Experimental investigations on loop manoeuvre of underwater towed cable-array system

This paper reports on laboratory experiments conducted for the loop manoeuvre of underwater towed models of a cable-array system. The purpose of the experiment is to record the cable-array configuration in the vertical and azimuthal planes, and measure the tow-point tension while the tow-ship model is performing a full 360° loop manoeuvre at different radii and speeds, in the calm waters of the wave-basin test facility. The test setup utilises an underwater video camera, TV, VCR and a ring-type strain-gauge load cell. The X, Y, Z coordinates of the cable-array system are obtained by measuring frozen displays of the experimental configuration. The coordinate and tension results obtained from experiments are compared with computed values.     

A hydrodynamic model of a two-part underwater towed system

A three-dimensional model of a two-part underwater towed system is studied. In the model, the governing equations of cables are established based on the Ablow and Schechter method. The boundary conditions for the two-part underwater towed system are derived. The six-degrees-of-freedom equations of motion for submarine simulations are adopted to predict the hydrodynamic performance of a towed vehicle. The established governing equations for the system are then solved using a central finite difference method. In this paper several algorithms are used to solve this special form of finite difference equations. The results in this paper indicate that the two-part underwater towed system improves the dynamic behavior of the towed vehicle and is an easy way to decouple the towing ship motion from the towed vehicle. Because the model uses an implicit time integration, it is stable for large time steps and is an effective algorithm for simulation of a large-scale underwater towed system.     

Experimental investigation on a two-part underwater towed system

An experimental set-up is developed and proved to be effective for laboratory study of an underwater towed system. The experimental technique gives a practical method for monitoring the kinematic and dynamic performance of an underwater towed system in a ship towing tank. Both the theoretical and experimental results in the investigation indicate that the hydrodynamic response of a towed vehicle to the wave induced motion of a towing ship can be significantly reduced by applying a two-part tow method. A comparison of the numerical and experimental results in the investigation demonstrates that the numerical simulation results are close to the experimental data, overall agreement between experimental and theoretical results is satisfactory. The results qualitatively verify the mathematical model of a two-part underwater towed system proposed by Wu and Chwang [Wu, J., Chwang, A.T., 2000. A hydrodynamic model of a two-part underwater towed system. Ocean Engineering 27 (5), 455–472].     

基于模糊神经网络理论对水下拖曳体进行深度轨迹控制

以华南理工大学开发的自主稳定可控制水下拖曳体为研究对象,首先通过水下拖曳体在拖曳水池样机中的试验取得试验数据后作为训练样本,采用LM BP算法,建立基于神经网络理论构建的可控制水下拖曳体轨迹与姿态水动力的数值模型。在此基础上设计了一个控制系统,它主要由两部分组成:基于遗传算法的神经网络辨识器和基于模拟退火改进的遗传算法的模糊神经网络控制器。以满足预先设定的拖曳体水下监测轨迹要求为控制依据,由控制系统确定为达到所要求的运动轨迹而应采用的迫沉水翼转角,以此作为输入参数,通过LM BP神经网络模型的模拟计算预报在这一操纵动作控制下的拖曳体所表现的轨迹与姿态特征。数值模拟计算结果表明:该系统的设计达到了所要求的目的;借助这一系统,可以有效地实现对拖曳体的深度轨迹控制。     

海洋测量水下拖曳设备的位置计算方法研究

针对海洋测量水下拖曳设备位置确定问题,综合考虑拖缆受力、海流影响以及水下拖体的运动性质,建立了水下拖曳设备的位置计算模型,并仿真计算分析了测量船在不同航行状态下拖曳设备位置确定的规律,探讨了不同海流效应对拖曳设备位置确定的影响。仿真计算结果表明,在海洋动态环境作用下,拖缆各方向的偏移明显呈曲线形状,非简单几何运算所确定。测船各方向的运动均可对水下拖体的位置在相应方向产生一定影响,而水下拖体位置的变化量小于测船拖点位置的变化量。海流对水下拖曳设备定位可造成数米的偏差,需进行相应改正。建议可考虑采取船载式ADCP实时测流辅助水下拖曳设备定位的工作模式。     

Investigation on a two-part underwater manoeuvrable towed system

A hydrodynamic model of a two-part underwater manoeuvrable towed system is proposed in which a depressor is equipped with active horizontal and vertical control surfaces, and a towed vehicle is attached to the lower end of a primary cable. In such a system the towed vehicle can be manoeuvred in both vertical and horizontal planes when it is towed at a certain velocity and the coupling effect of excitations at the upper end of the primary cable and disturbances of control manipulations to the towed vehicle can be reduced. In the model the hydrodynamic behavior of an underwater vehicle is described by the six-degrees-of-freedom equations of motion for submarine simulations. The added masses of an underwater vehicle are obtained from the three-dimensional potential theory. The control surface forces of the vehicle are determined by the wing theory. The results indicate that with relative simple control measures a two-part underwater manoeuvrable towed system enables the towed vehicle to travel in a wide range with a stable attitude. The method in this model gives an effective numerical approach for determining hydrodynamic characteristics of an underwater vehicle especially when little or no experimental data are available or when costs prohibit doing experiments for determining these data.     

