[Acoustics] Through the Hull Mount

[Scott E Morlock]

Brian:

Here in Indiana we deploy ADCPs from our manned boats using an 
OceanScience tethered riverboat. We have a simple boom made out of PVC and 
float the riverboat along side the boat amidships during measurements. I'm 
sure there are drawbacks to this method, but it has the following 
advantages:

-Transducer draft is not as affected by shifting loads in the boat, or by 
boat dynamics i.e. the bow pitching up
-There is no need for an elaborate mounting scheme or modifications to the 
boat
-This system is easily ported boat to boat
-Your boat crew now also has a tethered boat for bridge measurements if 
need be
-Back when I was more involved with hydroacoustics there was some thought 
that mounting an ADCP in the riverboat hull reduced flow disturbances 
caused by the form drag produced by the ADCP itself. 

We use this method all of the time, including during floods (velocities of 
up to 8 ft/s) and it has worked very well. If you already have a 
riverboat, it can be a cheap and effective option. 

http://in.water.usgs.gov/flood/JetBoatDoppler.jpg

Scott Morlock
Chief, Hydrologic Data Section
USGS Indiana Water Science Center
5957 Lakeside Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN 46278
317-290-3333 ext. 153
Fax 317-290-3313
http://in.water.usgs.gov

*Use of product or trade names does not imply endorsement by the USGS



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