Towing Tank

Description: rectangular tank 200m (656 ft) in length, 12m (39 ft) in width and 7m (23 ft) in depth, models are towed through still water or waves by a carriage spanning the width of the tank, model rigging is facilitated by two trim docks and a moveable overhead crane (4000 kg).

Towing Tank Play Video (.ram) Free video player

Carriage: single manned carriage with 8 wheel synchronous motor drive, test frame adjustable for model size, 80,000 kg mass, 746 kW power, speed range .001 m/s - 10.0 m/s, manual service carriage for wind and current generation.

Wave Generator: dual flap hydraulic wave board with digital computer control, regular or irregular waves program controlled, maximum wave height 1m (regular) or 0.5m significant (irregular).

Wave Absorber: parabolic corrugated surface beach with transverse slats, 20m long with 10.5 slope at water line, flexible side absorbers.

Current Generation: maximum surface current speed 0.3 m/s @ 10m from nozzles.

Wind Generation: 12 fan bank with gusting capability, maximum wind speed 12 m/s @ 10m from fans.

Model Size Range: ships models up to 12m in length, floating structures 0.5m - 4m diameter.

Instrumentation: force measurement, strain gauge load cells, capacitance and sonic wave probes, model position, Qualisys optical tracking, accelerometer arrays and motions package for model motions, propeller characteristics, open water propeller dynamometer, propulsion and control system for free-running models, under and above water video, transient recorders, and flow measurement.

Data Acquisition: A VMS and Windows NT based distributed client/server system using one or more IOtech DaqBoards, each with 256 channel capability at 100kHz aggregate.

Tests Performed:
(1) resistance and propulsion
(2) wake survey
(3) flow visualization
(4) propeller open water
(5) seakeeping
(6) floating and moored structures
(7) loads due to wind and current
(8) lift and drag
(9) dynamics of underwater vehicles

Schematic Diagrams (click to expand)