Measuring and testing – Oceanology – Towed probe
Patent
1993-09-21
1994-09-20
Woodiel, Donald
Measuring and testing
Oceanology
Towed probe
43 91, 7317032, A01K 7302, G01N 100
Patent
active
053478606
ABSTRACT:
This invention provides a device and method for measurement of the actual on-bottom time of a sampling otter trawl used for benthic sampling. The device uses passive measurement of the actual on-bottom time without cables and wires connected to the ship, and is small enough to be mounted on a standard otter trawl door without affecting its net-towing function. The apparatus consists of a sealed bottom contacting and counting sensor which totalizes and displays the accumulated on-bottom time. Power is supplied from a self-contained battery which may be automatically recharged by a solar cell. In operation, a flexible trigger arm is mounted so as to extend below the runner on the bottom edge of the trawl door. When bottom contact is first made, the trigger arm bends and mechanically causes a magnet to move sufficiently close to actuate a magnetic switch inside a transparent electronic data module. An electronic counter inside the module will count minutes and seconds as long as the magnetic switch is closed. Whenever the spring loaded trigger arm lifts off the bottom, the counter will stop. Actual elapsed bottom time may be read from a liquid crystal display (LCD) through the transparent case after a run. The counter may be reset to zero prior to the next trawl by waving a magnet across the module face, or the time may be allowed to accumulate. The unit has been built and experimentally tested in Southern California waters, during which it was found that the device is very useful for trouble shooting and for making adjustments for weather conditions, bottom currents, trawling direction and scope length. Also, when the net fouls or picks up large debris, intelligent decisions may be made as to whether the trawl bottom time has been impacted.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3482034 (1969-12-01), Rhoades et al.
patent: 3501953 (1970-03-01), Cudlitz et al.
patent: 4554759 (1985-11-01), Edling et al.
patent: 5123195 (1992-06-01), Hawkins
Carroll Leo R.
Woodiel Donald
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