Analysis and Tests of the Behavior of an Underwater Acoustic Horizontal Array Platform

• Main Authors: Chong-Moo Lee, Kihun Kim, Sung-Hoon Byun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Korean Society of Ocean Engineers 2018-08-01
• Series: 한국해양공학회지
• Subjects: Horizontal array; Array platform; Circulation water channel test; Underwater behavior analysis; Prototype test
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.26748/KSOE.2018.6.32.4.222

Most underwater acoustic arrays for low frequency operation are deployed vertically, but a mid-range frequency horizontal array system is being developed by the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO). The horizontal array platform is deployed underwater and kept in place by weather vaning mooring. This is essential because it is nearly impossible to keep a submerged body at a given position in the water without any external force. Hence, the horizontal array platform can maintain the desired position in the presence of a weak tidal current. The objective of this study is to design an underwater platform that can maintain its horizontal position in a weak current. First, the authors investigated various virtual models, selected one of the models, and performed a small model test of the selected model at a basin. We calculated the external forces associated with the 2D motion, and then we conducted a large basin test followed by a circulation water channel test for the manufactured array platform. The results of the simplified 2D motion calculation essentially matched the results of the underwater test.