Scientists at the University of Washington have developed an autonomous underwater vehicle that can stay out to sea for up to a year and dive to depths of nearly 9,000 feet — nearly three times deeper than the deepest-diving military submarines.
Known as Deepglider, the 71-inch long, 138-pound device is made of carbon fiber… battery-powered glider carries sensors to measure oceanic conditions including salinity and temperature — information that is key to understanding climate change. When the measurements are complete, Deepglider rises to the surface and transmits the data via satellite to onshore scientists.
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To control Deepglider, Eriksen’s team sends instructions by satellite. The battery-powered device’s hydraulic pumps generate minute changes in volume that cause the vessel to rise toward the surface or plunge further into the ocean.
When scientists want to collect the Deepglider, they send messages from a laptop telling it to stay on the surface. Using a GPS locator, scientists on a boat can motor directly to Deepglider’s location and pull it aboard.
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Traditional gliders consume about half a watt of energy moving at a rate of half a knot. Deepglider’s power consumption is about half that because of its exceptionally stiff hull that’s resistant to pressure. When pressure compresses a hull in a traditional glider, it gains buoyancy and requires more energy to control.
Boeing assembled the 4-foot hull on the same carbon-fiber machine used to mock up the fuselage barrels for the 787.
robot, gps, boeing, 787, buoyancy, remote control, University of Washington, submarine, sea, salinity, global warming
