RIASSUNTO
ABSTRACT:
The purpose of this research is to investigate the feasibility of a solarpowered underwater glider for realising a long-term and wide-ranging underwater cruise. The SORA glider equipped with two thrustors and amorphous-silicon solar panels was firstly developed as a test-bed vehicle of the solar-powered underwater glider, and the authors have demonstrated that SORA has an ability to go underwater by utilising solar energy. This paper deals with possibility of the utilisation of solar energy for underwater vehicle. An oil-filled hybrid-type-solar-panel mount was developed and electric-power generation test was conducted at an open-air swimming pool and at sea. The feasibility of an oceangoing solar-powered underwater glider was then discussed.
INTRODUCTION
The immeasurable ocean holds the key to resolving global environmental problems we currently face, such as global warming and abnormal weather. It is, thus, of great significance to comprehend the changes in oceanic conditions. The ocean also has the enormous potential to cope with the energy and food crises, such as a drain on fossil-fuel energy and world-population growth, by appropriate utilisation and conservation of methane hydrate, seabed mineral resources and fishery resources. Nowadays various kinds of underwater vehicles are actively involved in the scientific investigations and industrial surveys in the ocean. Three dimensional multipoint and simultaneous measurement will give us many and invaluable information. Autonomous underwater glider is one of the most practical and useful oceanographic observation vehicles. Underwater glider has no propulsive machinery such as thrustor, and it is extremely efficient in energy consumption. Recently, sustainable natural energy has come into the spotlight, and photovoltaic generation system is popularly applied to public facilities or residences. It was, however, difficult to use solar energy underwater because sunlight immediately fades out in accordance with the depth. High efficient solar panels are newly developed one after another.