Prototype Development of an Expendable Light Scattering Sensor
Abstract
The technical objective of the proposal was to evaluate a device that could eventually be used for the in situ measurement of particle concentration in an aircraft-launched expendable mode. The following criteria had to be met: (1) Scientifically justifiable measurement, (2) Sufficient accuracy for oligotrophic regions (i.e. 1 micro/l particle resolution), (3) Deployment from existing shipboard delivery systems, (4) low cost. We constructed and tested a light scattering device that met all criteria. Based on first principles we derived a transfer function for the device that compared well with observation. The device was tested in the laboratory and was shown to have a resolution in excess of 1 micro g/1 and a full scale range of 5mg/1. Complete electronics of the device and the deployment system were constructed and tested in the laboratory. Sea tests of the sensor were carried out in both turbid coastal water and clear oceanic waters, showing that the scattering sensor has approximately the same sensitivity and range as the standard Sea Tech 25 cm pathlength transmissometer. The output of the scattering sensor cannot be given in absolute terms, however. The research thus showed that the construction of aircraft-launched expendable scattering sensors is feasible.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 12, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA233013
Entities
People
- J. Ronald
- Robert Bartz
- V. Zaneveld