SeaHorse™ utilizes surface wave energy to move a sensor platform up and down a mooring wire.
SeaHorse™ permits a complete vertical profile to be obtained with a single sensor, eliminating the need for multiple sensors on the mooring line. The sensor platform can be pre-programmed to dwell at depth for set periods of time.
SeaHorse™ can be configured to carry a variety of payloads including CTD, optical and acoustic sensors.
The Sea-Bird 19plus CTD is standard equipment on the SeaHorse™. Most sensors capable of being piggybacked on the SBE19plus can be employed on the SeaHorse™.
SeaHorse™ uses a ratchet system controlled by an onboard microprocessor to harness the natural energy of waves and transfer it into motion. This ratchet system can be set to glide freely or engaged to set the profiler in motion. The profiler can climb down to depth, wait for a pre-programmed length of time and then float along the mooring wire towards the surface by disengaging the gripper mechanism. During the profiling motion the onboard microcomputer logs sensor data in memory. The profiler will operate reliably, even in very calm conditions (as little as 15 cm wave height at 2 second period will cause the profiler to activate).
SeaHorse™ adapts to all sorts of mooring scenarios. The basic SeaHorse™ profiler can operate in water depths up to 200 metres. More shallow-water deployments can be carried out with a minimum of handling equipment and manpower. This photo shows the typical size of vessel required for shallow to medium-water deployments. All the gear required for the mooring can be seen laid out on the deck of the ship.
Deeper deployments require larger vessels only to handle the necessary mooring components; the preparations carried out on the SeaHorse™ are the same for shallow- and deep-water moorings. This picture shows the SeaHorse™ being deployed in 150 metres from the CCGS Parizeau at Station 2 on the Halifax Line.
Programming the SeaHorse™ is accomplished with a laptop computer prior to deployment. Programming involves the input by the operator of parameters such as time between profiles and timeouts for data recording. The laptop must be equipped with either a serial 9-pin comm port or a USB-to-9-pin serial adapter.
Data retrieval can also be accomplished with the laptop. This mobility allows the data to be downloaded on the spot or at a later time back in the shop.
SeaHorse's ability to move through the water column and dwell at the bottom of the mooring close to the sea floor make it an ideal candidate for a gateway buoy.
An experiment is now being carried out by the Ocean Physics department of Bedford Institute of Oceanography using SeaHorse's inductive modem capability and Iridium satellite telecommunication to transmit SeaHorse-collected data in real-time to locations globally. See the link later on this page.
Some examples of data collected by the SeaHorse™ can be seen here. This data was collected, processed and presented in graphical form by Jim Hamilton of the Ocean Physics Division of the Bedford Institute of Oceanography. It was collected at Station 2 on the Halifax line during October of 2000.
A second set of data is now viewable online here. It represents data collected by Dr. Dan Hutt of Defence Research and Development Canada (formerly Defence Research Establishment Atlantic) in May of 2001.
A third set of data is available online here. This data was collected and processed by Dr. Dan Codiga of the University of Connecticut Marine Science Department. Dr. Codiga's SeaHorse (the first of two) is equipped with a Sea-Bird Dissolved Oxygen Sensor in addition to the standard SeaHorse sensor package.
A fourth set of SeaHorse data is available online here. This data was collected and processed by Dr. John Ryan of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. This data was collected during August and September of 2003.
More data charts will be added as they are submitted to ODIM Brooke Ocean. They will be accessible from the existing data charts.
Real-Time Data Telemetry Tests Currently Ongoing! The Ocean Physics department of the Bedford Institute of Oceanography is conducting an experiment employing Iridium satellite telecommunication technology and SeaHorse's inductive modem capability to transmit water column data globally in real-time! Data is transmitted from the SeaHorse to shore where it is processed by BIO and posted on this web site. Data is transmitted from the SeaHorse bi-hourly. |
| Features and Benefits |  |
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Coastal Water and Open Ocean Use - extracts energy from waves as small as 15cm allowing for use in lakes, coastal waters and open seas |
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Longer Deployments - harnesses energy from wave action for the profiler motion, so the power for sensors and data collection electronics utilize the full battery payload |
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Less Mooring Maintenance - cleans the mooring wire continuously as it travels along it |
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Single Multi-Purpose Profiling Platform - accommodates different mooring wire diameters, eliminating the need to use different platforms for different mooring lines |
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Multi-Sensor Capabilities - complete data profiles using a single sensor suite |
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| ODIM Brooke Ocean is currently developing an inductive modem telemetry option for the SeaHorse™ system. |
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Specifications:
| System Specifications | |
| Depth: | Up to 200 m (deeper models available by special order) |
| Wave Height: | Operates with as little as 15 cm @ 2 sec. period |
| Surface Buoy Options | |
| - Standard Surface Buoy - Inflatable Buoy | |
| Profiler Specifications | |
| Length: | 37" (94 cm) |
| Width: | 28" (61 cm) - includes SBE19plus in standard configuration |
| Depth: | 14½" (37 cm) |
| Mass: | 120 lb. (54 kg) - dry weight with SBE19plus |
| Available Sensors: | Please consult factory for details |
| Data Link to Surface Buoy: | Inductive Modem (under development) |
For more information on SeaHorse™, please read the ODIM Brooke Ocean News Releases for February 1998, May 25, 2000, September 19, 2001, March 04, 2003, November 04, 2003 and December 14, 2004.
Got a question about SeaHorse™ that's NOT answered here? Try the SeaHorse™ FAQ!
SeaHorse™ was developed jointly with the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Ocean Physics Division and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Visit their SeaHorse™ website by clicking here.
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URL: http://www.brooke-ocean.com/s_horse1.html (Last Updated: June 26, 2007)