Development of a roll control fin for observation towed vehicles

A roll control fin for towed vehicle observation systems has been developed In Kyushu University to control the rolling motion of the towed vehicle. This device is fitted to the top of the vehicle and controls the rolling angle by a pair of moving wings. Electric power is supplied by a generator equipped with the device which is activated by a turbine. The turbine rotates by towing the towed vehicle, so that it does not need power supplied by a cable during the observations. The roll control fin is thus independent of outer devices for electric power or signal, and can easily be used with many existing towed vehicles. Problems in the field observations by the towed vehicle system and concepts of design of the roll control fin are described in this paper, and details of the device and its control system are explained. Some results of field experiments are also shown and effectiveness of the device is evaluated by the obtained data.