Development of a Satellite-Tracked Oceanographic Drifting Buoy for the Brazilian Antarctic Program, Part 1

摘要

The project Measurement of the Antarctic Current (MEDICA) which was to develop, build and launch drifting oceanographic buoys, located by System ARGOS, in Antarctica is presented. The basis of the drifting buoy was to used a data collection platform (DCP). A biconic geometry was used for the buoy hull to provide good vertical stability and resistance to entrapment by ice. Fiberglass was used for its high strength to weight ratio, and the facility to use molds for production of the hulls. Sandwich construction was incorporated and provided for outer and inner hulls of fiberglass with polyurethane foam between the walls. Within the hull, the DCP unit and its interface box are mounted within a metal conical rack. The transmitting antenna is mounted on a metal base-plane disc and, in turn, is secured atop the rack. A power supply, consisting of several hundred alkaline dry cells, suitably interconnected and sealed within a plastic housing, resides below the rack for maximum buoy stability. An additional thermistor is mounted in a housing on the conical cover of the buoy and provides air temperature readings. The physical specifications and measuring capabilities of the sensors.