Lateral Dynamic Analysis and Motion Control of a Jet Trencher in Ocean Currents

Abstract

In order to control the lateral motion of a jet trencher which is important for stable trenching operation, the oscillation characteristics of the jet trencher are researched. The jet trencher is simplified into a single degree of freedom model with restoring and damping force. The nonlinear mathematical model of the trencher laterally oscillating in ocean currents is established, and its approximate analytical solution is obtained. Results show that the analytical solution has small differences with numerical solution based on the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method and can effectively describe the underwater oscillation. A double-loop PID controller is designed to control the lateral motion displacement of the trencher to return to the center of the pipeline route which is effective and robust for the propulsion system.