Controlled Buoyancy System (CBS) for Use with Deep Sea Oceanographic Floats

摘要

The development of an untethered ocean instrument able to move vertically in the water column under computer program control and report data via a long-range acoustic telemeter is described. SOFAR float technology is used, with the addition of a Controllable Buoyancy System (CBS). The complete instrument is frequently called a BOBBER. The primary innovation is an internal energy storage system which reduces the energy requirement for vertical excursions and allows the design of long-term experiments. Submerged testing of a complete instrument is included and reported.