Articulating Moored Profiler Current Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moored profiler systems face challenges in reliability, endurance, and data quality when operating in strong ocean currents, with limitations in profiling depth, sensor placement, and power management, leading to incomplete or failed deployments.
Innovation Solution
The Articulating Moored Profiler System features a streamlined vessel body that articulates about the mooring cable to align with three-dimensional current flows, incorporating a lift assist system and advanced sensor placement to reduce drag, increase endurance, and enhance data collection, while a robust braking system and efficient power management extend deployment duration and data reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional profilers use a traction drive wheel to propel vertically on a mooring cable, then they can maintain position on station, but they suffer from endurance issues and reliability problems in strong ocean currents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static traction drive wheel to a dynamic articulating mechanism with multiple degrees of freedom. The profiler body can articulate relative to the mooring cable, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation and position in response to varying current conditions, thereby improving both reliability and endurance in strong ocean currents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the profiler into separable components: an articulating mechanism with multiple degrees of freedom that can independently adjust the orientation of the profiler body relative to the mooring cable. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and improves overall system reliability by isolating failure modes.
2Duration of action of moving object
If profilers are deployed for long-term measurements, then they can capture episodic ocean phenomena, but they experience sensor drift and calibration issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates self-diagnostic and self-calibration capabilities into the profiler system. Sensors can automatically detect and compensate for their own drift, and the system can identify and correct calibration issues without external intervention, maintaining measurement precision throughout extended deployment periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where sensor data is continuously monitored and compared against expected ranges. When drift or calibration issues are detected, the system automatically adjusts measurements or triggers diagnostic routines, ensuring sustained measurement precision over long deployment durations.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional profilers use multiple instrument packages at preselected depths, then they can sample specific locations, but the cost and complexity increase proportionately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single multi-functional profiler body that can operate at multiple depths and perform various measurement functions. Instead of deploying separate instrument packages for each depth, one universal profiler can be programmed to sample at multiple preselected depths, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining sampling precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating mechanism provides dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing the profiler to move to and maintain positions at multiple preselected depths. This dynamic adaptability replaces the need for multiple static instrument packages, simplifying the overall system while preserving the ability to sample at specific depths with precision.
4Adaptability or versatility
If profilers operate in strong ocean currents, then they can collect data in challenging environments, but they experience increased drag and power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating mechanism allows the profiler to dynamically orient itself relative to the mooring cable and current direction. By adjusting its attitude in real-time, the profiler minimizes drag forces from strong currents, reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to operate in challenging environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of strong ocean currents into a beneficial feature. The articulating mechanism uses current forces to help position and orient the profiler, transforming what would be a source of excessive drag and power consumption into an auxiliary positioning and orientation system that actually reduces overall energy requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to profiler systems and methods for observing and sensing aspects of a body of water at a plurality of depths. A water profiler is disclosed comprising, generally, a vessel body connected to an external mooring cable via an attachment means, a drive means for maneuvering the vessel body longitudinally about the mooring cable; an articulating mechanism; and a sensor array capable of measuring a parameter for study wherein the vessel body is capable of articulating about the mooring cable. In alternate embodiments, the articulation allows the vessel body to be placed in relation with the three dimensional current such that at least one sensor is positioned into the current so as to sample or measure undisturbed water. In alternate embodiments, hydrofoils or wings are mounted to the vessel body that can be manipulated to harness the current force and maneuver the vessel body.