Trawl-Resistant Bottom Mooring for Ocean Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oceanographic research lacks a system for autonomous, long-term, unattended measurement of bio-optical properties in coastal and offshore environments, as existing technologies are not trawl-resistant, have limited optical instrumentation, and require pump mechanisms, leading to short deployment periods and incomplete data sets.
Innovation Solution
A trawl-resistant bottom mooring system with a profiler that includes multiple optical sensors, an upward-looking ADCP, CTD, and satellite transceiver, designed for unattended operation, with anti-fouling mechanisms and low power requirements, capable of collecting comprehensive ocean data across the water column and transmitting it in near-real time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current autonomous technology is used with fiberglass housings and pump mechanisms, then optical sensing capability is provided, but deployment period is limited and system reliability deteriorates due to lack of trawl-resistance and high power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies anti-fouling mechanisms that convert the harmful effect of biological fouling into a manageable condition through chemical or physical treatments. The housing design converts the harmful effect of trawling into a protective feature by creating a trawl-resistant structure that prevents damage while maintaining operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction for the housing, combining materials with different properties to achieve both trawl-resistance and optical sensing capability. The composite structure provides mechanical strength against trawling while incorporating optical windows or ports for sensor operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If floating profiling systems are used to accommodate full optical instrumentation, then measurement capability is improved, but system stability deteriorates due to exposure to wind, waves, and ship traffic
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of floating systems that are vulnerable to surface conditions, the patent inverts the approach by using bottom-mounted stationary housings that profile upward. This inversion provides stability by anchoring the system to the seabed while maintaining the capability to measure vertical profiles through upward-looking sensors
3Stability of the object's composition
If bottom-mounted profiling systems are used with upward-looking sensors, then operational stability is improved, but sampling resolution deteriorates due to limited vertical coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs upward-looking sensors that detect optical properties in the vertical dimension from a bottom-mounted position. This dimensional approach allows full water column profiling by measuring light attenuation and other optical properties as they vary with depth, achieving vertical resolution without requiring the system to physically move through the water column
4Adaptability or versatility
If ship-based sampling is used to replace autonomous sampling, then sampling flexibility is improved, but operational cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements autonomous sampling systems that operate independently without requiring ship presence or manual intervention. The system self-manages profiling operations, data collection, and transmission over extended periods, eliminating the time and cost associated with ship-based deployment while maintaining adaptive sampling capabilities through programmable control
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 continuous, long-term monitoring of bio-optical and physical ocean properties, reducing costs and improving data resolution, allowing for the study of short-time and space-scale variability, and validation of remote sensing algorithms.
Implementation Method 1
an upward looking acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP)
Implementation Method 2
Tools to measure a large suite of optical parameters
Implementation Method 3
backscattering at two wavelengths
Implementation Method 4
fluorescence at one wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
System for collecting ocean data includes a trawl-resistant bottom mooring having a base unit and profiler on board. Method for collecting ocean data includes steps for receiving and executing a configuration file in the base unit and the profiler, collecting data, transmitting the data to a receiving station, and transferring to and archiving the data in the base unit.