Abstract
An underwater profiler is one of the popular platforms for ocean observation. Due to energy limitations, conventional underwater vehicles have a short life span, which cannot meet the needs of long-term ocean exploration. Therefore, there is a growing interest in using ocean energy such as ocean thermal energy and wave energy for driving. This study aimed to investigate an energy-saving and ocean thermal energy (OTE)-powered buoyancy driving system of the ocean profiler. The purpose of this study was to explore an ocean profiler buoyancy driving system powered by ocean thermal energy (OTE). According to the seawater profile temperature gradient, an OTE-powered electro-hydraulic control system was designed, and the dynamic characteristics of this system are simulated and analyzed by using the power bonding diagram method. Based on the results conducted from lake tests, this profiler possesses the self-driving capability for using OTE perfectly. This research can provide important guidance for the design of the buoyancy drive system of underwater vehicles.
Highlights
Oceans account for 70% of the earth’s surface area with abundant biological resources and mineral resources, so the exploration of the ocean is very important
An analytical solution is developed to study volumetric heat generation effects during the melting and solidification of nano-enhanced phase change materials (PCMs) that are encapsulated in a horizontal cylindrical container [2]
Lessening in melting and solidification time of 30% and 43% was attained in the case of NPCM with 0.3% and 0.9% in experiments, respectively [5]
Summary
Oceans account for 70% of the earth’s surface area with abundant biological resources and mineral resources, so the exploration of the ocean is very important. The underwater thermal profiler, which can be used to detect the ocean, is a kind of autonomous vehicle that moves up and down between the sea surface and deep sea. It can harvest OTE through the utilization of phase change materials (PCMs) and convert OTE into mechanical energy for a buoyancy-driven system. Research proves that adding materials with high thermal conductivity and specific surface area could increase the rate of thermal charging and discharging. Anne et al studied two enhancement materials, namely, aluminum and graphite foams, saturated with PCM, and results showed that the thermal charging enhancement of graphite foams is superior to that of aluminum foams [4]. Lessening in melting and solidification time of 30% and 43% was attained in the case of NPCM with 0.3% and 0.9% in experiments, respectively [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
