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Figure 7 (Click on individual
panels to enlarge)
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 The
remote vehicle is a 13’ Hobie Wave catamaran supporting
an instrument platform on which the SCIMS package, two GPS units,
12V battery banks, and solid-state chargers are mounted. Twin
radio-controlled electric motors and servo-driven rudders provide
propulsion and steering. The SMS is supported on an articulated
boom between the Hobie hulls and forward of the platform.
In addition to SCIMS, the vehicle carries a flux measurement
system consisting of a 2-D sonic anemometer and relative humidity
and temperature probes mounted on a 3-meter mast, along with
subsurface temperature and conductivity probes. The GPS units
are integrated with the data acquisition systems. Communications
and real-time control of SCIMS operations are made via wireless
LAN components mounted on the catamaran and the support vessel.
In deployments, the vehicle has proved to be highly maneuverable
in winds up to 6 m/s. Endurance is about 6 hours and limited
mainly by the current drain of the propulsion system. |
