THE FULLY-DEVELOPED TURNING CONFIGURATION OF UNDERWATER TOWED SYSTEMS

The paper presents an analytical study of the steady-state turning configuration of underwater towing systems. Turning is discussed in terms of three behaviour regimes characterized by near zero values of cable weight, body sideforce or turn rate. For generality the analysis is presented in dimensionless form. The primary parameter is a dimensionless turn rate dependent upon absolute turn rate, cable length and drag, and cable tension. At high rates the body turn radius may be much smaller than that of the ship, causing large horizontal tow-off angle at the ship and increased body depth. Tow-off angles and sideload at the ship generally reach maxima and then decrease with increasing turn rate. Centrifugal body force can draw the body outside the ship turning circle, but even then the cable may tow off to the inside at the ship. Three hypothetical examples are employed to illustrate the main features of turning behavior. (Author)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Published in Canadian Aeronautics and Space Journal, V17 N4, pp136-148, April 1971.
• Corporate Authors:

  Defence Research Establishment, Dartmouth

  Dartmouth, NS,   Canada 
• Authors:
  • Hartlen, R T
• Publication Date: 1971-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 15 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cables; Dynamics; Towing devices
• Old TRIS Terms: Cable dynamics; Towed body systems; Towing cables
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00025622
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: DREA-70-6
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 11 1972 12:00AM