Error analysis of an acoustic current meter

Accuracies of the benthic acoustic stress sensor (BASS) and the proposed modular acoustic velocity sensor (MAVS) are evaluated. A simple model of the hydrodynamic sources of error for acoustic current meters is presented and compared with the measured performance of BASS in a tow-tank and in field deployments. The sources of error addressed include those due to ideal flow around the sensor cage, wake effects from the support structure and transducers, vortex shedding from the cage, and electronic zero-point offsets. Electronic error dominates at velocities less than 5-10 cm/s, while flow disturbance dominates at higher speeds     

An acoustic current velocity meter for position instruments and probes

This paper considers the theoretical grounds for designing a new multi-component current velocity meter with a comprehensive beam pattern and minimum impact of structural elements on the measurement data. The effect of technological error on the sensor's ability to transmit acoustic signals is assessed. Information about the practical realization of the acoustic current velocity meter is provided, together with the results of its metrological tests. Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.     

潜体绕流及远场声特性分析

首先采用SST（shear-stress transport）k-ω两方程湍流模型求解了潜体三维非定常粘性流场,然后基于Lighthill声类比理论,对潜体流噪声的远场特性进行了数值分析,并探讨了攻角的影响。研究结果显示,基于所研究的潜体外形,潜体在舷侧及深度等正横方向上的声辐射显著高于潜体在艏、艉等轴向上的声辐射,攻角的存在使声辐射增大。     

Proper movement of a current meter mounted on a suspended drift station

In situ observations of the movement of a current meter attached to a long cable system of a drifting research vessel are discussed. A method is suggested which allows the cable configuration to be restored using measurement data on tangent orientation with respect to the given points. The compiled data indicate that the elements of the cable system shift by dozens of metres with a speed of the order of tens of cm per second. These shifts account for about 90% of the estimated value of current velocity energy pulsations in the frequency band corresponding to the proper frequency oscillations of the current meter and of the vessel's roll and-and-pitch motions.Translated by V. Puchkin.     

Wave particle velocities measured with a Doppler current meter

A newly developed three-dimensional Doppler current meter is described and the results of preliminary field experiments are presented where simultaneous measurements of surface elevation and water velocity associated with wave orbital motion were made. The phase difference between the surface elevation and the vertical velocity measured at 1.0 and 0.45 meters below the mean water level is found to be approximately 90, in accord with the theory for surface waves of infinitesimally small amplitudes. The spectral (frequency) density distribution for velocity is also found to agree with that we would expect from the linear theory for the observed frequency distribution of surface elevation. However, the amplitude of velocity is consistently smaller (about 10 %) than that we would expect. This reduction of amplitude is more pronounced in cases where waves are high and the water depth is shallow.     

Performance of a broad-band acoustic Doppler current profiler

A new broadband acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) is described, with a useful range comparable to that of a commercially available narrowband (incoherent) system of the same acoustic frequency, but having enhanced performance. The extra performance may be traded off among (1) reduced velocity variance, (2) reduced averaging time, and (3) finer depth resolution. This improvement permits the observation of phenomena with smaller time and space scales than is now possible with available ADCPs. An expression predicting r.m.s. velocity error in terms of system parameters and the measured acoustic data is given and is shown to be consistent with the independently measured velocity error among redundant beams. Two major sources of bias error in incoherent ADCPs are shown to be much reduced for the broadband system. Field data demonstrating the improved performance over the existing incoherent ADCP are shown for cases of both strong and weak shear     

Using a lowered acoustic Doppler current profiler for measuring current velocities in the Black Sea

The results obtained with the use of a lowered acoustic Doppler current profiler (LADCP) are presented. The use of the LADCP from a vessel was the first in the history of the study of the Black Sea. The measurements were carried out in the northeastern Black Sea under the auspices of the Black Sea Ecosystem Recovery Program (BSERP) in May 2004. The effect of the computation parameters on the quality and accuracy of the calculations of velocity profiles was studied. It was shown that the use of optimal parameters and reliable navigation data and setting the instrument as close to the bottom as possible could essentially enhance the accuracy of the measurements. The current velocity calculations from the LADCP data were compared with the data on the vessel drift under calm weather. The accuracy of the calculations reached 6–8 cm/s. Recommendations on the choice of the optimal parameters for processing the data on the current velocity are presented.     

Field evaluation of a microprocessor-based recording current meter modified for wave research

The need to estimate the resuspension and deposition of fine-grained sediments and their associated contaminant transport has, in shallow lakes and nearshore areas, called for the measurement of wave data as well as mean flows. Wave statistics recorded by a vector-average current meter over a two-week period are compared to independently measured wave data for a wave-dominated shallow lake at two depths. Wave orbital motions are within 3% of those determined by spectral analysis of frequently sampled currents. Wave propagation directions are within ±19° of spectrally determined directions and qualitatively similar to the fetch-weighted wind direction. Less satisfactory agreement was evident between the wave periods as determined by zero-crossings and the wave spectral peak periods. Reasonable wave periods could be inferred only when the r.m.s. orbital speed exceeded the mean speed. Another possible algorithm for evaluating wave period is tested and recommendations are made for improvements to the measurement system.     

