versions, a BT section incorporated in the design between the inlet and sampler sections allows BT readings to be obtained at the same time that a sample is obtained. A prototype of the water sampler with a wing was designed and fabricated, and then tested successfully at depths down to 150 feet and at speeds of approximately 10 knots. Further tests were precluded by loss of the prototype water sampler at sea. The tests completed indicate that: (1) A water sampler based on this design is a feasible means of gathering water samples at speeds ranging from 0 to at least 10 knots at depths of at least 150 feet. (2) Depths and speeds of sample gathering can be increased. (3) Further tests are necessary to determine that the water sampler operates satisfactorily at greater depths and speeds. (Author)