Self-charging ocean sensor
A unique sensor platform that is designed to recharge its own batteries has been developed by Canadian company Seaformatics. This new unit has been designed to sit on the ocean floor for long periods to measure a wide variety of data from the ocean floor but its main application is likely to be for port security.
For port security the platform can be located on the seabed at locations around a port area and it can be equipped with sensors that could detect swimmers or underwater craft, which could be intruders into a secure area. As a low maintenance security system it could provide a cost effective solution for many security requirements.
The key to this self-contained unit is the power harvesting system which is a tidal or current generator turbine mounted on top of the platform This is free to rotate in the current and is equipped with a three bladed rotor with the generator housed in the nacelle. In currents of 1 metre per second this generator can produce 100 watts and this reduces to 3 watts in a 0.2 metre per second current.
This current is fed to a pressure compensated battery pack with a capacity up to 2 kW hours and an output of 12 volts or less. A variety of sensors can be attached to the platform to suit the application of the platform and the data from these sensors can be recovered by real time via an acoustic link with a range of up to 2.5 km which would be adequate for most harbour security requirements.
The platform is 1.8 metres in diameter at its base and 2.5 metres high with a weight of 500 kg. It is available in depth ratings from 100 to 3000 metres and it is deployed by either lowering with a winch or by freefall. Recovery of the unit is achieved from the surface by means of an integrated anchor release.
Seaformatics is associated with Memorial University in Newfoundland.
By Dag Pike
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