Before the advent of net monitoring systems, commercial trawlers were fishing blind as there was no way to determine the position or location of their nets. The expensive nets would often get damaged or destroyed through contact with the sea bed. In addition, there was no way to know if the net was full.

CET Technology designed and built a custom transformer for an acoustic sensor manufacturer. Michelle Farnum, Business Manager of CET stated, “In the last few months, we built a custom transformer for a Canadian customer. This custom transformer is for use in underwater acoustic sensors”.

The transformers are used to accelerate the voltage of their sensor's transmission signal. This signal is an electronic pulse that is used to drive a piezo ceramic. The piezo generates an acoustic pulse through the water, which is used for data transmission. Multiple sensors are located on the nets and provide information on: trawl depth, trawl wire lengths, door angle, door spread, headline height and footgear clearance.

The sensors wirelessly transmit the data at 24 kHz back to the vessel’s wheelhouse onto a 3D graphic display. They are battery-powered, have a range up to 2,000 meters and can be deployed to a depth of 1,400 meters. Skippers are reporting a 10-20% reduction in fuel costs as they can adjust the ship’s speed for optimal net spread. Yields are dramatically up--as much as 30% in some cases.

“This transformer is going to be used in all of our customer's transponders,” Farnum said.

Farnum added, “We also make a custom coil for the same customer. The coil is being used in a research project to develop a water flow sensor which measures the direction and speed of the water flow. The coil is connected to an AC signal and produces a strong localized magnetic field. Electrodes are placed near the coil so they are in the magnetic field. A semi-conductive fluid, in our case, sea water, moving through the magnetic field and over the electrodes modifies the field. This induces a small voltage across the electrodes. We measure the amplitude and phase of the induced voltage. The voltage amplitude is proportional to the speed of fluid. Using two pairs of electrodes 90 degrees apart, we can get the water flow direction by comparing the phase of the induced voltage”.

About CET Technology

CET Technology specializes in the design and manufacture of standard and custom magnetics. CET manufactures a full line of ROHS compliant components including transformers, power supplies, inductors, coils, chokes and DC/DC converters. They use the latest manufacturing techniques to guarantee lower production costs with excellent repeatability and performance.

Contact:
Michelle Farnum
CET Technology
27 Roulston Rd, Windham, NH 03087
Phone: (603) 894-6100
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.cettechnology.com/switch-mode-power-supply/