SEAGLIDER
2Pages

Catalog excerpts

PHOTO: Dr. Vernon Asper, University of Southern Mississippi. Seaglider is an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) developed for continuous, long term measurement of oceanographic parameters. Rather than an electrically driven propeller, the vehicle uses small changes in buoyancy and wings to achieve forward motion. The vehicle attitude is controlled using adjustable ballast (the vehicle battery). Seaglider moves through the water in a saw-tooth like pattern and surfaces often to determine its position and to transmit collected data and receive commands via satellite telemetry. Navigation is accomplished using a combination of GPS fixes while on the surface and internal sensors that monitor the vehicle heading, depth and attitude during dives. Seaglider is a powerful data collection tool and incorporates external sensors that constantly scan the ocean to determine water or environmental properties. Potential applications include physical/chemical/ biological oceanography, tactical oceanography, intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance, environmental monitoring, fisheries research and many more. THE SEAGLIDER ADVANTAGE • Extended duration deployment, up to 10 months • Low capital cost • Deployment costs are significantly less than traditional means of obtaining the data that is gathered STANDARD PROFILE For general oceanography applications • Resulting data provides good temporal and spatial scales not possible with research vessels or traditional AUVs • Data is retrieved in near real time via satellite telemetry • Vehicle is piloted remotely via the internet and satellite link • Detailed flight model allows estimation of depth averaged current • Robust design with no external moving parts OGIVE PROFILE Increased payload volume for more demanding sensor c

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C: Low Drag Protective Fairing A: Communications Mast B: Sensor Payload Bay TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Weight and Dimensions • 1.8 - 2 m long (configuration dependent) • Vehicle maximum diameter 30 cm • Weight 52 kg (dry) • Wing span 1 m • Antenna mast length between 43 cm and 1 m (configuration dependent) Maximum travel range/duration • 4,600 km (650 dives to 1 km depth) Operating depth range • 50 to 1000 m Speed • Typical speed 25 cm/s (0.5 kt) Variable buoyancy volume • 850 cc Glide angle • 16-45° (1:3.5 to 1:1 slope) Battery Endurance • Lithium Sulfuryl chloride primary batteries 17...

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