A note on the use of acoustic Doppler current profilers inmesoscale surveys

The mesoscale structure of the Arctic Front in the Greenland Sea has been investigated during three surveys using acoustic Doppler current profiling and hydrographic measurements. It is shown that systematic errors of the current measurements that are related to the ship's speed can be reduced significantly by an appropriate calibration, and that the vessel's navigation remains the main limiting factor in obtaining accurate estimates of absolute currents. However, in regions where the temperature distribution can be assumed to correspond to the density distribution, vertical shear measurements compare favorably with the horizontal temperature fields so that they prove to be a useful tool for high-resolution mesoscale investigations     

SLC9—2型直读式海流计的工作原理简述及维护使用经验

直读式流速仪在江河湖海的水文实验中得到了广泛的应用。介绍 SLC9- 2型直读式海流计的基本结构、工作原理及使用和维护的经验 ,对于水文工作者将有所帮助。     

Effect of upward internal flow on dynamics of riser model subject to shear current

Numerical study about vortex-induced vibration(VIV) related to a flexible riser model in consideration of internal flow progressing inside has been performed.The main objective of this work is to investigate the coupled fluid-structure interaction(FSI) taking place between tensioned riser model,external shear current and upward-progressing internal flow(from ocean bottom to surface).A CAE technology behind the current research which combines structural software with the CFD technology has been proposed.According to the result from dynamic analysis,it has been found that the existence of upward-progressing internal flow does play an important role in determining the vibration mode(/dominant frequency),vibration intensity and the magnitude of instantaneous vibration amplitude,when the velocity ratio of internal flow against external current is relatively high.As a rule,the larger the velocity of internal flow is,the more it contributes to the dynamic vibration response of the flexible riser model.In addition,multi-modal vibration phenomenon has been widely observed,for asymmetric curvature along the riser span emerges in the case of external shear current being imposed.     

细长输流管内外流耦合振动特性研究

管内流动会影响输流管的振动响应,目前关于输流弹性管涡激振动方面的研究较少。基于计算流体力学(CFD)方法,开展内外流对细长输流弹性管振动特性影响的研究。首先在不考虑内流的情况下将弹性管涡激振动数值预报结果与模型试验数据进行对比,验证了数值方法的可靠性。再者考虑内外流耦合作用情况下,对不同内流流速下细长输流弹性管振动位移时—空分布、顺流向最大平均偏移、振动轨迹、内部横向涡的形成与分布等进行了对比分析。结果发现,与外流流速相比,内流流速的增加虽然难以改变弹性管的主振模态,但对沿管体的振动强度影响显著。顺流向最大偏移处管体运动轨迹发生明显的变形和跳跃。在剪切外流和均匀内流对弹性管的联合作用下,沿管跨方向模态间能量转换频繁,伴随着间歇性出现或消失的沿弹性管传播的行波组分,这主要归因于复杂的双重流固耦合系统(外流—管体,内流—管体)。在内流以附加质量力、离心力和科氏力形式的激励下,弹性管内二次流现象明显。在振动过程中,内部横向涡沿管壁生成、脱落并逐渐散布于整个横截面。     

波流共同作用下珊瑚礁冠层附近平均流分布及阻力特性试验

本文通过物理模型试验研究了波流共同作用下珊瑚礁冠层附近平均流的分布特征以及阻力特性,分析了典型波浪工况下无潮流、正向潮流和反向潮流分别作用下平均流速、摩阻流速、阻力系数的沿礁变化规律。结果表明：无潮流时礁前斜坡及外礁坪上存在海底回流且在礁缘附近回流最强,在礁坪上冠层附近平均流表现为向岸流,且该流沿礁向海岸方向持续增大。相较于无潮流时,正向潮流作用下冠层内外均为向岸流,在礁坪上冠层内外的向岸流显著增大;反向潮流作用下冠层内外均为离岸流且在礁缘处达到最大,该离岸流在礁坪上逐渐减小然后趋于稳定。无潮流时礁坪上摩阻流速呈小幅波动;相较于无潮流时,正向潮流、反向潮流影响下礁坪上摩阻流速显著增大,其中正向潮流影响下增幅更大;无潮流时礁坪上水力粗糙度沿礁减小,正向潮流和反向潮流影响下水力粗糙度普遍有幅度不等的增加。三种工况下礁坪上的阻力系数均沿礁整体呈下降趋势,相较于无潮流时,正向潮流和反向潮流影响下礁坪上的阻力系数显著增大,且正向潮流作用时增幅更大。     

Experimental study of forces on a cylinder in oscillatory flow with a cross current

Forces on a circular cylinder have been measured with nominally two-dimensional current and oscillatory flow at right angles. Previous results for purely oscillatory flow defined by a Keulegan-Carpenter number, Kc, have been extended for reduced velocities, Vr, in the range 3–10. For Kc<7 modification of the Karman street by oscillation is complex and locking-on has a dominant influence. For Kc > 7 simply adding forces due to the current and oscillation as though in isolation generally gives conservative results. The ‘current’ drag shows considerable variation and can even be negative. The Morison fit to the in-line force is generally less satisfactory when there is a current and can be wholly inadequate.     

