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Design and Depth Control of a Buoyancy-Driven Profiling Float

This paper presents the design and fabrication of a profiling float primarily used for thermocline observations and tracking, with an emphasis on depth control performance. The proposed float consists of a frame-type electronic chamber and a variable buoyancy system (VBS) actuator chamber. Component...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Bai, Yulin, Hu, Rui, Bi, Yuanbo, Liu, Chunhu, Zeng, Zheng, Lian, Lian
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: MDPI 2022
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9003073/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35408122
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/s22072505
Descripción
Sumario:This paper presents the design and fabrication of a profiling float primarily used for thermocline observations and tracking, with an emphasis on depth control performance. The proposed float consists of a frame-type electronic chamber and a variable buoyancy system (VBS) actuator chamber. Components or sensors can be added or removed according to specific requirements. All components were off the shelf, which lowered the cost of the float. In addition, a segment PD control method is introduced. Simulink results showed that there was no need to change any parameter when carrying out tasks at different depths. This method is superior to the traditional PD control and sliding mode control (SMC). In the process of diving, the speed could be well controlled to less than 0.2 m/s. We completed depth determination and control method validation in Qiandao Lake. The final results were consistent with the simulation results, and the maximum depth retention error was less than 0.3 m. Field tests also demonstrated that the prototype float can be used for thermocline observations in the upper layer of seawater or lake water.