Submersible load cells go in DEEP

Industries:

  • Marine
  • Engineering
  • Manufacturing
  • Research & Development

Products Used:

Three DDEN submersible sensors been used to measure the force that a scale model of a innovative seaweed farm will experience while tethered to the sea floor
(Fig 1.) Three Applied Measurements Limited (AML) DDEN submersible sensors are used to measure the force that a scale model of a innovative seaweed farm will experience while tethered to the sea floor.

I have used many sensors during my career, but the DDEN sensor from Applied Measurements is by far the most accurate that I have ever seen. It’s 0.15% accuracy is simply outstanding. – John McDowell, Research Lead at DEEP.

The brief

Nestled in a modern business estate near the Bristol Channel lies the headquarters of ocean engineering company, DEEP. Its office-based front hides a cavernous interior that is fully equipped to make ocean floor living a reality. This gleaming white state-of-the-art research facility has a distinct SpaceX feel about. The cacophony of robotic machinery, prototype habitation assembly, forklift trucks and the excited babble of researchers leaves you in no doubt that serious work, progressing this new world initiative, is happening all around you. But Applied Measurements was not there, on a sunny day in August 2024, to marvel at the latest crew operated submersibles, instead we are guided by our hosts to their impressive wave and current test tank.

The multi purpose wave and current test tank at DEEP

The wave absorbing end of the Deep water flow and wave test facility in Avonmouth
(Fig 2.) Generated waves are absorbed by an artificial beach to ensure minimal reflections.
Deep logo underwater in the flow and wave test rig
(Fig 3.) Scale models are moored on a wire mesh platform which represents the seabed. The wire mesh can be raised or lowered for different test scenarios.
The wave generating end of the Deep water flow and wave test facility in Avonmouth
(Fig 4.) Paddles generate waves which induce loads and motions on the scale models being tested.

The wave and current test tank is not just there to validate DEEP products. It is also used as a stand alone revenue-generating test facility that can be hired to test third party scale model prototype designs. Using up to six Applied Measurement sensors, DEEP can measure structure load forces on a whole range of third party scale models in addition to their own in-house tests.

Watch the wave and current test tank in action

The wave and current test tank at DEEP utilises Applied Measurement DDEN sensors

How the DDEN Submersible Sensor was used

Tethered seaweed farm load testing

SeaGen, a UK marine technology company, was keen to understand the forces that their innovative tethered seaweed farm would experience when subjected to a whole range of sea states and tidal flows. They approached DEEP to simulate these scenarios without going to the great expense of testing a full scale version out to sea. By embedding DDEN-100N Submersible Sensors in to each of the three tethering chains (See Fig 5.) the DEEP team could view and record the output from each DDEN sensor. This output capture is nicely illustrated in Fig 6 & Fig 7, where proprietary computer software allowed for short and long time period visibility of the dynamic tension that each of the tethers were experiencing.

In order to ensure the voltage output range (0.1V to 10Vdc) was compatible with their test rig, each DDEN sensor had an integrated circuit load cell amplifier (ICA1H) fitted inside them. The IP68 rated DDEN sensors ensured that the devices remained waterproof no matter where they were placed in the water tank and the stainless steel construction prevented any corrosion from taking place in the chlorinated water (swimming pool level concentration).

John McDowell, Research Lead, had this to say about our DDEN sensor. ‘I have used many sensors during my career, but the DDEN sensor from Applied Measurements is by far the most accurate that I have ever seen. It’s 0.15% accuracy is simply outstanding’”. John then added “many researchers use load cells for scale model testing, but the scaled down loads can be relatively small in certain applications. Having a load cell that can accurately show the difference between a few Newtons, but also has the capacity to measure up to 100 Newtons means that the DDEN’s are useful for a wide variety of testing and research”.

Three DDEN submersible sensors been used to measure the force that a scale model of a innovative seaweed farm will experience while tethered to the sea floor
(Fig 5.) Three DDEN submersible sensors being used to measure the tension that a scale model of an innovative seaweed farm will experience while tethered to the sea floor.
Short time period individual outputs from three DDEN submersible sensors, recorded and displayed on a computer at the Deep water flow and wave test facility in Avonmouth
(Fig 6.) Short time period individual outputs from the three DDEN submersible sensors, recorded and displayed on a computer at the DEEP wave and current test tank.
Long time period individual outputs from three DDEN submersible sensors, recorded and displayed on a computer at the Deep water flow and wave test facility in Avonmouth
(Fig 7.) Long time period individual outputs from the three DDEN submersible sensors, recorded and displayed on a computer at the DEEP wave and current test tank.

Limitless testing possibilities

The 10m of thermoplastic polyurethane (PUR) of supplied cable allow the DEEP researchers to easily connect the three DDEN 100N sensors to their computer monitoring set up. This DDEN test set up will allow DEEP to offer the full suite of force tension and compression test measurements to any third party.

Meeting your requirements

Applied Measurements pride themselves in designing bespoke sensors, even if only one sensor is required. If you have a bespoke industrial sensor requirement to accurately measure pressure, load, weight, torque, position or displacement then please contact us. Our technical engineers can design sensors (also called transducers) to seamlessly integrate with any test rig, operation or device and measure any magnitude of force in any situation.

Don’t need a bespoke sensor? We have hundreds of items in stock, including measurement indicators, instrumentation and accessories. Visit the shop now.

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Posted in Case Studies, Load & Force, Submersible & Underwater, Subsea & Offshore

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