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The effects of vertical motion on the performance of current meters

Water-Resources Investigations Report 87-4147
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri874147

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Abstract

A series of tests to determine the correction coefficients for Price type AA and Price type OAA current meters, when subjected to vertical motion in a towing tank, have been conducted. During these tests, the meters were subjected to vertical travel that ranged from 1.0 to 4.0 ft and vertical rates of travel that ranged from 0.33 to 1.20 ft/sec while being towed through the water at speeds ranging from 0 to 8 ft/sec. The tests show that type AA and type OAA current meters are affected adversely by the rate of vertical motion and the distance of vertical travel. In addition, the tests indicate that when current meters are moved vertically, correction coefficients must be applied to the observed meter velocities to correct for the registration errors that are induced by the vertical motion. The type OAA current meter under-registers and the type AA current meter over-registers in observed meter velocity. These coefficients for the type OAA current meter range from 0.99 to 1.49 and for the type AA current meter range from 0.33 to 1.07. When making current meter measurements from a boat or a cableway, errors in observed current meter velocity will occur when the bobbing of a boat or cableway places the current meter into vertical motion. These errors will be significant when flowing water is < 2 ft/sec and the rate of vertical motion is > 0.3 ft/sec. (Author 's abstract)

Suggested Citation

Thibodeaux, K., Futrell, J.C., 1987, The effects of vertical motion on the performance of current meters: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 87-4147, vi, 50 p. :ill. ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri874147.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title The effects of vertical motion on the performance of current meters
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 87-4147
DOI 10.3133/wri874147
Year Published 1987
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description vi, 50 p. :ill. ;28 cm.
Additional publication details