Development, Testing and Operation of a Large Suspended Ocean Measurement Structure for Deep-Ocean Use
Abstract
A large, suspended ocean measurement structure was developed and operated. The structure was a tripod configuration 5100 m high with a base footprint of 6190 m, all of which is suspended by a single 6150-lb buoyant float. The three 6200-m-long legs contained environmental measurement instrumentation and engineering sensors located in the top 2150 m of the legs. Communications with the system was via a single steel coaxial cable, which also moored the tending vessel during operation. This paper focuses on the ocean engineering for developing, testing, and operating the system. A new, lightweight cable design facilitated storage, deployment, and retrieval of more than 18,600 m (10 nmi) of cable from a relatively small, 210-foot-long tending vessel. The deployment scenario was optimized to allow this single vessel to transport and deploy over 67 tons of system equipment. An acoustic positioning system was employed to 'fly' the 7000-lb anchors to precise bottom locations. The system was the largest ocean measurement structure to be successfully deployed in the deep ocean (5200 M).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA252188
Entities
People
- D. L. Walton
- G. D. Mccardle
- M. G. Fagot
- R. C. Swenson
- T. A. Howell
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory