Ship Speed Measurement

1
INTRODUCTION
The speed of any object must be measured relative to some other point.
At sea, speed may be measured relative to either the seabed (ground
reference speed) or to the water flowing past the hull (water reference
speed).
Both of these types of speed measurement are possible and both have
their place in modern navigation systems.
2
ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION
Voltage is induced whether the magnetic field of a magnet moves near a
stationary conductor or the conductor moves in a stationary magnetic
field.
3
ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION
Voltage is induced when a magnet moves towards or away from a coil,

inducing a current in the coil.
Faster the magnet’s motion, the greater the induced current.
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ELECTROMAGNETIC SPEED LOG
This type of log uses Michael Faraday’s principle of measuring the

flow of a fluid past a sensor by means of electromagnetic induction.
Assuming that the magnetic field remains constant, the amplitude of
the induced e.m.f. will be directly proportional to the speed of
movement.
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In a practical installation, a constant e.m.f. is developed in a conductor

(seawater flowing past the sensor) and a minute current, proportional
to the relative velocity, is induced in a collector.
The magnetic field created in the seawater is produced by a solenoid
which may extend into the water or be fitted flush with the hull.
As the vessel moves, the seawater (the conductor) flowing through the
magnetic field has a small e.m.f. induced into it.
This minute e.m.f., the amplitude of which is dependent upon the rate
of cutting the magnetic lines of force, is detected by two small
electrodes set into the outer casing of the sensor.
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The conductor is seawater passing through the magnetic field.

Fleming’s right-hand rule shows that the generated e.m.f. is at right
angles to the magnetic field (H).
Induced current flowing in the conductor produces an indication of the
e.m.f. on the meter.
If we assume that the energizing current for the solenoid is d.c. the
induced e.m.f. is Blv,(where B= the induced magnetic field, l = the
length of the conductor, and v = the velocity of the conductor) If the
induced magnetic field and the length of the conductor both remain
constant then, e.m.f. = velocity.
9
The e.m.f. thus produced is very small but, if required, may be made
larger by increasing the energizing current, or the number of turns of
wire on the solenoid.
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WORKING OF EM SPEED LOG
The small signal speed voltage from the sensor, e.m.f.1, is applied to a
differential transformer where it is compared to a reference voltage,
e.m.f.2, produced from a potentiometer across the input a.c. supply.
The potential difference produced across the reference resistor provides
the energizing current for the solenoid in the sensor.
If the signal voltage e.m.f.1. differs from the reference voltage e.m.f.2.
an error signal voltage e.m.f. is produced.
This error voltage is applied to the speed signal amplifier where it is
amplified to produce sufficient power to drive the servo motor.
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WORKING OF EM SPEED LOG
The servo will in turn produce a speed reading, via a mechanical

linkage, on the indicator.
Also coupled to the servo shaft is the slider of the speed potentiometer
that turns in the direction to reduce the error voltage e.m.f.
When this error voltage drops to zero the servo ceases to turn.
The speed indicator is stationary until the next error voltage e.m.f. is
produced.
Each time an error voltage is created the servo turns to cancel the error
and thus balances the system.
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CHALLENGES OF EM LOG
The a.c. supply to the solenoid produces inductive pick-up between the
coil and the wires that carry the signal. This in turn produces a ‘zero’
error that must be compensated for by ‘backing off’ the zero setting of
the indicator on calibration.
 The induced e.m.f. is very small (for reasonable amplitudes of
energizing current), typically l00 Μv per knot.
 The induced e.m.f. and hence the speed indication will vary with the
conductivity of the water.
 The device measures the speed of the water flowing past the hull of the
ship. This flow can vary due to the non-linearity of a hull design.
15
CHALLENGES OF EM LOG
Ocean currents may introduce errors.

 Pitching and rolling will affect the relationship between the water
speed and the hull. Error due to this effect may be compensated for by
reducing the sensitivity of the receiver. This is achieved using a CR
timing circuit with a long time constant to damp out the oscillatory
effect.
 Accuracy is typically 0.1% of the range in use, in a fore and aft
direction, and approximately 2% athwartships.
OTHER SPED MEASUREMENT METHODS
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Water pressure speed log

Acoustic speed log
Doppler speed log
17
COMPARISON BETWEEN FOUR LOGS
A water pressure speed log, occasionally called a Pitot log

(a) measures W/T speed only
(b) requires a complex arrangement of pressure tubes and chambers
mounted in the engine room of a ship and a Pitot tube protruding through
the hull
(c) produces a non-linear indication of speed which must be converted to a
linear indication to be of any value. This is achieved either mechanically
or electrically in the system
(d) speed indication is affected by the non-linear characteristics of the
vessel’s hull and by the vessel pitching and rolling.
(e) possesses mechanical sections that require regular maintenance.
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An electromagnetic speed log

(a) measures W/T speed only
(b) produces a linear speed indication
(c) operates by inducing a magnetic field in the salt water flowing
past the hull and detecting a minute change in the field;
(d) produces a varying speed indication as the conductivity of the
seawater changes.
(e) Indication may be affected by the vessel pitching and rolling in
heavy weather.
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A log using the acoustic correlation technique for speed calculation:

(a) can operate in either W/T or G/T mode. G/T speed is also measured
with respect to a water mass;
(b) measures a time delay between transmitted and received pulses;
(c) produces a speed indication, the accuracy of which is subject to all
the environmental problems affecting the propagation of an acoustic
wave into salt water.
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A Doppler speed logging system
 (a) transmits a frequency (typically 100 kHz) towards the ocean floor
and calculates the vessel’s speed from the frequency shift detected;
(b) measures both W/T and G/T speed;
(c) produces a speed indication, the accuracy of which is subject to all
the environmental problems affecting the propagation of an acoustic
wave in salt water
(d) uses a Janus transducer arrangement to virtually eliminate the
effects of the vessel pitching in heavy weather
(e) may use more than one transducer arrangement. One at the bow
and another at the stern to show vessel movement during turn
manoeuvres.
21
SUMMARY
To be accurate, speed must be calculated with reference to a known
datum.
At sea, speed is measured with reference to the ocean floor (ground-
tracking (G/T)) or water flowing past the hull (water-tracking (W/T)).
Traditionally, maritime speed logging devices use water pressure,
electromagnetic induction, or the transmission of low frequency radio
waves as mediums for indicating velocity.

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1

Voltage is induced when a magnet moves towards or away from a coil,

This type of log uses Michael Faraday’s principle of measuring the

In a practical installation, a constant e.m.f. is developed in a conductor

The conductor is seawater passing through the magnetic field.

The servo will in turn produce a speed reading, via a mechanical

Ocean currents may introduce errors.

Water pressure speed log

A water pressure speed log, occasionally called a Pitot log

An electromagnetic speed log

A log using the acoustic correlation technique for speed calculation:

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