PMM Replacement Project

Planar motion mechanism (PMM) test techniques are used to determine hydrodynamic coefficients for mathematical models of ship manoeuvring [1]. An IOT PMM [2] was commissioned in 1996 and has been used successfully in a number of tank tests since then. The 1996 version of reference [2] was released when the PMM was commissioned. Since then, the apparatus has undergone many changes. The 2005 version describes the current PMM control system. The first part is a user manual and the second, a programmer?s guide. The PMM control has six built-in standard tests: static tests (model yawed), sway only, sway and yaw coupled (pure yaw), coupled motion with static yaw, surge, and turning circles (constant yaw rate). In September 2004, a small group began to investigate PMM use and capability at IOT, with the main objective of enhancing the institute?s capability in this area. Group members are Paul Thorburn (Chair), Christopher Williams, David Molyneux, Michael Sullivan, Michael Lau, Tony Randell and Don Spencer (Oceanic). Initial objectives were: 1.1 determine requirements for a PMM 1.2 produce a concept design to meet the requirements 1.3 provide a cost estimate for recommendations. Recommendations may include improvements the present PMM and/or a proposal for a new PMM A previous investigation in 2002 ended when there was no budget available to pursue improvements to the IOT device. A series of meetings began on September 28, 2004 and is continuing. Discussions, actions and results to date are outlined in this report. All information related to this project is available on an IOT computer network folder (pccommon\PMM).NRC publication: Ye