Wave Tank Experimentation of Seafloor Pressure Waves Induced by Ocean Surface Wave Interactions
Abstract
In 1950, Longuet-Higgins developed a theory describing the non-linear interaction of opposing ocean surface gravity waves that produces a 2nd-order pressure field that extends throughout the water column to the seafloor. This 2nd-order pressure field occurs at double the frequency of the two linear waves intersecting each other head-on at 180o. Unlike Airy waves, opposing waves of the same wave frequency appears as a standing wave and the resulting underwater pressure is unattenuated to any depth. Most existing wave energy harvesting approaches focus on energy produced by waves at the water surface. This study is part of an investigation to evaluate the potential for Longuet-Higgins wave interactions to produce pressure fields at the seafloor that could be utilized for energy harvesting. If harvestable, this energy source could provide electrical power to underwater sensors, communications nodes and undersea vehicles, etc. This reported describes and details the results an experiment conducted in a wave tank to generate these conditions and measure the resulting underwater acoustic signals. The sensitivity to their generation conditions is evaluated and summarized, and recommendations are provided.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1198485
Entities
People
- Doug J. Grimmett
- Michael S. McBeth
- Pengfei Wang
- Umesh A. Korde
Organizations
- Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific