Solutions from Kistler for marine slamming include pressure sensors and dynamometers.

Marine slamming: precise testing of motions and loads caused by waves

Ocean engineering tanks are used as a seakeeping and maneuvering basin to not only verify the performance and safety of a ship but also offshore structures like oil and gas platforms or wind turbines. Dedicated solutions from Kistler for this application range from different pressure sensors to dynamometers for studying the coupling of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics.

Applications for the wave basins described here include testing of moored or fixed objects (such as oil and gas platforms or offshore wind turbines) to determine motions and loads caused by waves and wind. For offshore wind turbine testing, the wind and waves that act simultaneously on the turbine can be measured by a set of 3-component dynamometers positioned at the base of the mast between the anchorage and the unit under test. This marine slamming testing provides high-quality benchmark data to validate methods of simulating the coupling between aerodynamic and hydrodynamic behaviors. Test measurements for oil and gas platforms (or even ships) typically require the pressure sensors to be flush-mounted on the wall of the structure or the ship's hull.

High-sensitivity IEPE (voltage) pressure sensors

Expected pressure of less than 1 bar should be measured with the correct accuracy; thanks to IEPE technology, the pressure sensors can be connected directly to the DAQ system with no need for costly charge amplifiers.

Pressure sensors with fast rise times and high natural frequencies

Common impact pressures are below 1 bar with fast rise times of roughly 1 ms. These conditions require pressure sensors with fast rise times and/or high natural frequencies.

Pressure sensors with low thermal shock sensitivity

Measured impact pressures may be affected by a pressure sensor's thermal shock behavior. The design of Kistler's 601C series features very low sensitivity to thermal shock, so these sensors are highly suitable for measuring impact pressures due to slamming.

Piezoelectric technology can handle heavy structures while focusing on the smallest dynamic variations thanks to the right choice of charge amplifier settings.

Waterproof multicomponent force sensor solutions with wide measuring range

Force sensors from Kistler are hermetically sealed with a welded design to ensure that they are watertight. Cables are fitted with seals specifically designed for underwater use. Further water tightness can be achieved by welding a 1698A cable on a triaxial force sensor.