Dynamics and control of towed underwater vehicle system, part II: model validation and turn maneuver optimization

This paper presents a validation of a three-dimensional dynamics model of a towed underwater vehicle system and discusses an application of the model to improve the performance of the system during a turn maneuver. The model was validated by comparing its results to experimental sea trial data, as well as to results from another independently developed simulation. The dynamics model was then imbedded in an optimization routine. This routine was used to vary turn radii in order to improve the U-turn performance. Significant improvements were obtained relative to a standard semicircular turn geometry.     

An underwater towed electromagnetic source for geophysical exploration

Low-frequency electromagnetic methods are used in geophysical exploration to detect the magnetic field distortion between a transmitter and receiver produced by locally conductive bodies. Both ground and airborne systems are in current use. It is possible to similarly conduct underwater geophysical exploration by using an underwater towed source of electromagnetic radiation and a receiving magnetic or electric field detector. The receiver can be towed on an auxiliary cable, mounted on a boom on the towing platform, or land based. An underwater towed electromagnetic source suitable for ocean-bottom exploration has been constructed, and its underwater propagation characteristics at low frequency have been studied. This underwater calibrated source (UCS) is 4 m long, weighs 383 kg in air, and can produce vertical and horizontal magnetic dipoles and a horizontal electric dipole. Powered by a current-feedback-controlled, high-power, modified sonar amplifier, the UCS can produce 9710 ampereturn.m2 of magnetic dipole or 200 A.m of electric dipole at 50 A at frequencies up to 200 Hz without significant attenuation from coil inductance. This paper concentrates on the mechanical, hydrodynamic, and magnetic design details of the UCS and the electrical system, consisting of the high-current drive power system and the shipboard monitoring system for attitude and depth detectors.     

主动式声纳列阵拖曳系统姿态数值计算

主动式声纳列阵拖曳系统是用于探测潜艇的新型声纳系统，为了准确探测潜艇的位置，必须首先预报声纳列阵的瓷态，本文通过对其三维力学模型的分析，得到该系统的运动微分方程，其中缆索的力学方程是基于Ablow和Milinazzo的模型，而对于拖体则运用六自由度空间运动方程模拟，结合边界条件，用有限差分法求解，通过对拖船的不同运动状态如匀速，变速和回转的计算，证明本文的方法对于预报声纳列阵的姿态是有效的。     

Ray Theory Application in Long Baseline System

The long baseline (LBL) system is widely used to locate and track autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) through acoustic communication.Three important issues are presented here in LBL system application with AUV.Those issues which regard the normal acoustic communication between LBL system and AUV are the depth of towed array,the length of beacon cable,and the effective area of the AUV.The first issue is the key of the LBL system,which ensures the normal communication between towed array and beacons.The second issue which impacts the normal communication from the AUV to beacons in available range should be considered after the first one has been settled.Then the last issue determines the safe work area of the AUV.The ordinary differential equations (ODE) algorithm of ray is deduced from Snell′s law.The ODE algorithm is applied to obtain sound rays from sound source to receiver.These problems are solved by the judgment that whether rays pinging from a sound source arrives at a receiver.The sea trial shows that these methods have much validity and practicality.     

6000m深海拖曳系统动力响应计算

本文数值计算了６０００ｍ深海单拖体和双拖体拖曳系统的动态响应，特别是研究了拖船的垂荡运动对拖体定高性的影响。对于双拖体系统，本文对第二拖体在水中的重量、联接两拖体的缆索长度及其在水中重量等因素对第二拖体定高性的影响进行了详细的计算、分析。计算表明，采用双拖体系统可大大提高系统的定高性。     

关于变深声纳(VDS)拖缆拖体系统漂移的研究

变深声纳（ＶＤＳ）拖航中，拖缆拖体系统偏离拖船纵中剖面的现象称为漂移。本文针对为解决某变深声纳拖缆拖体系统拖航时出现的严重漂移，介绍了漂移的危害，分析了漂移产生的原因，解决漂移的方法和试验研究结果。     

Study on the Configuration of Towed Flexible Cables

Based on the fundamental equation of flexible cable dynamics for a towed system, an easily solved mathematical model is set up in this paper by means of appropriate simplification. Several regular patterns of spatial motion of towed flexible cables in water are obtained through numerical simulation with the finite difference method, and then modification and verification by trial results at sea. A technical support is provided for the towing ship to maneuver properly when a flexible cable is towed. Furthermore, the relations between two towed flexible cables, which are towed simultaneously by a ship, are investigated. The results show that the ship towing two flexible cables is safe under the suggested arrangement of two winches for the towing system, and the coiling/uncoiling sequences of the cables as well as the suggested way of maneuvering.     

Predicting the equilibrium depth of a body towed by a faired cable

Comprehensive wind tunnel measurements have been made of the drag coefficients of both the body and the faired cable of a towed system. The drag data has been embodied in theoretical calculations of the depth attained in tow, at speed up to 3 m s⁻¹ (6 knots) with scopes up to 135 m (440 ft). The agreement with sea trial observations is excellent.The work has highlighted the importance of accounting for the variation of faired cable drag with cable angle and has shown that the drag increments due to gaps and misalignments between individual fairing elements cannot be ignored.Methods are derived for estimating these effects for application to other faired cable towed systems.     