On the use of current meter data to assess the realism of ocean model simulations

The evaluation of ocean simulations against observed datasets is essential to assess their realism and to guide model development, but often remains qualitative, and ignores certain datasets. This paper presents a three-dimensional, quantitative comparison of a 1/6° Atlantic numerical simulation (CLIPPER) with the WOCE current meter dataset in terms of mean velocity and eddy kinetic energy. Our metrics reveal the good behaviour of CLIPPER open boundary conditions and forcing with respect to full-depth current records. Due to its still moderate resolution, however, the model globally underestimates the observed mean speeds and eddy activity. This discrepancy is barely noticeable at low latitudes but increases toward the poles, probably since the poleward decrease of the Rossby radius exceeds that of the horizontal grid step. At least in this eddy-admitting regime, it is suggested that the numerics of geopotential-coordinate models like ours dissipate mean and eddy momentum at depth and adversely affect current–topography interactions.     

Studying characteristics of a fine layered structure of the lower troposphere on the basis of acoustic pulse sounding

Results of acoustic sounding of the lower troposphere with the aid of detonation generators of acoustic pulses are given. This sounding method is based on a partial reflection of acoustic pulses with shock fronts from vertical wind-velocity and temperature gradients continuously varying with height in the troposphere and on the penetration of reflected signals into the region of acoustic shadow. Experiments on tropospheric sounding were carried out on the ground of the Barva Innovation Scientific and Technical Center (Talin, Armenia) in September 2015. In these experiments, an antihail acoustic system was first used as a generator of acoustic pulses. Experimental results have been compared with data obtained earlier in similar experiments carried out in the vicinity of Zvenigorod with the use of a special detonation generator of acoustic pulses. Due to the high resolution (in height) of the sounding method, which reaches 1 m in the stably stratified lower troposphere within a height range of 250–600 m, the vertical profiles of layered effective sound speed inhomogeneities with vertical scales from a few to a few tens of meters have been retrieved. The influence of these fluctuations on the form and amplitude of acoustic signals at a long distance from their pulsed source has been studied.     

Visualisation of flow conditions inside a shoreline wave power-station

The particle flow inside an oscillating water column type wave power-station varies with time and changes direction. In order to establish flow patterns and energy dissipating mechanisms, and to assess the influence of geometry changes on the hydraulic performance, flow visualisation experiments were conducted on a 1/36 two-dimensional model of the Islay prototype wave power-station. It was found that large vortices develop around the comparatively thin front wall for in- and outflow and that internal sloshing occurs during the inflow period. From the observations it could be deduced that the front lip curvature and thickness have to be increased. Previous suggestions to structure the front wall surface in order to reduce wave loads had to be revised as these obstacles would interfere with the inflow. An internal breaker was observed, indicating that the loads on the back wall might be considerably higher than assumed.     

Numerical study on the flow characteristics of tidal jets induced by a tidal-jet-generator

The flow characteristics of tidal jets induced by a Tidal-Jet Generator (TJG) are investigated using a finite-difference numerical scheme, named Navier–Stokes (NS)–Marker and Cell (MAC)-TIDE, based on the fully 3D NS equations. The TJG is an enclosed rectangular breakwater, which has vertical opening and a large enclosed volume inside. During both phases of tide, strong and uni-directional jets can be obtained locally from the inlet of the TJG, due to the water level difference between the inner and outer sides of TJG.The computed results are extensively compared with three other independently developed numerical models; 3D-ADI, DVM, and CIP-CSF. These models are based on quasi-3D, 2D depth-averaged, and fully 3D NS equations, respectively. It is seen that the present fully 3D numerical model NS–MAC-TIDE can predict the maximum intensity of inlet velocity with higher accuracy than the other numerical models when compared with the empirical function proposed from the experiments. The numerical simulations based on NS–MAC-TIDE can reproduce successfully the processes of generation, development, and dissipation of tidal jets. The effects of gap opening on the main characteristics of the tidal jet flow are assessed. Through numerical assessment, it is also clearly demonstrated that the residual time of a pollutant distributed around the front of the TJG can be decreased by significant amount due to the locally induced tidal jet. The TJG can thus utilize tidal energy for water purification in local marine environment by providing a flushing mechanism.     

Degradation of some mechanical current meter measurements byhigh-frequency mooring or wave motion

Comparison of current measurements from moored (paddle-wheel rotor) Aanderaa current meters and acoustic Doppler current profilers in a strong tidal flow on Georges Bank indicates rate under-reading by the Aanderaa meters at some vertical positions. The under-reading may arise from mooring-line vibrations induced by vortex shedding from spherical buoyancy packages, and shielding of the paddle-wheel rotors due to the meters' inability to remain aligned with the fluctuating relative water velocity. Field tests and a simple model are used to investigate this explanation. The authors briefly review the Georges Bank observations that instigated this investigation. An explanation for the degradation of the Aanderaa measurements is proposed, observational information from field tests is discussed, and the model and its implications are presented. The model results support the hypothesis that high-frequency mooring-line vibration causes the degradation of the Aanderaa measurements