Acoustic Doppler Dual Current Profiler Synchronized Multi-Process Ocean Observation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) are limited in their ability to simultaneously observe multiple ocean processes with different scales and require separate instruments for each process, leading to compromised data quality and synchronization issues when trying to study multiple phenomena.
Innovation Solution
The Acoustic Doppler Dual Current Profiler (AD2CP) uses multiple independent profiling catenations for different beam sets, allowing contemporaneous observation of various ocean processes with optimized data collection parameters for each, including separate optimization of measurement intervals, depth cell size, and energy consumption, and the ability to operate with different beam angles and frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single ADCP is used to observe multiple ocean processes, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates because different ocean processes require different optimized parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ADCP system into multiple independent profiling catenations, each capable of operating with its own optimized parameters for different ocean processes. This segmentation allows each process (e.g., internal waves, tidal currents) to be measured with dedicated parameter sets without interfering with other measurements, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while using a single integrated device.
Solution Approach 2:
The ADCP is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously by supporting different profiling catenations with distinct parameters. The system can observe various ocean processes (different scales, frequencies, and depth ranges) using the same hardware platform, making the device universal and multi-functional while preserving the precision needed for each specific observation type.
2Measurement precision
If separate instruments are used for each ocean process, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple profiling catenations with different optimized parameters into a single ADCP system. By merging the capabilities of what would otherwise require separate instruments into one unified device, the system achieves the measurement precision of specialized instruments while reducing the overall number of devices needed for multi-process ocean observation.
3Measurement precision
If multiple instruments are deployed to observe different processes, then measurement precision is maintained, but synchronization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating multiple profiling catenations into a single ADCP with a unified timing system, the patent eliminates synchronization issues between separate instruments. All measurements from different catenations are automatically time-synchronized since they operate from the same clock reference, ensuring that data from multiple ocean processes can be accurately correlated in time without the drift problems inherent in multiple independent devices.
4Device complexity
If a single ADCP observes multiple processes with different scales, then device complexity is reduced, but data collection efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data collection process into independent profiling catenations, each optimized for specific ocean processes. This segmentation enables parallel or interleaved operation of different measurement sequences, allowing the system to efficiently collect data for multiple processes simultaneously without compromising the specialized parameter optimization needed for each process, thereby maintaining high productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and synchronized data collection of multiple ocean processes with precise alignment and reduced battery consumption, producing high-quality, synchronized data that captures the unique characteristics of each process, replacing the need for multiple instruments and improving data accuracy and duration.
Implementation Method 1
They transmit sound, receive the echoes and process the echoes to detect changes in frequency associated with Doppler shifts produced by the relative velocity of the water and the ADCP
Implementation Method 2
Sound is well suited for making remote measurements of current velocity in the ocean because sound propagates over much larger distances in the ocean than light or other electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 3
They are called piston transducers because they are made from cylindrical disks of piezoelectric ceramics, which vibrate in 'piston mode' to produce a single beam of sound along the axis of the disk
Data Source
AI summary
An AD2CP includes at least one transducer assembly emitting sets of slanted directional acoustic beams and receiving the echoes; and electronics that processes the echoes into depth cells and computes velocity in each depth cell. The AD2CP is configured so that each beam set has a profiling catenation, at least two of which are different, and the AD2CP is configured so that the emitting, receiving and processing operate contemporaneously.