Dynamic modeling of cable towed body using nodal position finite element method

This paper analyses nonlinear dynamics of cable towed body system. The cable has been modeled and analyzed using a new nodal position finite element method, which calculates the position of the cable directly instead of the displacement by the existing finite element method. The newly derived nodal position finite element method eliminates the need of decoupling the rigid body motion from the total motion, where numerical errors arise in the existing nonlinear finite element method, and the limitation of small rotation in each time step in the existing nonlinear finite element method. The towed body is modeled as a rigid body with six degrees of freedom while the tow ship motion is treated as a moving boundary to the system. A special procedure has been developed to couple the cable element with the towed body. The current approach can be used as design tool for achieving improved directional stability, maneuverability, safety and control characteristics with the cable towed body. The analysis results show the elegance and robustness of the proposed approach by comparing with the sea trial data.     

A modeling study on steady-state and transverse dynamic motion of a towed array system

A numerical technique for mathematically modeling the steady-state and transverse dynamic motion of an underwater towed sonar array is presented. The transverse vibration response of the array is modeled using the finite difference method; the array itself is assumed to be nonneutrally buoyant and possesses a complex modulus and hence inherent damping. The results obtained from this model should provide useful information for further studying the beamforming and passive-ranging performance degradation and predicting the self-noise level of the towed array system.     

Dynamics and control of a towed underwater vehicle system, part I: model development

Autonomous vehicles are being developed to replace the conventional, manned surface vehicles that tow mine hunting towed platforms. While a wide body of work exists that describes numerical models of towed systems, they usually include relatively simple models of the towed bodies and neglect the dynamics of the towing vehicle. For systems in which the mass of the towing vehicle is comparable to that of the towed vehicle, it becomes important to consider the dynamics of both vehicles. In this work, we describe the development of a numerical model that accurately captures the dynamics of these new mine hunting systems. We use a lumped mass approximation for the towcable and couple this model to non-linear numerical models of an autonomous surface vehicle and an actively controlled towfish. Within the dynamics models of the two vehicles, we include non-linear controllers to allow accurate maneuvering of the towed system.     

水下拖曳升沉补偿系统水动力数学模型研究

建立变缆长的水下拖曳升沉补偿系统水动力学偏微分方程组和边界条件.拖缆动力学模型基于Ablow and Schechter模型,拖体采用水下运载体六自由度方程模拟,运用有限差分法离散偏微分方程组和牛顿迭代法计算变缆长情况下拖体深度与拖缆各点张力的动态取值.数值计算结果表明采用收放拖缆的升沉补偿方法能够有效削弱母船升沉运动对拖体深度和拖缆张力的影响.     

A motion-compensated launch/recovery crane

Oceanographic instrumentation towed from a surface platform is normally subjected to unwanted vertical motion imparted by the rolling, heaving, and pitching of the platform. This motion can cause severe shock-loading conditions in the tow cable and induces unplanned depth variations that reduce the instruments' resolution. This article discusses a unique motion-compensation system for use with towed instrumentation that eliminates shock loading and minimizes depth variation. The system is operational in sea states as high as 5 and effectively decouples 96% of the vessel's motion.     

Transient behavior of towed cable systems during ship turning maneuvers

The dynamic behavior of a towed cable system that results from the tow ship changing course from a straight-tow trajectory to one involving steady circular turning at a constant radius is examined. For large-radius ship turns, the vehicle trajectory and vehicle depth assumed, monotonically and exponentially, the large-radius steady-state turning solution of Chapman [Chapman, D.A., 1984. The towed cable behavior during ship turning manoeuvers. Ocean Engineering 11, 327–361]. For small-radius ship turns, the vehicle trajectory initially followed a corkscrew pattern with the vehicle depth oscillating about and eventually decaying to the steady-state turning solution of Chapman (1984). The change between monotonic and oscillatory behavior in the time history of the vehicle depth was well defined and offered an alternate measure to Chapman's (1984) critical radius for the transition point between large-radius and small-radius behavior. For steady circular turning in the presence of current, there was no longer a steady-state turning solution. Instead, the vehicle depth oscillated with amplitude that was a function of the ship-turning radius and the ship speed. The dynamics of a single 360° turn and a 180° U-turn are discussed in terms of the transients of the steady turning maneuver. For a single 360° large-radius ship turn, the behavior was marked by the vehicle dropping to the steady-state turning depth predicted by Chapman (1984) and then rising back to the initial, straight-tow equilibrium depth once the turn was completed. For small ship-turning radius, the vehicle dropped to a depth corresponding to the first trough of the oscillatory time series of the steady turning maneuver before returning to the straight-tow equilibrium depth once the turn was completed. For some ship-turning radii, this resulted in a maximum vehicle depth that was greater than the steady-state turning depth. For a 180° turn and ship-turning radius less than the length of the tow cable, the vehicle never reached the steady-state turning depth.