A Chiometer and a New Winch for SWIMS3
Abstract
LONG-TERM GOALS. Our goal is to understand mixing in shallow water, i.e., the upper 500~m, by observing it in relation to the larger-scale processes producing it. Regimes of interest include open-ocean fronts, continental slopes and shelves, ridges and canyons. OBJECTIVES. This project will add a chiometer to SWIMS3, our depth-cycling towed body, to observe scalar microstructure in addition to the larger-scale variables currently measured. It will also replace the winch used to cycle SWIMS3 in depth. APPROACH. Owing to its faster speed and tighter profiles, SWIMS3 can sample mixing processes much more intensively than can microstructure profilers. We have been estimating dissipation rates using Ozmidov scaling of density overturns. Adding the Chiometer will provide a more direct measure by adding the variance of small-scale scalar gradients to the data suite. The new winch is needed simply to replace the present one, which we have used since 1993. Because it will carry longer and thicker tow line, it will let us profiler deeper and reduce the chance of losing SWIM3 by cable failure. WORK COMPLETED. Electronic and mechanical design of the chiometer is nearing completion, as is the analysis to choose the optimum cable size for the winch.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA605404
Entities
People
- Jack B. Miller
- Michael C. Gregg
Organizations
- University of Washington