The TCM-3 is a current meter that is designed to operate off the continental shelf in water up to 4500m depth. The TCM-3 is constructed from toughened syntactic foam with a titanium pressure housing and is easily deployed by small ROVs. The relatively low cost makes it feasible to accurately measure current in many locations simultaneously.

The core of the TCM-3 is the MAT-1 Data Logger. The MAT-1 data logger was designed for NOAA and is ideally suited as the "brains" of a tilt current meter. The built-in data logger includes a USB communication interface, a microSD flash memory card, and a long-life lithium battery.

Key Features & Benefits

• Water velocity for a fraction of the cost of an acoustic meter
• Tilt compensated compass for bearing measurements
• Simple & rugged design is easy to deploy from a ROV
• Internal temperature sensor is accurate to +/-0.1C
• 8 GB memory card eliminates memory concerns
• Lithium battery allows continuous 4Hz sampling for more than 1 year
• USB 2.0 with standard cable and drag and drop data file offload
• Easy meter configuration and data conversion with Windows® software (free download).

Operation

The TCM-3 Tilt Current Meter measures current using the drag-tilt principle. The logger is buoyant and is typically attached to the bottom via a short flexible tether to a small lead or concrete anchor. Moving water tilts the logger in the direction of flow. The TCM-3 contains a 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis magnetometer for measuring tilt and bearing. The resulting orientation data is converted to current by applying calibration coefficients with the included software.

Specifications

See "TCM-3 Product Data Sheet" for more detailed specifications.

Package Contents

• TCM-3 Tilt Current Meter
• Lithium battery (installed in logger)
• 8 GB microSD card (installed in data logger)
• 1 m (3 ft) USB A to micro-B Cable
• Spare O-ring (pre-lubricated)
• 30 cm (12") lanyard