The design of an oceanographic platform can be defined as the rational
specification of the platform dimensions and geometry. This specification
is usually the result of an iterative process which compares the platform
performance with the objectives to be reached and the logistic constraints
to be met. This report describes such an exercise.
The scientific objectives - measurements of heat flux at the ocean
surface - are first outlined. The limits of heave and roll motion compatible
with the desired measurement accuracy are then established. Given the
stochastic nature of platform response, these limits are stipulated in terms
of expected means.
A review is then made, in some detail, of the analytical approach
followed and of the computer programs used to compute the statistical
expectations of buoy heave and roll response to random sea excitation.
The next section of the report describes the comprehensive parametric
study performed on some twenty different buoy configurations. The purpose
of this study was first to investigate the dynamic response of a plausible
base line design and of modified versions of the base line. A comparison
of the dynamic response of these configurations could then"be made, and
the good features that this comparison would reveal could be used to design
the buoy prototype. Following this approach a final configuration was
specified which would meet the rather severe motion requirements (0. 2 feet
RMS in heave and 5. 0 degrees RMS in roll in sea state 3).
The final section describes the techniques recommended to deploy and
recover the 60 feet long buoy prototype.Prepared for the Johns Hopkins University, Applied
Physics Laboratory under Subcontract 600651
