The combined velocity-density-vorticity (VDV) sensor: a report on its first use

the authors have developed a general-purpose sensor to measure several flow properties simultaneously. The instrument is very compact, simple to use, accurate, and cost-effective. VDV can measure 3-dimensional velocity, buoyancy flux and vorticity using advanced ultrasonics. The measurements are simultaneous and are sampled in the same volume of water. This guarantees very high correlation between the velocity, density and vorticity data. This is essential in energetic, rapidly fluctuating coastal environments, as well as in some low-speed deep ocean applications. The authors have completed a series of tests in a large laboratory tow-tank and in a wave flume at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters. This paper reports on the initial results of the tests.