Floating platform tow post

Abstract

A towing post provides a floating transducer platform on a carriage which arranged for motion in a vertical direction above the center of pressure of a model being tested, for example, by towing across or through a towing basin. Linear bearings are attached to a carriage and engage vertical tracks extending between top and bottom fixed plates of the towing post. One or more transducers may be attached, one above the other, between the floating platform and the model and thus extend through an aperture in the lower plate. Attachment to the model through a gimbal located at the center of pressure of the model allows separation of a measurement, such as of drag, from effects of position and, if desired, a wide range of motion through one or more degrees of freedom, such as pitch and roll. Effects of towing post effects on trim are also eliminated and improved restraint of other motions is achieved. By accommodating more than one force transducer additional measurements can be made for calibration and/or adjustment which, for example, allow effects of yaw to be completely separated from drag measurements.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.